Project BMW X5 Step 7 – Near Completion!

Well kiddies, it’s almost done! Wheels, tires, interior and exterior paint, audio/video system, exhaust, headlights, tail lights… In a short time we’ve taken a 2001 BMW that sells for around $10k and for another $7k, made it look as good as the new $70,000 version.

My “assistant” demanded that I take his photo with the car.

Remember that stock BMW burlwood dash? Buh-bye… Piano black accents abound.

I have to send a big shout to Matt at Rosen Entertainment who consulted me on the headrest monitors. Although all of major electronics in the vehicle are from Alpine, these Rosen units are very unique. Check this out. You call Rosen or hit their website to find your vehicle. There’s a great chance that they already offer pre-made headrest monitors for your car. Since these BMW headrests are not in high demand due to the age of the car, Matt grabbed a pair Rosen BMW replacements and dyed them to match the car’s interior. You’d never know the car didn’t come stock with them.

The functionality is amazing. Each monitor swivels open to reveal the DVD slot. Yes, each monitor is actually its own DVD player. And it gets even better. Each monitor can watch the other’s DVD in addition to receiving a feed from the car’s head unit. But wait, there’s more! Let’s say you want the kid in back seat to control the DVD. The headrest monitors also send a feed to the head unit so you can play the audio from the headrests in the car’s speakers. In other words, every A/V unit in the car can serve as either control unit or slave. I know it kinda sounds complicated but it’s not. The bottom line is that your kids will be stoked. Oh, did I mention that they come with infrared headphones and video games pre-installed? Hit Rosen’s website for all the details.

Now, after all these aftermarket parts, is there anything left?

Yes.

This BMW X5 is a 3.0 liter straight six. It’s relatively gutless. Yes, it’s good OK on gas mileage but it’s because of the car’s weight, it simply lags in the power department. So, I’ve been harassing the guys at ESS Tuning. They make a twin-screw supercharger for the E53 X5!

I can just hear my father saying, “Why would you mess with the engine?” Because I can. The fit and finish of the ESS kit is beautiful. From what I understand, the kit was originally designed for the Z4, which as the same engine, then modified to fit the X5. So, there’s plenty of R&D on this kit. A lot of people race their Z4′s so I’m sure there’s been plenty customer feedback, which I like.

As you’ll see from the chart below, the ESS charger produces an additional 90 rear-wheel horsepower. Going from 195 hp to 285 hp is a very noticeable increase, not to mention the gain of 60 ft lbs of torque.

Trust me, if the guys at ESS are into it, you’ll soon see a tech article featuring the kit. And, to make it more interesting, I’ll install it myself to prove how easy it is.

And, as always, if you’ve got a project car you’d like to show off, hit me with an email. I’d love to feature it. lightning@kroq.com.

If you missed Step 5, Alpine Audio and Navigation, click here.

SOURCES

Rosen Entertainment
[Headrest and roof-mount entertainment]
www.rosenentertainment.com

Magnaflow Performance Exhaust
[Exhaust]
22961 Arroyo Vista
Rancho Santa Margarita, Ca 92688
www.magnaflow.com
(800) 824-8664

New Life Service Company
[leather repair]
(714) 914-3388
www.newlifeleatherandvinyl.com

Lexani Wheel Corp.
[Wheels/tires]
2380 Railroad Street
Corona, CA 92880
www.lexani.com
(800) 833-9700

Alpine Electronics Of America
[Audio/Video]
19145 Gramercy Place
Torrance, CA 90501-1162
www.alpine-usa.com
(310) 326-8000

European Auto Source
[BMW specialists]
1305 E. St. Gertrude Place., Unit B
Santa Ana, CA 92705
www.europeanautosource.com
(866) 669-0705

Automotive Express
[parts/suspension]
2420 E 28th St #8
Signal Hill, CA 90755
www.autoexp.com
(562) 989-3894

Eibach Springs, Inc.
[suspension]
264 Mariah Circle
Corona, CA 92879
(800) 507-2338
Eibach.com

Wet Works Garage
[paint, body and fabrication]
779 West 16th Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(949) 646-1867
wetworksgarage.com

EF1 Motorports
[expert installation]
2675 Dawson Avenue
Signal Hill, CA 90755
(562) 424-3378
http://ef1motorsports.com

Irvine BMW
[Leigh in parts is the man!]
www.irvinebmw.com
(949) 380-1200