BMW F25 X3 30D

[Lyons]

Those grills really freshen up the front end. How did you get them out? I looked on YouTube when changing mine, some said the bumper needed to come off but a few said some gentle persuasion would do it... went for the latter & thankfully they came out easy enough

Found a guide on YouTube that got me started, but it didn’t tell me about the clips on the side so took a bit of trial and error.

That looks really smart, did you order your wheel badges from Cotswolds too? i need a new set for the summer wheels.

Yup. They were a bit dearer than Prentice on eBay, but then they matched them.

I see I also need a bonnet badge as it’s corroding too.

 

[Michael M]

When was the facelift done on this model? I see Country Garage have one but suspect it’s the older shape (Feb 2014)

 

[Lyons]

At some stage in 2014.

What happened to the F36 idea?

 

[Michael M]

We looked at one and decided it would be too cramped inside. Also the one we looked at was a poor example and kinda put me off them in general.
90% sure we’ll end up with a Q5!

 

[Lyons]

Finally took a break from the garden work and fitted the rear camera. One of those wee jobs I’d been dreading, but found a great guide on YouTube that made it a lot less daunting. Despite the build quality being better in this than any VW or Audi I’ve had, the trim actually came apart so much more easily too. All in all it made for quite a pleasant experience!

Although not OEM parts, the kit could still integrate with the NBT drive so the car is now coded for a rear camera and it displays on the screen exactly as the factory one does- guide lines and all. Fantastic bit of kit for £190, considering there are alternatives for over twice that which look a bit jip on the screen.

As I don’t have the software the seller agree to code it remotely from Lithuania, so that was completed this afternoon.

Good to have a camera again. I wasn’t a massive fan of a camera in the Golf, but it’s only when you don’t have it you realise how useful it was.

 

[Boabybooster]

23.0 and 21.5 you absolute animal.

 

[Lyons]

Heated seat was on earlier too.

 

[Deezer-D]

Heated seat was on earlier too.

Mine are at18!

 

[J55NI]

Camera looks the part, How did they code it remotely?

 

[Lyons]

They took control of my computer then must’ve paired it to another computer with the software on it. Never seen it done like that before, I assumed I’d have to have the software on my desktop.

 

[Boabybooster]

Probably cloned your key and now have your location as well.

 

[J55NI]

They took control of my computer then must’ve paired it to another computer with the software on it. Never seen it done like that before, I assumed I’d have to have the software on my desktop.

Team viewer software maybe? I would be slightly worried about them gaining access to your information on it.

 

[Lyons]

Any desk. The computer will be getting wiped soon anyway! It’s not used for any banking etc either.

 

[Lyons]

A minor update, but an update nonetheless!

The BMW badge on the bonnet had corroded badly round the outside so I ordered 1 at the same time as getting the wheel badges. After watching a guide online a few weeks ago I thought it shouldn’t be too bad. The video said to use an old credit card and go round prying it up on all sides. 2 seconds after I started and realised it would take me until next weekend to budge it, I remembered I’d bought trim removal tools recently so gave them a whirl. Literally popped straight off, AND the wee rubber holders remained intact. Car things never go smoothly for me so I was delighted!

Sadly the transfer box is away in this too, so it needs a new clutch pack the same as the X5. It’s still under warranty so hopefully Colm can charm RAC into approving it. Will get it done next month when in for a service.

Still very much enjoying it and nice to jump into it after driving the Tiguan.

 

[Lyons]

Another wheel update this weekend, this time of the steering variety. You know you’re starting to rub off on your wife when she asks “are you changing the steering wheel in this?” I wasn’t going to bother to be honest, yes the original is a bit Transit like, but it was literally like new. After getting the wheels for my car, I needed another project to procrastinate over so diverted my attention to steering wheels. I picked this up last week on eBay, it came from an X5 with 14k miles so is absolutely perfect. Swapped it over this evening, 15mins. BMW’s are so much easier to work on than Audis!

Delighted with the result, freshens up the interior nicely.

Since my last post I also managed to get the transfer case changed under warranty. That was a pleasant surprise to save £750 odd!

I also took it to Agnews to have a few wee spots of corrosion checked under the rear number plate. They sent the report to BMW and I’m just waiting for the green light from them then I can get it booked in to get the boot painted.

 

[e320mark]

I have a detachable towbar for an f25 minus electrics if your interested, came from David Murphy towing brackets.

 

[Ben P]

Much better Plug and play job?

 

[Todd]

The newer wheel really freshens the interior. It was on my to do list if i kept the M135i.

 

[Dan.86]

Another wheel update this weekend, this time of the steering variety.

Were you really pleased with yourself when you came up with that joke?

new wheel looks great, makes the previous generation of steering wheels look ancient!

 

[Lyons]

I have a detachable towbar for an f25 minus electrics if your interested, came from David Murphy towing brackets.

Have 1 on the A6 so don’t need another. Thanks anyway.

Much better Plug and play job?

Yup. The later models came with this wheel.

 

[mark19]

Annoys me bmw dont do flat bottom steering wheel standard like in black edition audis

 

[Lyons]

Annoys me bmw dont do flat bottom steering wheel standard like in black edition audis

I’m not a fan of a flat bottomed wheel in larger cars anyway, I think they only suit sporty stuff.

 

[Ben]

Flat bottomed wheels don't really belong in BMW imo.

Not really relevant to the 4x4 BMWs, but it would defo make it harder for me straighten my car up if part of the wheel suddenly changed shape as it spun round through my hands.

 

[mark19]

Flat bottomed wheels don't really belong in BMW imo.

Not really relevant to the 4x4 BMWs, but it would defo make it harder for me straighten my car up if part of the wheel suddenly changed shape as it spun round through my hands.

I loved it in my a4. Really miss it

 

[Harry]

Nice looking thing! Much prefer the original grills however.