Hi, just got a CPO 2004 3.0. Really happy with it, i got the color i wanted (steel grey) , interior i wanted (black), and light wood that i wanted all by chance. check out the pics (http://homepage.mac.com/ahmadof/PhotoAlbum8.html) . I was over on the roadfly forums before i was enlightened. I have a ton of questions to ask and i didn't know if i should post separately or all in one. I decided to put them all here. All help is appreciated. I have been going through posts here and X5world. Lots to try and digest... i also realize (again) how clueless the dealers are. anyway, i want to get a lot of stuff for the truck and do it all at once, so...
1) What type of rack do you guys recommend for bikes/skiis etc. I was going to add a tow hitch, but the dealer says i need a new bumper. after reading the writeup at x5world, i'm not so sure that's right.
2) There's a lot of fitted cargo mats.. any one seem to be better than the others?
3 I have the aux input for my ipod right now. I'm trying to figure out whether I want to put a CD changer in. I have the NAV, so i think the ipodyour BMW thing is out. From what i can tell, the dension and monster suloutions only let you access playlists that you have created, so if i do that, it's basically like a CD changer right? Both of those are supposed to give track names and steering controls, do they work as advertised?
4) i want to add TV on nav / DVD changer / sirius radio. can i do all these together? I've read all the writeups at X5world about separate instllations, but i seem to only have one free cable (from first glance) in theback. what do i look for? how do i know if it's prewired for sirius? can the DVD changer also double as a CD / MP3 player, or will it only be in mono?
5) if i do add a DVD changer, can anyone suggest one that will fit in the factory rack? The alpine one that was shown installed seemed to be the same size as the CD changer. Will it play all formats? (DVD, VCD. WMV, burned DVD'd , etc.)?
6) Lastly, i also want to add bluetooth. I read (just a few posts down it think) that if you add bluetooth, you have to give up assist. Other places, i've read that the newest module does both. is this right? I'm on verizon unfortunately and i've not seen a definitive answer on the V710 with the newest firmware. does it owrk and if not, is my only option to do the hack on a sony t608 from sprint?
I know there's a lot to go through there, but i would apprecaite any help and suggestions, so i do all this right the first time.
Now that i have the X, i have to figure out what to do to the M3 to make it just a track car! :)

Welcome!

Sorry, I can't answer any of your questions, I have the X3.

Again, welcome!

#1) We put an aftermarket tow hitch on my friends 01 3.0 X5 and it's just bolt up. Just pull the hitch cover and bolt it up. Easy. (He towed a Uhal trailer cross country fully laden without any problems.)

I've installed a factory CD changer on my 01 3.0 and that's really straight forward...but I don't think this addresses any of your questions...
HTH,
--Mike

Hi, just got a CPO 2004 3.0. Really happy with it, i got the color i wanted (steel grey) , interior i wanted (black), and light wood that i wanted all by chance. check out the pics (http://homepage.mac.com/ahmadof/PhotoAlbum8.html) . I was over on the roadfly forums before i was enlightened. I have a ton of questions to ask and i didn't know if i should post separately or all in one. I decided to put them all here. All help is appreciated. I have been going through posts here and X5world. Lots to try and digest... i also realize (again) how clueless the dealers are. anyway, i want to get a lot of stuff for the truck and do it all at once, so...
1) What type of rack do you guys recommend for bikes/skiis etc. I was going to add a tow hitch, but the dealer says i need a new bumper. after reading the writeup at x5world, i'm not so sure that's right.
2) There's a lot of fitted cargo mats.. any one seem to be better than the others?
3 I have the aux input for my ipod right now. I'm trying to figure out whether I want to put a CD changer in. I have the NAV, so i think the ipodyour BMW thing is out. From what i can tell, the dension and monster suloutions only let you access playlists that you have created, so if i do that, it's basically like a CD changer right? Both of those are supposed to give track names and steering controls, do they work as advertised?
4) i want to add TV on nav / DVD changer / sirius radio. can i do all these together? I've read all the writeups at X5world about separate instllations, but i seem to only have one free cable (from first glance) in theback. what do i look for? how do i know if it's prewired for sirius? can the DVD changer also double as a CD / MP3 player, or will it only be in mono?
5) if i do add a DVD changer, can anyone suggest one that will fit in the factory rack? The alpine one that was shown installed seemed to be the same size as the CD changer. Will it play all formats? (DVD, VCD. WMV, burned DVD'd , etc.)?
6) Lastly, i also want to add bluetooth. I read (just a few posts down it think) that if you add bluetooth, you have to give up assist. Other places, i've read that the newest module does both. is this right? I'm on verizon unfortunately and i've not seen a definitive answer on the V710 with the newest firmware. does it owrk and if not, is my only option to do the hack on a sony t608 from sprint?
I know there's a lot to go through there, but i would apprecaite any help and suggestions, so i do all this right the first time.
Now that i have the X, i have to figure out what to do to the M3 to make it just a track car! :)

#1) We put an aftermarket tow hitch on my friends 01 3.0 X5 and it's just bolt up.


Hey, Mike...what brand of hitch did you/your friiend use and where did he get it? Any pictures of the finished install would be great!

Ahmadof...welcome! Here's a little additional input for some of your questions:

1) Your can't ever go wrong with Thule racks and accessories. They are a little heavier than the BMW accessories, but they look good, fit right, and (other than the mounting brackets) can be swapped to non-BMW vehicles. About the same price as the BMW parts, though, so if the X is the only vehicle you plan to use it on, I'd go with the OEM parts. I bought the OEM rack and bicycle lift for my K2 mtn bike and love it! Easy on, easy off, with no need to climb on various parts of the vehicle to get the bike up there and down again. Parts are a bit pricey, but there are some good deals on eBay right now.
2) The BMW parts are top quality and not too expensive. Again, check eBay.
3) I don't have any experience with the iPod adapter, but I think you just answered your own question--it won't work with your Nav unit anyway! Go for the CD changer, or do a custom install of an aftermarket head unit somewhere in the console that has an iPod input.
4) sorry, no experience with this one...try posting your question to the audio forum. X5 audio are pretty similar to e39 5 series, so maybe one of those guys can help you out...
5) see #4
6) see #4

i would like to know what hitch you used as well. The BMW racks do look nice, but do you know if they make as many accessories as THULE? i have a kyak / smowboards as well and like the look of the rooftop cargo carrier. That lift does look sweet though, never seen anything like it.

I would suggest using a hitch mounted rack if you only have 2 (maybe 3 bikes). a roof rack is a major PITA to use. I have a BMW hitch bike rack that came with the vehicle purchase. it's a really sturdy piece. it's suppose to swing out so you can open the tail.

I would suggest using a hitch mounted rack if you only have 2 (maybe 3 bikes). a roof rack is a major PITA to use. I have a BMW hitch bike rack that came with the vehicle purchase. it's a really sturdy piece. it's suppose to swing out so you can open the tail.

You're right, the "normal" roof rack can be a major pain...that's why I went with the lift. You just mount the bike, then let the spring loaded lift do the rest--way cool and a great conversation piece. I went this way because of my previous poor experience with a hitch-mounted rack on an earlier Grand Cherokee--it was always in the way of opening the tailgate! If the BMW unit swings out, as you say, that may also be a good way to go, but it can't be nearly as awe-inspiring as watching your bike get lifted onto the roof..."Look, no hands, Ma!" :D

i would like to know what hitch you used as well. The BMW racks do look nice, but do you know if they make as many accessories as THULE? i have a kyak / smowboards as well and like the look of the rooftop cargo carrier. That lift does look sweet though, never seen anything like it.

They do make a fair number of accessories...bikes, skis, snowboards...not sure about the kayak, but I'd be surprised if it is not available somewhere with a little searching.

Any word on the aftermarket hitch? I'd really rather not spend $400+ for the BMW unit if there is an acceptable alternative...