Greydog

Well presented car however mileage is high 167k for $6500 in the UK that would be around £4500. Downside the Nav package is non OEM wheels are 17". Personally I would keep looking there is very little difference in running cost between the 3.0i and a 4.4V8 (here in the UK) I purchased my 4.6is with 73k and full history from a BMW specialist for £4400 2 years ago (in the UK no one wants a V8 so they tend to be cheaper)

Fingers crossed it shows up and its a simple fix, wouldn't that be good?

I am on my second upgrade from Rusty, first when I brought the 4.4 in 2010 moved it to the 4.6 and just upgraded to 2015 hasn't missed a beat. So i am a convert

As the sub frame bushes last 80k plus I don't think many folks keep a tool unless they are in the trade I had mine replaced with Poly Bushes. I do have a home made tool for the lower rear bushes though. These are big heavy cars so the suspension bushes take a beating

Cotswold BMW do some excellent deals helps keep cost reasonable on older models like ours

Key fob not being recharged when inserted? I have heard of this with E53's inductor ring on the ignition failed so the battery in the fob doesn't recharge resulting in no keyless functions you can still get in and start it with the key however

It sounds as though you have a donor car which will at least provide all the bits is the gearbox manual or auto? If its auto I would try and keep the BMW engine and box together with their control units as I said with some of the later cars you may need the alarm control unit as well as they were linked for immobilizer purposes. That would leave the mechanical stuff, engine/box mounts propshaft then some plumbing for the cooling and aircon. If you look on www.realoem.com put the last 7 digits of the 530's chassis number in and you should be able to pull up drawings that may give clues/help. Good luck with your project

I built a few competition hybrids in the 60's and 70's much easier then as things were electronically simpler (well non existent) If you have a donor BMW then the things that come to mind are: Engine mounts, Radiator, Fuel pumps (ensure delivery pressure is right) Engine management (you may need engine,gearbox and security control boxes as some BM's are linked) Gearbox (or can you fabricate an adapter) is the final drive the same on the Omega? That could drastically effect performance. Final question WHY?

Find a good Independent or Transmission specialist (someone with Autlogic or BMW software) and get the gearbox codes read. That will tell more. It could be as simple as a transmission oil and filter change, or a complete rebuild. Don't want to scare you but a rebuild will be around £2k (unless you can DIY) BMW will just want to fit a new box and not even investigate sadly, do you have a Warranty?

For your car it may be easier to find the nav set up and fit an after market bluetooth. My 2003 X5 has the full set up with bluetooth but it wont stream music. Plus the bluetooth is not 100% with some phones bit of a PITA if you want to remain OEM. You could replace the CD changer with a grom unit or similar to allow music streaming that loses the CD changer though.

Have a look at satnavupgrades.co.uk the speed camera alerts are great and post code search makes destinations easier to find. There are others but there are also reports of system problems due to dodgy software. I have found Rusty to be reliable so if you want the upgrades Post Code search and Camera alerts through experience I would stick with him

They sound a bit off !! Are they going to work through letting you pay until the light goes out? As their abs sensor didnt do any good are they giving your money back? My BMW experience is with X5's but the specialist I use is really on the ball. He says not impossible for the ABS pump to have gone but as it started with low battery voltage he would check the battery again (I know its new) should be 12v+ ignition off engine running around 14v he says he would also check alternator output. He thinks they should be able to test the ABS function to be positive it is the problem.

If its like the X5 E53 models they don't require coding to the car so a straight swap. I take it you have checked what module is fitted in your car so units need an external antenna connection as well as the internal BT antenna (X5 again) Just a thought I changed my phone and it wouldn't pair using the in car procedure, eventually I used my 1.4.0 scanner to initiate pairing and that worked.

Remember the saying "All power corrupts, Absolute power corrupts absolutely" So no going back now ENJOY

Providing its not a runflat and its not near the edge you should be OK. Fingers crossed for you

Thats why we have BMW's to confuse and confound others (and ourselves) With the X5's after a battery change the control module can't see the steering angle sensor so lock to lock lets it find it. Hope it's not the ABS pump that sounds expensive.

Morning where did you take the car to have the codes read it needs Autologic or BMW software? Do you still have ABS/DSC lights on the dash or could they not clear them? If there were no faults prior to your battery failing then I would think it rare (but not impossible) for the ABS or a sensor to go at the same time. This may sound daft try starting the car and driving slowly forward turning the steering lock to lock, turn off and restart, This works with the X5 after battery change.

1st Port of call get the codes read that will give you a better idea of what is going on. Though if it is like the X5 a low or failing battery gives all sorts of strange behavior and warning lights. Try charging the battery fully if that works you know where to look.

Mine has an Ipod connector and the 3.5 Jack but same idea, mine cost £15 from memory. As you have found stuff missing on yours I would take the headunit out first and make sure the connector is there. On mine it wasn't on the headunit it is in the loom about 6" back I followed the loom back and it was tucked in. Good Luck Dave

Bummer There are many who have fitted a Parrot system even though they have the OEM bluetooth fitted sadly the BMW technology isn't great. With the Parrot you could stream your music and less pairing hassles, just a thought. Mine has the Nav headunit taking it out is easy just be gentle levering off the surround I put masking tape around to protect things from scratches then 4 torx screws and move it forward follow the wiring from the back of the unit you will find a small connector mine was black. The lead I brought was from Radio World and called a BMW Aux input adapter, I fed a length of wire from the glove box up behind the dash and found it with my hand pulled it up taped the jack end of the lead to it and pulled it back through into the glove box. Connected the two plugs checked it worked OK and put everything back together from memory took about 2 hrs with tea and biscuits.

Question? Do you have Navigation? If you do do you have the telephone option on the menu screen? Yes in the top section of your centre arm rest the lid has 2 catches a button on top and a finger catch underneath. Push the top oval button it should reveal either the bluetooth release box which will have a Voice button or just a storage tray.

Have you checked the glove box to see if you have one? To fit one you need to remove the headunit the loom to the headunit has a black 4 pin connector the usb/3.5 jack lead just plugs in then feed the lead into the glove box. I brought one with a Ipod connector, You will see Aux on the menu screen when its back together select Aux and go. BMW bluetooth wont stream music well not until the later E70.

As the other post check your center arm rest it has an upper storage area you should find a release box in there with a voice button. If it isnt there then you don't have bluetooth. If it is that is the pairing button (not the steering wheel) you will also need the passkey if it isn't with your handbooks (plastic card) if it isn't there the bluetooth unit is in the left side of the boot buried under the floor

1st Does your Nav screen show the Telephone function 2nd Check the upper lid on the arm rest inside you will either a release box for a phone or a release box with a voice button. 2 is good if you have the voice button you have bluetooth. Press the voice button and hold it for a few seconds with ignition off turn on the ignition release the button then press again the screen will go to pairing mode. You will need the pass key to enter into your phone if it isn't with your hand books it will be on the unit buried in the left side of the boot. If you have a code reader (BMW 1.4.0) you can start pairing from the reader

I brought the X5 to tow a horse box so sounds similar use to you, also in the winter I shoot so mild off road ( snotty gateways and rutted farm and forest tracks) I believe 17" wheels are the smallest due to the size of your brakes, with mine I need 18". Winter I run 255 x 55 x 18 Wintrac Exteme. Summer is a staggered set of 20" 275 x 40 front 315 x 35 rear running Yoko Advan. So far I have never had an issue with the horse box even when it has been a wet muddy entrance/exit to horse events. Keep your eye on Ebay for 17" wheels most of the E53 used a 17" spare with a Michelin M&S tyre most are unused, that could be a way to build a set of cheap winter tyres that would give better traction off road.