New guy! Questions
Guest
Posts: n/a
New guy! Questions
Hi everyone! I just purchased a 03 X-Type with 23k miles.
A few things I am interested in knowing.
1. The dealer said that the little fan near the keyfob is suppose to stay on all the time. He calls it a Airorator... what does that do? If nothing important I'm going to disconnect it..
2. I have a Xenon H1 conversion kit installed (Phillips Ballast and bulbs). Looks great, but if I decide to get factory Xenon headlights, would they be plug and play? The plug looks the same. If so, would the Autoleveling work?
3. What could cause the passanger rear side of the car to squeek while turning? Doesn't do it unless I'm turning Right. I checked the wheel well cover, looks perfect and doesn't not feel loose. I was thinking control arm bushings.
4. Do I need to get a camber kit if I lower my car 1.5"s? I have H&R springs on my car and wonder if I need this. OR can it be corrected with an alignment? (just got it done today).
5. The Trip and headlight switch......I have the basic one without the trip options. Can the swtich be replaced without having to replace the display and wiring in the dash? Is it plug and play?
6. I purchased my X-type for $15,999..again, it's a 03 base model with 23k miles (very low)... Good deal? or Alright deal? I purchased it at a BMW Porsche dealer (not ebay).
Thanks!
A few things I am interested in knowing.
1. The dealer said that the little fan near the keyfob is suppose to stay on all the time. He calls it a Airorator... what does that do? If nothing important I'm going to disconnect it..
2. I have a Xenon H1 conversion kit installed (Phillips Ballast and bulbs). Looks great, but if I decide to get factory Xenon headlights, would they be plug and play? The plug looks the same. If so, would the Autoleveling work?
3. What could cause the passanger rear side of the car to squeek while turning? Doesn't do it unless I'm turning Right. I checked the wheel well cover, looks perfect and doesn't not feel loose. I was thinking control arm bushings.
4. Do I need to get a camber kit if I lower my car 1.5"s? I have H&R springs on my car and wonder if I need this. OR can it be corrected with an alignment? (just got it done today).
5. The Trip and headlight switch......I have the basic one without the trip options. Can the swtich be replaced without having to replace the display and wiring in the dash? Is it plug and play?
6. I purchased my X-type for $15,999..again, it's a 03 base model with 23k miles (very low)... Good deal? or Alright deal? I purchased it at a BMW Porsche dealer (not ebay).
Thanks!
Veteran Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,921
Likes: 65
From: UK
RE: New guy! Questions
I can help with the first one
Its tiny a fan which carries on running in humid conditions to circulate the air so you dont get blasted by warm air when you use your climate control.It circulates air across the humidity sensor. It keeps running for a while after you switch off, and starts again when you open a door. It does this so that there is less delay in getting the climate control to the right setting when you switch on (or restart).
Its tiny a fan which carries on running in humid conditions to circulate the air so you dont get blasted by warm air when you use your climate control.It circulates air across the humidity sensor. It keeps running for a while after you switch off, and starts again when you open a door. It does this so that there is less delay in getting the climate control to the right setting when you switch on (or restart).
Veteran Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,069
Likes: 13
RE: New guy! Questions
Let me see if I can answer your question in the order you ask.
1. The answer Buck gave you is correct
2. Yes, it will plug and play and auto leveling should work since it gets it power from the same wire
3. Whenever you make a turn and hear that squeak, there is a good possiblity that it is the CVU joint. A bad bushing will squeak all the time.
4. No, the alignment should be no problem Actually if you did not disturb your tierod ends, in other words, you didn't rotate them....you should not need an alignement. I dropped my car 6 months ago...no signs of wear and have about 8K miles on it since the drop.
5. You can replace the switch, and all shuld work fine. If you want the auto feature to work you will need the sensor that goes on the left corner in your dash.
6. Sounds like you got a great deal to me. Seems fair.
1. The answer Buck gave you is correct
2. Yes, it will plug and play and auto leveling should work since it gets it power from the same wire
3. Whenever you make a turn and hear that squeak, there is a good possiblity that it is the CVU joint. A bad bushing will squeak all the time.
4. No, the alignment should be no problem Actually if you did not disturb your tierod ends, in other words, you didn't rotate them....you should not need an alignement. I dropped my car 6 months ago...no signs of wear and have about 8K miles on it since the drop.
5. You can replace the switch, and all shuld work fine. If you want the auto feature to work you will need the sensor that goes on the left corner in your dash.
6. Sounds like you got a great deal to me. Seems fair.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 394
Likes: 2
From: Arizona
RE: New guy! Questions
wassup cobra,
i got an 03 also, im dying to put on the h1 xenon kit and drop the car, but i dont want to void my warranty. do you know if those 2 mods will do that? i have a black on black 5 speed w/ 20% tints all around, i think dropping it would add a whole new level to the car. Did you lose alot of ride quality with the drop, i dont want to put on stiff shocks either, i have a 300zx twin turbo as my rough ride, the jag is for style..
i got an 03 also, im dying to put on the h1 xenon kit and drop the car, but i dont want to void my warranty. do you know if those 2 mods will do that? i have a black on black 5 speed w/ 20% tints all around, i think dropping it would add a whole new level to the car. Did you lose alot of ride quality with the drop, i dont want to put on stiff shocks either, i have a 300zx twin turbo as my rough ride, the jag is for style..
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 475
Likes: 4
From: home
RE: New guy! Questions
i have lowered everything from a mustang to a suzuki suv, and all of them suffered a good amount of ride quality loss. the suzuki was the worst, but i also lowered it the most - 2.75". even with some specific custom shocks that were in a limited run and actually going with a bigger sidewall on the tire the truck bounced like hell when i hit a bump.
i noticed quite a difference on my X when i switched wheels from the stock 16" to 18", and the sidewall only went from 55 to 40. i think it's a safe bet that the ride will be more harsh. if you have the chance and have never done so before, take a ride in a lowered vehicle before you do anything to yours. it is..... an acquired taste, or rather a trade off - looks for ride.
i noticed quite a difference on my X when i switched wheels from the stock 16" to 18", and the sidewall only went from 55 to 40. i think it's a safe bet that the ride will be more harsh. if you have the chance and have never done so before, take a ride in a lowered vehicle before you do anything to yours. it is..... an acquired taste, or rather a trade off - looks for ride.
Veteran Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,069
Likes: 13
RE: New guy! Questions
To answer your question....I did it myself, took approx 5 hrs...very easy to be honest but then again I've been messing with cars for over 20 years now...
As for cost, I'm guessing the average shop charges 75 an hr? 75x5=375 for labor....plus the 4 wheel alignment maybe another 100....this is just an average...might be more might be less....
As for the ride quality. The good is that the dam chicken squat on accelaration is finally gone and the nose dive when braking is gone. Car looks sexy lowered and you will find it's a completly differnt beast. One of the few cars I can honestly say looks great when lowered.
The bad. As mentioned above my post, the ride is a bit hard, the smallest pot hole sounds like a giant one. But, overall....if i had to do it all over again, yes, because the cars feels and handles 10x's better, looks fantastic and i'm willing to bet that if i was on a track, the numbers would be better than stock....oh and cornering...just amazing...no bodyroll as with the stock springs.....remember, the lower the car is the better the handling.....
good luck...
As for cost, I'm guessing the average shop charges 75 an hr? 75x5=375 for labor....plus the 4 wheel alignment maybe another 100....this is just an average...might be more might be less....
As for the ride quality. The good is that the dam chicken squat on accelaration is finally gone and the nose dive when braking is gone. Car looks sexy lowered and you will find it's a completly differnt beast. One of the few cars I can honestly say looks great when lowered.
The bad. As mentioned above my post, the ride is a bit hard, the smallest pot hole sounds like a giant one. But, overall....if i had to do it all over again, yes, because the cars feels and handles 10x's better, looks fantastic and i'm willing to bet that if i was on a track, the numbers would be better than stock....oh and cornering...just amazing...no bodyroll as with the stock springs.....remember, the lower the car is the better the handling.....
good luck...
Trending Topics
Veteran Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,671
Likes: 4
RE: New guy! Questions
This might seem like a stupid question but what is the difference in suspension between a regular x and a sport? Also anyone whom has done a drop what size wheels and tires do you have? Or at least the profile of the tire???
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 475
Likes: 4
From: home
RE: New guy! Questions
i believe height-wise they are the same, but the sport springs are much stiffer than the regular, hence making the ride a bit more harsh from a comfort point of view. when you lower a car, the new springs have less room to compensate for changes in the road due to less travel room, so you feel it even more.
Veteran Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,671
Likes: 4
RE: New guy! Questions
How much harsher are we talking from my sport to actually using h&r lowering springs or eibach lowering springs. I think I'd go with 1.5" drop (I think thats all thats out there drop wise.)
Veteran Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,069
Likes: 13
RE: New guy! Questions
The sport x type has the lowered springs, sport shocks (harder rebound) and 18 inch rims.
Ride quality is harsh but livable...as stated in my post....max rims with lowered suspension is 18 inches. 19 might fit, but you'll be pushing your luck...especially when making turns.
I have the stock rims, and with the lowered suspension, it's close....I'm sure if i run 19's and hit a pot hole of some uneven pavement I'll be asking for trouble...
Ride quality is harsh but livable...as stated in my post....max rims with lowered suspension is 18 inches. 19 might fit, but you'll be pushing your luck...especially when making turns.
I have the stock rims, and with the lowered suspension, it's close....I'm sure if i run 19's and hit a pot hole of some uneven pavement I'll be asking for trouble...
Veteran Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,671
Likes: 4
RE: New guy! Questions
Actually mine comes with the aguilla 17 inch rims that come stock on the sports. The tire size is 225/45zr17. My rims on the car are konig 17's that suck to clean! I'd rather have the aguillas on the car but oh well! At least I have the full size aguilla in the trunk to look at occasionally!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)