PinoIX

Hey guys! I'm fairly new to this forum. I've spent my time mainly on Bimmerforums, but since this July, I picked up a 2008 528xi which was in mint condition... and well, get in where you fit in! Right?!

I bought the car with fairly high miles on it, 152,000 roughly, but it was in great condition. The interior was 9.5/10 and the exterior was 9/10. There was some maintenance that needed to be done, but it was a car I couldn't pass up. Since July, I have replaced the valve cover gasket, new valve cover, and eccentric sensor. I also flushed and refilled all fluid for the engine and brakes. Soon I will take care of the transmission fluid and transfer case fluid. I bought it pretty much stock, but upon purchasing it, I put on glossy black newer style kidney grills to mark the beginning of the end to my wallet

I want you guys to follow along my build!






2008 528xi (LCI)

• Full comfort access
• Saddle brown leather
• Comfort Sport seats
• Cold weather package
• LCI, so has upgrades including Bi-xenon adaptive headlights, heated & dim mirrors, CEL tail lights
• It was Business edition so it had the 6.5 CCC radio only / without Navigation
• Style 246 wheels, 18x8 et43 front and back w/ 245/40/18 Michelin Pilot Sports All Weather tires

PinoIX

One of the first things I did, besides the new kidney grills, was install the Euro rear fog switch. I ordered a complete switch from ebay and followed instructions from someone on YouTube. It was actually pretty easy and took only 30 min... mainly struggling to install the new pins in the connector to the Light Control Module. The pins I got from my local BMW dealer

PinoIX

Next I got my windows tinted from Highline Customs. They're a local shop here who actually does all the tinting for both BMW dealerships in my area. I picked out 20% black ceramic tint, which actually does a really good job blocking out the heat! I also picked up some caliper paint from G2 Brake Caliper Paint Systems. The blue they have actually matches close to the Estoril blue used on M cars. They actually do have custom mixed colors, but twice the cost. It was a little strange having to paint them with a brush rather than spray, but I was able to paint it on thick.

I also added ECS Tuning 5mm spacers up front and 20mm in the rear.... push them wheels out to the edge!

PinoIX

Next few things got pretty technical. I replaced my push button start to a blue one, installed a wireless charging pad in the center console dash pocket, and fitted the Avin Android 10 w/ 8.8 inch touchscreen. Also included with the Avin Android screen:

• Android 10 w/ Snapdragon and SIM card 4G capability
• Rear view camera
• Digital FM antennae
• External microphone
• Dual USB connection
• Wireless touch pad & keyboard device

I didn't take pics during the install, but the ECS Tuning wireless charging pad was attached to the bottom side of this pocket


Also put in the Diamond stitched laser cut leather floor mats front and back. Here you can see the blue push start button. This was before the Avin Android install



Took everything out...


Wiring for the rear view camera

Took out the back plate of the glove box and install a mounted USB plate

The USB wires from the Android unit...

All done with the USB connections

PinoIX

Avin Android 10 w/ 8.8 inch touchscreen all installed. Digital FM antennae wired and placed behind the passenger A pillar. The external microphone was also routed through the passenger A pillar and up to the top of the windshield to where the overhead button panel is for the sunroof and SOS button. There was a vacant mic vent that I put the external mic behind it.


External mic was placed behind the right vacant mic vent


Android menu

Touch pad & keyboard wireless device for the head unit

PinoIX

I then did a muffler delete at a local muffler shop. It will be temporary, due to the fact I am waiting for my M Tech front and rear bumpers. Once installed, I will have them replace the factory resonator with a dual exit universal one... will then have dual piping out the back to quad tips. The M Tech bumpers I got were from Umnitza, and pre-painted. They should arrive very soon! I also installed a universal BMW sunglasses holder which replaces the driver side grab handle.



BEFORE

AFTER

PinoIX

Last week, I hit a pothole really bad and bent my front wheels. So I was searching for replacements. I found someone selling the same wheels, Style 246, but they were for rear wheel drive with the spec 18x8 et20. I was getting frustrated due to the fact my car was All Wheel Drive, so my offsets are pretty high... et43. Then I realized, I was running the same wheel with 43 offset, but I put 20mm spacers in the rear to push the wheels almost flush to the rear fenders. With the 20mm spacers... that in fact is basically the same wheels with a 20 offset.... so I bought them and TA DA! They fit in the rear!! So I trashed the bent front wheels.... put my rears to the front... and the new deeper wheels to the back! Wrapped them up in new tires 225/40/18


Picked up these Style 246... 18x8 et20 for only $360 from a local seller... in great condition!!

Loving that deeper concave look!!


Perfect fit!!! Who says you need to have a high offset of 43 for AWD...

PinoIX

I ordered BC Racing Coilovers from Turner Motorsports.... took almost 2 months to get, but finally got them and installed them last night! Still need some adjusting... the height and damping. I will take pics soon after I do my full alignment and make adjustments.

JayArras

to the forum, and thanks for the build pics! We LIKE pics! I've moved your post to the E60 mods section, since you'll find more appreciation here.

kd7iwp

I appreciate the things you've done. It looks nice and you know what you're doing. Looking forward to more over time.