On the long run, you save money because soon or later the top bearing goes (around 90K miles or so). Plus you save alignment cost.
I don't have the DIY for X5, but I wrote a very detailed DIY Front Suspension Overhaul for my 1998 528i below.
DIY: 1998 BMW 528i COMPLETE FRONT SUSPENSION OVERHAUL - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums