I'm getting confused by this thread. Is the answer to the hydraulic vis. mechanical tensioner that all USA X5s [with all having power steering?] need the hydraulic tensioner? That's how I read JDStrickland's post. I just changed my alternator a couple weeks ago, using the ebay available fan tool, and my belts and tension were good - I didn't even notice whether mine had the hydraulic. Am I right that the USA versions, with PS, all have hydraulic? BTW, changing the PS reservoir and two hoses running from its bottom, it that is the leak source, is a relatively easy shade-tree job; the other hoses [including the cooling lines] may be more complicated.

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2006 X5 3.0 6-spd w/Evo UUC ssk
sport/premium pkgs
born Valentine's Day, 2006.