It looks like a pre-facelift. Not hard to pull the engine or refresh all the seals and hoses. Do the whole CCV system, vacuum hoses, cooling hoses, water pump, thermostat, heater hoses, front main seal, rear main seal, oil pan seals, valve cover, front cover, drive shaft seals, motor mounts. Consider longer splined front drive shaft upgrade when you are doing the transfer case.

My suggestion is to remove the radiator (it will have to be drained anyway) and unbolt the radiator support. Gives much better access. You will need a 2-ton shop crane to have the reach needed to lift the motor. A 1-ton can lift it, but they tend to have a shorter arm.

The engines seem to run forever. People seem to give up due to a slew of little problems.

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David.X5
2001 X5 4.4i Sport
SOLD! at 160k miles