I've worked on dozens of cars, the e53 is by far my favorite to work on. A couple "preemptive" things to consider:

➀ DISA valve: has a very soft plastic bearing part that will wear until it snaps
➁ brake/tail lights have a design flaw where high resistance causes heat and self-destructs. You can repair vs replace
➂ see if FSR still original fat post or replaced thin post.
➃ use live read from OBD port to check coolant temp. My x5 never got to full operating temp for months and I wasn't aware until winter came along and I couldn't get cabin heat. (Because the temp gauge lies: basically useless)
➄ if in cold climate learn to never yank a "seemingly frozen" door you'll break the handle that is stuck locked use a different door of a handle sticks.

Enjoy the x5 best car ever.


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2011 E70 • N55 (me)
2012 E70 • N63 (wife)