Thanks bcredliner.....and phew i got an 11 teeth starter to replace an 11 teeth lazy one..good thing i never listened to one aftermarket supports info that said a 9 thooth one would be fine...dont s
uppose you saw the query i made on the plastic covering that sits under driver n passenger side of car after the sump gaurd / stabilizer...for the life of me cant recall if the 2 tabs or lips slip in under the sump protector....

Ps you are right going for stock like for like replacement would jave been best but heard fron a few other 3.0d owners that early starters were flawed...so didnt want to go for the same again...and the 2.0w just fine sure but noticed many remanufactured originals and others were 2.2kw

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E53 X5 3.0d SUV prod.date 11/2004 eng.variant M57N Europe Right hand drive N