Just a follow up for those that may find this in the future.
Got the cover off, easy when you know where the tabs are and how it slides off.
I bought the pins "Universal Pin Terminal Repair Kit" but they are very difficult to crimp the wire in - you have to get it crimped down small enough AND round enough to have it slide in - like everything else BMW - you need a "special tool". If I did it over I think I would try to find a used connector with wire tails, pull out and reuse a pin with the new wire spliced on.
THANKS for all the info!

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2004, X5, 3.0, 202k+