I just changed the wife's 2005 3.0 x5 actuator motor assembly with one I bought off amazon for $132.
https://amzn.to/2KR3y8p
After doing the change in 20 minutes and knowing how easy it is via this method I cant see doing the gear only swap. Sure the gear is $10 to $15 or so its just not worth it to me vs the hassle.
20 minutes and its ready to drive with no warning lights.
If it was $200 or more sure but with my prime account having no shipping cost and $132 for the entire unit aka new motor, seals and gear it just seems the best solution to me.
Anyways just wanted to throw that out there for anyone that runs into the actuator failing/gear stripped problem.