Howdy all,

I don't frequent this forum much since I sold my E53. I miss my x5 often but I certainly don't miss the lousy automatic gearbox. I had a bit of an idea on a possible way to convert an N62 x5 to a 6 speed manual and keep AWD:

1. Find a ZF S6X53bz out of an AWD E90/91/92 - This will allow us to bolt up an ATC 500 transfer case

2. Find another ZF S6-53bz out of a RWD V8 powered E60/E63 - This can bolt up to our N62

3. Swap the bell housings on the ZF S6-53BZ transmissions so you end up with a v8 bell-housing on the AWD output transmission and an I6 bell-housing on the RWD output transmission. - You could then sell the RWD transmission to recoup the cost.

Then bolt up the 'new' transmission with a standard manual n62 clutch kit, use a modified manual 3.0 shift linkage and code the car to manual.

There's obviously more to it than that but that's the idea. The driveshafts might need to be lengthened/shortened and the mount might need to be modified but that's pretty easy.

From what I could from photos and research of the various components, this looks possible and not that expensive.

The idea of a manual X5 seems very cool but this is all theoretical so take it with a grain of salt.

Happy to hear what you guys think.