Thanks! It has been a fascinating process and I feel that I really know a lot more about the M62. Putting it back together after so many months was an eye opener. Yes, this can be done much faster but there were so many other things to take care of on the personal front.....

Tomorrow the rear brakes come off as they need a cleanup and I plan to completely do the rear suspension. Should be much quicker as it is quite similar to the E70 I just did.

On Wednesday I have a day away from the wrenching and on Thursday hope to receive enough parts to get it off the blocks.

On Saturday I fly out for a week but during the week of Dec 2 I should be able to complete the whole project, well, that is if an e53 is ever totally completely finished.... :-)

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2003 4.4i black ext./black int./black headliner (kid's runabout)
2014 535d X-drive, M package, silver/black interior

Sold but not forgotten:
2009 E70 35d, black ext./black int./black headliner (sold 2021)
2006 4.8iS Le Mans blue/cream int./black headliner, SOLD in 2012 sadly...

Other hardware:
2015 Cayenne S (wife's new DD and definitely wroooommmmm)
2016 Tundra 1794 edition crew cab, luxo hauler
2005 Tundra crew cab, weekend hauler. Sold after 150k very happy miles.