I hear you. I don't trust many of my friends to work on my cars either. Only one really, lol and only under my supervision.

This is the foam washer in question.



And here's a better shot from another user. It leaves foam dust everywhere as a tell tale sign of failure.



Edit: Here's a good thread on the rebuild. I posted one too but I used this one to get a good idea of what I was in store for.

https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...ive-drive.html

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2005 X5 4.4i Build 04/05 Maintenance/Build Log
Nav, Pano, Sport (Purchased 06/14 w/ 109,000 miles) (Sold 8/15 w/121,000 miles)

2006 X5 4.8is Build 11/05 Maintenance/Build Log
Nav, DSP, Pano, Running Boards, OEM Tow Hitch, Cold Weather Pckg (Purchased 08/15 w/ 90,500 miles)

2010 X5 35d Build 02/10
Nav, HiFi, 6 DVD, Sports Pckg, Cold Weather Pckg, HUD, CAS, Running Boards, Leather Dash, PDC, Pano (Purchased 03/17 w/ 136,120 miles)