Heh, and this is par and parcel of regular PM and a almost 2 decade old chassis

This would be the 3rd water pump. 1st one failed...blew a seal coming off a freeway. Not fun ....on the 3 1/2 hr tow waiting in the middle of the summer. The current WP was probably replaced around 4 yrs ago or the like. Bearing noise...

Comes with the territory. My last 4 vehicles have been 3 year leasers. It's someone elses problem ...

Somehow the E53 had just been in the family since original ownership.

---I just wish I knew about FCP earlier. Not sure if they had lifetime warranty back when I was buying things. Back in the days, I was buying my stuff from RME, AutoHausz, BMW Mini Parts Store, etc----
FCP I originally thought was just some WorldPac dropshipper. But sofar, their lifetime warranty on parts have paid off on some. Sure wish some of my prior purchases were with FCP should it croak out.