Hi All, First post - !

Need assistance and advice-
Our 2004 x5 3.0 had intermittent starting issues, finally no start at all.

Back story, kid took our old 2004 x5 (w 200k miles) to college. He let the battery drain out a couple times. During and after this period, the car would not turn over, even with a jump.

Got a new battery in there. intermittent no-start issue continued. x5 would not turn over for a week, and then magically, vroom. Starts like no problem. Had a good long run of no issues and the car made it back home.

But now it will not turn over.

When I turn the key, I hear the fuel pump and I hear the click of what i think is the starter solenoid.

New battery fully charged.

I tried all three keys.

I replaced the ignition.

I got a rod in there and tapped on the starter (not easy).

I've read as many posts as i could find in this fine forum (which got me to swapping ignition), but short of replacing starter, is there any other things to try?

The only possibly relevant codes that the Schwaben throws is a DME Plausibility, Tank Fill Level" and "DME fuel Trim bank 1, permissible range exceeded".

anybody have any thoughts? or do i just crawl under there, swap and see?

cheers!