Thanks.

- I replaced the front diff for a friend's 2004 E83 X3 a few yrs ago, so I am familiar with the process. But I hate playing with the bottom plate in the X5. I guess I have to remove the X5 bottom plate then.

- The super long thread on the bottom plate bolts: very well aware of the discussion there. I don't necessarily agree with all the blah blah that Andrew said. I have re-used the bolts many times over the last 10 years. I have my way of doing it, and I posted in that long thread.

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1998 E39 528i 5sp MT
2006 E53 X5 3.0 6sp MT