Hello all! M5 LiTE here from the roadfly E39 board. I'm going this Thursday to an auction to pick up an E53 for my wife. We're selling her 2000 Accord casue she just wants an X5 (good wife, eh?)
So I'll be looking for the right priced 3.0 or 4.4 (they seem to be pretty close in price at the wholesale level). I've gained enough info here to make the decision and not be afraid of the issues the the E53 has (of course, having BMW and Porsche mechanic friends certainly helps as well)

So I'm new here, and will soon join your ranks as an E53 owner!