Laker,
No Xpert or tech here, and I'm sorta at a loss, fading memory-wise,
to recall a post with that description/problem; maybe someone else
will join in.

I still rec'd a good Indie for analysis and maybe a rebuilt or junkyard
dog unit from a wrecked, but newer/less miles X5. "Newer" as in pre-XDrive unit,
however.

2K was the first year for these babies and it is not surprising to read of that kind
of failure from a first year X...they were on a "marketing wish" and fairly thin engineering
ice, at least for long term maintenance issues, for some of the '00/'01 stuff, imo.
GL, mD