There are no guarantees, but if an E46 is at one end of the reliability scale (good), and the 850 is at the other end (not so good) then I would but the E53 squarely in the middle of those two. Just my $0.02.

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2007 X3 3.0si, 6 MT, Premium, White

Retired:
2008 535i, 6 MT, M Sport, Premium, Space Grey
2003 X5 3.0 Steptronic, Premium, Titanium Silver
2002 325xi 5 MT, Steel Grey
2004 Z4 3.0 Premium, Sport, SMG, Maldives Blue