I love the manual X5s. I've got a 2005 manual and a 2003 automatic. I'd be willing to trade you my 2003 automatic (153,000 miles, works perfectly fine and has the DISA upgrade flap; oil consumption is 1qt/2,000 miles) for your E53 + cash. Then you wouldn't have to worry about having to buy your kid a new car. I'd love to have 2 manuals in my stable.

I'm not kidding. PM me if interested.

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2003 3.0i; Base Model Work Horse