Gents,

Riggodeaux mentioned a 6 hour labor bill. Remember that he had a NUMBER of things done: UUC short shifter kit installation, CDV removal (which also would include a clutch fluid change, good timing), rear diff fluid change, transfer case oil change, transmission oil change and front diff oil change (which requires removal of the pan under the engine).
Unknown what else was done.

As others have posted, the driveline tunnel on an X5 is big - not what I remember when I started back in the days of the 2002. I would expect the shifter is a two to three hour job. Can't comment (yet) as mine is still in the mail.

The comments about the Delrin carrier bushing being a less critical item as it has two mounts is logical. I've done this on two other cars (E30 & E34) with single point mounting for the front of the shifter carrier.

I will post after kit arrives and is installed. Again, this will be my fourth short shifter:

E12 M535i - Metric Mechanic in '95 when this was almost the sole option
E30 325i touring - UUC (Evo 2 design, pre DSSR
E34 525i touring - UUC (Evo 3 design with a DSSR

For those waiting, have you changed your transmission fluid and installed Redline MTL? Did you add a magnetic drain plug (since BMW stopped installing them in late 1997)?

The combination are very cost-effective and will also give your transmission longer life.

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2002 Euro X5 (E53) 3.0 diesel (M57)
5 speed manual with UUC short shifter.
Pre-xDrive NV125 transfer case (chain & gears).
Factory Xenon headlights, Spyder LED tail lights
Updated vortex crankcase breather.
Motorsport dead pedal, factory fire extinguisher, factory first aid kit, factory F&R mud flaps, factory PDC

Bilstein B6 shocks F&R
Redline oil has replaced "lifetime" fluids (F&R diff, manual transmission, transfer case and P/S).
Dimple magnetic drain plugs in all compartments.