*The Official E53 Manual Transmission Registry Thread*

[Roman D]

As far as washer fluid leak- most common place is where pumps go in to that container.I will send you parts diagram later.

[tonycajjo]

Originally Posted by Roman D

Hey Tony, that gray interior is awesome. Why would you want to change it? When I was looking for my X5, I, actually specifically did not want black or tan interior. I understand that it is question of personal preference but I, still think it is a good color. As far as rear seal/oil pan gasket tackle - dont jump the gun on that just yet.. You mentioned that VCG was recently replaced- the deal is that if VCG leaks in the rear, oil finds its way trough the ttansmission/engine join area and drips precisely looking like faulty rear seal. Now when VCG no longer leaks, have that area cleand up and wait and see if fresh oil comes out. It is recomended to change rear crankshaft seal every time gearbox/tranny is out and I did mine but as far as I understand, it is not a common issue or sometimes a symptom of failing CCV valve - it may holds higher pressure within engine, pushing oil out of, well, everywhere. If you havent done CCV recently, do that first and OIL filter housing gasket is more likely to be next on nessesity list rather rear crankshaft seal.

yea, I did CCV, then VCG... I should definitely double check my work. When i get an opportunity i'll clean up the engine bay then look for where the leak is. good call.

regarding the washing fluid, it's all good i know all i have to do is probably change those rubber seals. the head light washers are all clogged up too or just not working properly. It's something i gotta tackle but didn't want to during the cold months.

[Razor0368]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

I know we are a rare breed, and figuring since this is probably the biggest place for X enthusiasts to gather, I'd like to start up a list of E53's with 3 pedals so we can get an idea of how many are on the boards!

If you'd like, post up a picture of your car, and any fun stories about how long it took you to find an X in a stick, etc. I would also like to start a list for registering 2001-2003 5 speeds versus 2004-2006 6 speeds!


2000-2003 5 Speed Manual:



5-speed transmission, registered owners:
1: Ricky Bobby (NJ, 2003)
2: SarTech (WA, 2002)
3: johns (FL, 2002)
4: sedc (??, 2003)
5: motordavid (NC, 2001)
6: Phr3d (Midwest, 2001)
7: kaptain (WA, 2003)
8: cdowd (MI, 2003)
9: SkiTahoe (CA, 2003)
10: swindrum (BC-Canada, 2002)
11: pbe gummi bear (MA, 2002)
12: x5toker (??, 2002)
13: (NON XOUTPOST MEMBER) Rick McCain (MD, 2001)
14: (NON XOUTPOST MEMBER) Karl Namvary (MD, 2001)
15: Wired.Right (CA, 2001)
16: LDiggs910 (NY, 2001)
17: WkboardATX (TX, 2001)
18: jparrette (NY, 2002)
19: Coldswede (MI, 2001)
20: Critical Drew (WA, 2001)
21: DSAviate (FL, 2001)
22: jtatem (MA, 2001)
23: Benvette (AUSTRALIA, 2001)
24: Gregory891 (SWITZERLAND, 2002 3.0d)
25: smi2710 (NJ, 2001)
26: Happy (CA, 2002)
27: ruskie34e36 (ID, 2001)
28: SammyD (MA, 2003)
29: DillonInCO (CO, 2001)
30: DrRick (OR, 2003)
31: latenightflyby (IA, 2001)
32: Mpughjr (PA, 2001)
33: campy82 (CT, 2002)
34: tiicoupe (MA, 2003)
35: Bianca98 (WI, 2001)
36: degen (Sweden, 2001)
37: ccrider (MI, 2002)
38: Ojai5 (??, 2003)
39: ny x5 guy (NY, 2003)
40: Joshdub (WA, 2003)
41: franccesco30 (VA, 2001)
42: EH6TunerDaniel (TX, 2002)
43: Andrey1985 (Moldova, 2003)
44: Hawaii E53 (HI, 202)
45: squidzilla (UT, 2003)
46: bmwman528e (MI, 2003)
47: TECN1K (NY, 2002)
48: dabenthusiast (CA, 2001)
49: Emory39 (CO, 2001)

10/2003 (2004-2006) 6 Speed Manual:



6-speed transmission registered owners:
1: rwilson (RI, 2006)
2: ThomHart (NJ, 2005)
3: GreenDragon (UT, 2004)
4: Technomage (NY, 2004)
5: XVII (NY, 2004)
6: 95M3Gretchen_&_06X5Rolf (MD, 2006)
7: GABRIEL (SC/Germany, 2006)
8: NJ04e53 (NJ, 2004)
9: BMW Full Garage (IL, 2006)
10: adair914 (OH, 2004)
11: Bayerische E53 (FL, 2005)
12: rotorhead (CO, 2006)
13: E30Jason (GA, 2004)
14: racebmwm3 (NJ, 2005)
15: f_asiimwe (UK, 2006)
16: Northernlight (UK, 2006 3.0d)
17: Gavski (VA, 2004)
18: Skip Maclean (????, CA)
19: skialex (CA, 2004)
20: Riggodeaux (GA, 2006)
21: Mcurcio1989 (OH, 2004)
22: GRBE53 (WI, 2005)
23: Rohin13 (CO, 2004)
24: Brads2002 (NH, 2005)
25: cn90 (WA, 2006)
26: Moments (United Kingdom, 2005)
27: petebmwm (NJ, 2006)
28: javamon (WV, 2006)
29: cragglemiester (United Kingdom, 2007)
30: tecboy99 (MN, 2004)
31: tonycajjo (CT, 2006)

Hope this thread can be beneficial to the community!

and number 50 from croatia 2001 black saphire metallic X5 e53 5 speed manual...where do i apply?

[bluejeansonfire]

I love my X5! We've been together since february of this past year. She came to replace my abusive relationship with a '92 cummins dually i sold a month earlier. The dually was intended to be a daily that could easily pull a two car trailer. It initially cost $1400, so you can imagine how nice that truck had to be. Things were rough. I spent years trying to make her better. But ultimately my trailer was too big. So the dually and its crap were unnecessary.

I sought to avoid transmission troubles as lived in fears of my 46rh suddenly giving up. So I wanted a manual. Given some familiarity with m5x engines and the manual gearing, I knew what 4.11 gearing meant, so a 6 speed was really desired. I found this one in south miami with a few quirks, but mostly pretty straight, 79k miles at the time. made 02/04. She's pretty much a complete stripper. I was shocked to learn that some facelift x5s didnt have extended sunroofs.

I havent done much to her. But as it was immediately necessary, i bought the cheap subframe mounted tow bar, made some wiring and installed an electric brake controller.

So far the x5 and I have made the fl-dc trip 3 times and 5 local florida events. So far so good. Except the mileage, i was expecting better. But with a little work, I think I can get it to 15 with a loaded rack.

[tecboy99]

Originally Posted by bluejeansonfire

I love my X5! We've been together since february of this year. She came to replace my abusive relationship with a '92 cummins dually i sold a month earlier. The dually was intended to be a daily that could easily pull a two car trailer. It initially cost $1400, so you can imagine how nice that truck had to be. Things were rough. I spent years trying to make her better. But ultimately my trailer was too big. So the dually and its crap were unnecessary.

I sought to avoid transmission troubles as lived in fears of my 46rh suddenly giving up. So I wanted a manual. Given some familiarity with m5x engines and the manual gearing, I knew what 4.11 gearing meant, so a 6 speed was really desired. I found this one in south miami with a few quirks, but mostly pretty straight, 79k miles at the time. made 02/04. She's pretty much a complete stripper. I was shocked to learn that some facelift x5s didnt have extended sunroofs.

I havent done much to her. But as it was immediately necessary, i bought the cheap subframe mounted tow bar, made some wiring and installed an electric brake controller.

So far the x5 and I have made the fl-dc trip 3 times and 5 local florida events. So far so good. Except the mileage, i was expecting better. But with a little work, I think I can get it to 15 with a loaded rack.
[/URL]

Thats awesome! I bet 1st is coming in handy. How is towing performance? I've never towed with the X5. Maybe I should put a hitch on it...

[bluejeansonfire]

Originally Posted by tecboy99

Thats awesome! I bet 1st is coming in handy. How is towing performance? I've never towed with the X5. Maybe I should put a hitch on it...

Thanks!

We're all 3L guys here in this thread. We shouldn't have to hide our shame from each other. It's really slow past 60 with a loaded tire rack. I spend a lot of time floored and shifting well past 5k. Perhaps this is only bad in contrast to performance in first- which is great, indeed. I feel like I could start on 40' incline without much difficulty, fully loaded.

On the other hand, I did a tow from jacksonville to daytona averaging 87 on the obc. tire rack was admittedly only 1/3 full. but it was still slow, but it got up past 95. And the car was too far back on the trailer and caused bad sway. The x5 alignment was questionable, i did a full rear components overhaul two tows after this. Point being, it tows so well, it'll do a pretty good job in spite of me.

I finally bought a factory tow bar back in early december, so I'll be listing mine on here for cheap on my next trip to florida, when i go to install it.

I've also been thinking about this:
https://www.airliftcompany.com/produ...air-lift-1000/

[tecboy99]

Thats pretty impressive for a 3.0L I6.

[bluejeansonfire]

Originally Posted by tecboy99

Thats pretty impressive for a 3.0L I6.

lol, that it manages to get up to speed at all?

[Riggodeaux]

tecboy, I have towed around 5k or so behind mine - two horse trailer and flat bed loaded with hay, etc. Not much torque, so I find myself downshifting lots from 6th to 4th going over rolling hills. Not a problem in florida .....
I was spoiled, towing bigger trailers/loads with Ford 7.3L superduties, but I'm pleased how well it tows, within its hp/ft/lbs limitations.

[bluejeansonfire]

Originally Posted by Riggodeaux

Not much torque, so I find myself downshifting lots from 6th to 4th going over rolling hills. Not a problem in florida .....

I find myself downshifting to 5th to hold speed over exit humps