Xoutpost.com - X5 (E53) Forum https://xoutpost.com/ General discussions, questions, facts and figures about the 2000 - 2006 BMW X5 en Tue, 12 May 2026 19:46:58 GMT vBulletin 60 https://xoutpost.com/images/misc/rss.jpg Xoutpost.com - X5 (E53) Forum https://xoutpost.com/ <![CDATA[If you haven't done your engine mounts...]]> https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/x5-e53-forum/116584-if-you-havent-done-your-engine-mounts.html Tue, 12 May 2026 14:59:27 GMT ...Holy crap is all i have to say.

Could be one of the most rewarding repairs I have ever done. Absolutely CURED my 'low idle' rattling. I've been chasing that low idle rattle for probably 2 years. It was engine mounts the whole time.

Also got rid of a bunch of ancillary knocks and thuds I had assumed were suspension related but never could understand because my suspension is fresh. I swear I kept thinking I was installing defective Lemfoerder ball joints bc the knocking sounds were similar in certain situations.

It basically brings back that whole "this car soaks up every bump with ease" feeling that i love so much.

I went with techniques from the big engine mount thread by Overboost, but Harbor Freight was out of engine bars so i just YOLO'd it and used the oil pan jack method.

For me, the Passenger side was a lot easier after tilting that bracket forward. Complete PITA to get those bracket bolts loose but inserting the mount was super easy compared to the driver side. I had a hell of a time with that one even with the prybar and loosened subframe bolts.

ABSOLUTELY had to take off the stiffening plate. I hate installing/reinstalling that thing but whatever.

Finally, i am wondering if the Transmission mount replacement is as satisfying? I'm happy to tackle that one next if so ! ]]> X5 (E53) Forum Russianblue https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/x5-e53-forum/116584-if-you-havent-done-your-engine-mounts.html 2005 X5 Manual For Sale https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/x5-e53-forum/116582-2005-x5-manual-sale.html Sun, 03 May 2026 01:32:16 GMT Here's an '05 with a manual trans for sale for $9,945. It only has 101,000 miles. The interior looks like it is beat which for that kind of mileage is sad. The roof paint is chalked. If it didn't have manual trans in that condition it would probably be worth about $4500. Is there really a $5400 premium for a manual transmission? Since its in Illinois I'd love to see what the undercarriage looks like.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/3...b3JkMS5jb20%3D ]]> X5 (E53) Forum Fifty150hs https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/x5-e53-forum/116582-2005-x5-manual-sale.html Transfer case interchange lwx500 to atc500 https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/x5-e53-forum/116581-transfer-case-interchange-lwx500-atc500.html Tue, 28 Apr 2026 22:06:52 GMT 03 4.6is transfer case female splines to front driveshaft are worn. the tcase parts arent available to repair the output. I sourced a front drive shaft extension repair but its fit is loose and not ideal on the lwx500. the tcase chain isnt available for the lwx500 or nv125 either. Id like to swap... 03 4.6is transfer case female splines to front driveshaft are worn. the tcase parts arent available to repair the output. I sourced a front drive shaft extension repair but its fit is loose and not ideal on the lwx500. the tcase chain isnt available for the lwx500 or nv125 either. Id like to swap in the atc500 as it was also avialable on the e53. I was planning on using a simple on/off switch to engage the transfer case motor to switch between rwd and 4wd. Anyone done this before? ]]> X5 (E53) Forum r.e.wing_fc3s https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/x5-e53-forum/116581-transfer-case-interchange-lwx500-atc500.html Relays and other gremlins https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/x5-e53-forum/116579-relays-other-gremlins.html Sun, 26 Apr 2026 10:47:46 GMT Hi everyone I’m getting the following error readings and can not find the corresponding relay for central locking. I find fuses and they show continuity but none of the relays say central locking. See pictures for other errors. Wondering how to fix them. You help is appreciated Attachment... Hi everyone
I’m getting the following error readings and can not find the corresponding relay for central locking. I find fuses and they show continuity but none of the relays say central locking. See pictures for other errors.

Wondering how to fix them. You help is appreciated
Attachment 85308

Attachment 85309

Attachment 85310
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]]> X5 (E53) Forum Perrier https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/x5-e53-forum/116579-relays-other-gremlins.html trans fluid type advice https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/x5-e53-forum/116578-trans-fluid-type-advice.html Thu, 23 Apr 2026 13:40:54 GMT Hi I have a 2003 e53 3.0d gm 5 speed. Trying to find out what fluid type i need. Been told so many different types. dexron vi comes up all the time but my parts people say no according the my reg number. Hi
I have a 2003 e53 3.0d gm 5 speed.
Trying to find out what fluid type i need.
Been told so many different types.


dexron vi comes up all the time but my
parts people say no according the my reg
number.


So i need some advice please.


Thank you.


Dave king ]]> X5 (E53) Forum daveking https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/x5-e53-forum/116578-trans-fluid-type-advice.html Trans fluid type https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/x5-e53-forum/116577-trans-fluid-type.html Thu, 23 Apr 2026 13:38:43 GMT Hi I have a 2003 e53 3.0d gm 5 speed. Trying to find out what fluid type i need. Been told so many different types. dexron vi comes up all the time but my parts people say no according the my reg number. Hi
I have a 2003 e53 3.0d gm 5 speed.
Trying to find out what fluid type i need.
Been told so many different types.


dexron vi comes up all the time but my
parts people say no according the my reg
number.


So i need some advice please.


Thank you.


Dave king ]]> X5 (E53) Forum daveking https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/x5-e53-forum/116577-trans-fluid-type.html <![CDATA[Why Don't People Take Care of These Cars?]]> https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/x5-e53-forum/116576-why-dont-people-take-care-these-cars.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 15:08:02 GMT So, since I've had lowered compression in one cylinder on my 3.0 X, I decided to look around at low mileage X5's 2004 - 2006. I've looked at several that had low mileage. One as low as 76,000 miles. Looked good in pictures, but when I've gone to see them its obvious the owners di not take care of these vehicles. The one with 76,000 miles ran well, but I noticed that the drivers side door panel had been attached with screws. WOOD screws! That was it for that one. I figured if it had something that hacky on it the rest of the car was questionable. On top of that the paint hadn't been maintained and the headliner was starting to come loose.

Maintaining these things isn't that hard, but it seems like no one does it. Except the folks on here. Clearly they give a shit or they wouldn't be here.

After what I've seen, if I can't get the compression back up on my current engine, I'll buy a low mileage engine and swap it.

Rant over. ]]> X5 (E53) Forum Fifty150hs https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/x5-e53-forum/116576-why-dont-people-take-care-these-cars.html 12v DC https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/x5-e53-forum/116575-12v-dc.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 12:59:47 GMT I bought some new KC lights for the X5 recently and had some brackets modified and welded on my oil cooler bar. The incandescent lights I had on the X5 just were not cutting it, but I like the old school, round look, rather than the light bar look. Fortunately KC makes some larger, modular LEDs... I bought some new KC lights for the X5 recently and had some brackets modified and welded on my oil cooler bar. The incandescent lights I had on the X5 just were not cutting it, but I like the old school, round look, rather than the light bar look.

Fortunately KC makes some larger, modular LEDs so I bought a set of three, which fit great on the front.



Unfortunately the original harness won’t work as the plugs are different and the news ones draw more power and need a relay set up. KC supplies a harness with the kit, which has everything needed, and seems super durable (waterproof plugs, connections, etc.). Unfortunately I needed to strip out my old harness and re-wire with the heavier gage new one.

I was hopeful I could grab 12v switched (or always hot) power from the passenger side “cigarette” style plug and run it to the switch for the lights, to power the relay. After running the wire and splicing it in however, I’m not getting 12v dc from it. Was this plug a feature that didn’t work maybe in all markets? Hopefully it’s just shoddy workmanship on my part and I can figure out thst my splice is bad. ]]> X5 (E53) Forum Henn28 https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/x5-e53-forum/116575-12v-dc.html Rear upper hatch switch button not working - tips? https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/x5-e53-forum/116574-rear-upper-hatch-switch-button-not-working-tips.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 02:23:06 GMT This is on the 4.6is. Release button on hatch between license plate lights stopped working yesterday. Hatch open button under the AC panel and on the remote key work fine. Does this point to the hatch switch itself? Or are there any other things to check? I should mention that prior to... This is on the 4.6is.

Release button on hatch between license plate lights stopped working yesterday.

Hatch open button under the AC panel and on the remote key work fine.

Does this point to the hatch switch itself? Or are there any other things to check?

I should mention that prior to this the rubber portion of the trunk switch has deteriorated and split where it flexes. I saw the 2 micrswitch buttons under the pad in good visual condition and pressed on them to verify they were working, before I put the rubber pad back on with double sided tape for a temporary repair.

I found the Land Rover part that replaces the rubber boot and was about to order it but I think maybe the switch decided not to wait lol. ]]> X5 (E53) Forum g300d https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/x5-e53-forum/116574-rear-upper-hatch-switch-button-not-working-tips.html Valve Cover Gasket Frustration https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/x5-e53-forum/116573-valve-cover-gasket-frustration.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 03:25:23 GMT Hi Guys. I have another leak in my valve cover gasket that I changed no too long ago. As the other ones, it failed/leaked at the spark plug wells. The manual doesn't call for any gasket maker anywhere except the parting lines at timing chain cover to head. Anyone use it on the spark plug well gaskets? Any negative outcomes? Getting ready to change this one and contemplating using RTV on the well gaskets. ]]> X5 (E53) Forum Fifty150hs https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/x5-e53-forum/116573-valve-cover-gasket-frustration.html Bore Scoped Cylinders https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/x5-e53-forum/116572-bore-scoped-cylinders.html Sun, 12 Apr 2026 22:26:17 GMT Because I had a low compression reading in number 2 cylinder when I did compression tests chasing a rough idle on my 2006 3.0, i got a bore scope and took a look a the cylinders today to see if I had a burnt valve. Fortunately, I don't. I was very impressed with the fact that all of the cylinders have all of their original cross hatching. At 295,000 miles! I found a few lines in the cylinder walls of a couple cylinders, but nothing that looks radical. I'm thinking I have stuck rings in 2 maybe. Going to try giving the engine a ring soak and see if that helps bring up the compression. I took some pics of the cylinders.
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]]> X5 (E53) Forum Fifty150hs https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/x5-e53-forum/116572-bore-scoped-cylinders.html