Outside door handle not working
 

Let's try this again - tying to start a new thread on this subject, so it doesn't get jumbled together with my window regulator thread. My passenger side outside door handle doesn't opent the door (yes, it's unlocked). The inside lever works fine. I just noticed something that I either just didn't notice before, or it has gotten worse through my attempts at troubleshooting my problem. The door handle sits several millimeters ajar, as you can see in this photo:

Attachment 66446

I can't push it in any farther. This supports the theory that the latch inside the door handle mechanism isn't fully retracting for some reason. Is it possible to fix this, or do I have to buy a new mechanism? Any idea how much one costs? Thanks.

Doing a little checking, it looks like this may be the part I need:

Genuine BMW 51218243616OE Door Handle, Exterior

Is this correct?

This is nothing new or unusual on the X5, just like the window regulators the door handles are very prone to breaking also. If you do a search you will find tons of info on the subject, you need to replace the door handle carrier. I have two on my X5 that are broken and need replacing and they both look just like yours and yes they only open from the inside...lol!

Thanks. So is the part I show the link to in my post above the one I need to replace?

yep, the door handle carrier.
Depending on several factors, you might also need to replace the vapor barrier and adhesive

That is the tell tale limp door handle from a broken assembly. The part you linked looks correct. Although FWIW, you can get the same part from FCP with a lifetime warranty for cheaper. Or Get the cheaper Febi (em brand) for even less which can be a bit of a gamble, but with the lifetime warranty/return policy you can end up way ahead.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/BMW-parts/X5...ds=51218243616

Thanks for all the very useful responses. I also have to order a new coil, and autohausaz has free shipping for orders over $75, and the door handle carrier and coil will easily put me over.

Both of my front door carriers are replaced with Febi, and it fits nicely without any problems during installation.

That's good to hear. Febi is so much less expensive than "BMW original". On a vehicle this old, it really doesn't make sense to pay top dollar for replacement parts.

That was my thoughts too. Febi is reputable brand and didn't want to dish out over $200 for stupid designed door carrier that may break again. lol

I just replaced my inner door handle assembly with a Febi from autohausaz. Straighforward job overall, with the exception of getting the allen bolt that goes through the opening on the side of the door to align with the stationary part of the outer door handles. Took me about an hour of finagling before I found a way to get the bolt to align with the thread inside the outer piece. But once I got it, the slack in the line is gone, and the door handle works again. Now to tackle the window regulator problem...

You know the little black plastic plug comes out of the door so you can access the bolt, right?

Of course - there's no way to access that bolt without removing that plastic plug.