^^Actually this is false - LCI E53's are 6MT standard equipped from 04-06 production on the M54 - 01-03's are the 5MT

Wow well isn't that a treat. Good info to know. Rare beast indeed.

Yeah. I happen to be lucky enough to drive one. Believe they made around 1,100. Who knows how many are left.

its been in the driveway nd iv taken out all the broken stuff and tried to bend what i could. its looking like i might be able to take it to a shop have them just bend the fender carrier..
and my subframe is bent.... so should i buy one and change it or have it replaced buy shop?
besides that i might sell coilovers get regular springs and shocks lift 2" and instead of buy bumper do a steel tubing bumper...
harden it up bit?
idk once i take it to a shop if its to much ill say no.
but all i need the shop for is the fender mount and subframe.
ill handle the rest hopefully. i have no leaks. and none of my bulbs are broken. just need drivers headlight housing. might just get aftermarket with halo..

but ill try to leave updates.... i don't want to get rid of it. but it all depends on auto body shop estimates price and ill source hood fender headlights and do what needs to... it may not be pretty but I'm going to try to get it on the road again.

Just a get a new subframe. They aren't expensive and are relatively easy to replace.

Haha good one

I agree. I've done three oil pan gaskets so, I know my way around the front end of the E53. You'll need a engine support bar. You can get them pretty cheep at harbor freight. Then disconnect the engine from the mounts, control arms, thrust arms, tie rod ends, and power steering lines. Then you'll be ready to drop the subframe. Transfer over the steering rack, and engine mounts, and reassemble.

Body work is stupid expensive. It was $2000 to get my brand new Honda fixed after a rear-ender. The rear bumper and a few support things were fixed.

I bet you're looking at $8-10k which is a near total if you ran it through insurance.