Got the rebuilt cluster installed and changed the battery. no issues for the past 2 weeks. this seemed to have fixed my issue.

the ebay seller is located in the UK. It took a little time for the shipping back and forth, and they ended up keeping it longer than expected to peform the repair. So far so good.

Now im going to be looking at a navigation replacement. dynavin still a good aftermarket replacement?

While its more expensive then the Dynavin I would suggest the NBT retrofit. Nice way of getting a well crafted head unit into our X5 vehicle.

What is it?
 

Can you enlighten those of us "abbreviation challenged" as to what that thing does. The description on Ebay was awful.

Glad to hear the rebuilt cluster worked out. What happened that required your dad's engine needing rebuilding at only 90K?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFUxoisCPOs

NBT is a newer version of BMWs nav/media/whatever

Misdiagnosed failed chain tensioners.

My dad's x5 developed a horrible knock. We took it to an Indy, they said it was the vanos. We had them rebuild the vanos using beisan products. Knock was still there. Then they said that there were some metal shavings in the oil filter and that the engine was done. Indy said they wouldn't charge for the vanos rebuild if we let them install a new engine. Sourced a rebuilt engine on eBay for around 3500. Had the same Indy install it. When they were swapping the oil pan they noticed broken plastic pieces of what I assumed was the chain guides. So who knows maybe the original engine is still good (minus the chain guides).

Ball Joint removal????
 

I hope that wasn't what you meant to post. It was a "ball joint removal" video....

Good catch. I just changed it. One could guess I am doing ball joints soon haha.

Here is the one I meant to post.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFUxoisCPOs

Hah! Wish my ball joints came off that easily. Took 9 hours total to bang them both out. :dunno::rolleyes: