Gentlemen,

Being an X5 owner for all of 5 days now I'm on a fairly steep learning curve, as you can imagine, so am most appreciative of your advice and assistance.

I'm now getting my head around the importance of the build month/year issue, and it appears that Wayne is correct - the blind should fit as my car was built in September 2003, which I believe makes it a post face-lift model - correct?

Doing a search on the very helpful parts site (thankyou, QS7) shows the blind I need is Item 15, the roller blind.

All this is most fortuitous because I purchased one on ebay last night !!
When I read QS7's post this morning I thought I may have cocked up, but now that I know the car's build date I think all is well.

Once again, thankyou both for your input.

I think I might have to change my Login name to "X5Virgin" :confused:

Great...thanks for the update. Now, hopefully the blind will work with the type of rear seats you have. It looks like you have electric rear seat backs (do they have the ability to recline, slightly?).

G'day Rob,

I have a black one in my ceiling, (where else would you keep it) that I doubt I'll ever use. I have a car fridge in the back and the blind just gets in the way. If you're prepared to pay freight from Qld and a little more, it's yours. I will need to check it first to make sure it is in good condition though.

QS7,

My rear seats don't appear to have the recline function - just a bracket sticking out of the side wall onto which the seat back latch mechanism engages.
Released by a little catch on the top of the seat back.

Neil,

Bugger - too late.:(
I've already bought one on ebay - see my previous post.
Thanks anyway.

Still have the Black one?

I do, but unless you are in Australia anytime soon to collect it, I don't believe posting it to the US would be cost effective.

Here is what it looks like. I am not sure how to get it down under.

BMW X5 Rear Retractable Cargo Cover Shade for the e53 model 2004/2005/2006 | eBay

I also had to purchase a cargo cover for mine, as previous owners had 'discarded' it. Ended up with one from a wreckers based in Adelaide, that posted parts from an E53 on eBay. $100 including shipping, arrived undamaged and in perfect condition.

As a fellow West Aussie, if you need advice or assistance, send me a PM and I'll try to help out. :thumbup:

Before I order this cover, may I ask what's the point of having it?
I've got reclining rear power seats however I changed the plastic "rails" on top of rear cargo trim pieces. My "rails" were beige and I swapped everything in the car to black. I didn't pay attention to the plastic rail piece, I thought they were all the same.
Is it better to get the OEM cover or something like this?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/333841544144

That's up to you. I prefer OEM cover and use it all the time. It just covers your cargo from peepers really, but I use them in every vehicle we own. E61 wagon, e53, e70, and f15. Had to get the wagon one sent over from the UK because finding a black one in the US costs $400+.