Here's a guy that was having the same problem as you.

http://www.xoutpost.com/980864-post15.html

He brought an aftermarket carrier also.

If you skip to post #43 toy will find the solution.

http://www.xoutpost.com/981233-post43.html

Thanks again Upallnight. Wish had seen all this before doing the switch with the cheap part. Unfortunately, I'm headed out of town for a few weeks and won't have time to work on it before I go and the wife needs to be able to drive the car. So it may be going to the dealer.
But I will know what to do next time. And hopefully others will see all this and follow the advice - Buy the BMW carrier.

Dealer will be $500+

Good luck to all

Well if your dealer is charging you $500+ bucks for a door carrier, they deserve the term stealer, but you can buy it on line from a genuine BMW Dealer (not STEALER)for just under 130. It's about a hour shop time so even if they charge 200 bucks an hours that still leaves over 200+ bucks unaccounted for.

Carrier, outside door handle, front left. DOOR CONTROL FRONT for BMW X Series X5 (1998 - 2007). #51218243615

Hopefully he will report back and let us know his bill. My vote is on $500 (+- $50) for the repair, as there will be a 1 hrs labor charge for "resetting the system"- ha ha.:dunno:

You and I do everthing ourselves so that is NEVER an issue. Have wrench, screwdriver, trim tool, etc...will travel/repair! :thumbup:

I have to assume your 'Cuda SixPack was an actual AAR SIX BBL?

Don't forget the hazardous waste disposal fee. LOL

Yes my old Cuda was an AAR Six pack (3 - 2 barrel carbs). My dad was an ASE mechanic at a Dodge dealership so he help me keep that awesome car in tune.

Plum Crazy Purple with a pistol grip shifter.

So if it ends up at the dealer while I am out of town I will report back on the costs. Hoping a friend will be able to guide her to a more reasonable local garage. Also have a friend who is a former bmw mechanic but no longer in the local area. Anybody want to come to Colorado and fix this for me while I'm gone?

If there was enough powder on the mountain I would consider it. Got some new to me skis and I want to try them out.

Show the wife this video and she'll be o.k.

Repairing door handles on a BMW X5 2000 thru 2006 - YouTube

Ok it has finally happened to my car. While waiting for a replacement outside handle the inside one has broken and cant open the door.

Since owning this car I have changed the drivers door carrier 3 years ago and then the passenger side twice and now back to the drivers door.

Outside and inside again.

I changed the passenger twice because I used an aftermarket one and after 2 years the cable on it stretched and it would not open the door.

The drivers was changed 3 years ago with a genuine BMW part and it is getting charged again.

So please PM me with the details of how to open a door with both handles broken.

I have the same problem now with inside and outside handles broken please PM me a solution.