If I remember I either put the hose on before and then snaked the hose after I wedged the separator in or put it in from the top with the separator screwed down with one screw loosely. I think I remember needing to rotate that on actually but I got it on somehow. Sorry I don't remember exactly how I did that.

Which engine do you have? The M54 ? If so you need 3 things for the job. Make sure you got all 3.

Oil Separator Repair Kit 11 61 7 534 237
Dip Stick Guide Tube 11 43 7 563 831
Hose 11 15 7 532 628

Well I spoke to a BMW tech and he said that all of the #3 hoses turn and lock but how he gets by that is to heat the hose to soften it first, then use vaseline to lube it then just push as hard as possible and it will slide in.Well I tried it and I think it when in. Thought I can't really see and I tried pulling it apart and it seems that it went on. Now I have another problem:angryfire . I had to buy a new intake boot, it was cracked, and as I was putting everything back in and the plastic intake that goes inside the boot is too big and will not go into the new boot. I even heated it with my heat gun to make it more flexible but the new boot just will not stretch enough to go on. This is the last time I work on this vehicle. My 750il is a walk in the park compared to this. Thanks for all the help guys.

Mgruger, my x5 did not have the oil stick in the way. It is a 3.0 prod 11/02.

What do you mean that it did not have the oil stick "in the way?" Take a look at the SIB. I'll post it next.

Here you go. SIB 110803

Yes, I don't have the oil stick in the way. Now that I think about it, the only stick that I have is for the trans and its close to the firewall.

Ok I see, but you did change the oil dip stick guide tube, right?

Sorry to tell you, but BMW's don't have trans dip sticks... that IS your oil dipstick! (red top and all)

Updated SIB 110803