Facelift
 

I want to do some mod to my 2004 X5 3.0, but the more I read, the more I'm getting confused as to what part I need to buy, I read pre facelift and facelifted models and I have no clue as to what they are...what year are the facelifted model? and the prefacelift model?

2004 onwards were the facelifted models, until the E70 came out that is.

Yours is 2004 so you have the facelifted model. Pre-facelift was 2000-2003

you seriously cant visually tell the difference?

Yes you can and very easily. Just look at the bottom of the headlights...

i know but i was asking the person who started the thread, how can he not know facelift and non facelift.

If I look closely, I'm able to tell the difference, but not the year just by looking at it...

the front end of the 2 cars look completely different.........different lights, front fenders, bonnet, bumper...........

1st - 2nd (facelifted)
 

Attachment 35887

note the headlights,hood and lower front bumper .

Attachment 35886

And don't forget to include the front fog light housings as an easy identification process. The difference between pre and facelift is very easy to notice.
The front grills of course are also an easy way to easily identify pre and facelift however you need to count the slats and identify the difference in chrome surrounds.