I'll have to get under the X5 sometime and see how much different the transmission bellhousing is, but from what I'd imagine in my head, I still think the easiest mechanically and hardest electronically is to make the X a strictly RWD vehicle. I've only seen YouTube videos of the LemMans X5, so maybe I or someone else can lookup information to see what it took to make it a 6spd.
EDIT - While I'm limited to using my phone to search for info at the moment, I found this on Google 2000 BMW X5 Le Mans Concept Pictures, Specifications, and Information I have no idea how accurate the information is about if its still AWD. I keep visualing a transmission w/ the transfer case right there w/ it, but as I said, I haven't been under there yet...just guessing. I'm fine having a RWD only X5. I've even seen posts where poeple discussed removing the front CV joints, but I haven't heard of anyone having the guts to do it. I get pretty healthy winters here in Boise, so the AWD would be nice...but then again I've driven my 7 and M5 (no traction control at all) in the snow w/o any major issues.

I wouldn't see any issue with you leaving the x5 AWD as long as the manual tranmission splines match and that the tranmission is the same length.

I've still got this weird picture in my head of the X's setup under there. The transmissions are definetaly a different length, which is why I've had to find someone to make me a custom lengthed driveline. I've wanted an X5 in a stick ever since I almost got the 3.0, so being in a 4.4 would be better. Once spring come back around or I hit the 100k mark on the X, i'll have to drag the tranny over the X and start taking a closer look.

I agree to disagree, every 5hp24 uses the exact same transmission casing. Where they differ in length is the output shaft, where there is often an extension (as on my landrover) however in the case of the X5, a transfer case bolted directly to it. Once that is remove the length is considerably reduced.

This should help get my thoughts across.
http://members.shaw.ca/allbusiness/5hp24/sec.jpghttp://members.shaw.ca/allbusiness/5hp24/sec.JPG

On the x5, this is where the xfer case would bolt onto
http://members.shaw.ca/allbusiness/Lr/CIMG4057.JPG

on my land rover, among other vehicles, uses this extension housing.
http://members.shaw.ca/allbusiness/5hp24/ext.JPG

It will become clear whenever you take a closer look at it yourself, but your move James. lol

I meant the difference in length between the auto and the 6spd. I'll have to look at these pics when I get home...thanks for posting them up.

Hi James, were you able to carry on with this idea? I am in a similar position where the tranny is on its last leg. Making the 4.4i into a dedicated RWD manual car sounds like a great idea.

Would you provide some info of your 740iL tranny swap as well?

if you were to do something like that you might as well go big or go home and just swap a better motor in at the same time, like the e39 m5 motor since the most involved part of the swap will be the transmission the motor you would just need to get mounts that work and get the proper wiring done.

also, a manual transmission will only be 2wd, the guy i bought my x from talked pretty extensively about the swap, but the only thing i would want to swap in would be an M v10:thumbup:

Thanks for your comment. If I want to go big or go home, I won't even bother messing with the x5 altogether. I would get 997TT , lambo, ferrari, etc etc instead, but that is not what I am asking, nor I was asking for your input.

sounds like a good idea! just need the directions on how it can be done. might as well just put a new engine and tranny combo in the x. M5 v10!!!!!!!!!

If I was to the point where I wanted to do the major surgery, I'd use the 03 M5 transmission mounted to 03 540i bell housing if it is different on the M5, and graft on the 03 land rover transfer case. That was one of the years of rover that used the BMW engine and transmission etc. and the driveshaft is similar, just kinda reversed from ours in placement of u-joints and guibo joints. But the transfer case in the rover is fully selectable ie: 2wd, 4wd and low range.

That setup would make the perfect X5 to me! 4.6is engine, M5 manual transmission AND fully selectable transfer case where I could use 2wd and low range. :drool:

I am fully confident I could make this work mechanically/physically, but the hardest thing that I'm not fully sure I could get done would be the wiring. I know first hand the integration and communication between the DME, EGS and DSC... and it would likely take some custom wiring and programming by BMW engineers to get right. And it would only work with 03 and earlier X5s as the N62 engine is too different.