It is not in plane sight after you remove the carpet panel... right? Isn't it a little closer towards the front of the car and then up? Because I see the plug that is in plane sight after removing the carpet panel but according to the DIY that is not it. Do I need to remove any other trim besides the carpet and the plastic cover under the glovebox to get to the FSR? Thanks!

I thought it was plain to see. It was the only harness I saw under there. I didn't have to remove anything other than the carpeted panel.

When you look at the second picture in the DIY there is a plug in the bottom left corner. That is the only one i can see after removing the carpet panel. I will go out to the garage and take another look then maybe i will see it more clearly.

"In plain sight" is a relative term I guess.

It was "in plain sight" for me while I basically had my head under the glove box looking in there. Removal was done by touch because I could not stick my hand in there AND see what I was doing.

Hope that helps.

Stage #6 picture shows FSU harness plugged in.
Stage #7 picture shows FSU harness unplugged.

So between both pictures it will help you understand the location of FSU.

Thanks for the help. Did you remove the plastic cover under the glovebox that has an interior with the interior light?

Nope. I don't see any need to.

Mine just went out a couple days ago. I ordered this FSR from Ebay, it should do the trick. Does anybody know if there is a diference in FSR units on ebay? I mean some are $80 and the one I got was $38.
Thanks
Here is the one I got. Hope it fits in a 4.6is!!!!!
BMW E46 E39 X3 X5 BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR : eBay Motors (item 170471826261 end time May-11-10 18:16:58 PDT)

Wow I just changed mine with the help from this board and really it took about under 10 min... no kidding ... one screw to unbolt the carpet and reached in unkooked the electrical conector thing pulled out and reinsaled ... DONE ....
05 X5 3.0L

I am happy to hear it was so simple. I am waiting for mine to arrive and then off to the garage to install it!! So the carpet panel was the only thing you removed to get to it?

I have taken the carpet out and have started to look at everything before the FSR arrives (probably tomorrow). I have found the plug for the FSR. Do I press in on both sides (both sides not being top and bottom) and pull straight out?