Pre-trip maintenance and inspection turned up a torn outer CV boot on my 15K mile LF axle. That was annoying. Luckily for me, I had a replacement boot available, so that got knocked out this evening.

1. Replaced both sun-corroded inner tail lights.
2. Managed to replace cloudy left headlight cover thx to heat gun, muscle, sweat, and yelling.
3. Did NOT succeed in removing old cover from right headlight. Apparently unit was replaced at some point with a post-LCI one that has the permanent adhesive. Ended up destroying the cover trying to get it off, so now I need a whole new right headlight from a pre-LCI E53.

Anyone have a right-side pre-LCI for LHD xenon unit? FCP will sell me a new one for $US1500 but nah. Must NOT be from a post-LCI.

Annoying but great you caught it. My last version I found out when my CV got stuck at a small angle at 40 mph. That was exciting. FYI some figure-8s in a parking lot worked the gravel out of the joint and I was able to drive on it for a few days while waiting for parts.

The engine of my 4.6is unfortunately failed at the end of last year. The itch for another E53 was real and after being some time without a X5 at all, I'm now an owner of E53 again for the past three months. Facelift 3.0i this time, been fairly problem free so far. This was actually few weeks ago but I replaced the fuel pump after sometimes hearing high pitched noise around the rear wheel area and I assume the pump was original at 245k kms (152k miles) so I guess it was working overtime anyway.

What my wife would be saying.... [emoji1787][emoji1787][emoji1787]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...61bafa3a03.jpg

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:D:D:D:D:D For me it was the wife who insisted on getting another X5, I was initially considering an E61 as an option too. Thankfully it turned out to be E53 after all. :thumbup:

I'm just glad I had the boot. It would have been annoying to have to go buy an axle from Advance.

FYI crazy good price for outer CV on FCPeuro. I replaced with OEM for like $75.

The whole axle is under warranty from FCP. But I'm road tripping monday, so....

Ahh yeah boot all you need for now.