RickyBobby, Thanks for the props...it hasn't been babied, as it saw 5 serious azz winters at our NC Mtn house. It gets driven nearly every day, during spring, summer and fall these days. It has only been handwashed, and it gets a another layer of Zaino once a year. The headlight covers are orig., and I have never done a thing to them.

It's our goat, and hauler from the garden joints, et al...I just drive the damn thing. ;>)
GL, mD

Here are a few more pics, (repeats for those keeping notes), as the pic posting deal is working again:

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/g...r/169_0201.jpg

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/g...ash_edited.jpg

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/g...UCEadjc4up.jpg

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/g...EDUCE4up-1.jpg

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/g...s/169_0214.jpg

Nice shots, MD. That looks great for a new vehicle, let alone one that is 11 years old.

Do manual tranny x5's go for a premium? Is there a high demand for them?

Hey Gmoney,

It's a mixed bag I think. There are a few of us who would sever a limb for one (ok, maybe an exaggeration but you get my point) but not many of us, so the few manual X5's that pop up for sale get snapped up very quickly. On the other hand, once a dealer has one that is a stick, it better be in darn good shape, because we want the good ones so that they'll last.

The one I flew 1200 miles for last month was out of the ordinary due to it's condition and miles, so it was a must have...but there's one 50 miles from me that's been for sale for months and won't end up in the hands of a true enthusiast...some kid will get it - because it's been molested and has high miles.

Kind of like my yellow M3...not many people would want it but the few that do would sever one of MY limbs to get it!! :)

I wouldn't say that our cars go for a "premium" because let's be honest, 95% of Americans wouldn't think twice to go for a manual transmission car, let alone a luxury SUV.

For us 5% or so in the rarity who desire a purist driving experience, there is the manual option. Problem is, so few were made and most of them don't change hands too often because of the rarity of the manual trans.


Correct me if I'm wrong.


Question of the day: How much "loose play" do you all have in your shifters? Maybe I'm just used to my Volkswagen GLI's short throw and solid shifter bushing equipped car, but I feel as if the free play is very sloppy, and sometimes makes for a notchy shifting experience.

I know some will say to switch the fluid, which should take away the occasional notchiness, and that is going to happen soon! I'm just not sure if anyone ever took apart the linkage, and replaced the bushings or anything like that to regain a bit tighter feel as if the shifter was new again.

Hey Ricky Bobby (thanks for keeping that top post updated with the owners that are chiming in, it's neat to see who and where we are),

I agree that the shifter has a long throw, but I expected that...years ago I installed a short-shift kit (by Ron Stygar) in my M3 and loved the difference...I have it on my mental to-do list to check with Ron over the next year (yeah, that's how long my list is!!) to see if he's put together a kit for these E53s.

I was asking because I see them in the auctions from time to time. X5 and X3 manual trannys. Condition and mileage varies obviously but if u guys tell me what to look out for I will grab them. I've seen mostly 3.0 so far.

I actually don't mind the long throw action, just wish the shifter itself didn't feel so loose (must be those plastic bushings wearing down on the linkage), just was wondering if anyone ever replaced their bushings to try and make it feel "factory tight" again.


and GmoneyLI, X5 and X3 only came in stick in the 3.0 engine just FYI. the X3's were 6-speed only!

I didn't know that. Thanks.
I obviously know tht condition and mileage is everything, but how high mileage do u guys still consider a good find? 80k, 100k, 120k?

GMoney - I had targeted only 2006's (to make it as new as possible), less than 75K miles and well taken care of. If you see one that is fully optioned, that would be appealing as well. The biggest auction problem I see for BMW's these days is that you get no vehicle history and since BMW took a terrible turn for the worse when they started to cover maintenance (they almost entirely eliminated meaningful fluid changes and component maintenance in return for offering 'full maintenance' as a buying tactic) it is tough to know what you've got in front of you. 75K with no brake fluid flushes, only 3 oil changes and no cooling flushes and you'll inherit a big problem, etc.

At least now you have your audience! Tell us when you get one and one of us will probably buy it! And if you can beat what I found last month, I'll buy it! :)