Congrats BSundowner. Sounds really nice & nice low miles!!

I am new here. I have a 2001 x5 3.0 with a manual transmission. I can get my hands on a 2004 x5 6 speed very reasonably...will this bolt in? What all do I need to change? Is this worth the effort?

Hi mpjensen87, wellcome to the club.
:iagree: I have a 2000 3.0i X5 too and I think it is worth to keep the one u have, actually the more I use mine the more I like it. Even my wife prefers this one over the rest of our herd :D
Even if I am still crying from my last repair :yikes:

Feel free to post some pics :D

I am sorry, I meant to swap in the 6 speed into my 2001 x5.

I understood wrong :thumbup:
No idea how the new one runs but if the old one keeps working.... keep both :bustingup

The old one is working but as you know the gears are really low and the better ratio of the 6th gear would give me better highway mileage.

Well, seriously speaking now, I doubt that the difference in mileage will compensate the amount spent on the "new" one, it could be calculated looking at the gear ratios though.

Of course, if you still want it and your current unit works well I would suggest exchanging the whole gearbox with a 6 speed one, I understant it is possible to make (but check first with specialists). Here in Europe the 6 speed ones are not so difficult to get.

If the price for the new one is really good then ... just keep both for some time and then sell the less interesting one ;-)

If it was a facelift 6MT with Sport Package I would be all about it - get both :)

The mileage on the 5MT is not that bad - I get about 18mpg mixed driving and I have the staggered 20" steamrollers on mine - If I had 18" wheels I'm sure I'd be at 19-20 mpg mixed.

Old X5 3.0l With STick
 

Wow, there really aren't that many. No wonder it took me so long to find a cheapie.. You can add my new eBay purchase:

Mine is listed as a 2000/12 build date, VIN LH78908, Black on Black.
Has the Sport suspension and 18" wheels, but sadly no sports seats. (yet).

Are your seats are double tone? Mine are, I did not notice until this past weekend.