Here's an Ipod adapter for people on a budget:

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...XXwHI6V-BumOMn

LOL

love that option....BUT I have never seen an e53 with tape player. always single cd or the 6 from the back.

in my experience the words budget and X5 rarely go together lol

They are available but are rare as hen teeth. LOL

Here's a picture as to how they look. They sometime come up on eBay.

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/BMW-E53-X5-CA...luig~~60_3.JPG

my X5 has the tape behind the nav screen.. it also came with one of those tape adapters for free. sounds like absolute garbage.

I'm sorry sure but poor college student and full time IT guy keeps his X5 on a budget here...
Oil change done on my own..using the titanium castrol oil when its on sale and oe filter.
Gas- well cant save there...just use 93 from bj's wholesale...if you put 91 you get worse mpg.

going to look for DICE unit...

I think the Grom units are more budget friendly.

GROM USB, Android Smartphone, iPod, AUX, Bluetooth Hands Free Integration to a factory car stereo

i paid around 50$ for the isbm72. works great and has clear cd sound. plus installation takes all of 5 minutes.

Only works if your X came with the cheap non nav radio.

From their website:

Compatibility Notes
Fully compatible with the lightning to 30-pin adapter
Not compatible with DSP radios. "DSP" will be indicated on a button on the front of the factory radio
Not compatible with vehicles equipped with iDrive
Not compatible with navigation radios