Judging by the first picture, there is a little "catch" that holds the white piece to the metal part of the carrier. It doesn't seem that the ziptie would have any effect on the functionality, but might simply be there to help support the "catch" in transit. Just a thought.

To update all who been reading this post. I cut the zip tie off and guess what.. the white plastic part that supposed to stay put with the clip just fell right off. I was not even shocked. I tried multilpe times just to see if the clip would let it stay put. It didn't. Finally I went and put a zip tie back on it and for extra support I put another one on crossing it. Now I'm about to inform the seller his stuff is garbage. The part that gave me the most headache was reinserting the key cylinder assembly. It was big pain. I really had to fight with it. 1 -2 hour job my buttocks.. I was fighting it from 12 noon to 5:30pm. Guess what the door card still not back on but the door did work now. The only reason I'm using his part is because its a emergency I have to have my state inspection before march 1. Something tells me a broken outside driver door handle will make me fail. Lesson Learned - go OEM PARTS -
seller to stay away from
00-06 BMW X5 Outside Door Handle Front Left Driver Side Exterior Carrier #C527

abcMarts PowerPro More than 10 available / 102 sold

http://www.ebay.com/itm/00-06-BMW-X5...7ae327&vxp=mtr

to bad. I bought mine from him:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/370665757642...84.m1497.l2649

As much of a pain that it will be, you need to return it. These carriers go out easily and im pretty sure one that is already compromised by the use of zip ties wont last very long either.