Ugh, did I just break the hood release?
 

I went to pop the hood, and as usual, it's pretty tight. So I give it a good yank, heard something pop, and now I can't open the hood. Any ideas?

Yep, the cable snapped.
When I purchased my vehicle this spring, I noticed it was hard to open the hood. After inspection, the front cables started to fray, had the plastic sheathing broken, and were rusted. Replaced them, and opening the hood went buttery smooth.
To change the cable is actually very easy, but the issue you have is opening the hood without breaking the grill. Here is a solution how to open the hood without breaking the grill. It's for e39, but the mechanism is the same (I have an e39 as well). The only difference is that the opening lever on the e39 is on the passenger side, and the x5 is on the driver's side.
Here is a linky how to prevent premature breaking of the hood release mechanism - again for e39, but very similar with e53.
Here is a linky how to replace the cable (guideline - it's e39) - but on the e53 is much easier, you don't have to remove anything except for the plastic cover of the air intake & radiator cover, then snake in the middle cable above the left headlight to join the front cable.

Yeah, the cable didn't break on the inside... still feels like it has some tension... must have broken at the other end. Thanks... looks like I have a project for this weekend :P

BTW, do I just pry the kidney off?

You will break it. Try to open the hood latch mechanism from the outside as outlined in the first link. If you can't, then you have to break the kidney grill.....

The link says to remove the kidney first... hmm will give it a shot tomorrow. :(

I think there is a way to get the hood open with out breaking anything. If I remember correctly, I read that you can take off the fender well and possibly the bumper. I did a lot of reading when mine broke, but I got lucky as my cable broke on the inside of the car. Breaking something to fix something else doesn't sound right to me........... especially on a Bimmer!

Yuu can get a U curved pick or something and carefully fish for the clips aroung the grill. may take awhile

Just spoke to my cousin's cousin-in-law, who's a mechanic. Going to see him tomorrow and get it open. The repair itself seems easy enough. :)

I know it cost an arm and a leg to have the BM Trouble U service, but now they want a Kidney??? :nanana:

It's okay, I promised them yours. The Chinese organ stealer van will be stop by in the morning. ;)

This happened to my 90 e30 and there was a kind of slot to slide a screwdriver into to open the latch. Nothing like that on teh e53?

Truth be told, I wouldn't know where to look. Most of the DIYs I've seen tell you to break your grille, ruin your hood, or somesuch. Will experiment a bit more b4 I go to the cousin's shop.

Got it open with the cousin. Turns out the little plastic holder thing on the side of the engine bay wouldn't stay shut, so the first wire would slip out of place, failing to engage. We jury-rigged it with a couple of hose clamps for now.

Is there somewhere I can just order that part, or will I be forced to order the whole cable and redo the locks?

BTW, anyone know of a good DIY for replacing the cable and locks? Passenger side lock doesn't engage, that's why the hood has a gap on that side when closed. The cousin said it's a pain in the ass to do, but I'm willing to give it a go.

Grrr... seems now the hood doesn't latch well. It pops of I just pull on it. looks like my ham fisted cousin may have compromised the lock to get it open and didn't tell me... If you guys know a good diy for the lock, pls pointme toward it. I found a few, but they weren't clear enough for the inexperienced ;)

Grrr... seems now the hood doesn't latch well. It pops if I just pull on it. looks like my ham fisted cousin may have compromised the lock to get it open and didn't tell me... If you guys know a good diy for the lock, pls pointme toward it. I found a few, but they weren't clear enough for the inexperienced ;)