Sold it last week to a bloke for €1500 who has now re-advertised it for €6500  !!!
He reckons he has changed the chain, as of course I had to ask him!

My feelings too, it has seen its day I guess. My mechanic saying similar things, have to investigate first and before you know it you have spent a few hundred just to get there. Will sell up for repair or spares I think. Am based in Spain and its uncanny how much these old X5's go for.

Unhealthy noise from E53 184hp, 180,000 miles. Definetly from front of engine. Found a slither of metal on dipstick.
Have a video but looks like we can't post a video. 

I had a similar issue a while back and it turned out to be two injectors. Went through the same as you with fuel pressure sensor and and cam sensor to no avail. Also replaced LP fuel pump. Local garage did a leak test and refurbed all injectors.

Job all done with no leaks at cooling hoses.

Ordered a STARK (£50) alternator and a Valeo came. Guessing its a refurb unit but none the less it is in very good condition. Replace gearbox oil cooler as well as noticed some oil weeping from oil side of cooler.

It was necessary to remove the radiator to get the alternator out!! Lets hope the O rings on the hoses seal again. Anybody know the sizes of these?

Not charging battery. Doesn't sound to healthy and nearing 180k miles prob be best to change out whole unit. Having taken off belts and checked alt it seems to be smooth enough, unless noise coming from worn bushes in regulator.

Anybody removed or have info about removing an alternator. Cant get it out, am guessing I may have to take out the radiator! Must be an easier way surely!

Struggling to get the filter housing cap off. Thinking it would be easy I dropped the oil first then went for the filter, doh! Anyways, have topped up with fresh oil. Whats the script now if I manage to remove the cover, ie is it gonna make a mess with oil? Am thinking quite a lot will drain back ...

Any body any idea if the car will still run ok without the binnacle. Need to get it repaired.

Diamaris the only choice mate.Got near 50k on mine, worth paying that bit extra and personally they look the better tyre on the X5.

[quote="Horizon"]
Just curios, did you get yours gearbox rebuilt, or did you call it a day on your X?
Like you say, auto boxes can be a weak link on these cars.

Not bad though 140k on the same gearbox.
[/quote]

I had the box refurbed, think all they do is put some fresh oil and a new torque ...

I replaced my oil at 100,000 miles, box was juddering slightly which prompted me to do so. Oil changed again at 130,000 and box failed at about 140,000.
Many discussions on failures etc with regular oil changes. Devil you do devil you don't....fact is these boxes fail at a certain mileage so ...

[url]http://xdrivers.co.uk/forum/index.php/t ... sg4835/url]

Have a look at the last two pictures, looks similar to your problem.

Comparing it with your first photo, top left of photo??

Its a 2003 3.0D (184hp).

Expansion tank is good, no signs of leakage in that area