Drain from the small plug - you get about 5.5 L out.
Total is around 11 L, but torque converter keeps 6 L or so.
So you need to do a couple of drains/fills/drives if you want to clear most of it out.

Fill through the big plug with a tube pushed up into it, there is a sort of t-piece at the end of ...

Well, someone had a go!

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/BMW-X5-E53-S ... SwhDdXDyho

To see if it is running on a cold morning, also check under the car below the front passengers door.
The exhaust for the Webasto heater is there, and you should be able to tell if it is running from that.

I have a similar unit on my facelift 3.0d, and it does generate an error code.

It isn't a code that causes a fault light or anything on the cluster, but when you scan with BMW DIS it comes up with:

4501 DDE: Exhaust-gas recirculation

It then details that the air/exhaust-gas ratio is too high, ie ...

Thanks for reminding me of this! 

I did it ages ago, but had forgotten about it and how good it works...I must drive like a grandpa normally.  )

Not sure about INPA, but with BMW DIS you can activate the fan.

Under control unit functions, then DDE, there is an activate fan function.

Best to check the fuses behind the glovebox as well, I believe one of the big 50Amp red ones is for the fan.

Thanks for the responses guys. :)

I have looked at realoem and many pics; the E70 intercooler is wider and more of a box shape, I don't think it will fit into the space for the E53 one.
It also mounts quite differently, with a mounting plate underneath it, which the E53 does not use.

I already ...

Yep, got a chip a year ago and it delivered great results, but straight out performance gain is not really why I'm after an intercooler.

I had my front bumper off recently and noticed the intercooler has taken a hit at some stage (previous owner!) and been pushed up at the bottom.
It doesn't leak ...

Hey Guys,

There appears to be no info on the web anywhere that I can find in regards to an intercooler upgrade for the E53 3.0d.

I can't believe no one seems to offer any upgrade product that is a direct fit for this car and engine combination.
There's plenty of universal intercoolers around, but ...

The E53 does have 3 full lap/sash seatbelts and anchor points in the back.
I have tried 3 seats and the capsule types from birth to 4 years, all facing forward would not fit side by side - just too wide.
If the middle one was facing backwards, then they fitted.
I would think three boosters (6months ...