Well, it now seems that the MOT tester will be able to get into my car next week!! Used the welding rod, fair amount of "wiggling" and prodding as well as a fair few biscuits, but it is open :D Turns out the carrier wasn't actually broken - just very seized up with the recent cold weather....

Hi Alan,

The article I found wasn't a video, but had detailed photos - here for reference
https://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums ... pics.html

I'm tackling this at the weekend so will update after I have tried - joy or despair, who knows!

Thanks Alan. The fixes with the welding rod / wire coat hanger seem I've found seem to need the window to be down and you push the latch mechanism with the rod. With the window up it doesn't seem able to get to the right latch part (if that makes sense) I like a challenge and will find a way, but ap...

Thanks for that. Yes - I'm pretty sure that the carrier is the issue and that article is what I used to replace it maybe 4 or 5 years ago on the other side. This one is different in that the door is not opening from the inside either, so can't even get door card off to disassemble and investigate. C...

Hey Everyone, My drivers door (2005 Sport 3.0d facelift) won't open using either the outside or inside handle.....and the door is closed :( Got the MOT in a week and asking the tester to climb in via the passenger side won't be a good start.... From the key fob the door pin goes up and down when loc...

Horizon, thanks for the suggestion. I spoke with Adrian and unfortunately they are a "just replace the whole transfer box" solution, so still hunting! Price aside, I do get why businesses are reluctant to replace a small component from what is officially a non-serviceable part, but it is f...

Hoppo, fantastic write up - thank you. I've been driving it for a few weeks as well and the clicking is intermittent once engine is shut off, so fingers crossed I haven't burnt the actuator  >:( My problem is still finding a garage near Manchester who will just do the swap (I've bought the same repl...

Afternoon All, On my 2005/55 3.0d I am getting all the common symptoms of the failed transfer case plastic gear, where the 3 warning lights come on at different times after start up and there is a clicking after the engine has been shut off, which appears to my uneducated ear, to be coming from the ...

Thank you everyone for the great advice. I now have use back of the fuel gauge, rev counter and instrument cluster/display after disconnecting the battery for 5 mins and then reconnecting - thank you Steamyrotter -  :) I now have a few possibilities as to the cause of the battery drain (FSR, rear ta...

Thanks for the swift replies - will definitely go OEM if replacing FSR is needed - quick update though... Car started fine this morning, the speedo and temperature gauge worked fine, but no instrument readings on the cluster at all or warning lights appeared on normal startup, no rev counter at all ...

Hi, long time lurker but regular reader now needing some assistance for a possible battery issue on my E53 3.0d Sport (2005/55), if people are able to offer some thoughts. I have searched here and a number of places but seem to have a combination of things possibly contributing to the issue, hence s...

Hi Doug, you have a response to your PM.
Not being cryptic in case anyone wonders - just wanted to complete the Inspection 1 that is due, give it a good wax/polish etc before I put my advert up in all its glory!!

Richard, PM sent.
2005/55 (December), X5 3.0d Sport Auto (72k), Carbon black with black nappa leather, aluminium trim, panoramic roof, full comms pack, rear DVD headrests (x2) shortly to become available.

Regards, Andy