A-Premium Outside Door Handle Carrier Compatible with BMW E53 X5 2000-2006, Front Right Passenger Side, Replace# 51218243616

Typical BMW engineering...They designed the door handles in a strange way...Instead of pulling out like normal cars, the BMW door handle requires you to pull out and UP. Since 99% of people don't know that, they pull out and not UP, causing stress on the carrier and causing it to break prematurely.The drivers door had a broken carrier which made getting in and out quite interesting. OK, irritating....I didn't want to spend too much money on this car because BMW's can be a money pit so I found this one here on Amazon. I was skeptical of its quality because it was cheap and likely not made anywhere near Germany but a part is a part and Amazon is really good about returns so I gave it a shot.It installed perfectly the first time and resolved my door handle issue.I'm sure it will break again in the future but that is the design fault not the part itself. That said, there is a trick to getting the plastic door handle through the specially cut receiver in the carrier. The handle has to rotate inward while pushing down on it in order to get it through. There are small plastic tabs on the handle that have to do a circular dance to get it to go through and twist back in....Sure enough, those tabs started to wear down as I was reinstalling. Clearly, this is NOT the first time this repair has been made so the handle was pretty worn already.I didn't want to spring for a new plastic handle so I got creative and used a very small and short screw with a washer and was able to set the handle into the carrier. It worked and made it even more secure than OEM. Why BMW couldn't design this better is beyond me but now it doesn't matter if the plastic nubs wear out...It's also reversible so the next time the handle carrier breaks, and it will, it can be changed out easily. Hopefully it won't be me doing it next time.Also: You do not need to remove the side door airbag but you WILL have to disconnect it....Please be sure to remember to disconnect your battery BEFORE you disconnect any airbag parts. If you do not, it will set off the airbag warning light on the dash and it can only be turned off with diag tools. Do yourself a favor and disconnect the battery before performing this repair...

Works well and fixed my issue with the drivers door not opening on my 2006 x5

Had to fix a front driver side handle on my 2002 E53 4.4. Was hoping it was the outer most handle but this one needed to be replaced as well. Perfect fit. Pricing is also right making a trip to the boneyard unnecessary and expensive. So, yes, highly recommend for your elderly E53s.

Broke after in less than a year. Fitment issues and did not function smoothly.

Well…it does work, kinda. The outside door handle isn’t aligned perfectly. This is the usual issue of aftermarket manufacturing tolerances being a little loose. It was cheap and came quick. I concurrently ordered a Genuine BMW part from another popular BMW parts depot with free slow-boat shipping. I have no confidence this part will last and outside handle looks like hell

OEM Version is exponentially more (aka $178) which is what lead me to finding this aftermarket version….. Come to find out not only is this one 1/6th the price, but is honestly of a much higher quality as well (material/manufacturing & performance wise). If it is PROPERLY installed, the door release is very smooth and consistent! Long story short, I immediately ordered the other three for the remaining doors the same day I installed and tested this one…

Cable too short.. I didn’t listen.

2 days installed. Works good, easy to install.