Last week I used the car, and when I went to open the drivers door....nothing the handle mechanism had broken! This is my 2nd X5, and this is the third handle carrier that I have had to replace! I dont know if the mechanism was redesigned at a later point and is stronger, but looking at the broken carriers, I am not that surprised they break, the pivots are pretty weedy looking. Since the first one broke on my previous X5, I have always taken care not to yank the door handle, but squeeze it instead, in the hope of it lasting., but here we are again.......it is not a cheap part either, pattern parts appear to be no stronger, and of course do not have the benefit of the 2 year Bmw warranty. The last one that was fitted in my previous X5 was a genuine Bmw part, and in fairness - it was still operational after 2years! I have had to order the part this time - surprisingly the dealer did not have several in stock!! Rich
