Bmw x5 2004 drivers door outside door handle won't open door

SOURCE: 1999 BMW 323iS drivers side door. I cannot open

is the battery flat as this will keep the dead locks on but it will feal as if its unlocking , . you can jump start the car from the starter motor by jacking it up put one lead to sub frame and hold one on starter 12v supply (the thick red one)

SOURCE: 1999 BMW 323iS drivers side door. I cannot open

you are correct they are flimsey and get fatigued with age easy to replace harder to find

SOURCE: bmw door won't open

THE MECHANISM FOR ATTACHING THE HANDLE TO THE LOCK CAN BREAK WITHOUT WARNING. I HAD TO REPLACE MINE LAST SATURDAY. IT IS A DIY JOB IF YOU HAVE THE TOOLS AND ARE COMPETENT. THE WINDOW WINDER MECHANISM HAS TO BE REMOVED AS WELL AS THE GLASS AS MOST OF THE WORK IN REMOVING AND REFITTING THE HANDLE CAN ONLY BE DONE WITH THESE REMOVED. IT TOOK ME ABOUT THREE HOURS AS THE WINDER MECHANISM WAS RIVETED TO THE DOOR AND THESE HAVE TO BE DRILLED OUT TAKING CARE NOT TO HIT THE GLASS WITH THE DRILL BIT. ALSO, THERE IS A SLIDING CLIP WHICH MUST BE PUSHED ACROSS TO REMOVE THE OUTSIDE HANDLE TRIM BEFORE YOU CAN REMOVE THE HANDLE. I DID IT WITHOUT A SERVICE MANUAL, BUT I RECCOMEND YOU GET ONE BEFORE TRYING THIS YOURSELF AS IT PROVED TRICKY. IF YOU DECIDE TO TRY IT, MAKE SURE TO HAVE POP RIVETS AND A RIVETING GUN AS WELL AS FOUR 4.5 MM FLAT WASHERS ON HAND BEFORE YOU START AS YOU NEED THEM TO REFIT THE WINDOW WINDER MECHANISM. ALSO, TAKE CLEAR DIGITAL PHOTOS AS YOU GO SO YOU WILL KNOW WHERE THINGS CAME FROM AND WHAT THE ASSEMBLED ITEMS SHOULD LOOK LIKE AT EVERY STAGE. IT'S NOT ROCKET SCIENCE BUT DOES REQUIRE CARE. LASTLY, IF YOU GET SOMEONE TO DO IT FOR YOU, MAKE SURE THEY KNOW ABOUT THE SLIDING CLIP PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED BECAUSE IF THEY TRY TO PRISE THE TRIM OFF, THE PAINTWORK WILL BE DAMAGED AND THE TRIM WILL BREAK. OH YEAH, BE PREPARED FOR A LARGE LABOUR BILL RELITAVE TO THE APPARENT SIZE OF THE TASK AS IT WILL TAKE TIME NO MATTER WHO DOES IT. GOOD LUCK

SOURCE: BMW X5 2001 -DRIVER OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE WILL NOT OPEN DOOR.

DRIVER OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE WILL NOT OPEN DOOR. FROZE UP IN ICE STORM AND APPEARED TO BREAK WHEN TRIED TO OPEN DOOR. INSIDE HANDLE STILL WORKS. IS DIY REPAIR FEASIBLE?

SOURCE: My BMW Z3 Roadster Driver

This is usually a symptom seen when a latch mechanism has worn out. I would replace the door latch with a used one. This is the unit that actually holds the door shut. You will see it on the side of the door. The door panel will need to be removed to gain access. Let me know if you need anything further.