The BMW X5 is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV manufactured by BMW since 1999. It features all-wheel drive and is available with a range of gas inline-6s and V8 engines. Diesels are an option but only for the non-U.S. models. All X5’s worldwide are manufactured in Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA.
The history of the X5 begins in the late 1990s, when Chris Bangle drew the first sketches from his Design works studio in California. In many ways, the current car closely resembles these initial sketches. The takeover of Rover proved to be very beneficial for BMW in the development of the X5. BMW engineers were able to look at and use Range Rover technology and parts in developing the X5. In many respects, the design of the X5 was influenced by its British counterpart; for example, the X5 got the two-piece tailgate straight from the Range Rover. Many parts and electronics were also taken directly from the E39 5 Series parts bin to save costs.
In contrast to the Range Rover models, the X5 was designed as a sporting road car: its off-road capabilities are significantly less than those of Land Rover. BMW reportedly worked hard to ensure it was referred to as an SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle) instead of an SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle). Even though the X5 was a four-wheel drive vehicle, BMW chose from the start to route 62% of the engine's torque to the rear wheels, making it feel as close as possible to the company's rear-wheel drive sedans. Many reviewers commented on its road and track "feeling", and as time passed many other manufacturers have caught onto this breed of SUV, e.g. the Porsche Cayenne and the Range Rover Sport, which both offer performance that is similar to the X5's with full off-road capabilities.
A one-off version known as the X5 LM was equipped with the M70 S70B56 V12 engine from the Le Mans winning BMW V12 LMR. It was used by Hans Joachim Stuck to set a lap record at the Nürburgring in 2000.
2004 Refresh
In 2004 the X5 was refreshed with new headlights, a few new exterior colors, and a new four-wheel drive system and upgraded engines. The exterior touches gave the X5 a more aggressive look. The grilles were enlarged, as well as their actual slats being modified in a 'flame surfaced' style. In keeping with the E39 refresh of 2001, the 2004 X5's headlights got "angel-eyes" (rings or halos around all front headlamps). The taillights also received a refresh treatment similar to the BMW E39, and the exterior glass went from a "dotted" pattern to a cleaner "line" pattern. BMW invented a new four-wheel drive system dubbed xDrive shared both in the X5 and X3 in 2004. Instead of using the previous X5 system which consisted of power being split 62-38 (rear wheels-front wheels) and DSC to brake wheels losing traction, xDrive could vary power to the front or rear axles in milliseconds, transferring up to 100% of engine power to either axle, thus allowing the vehicle to regain traction quickly.
In terms of engines, the X5 got the new 4.4i engine which debuted in the 2002 7-Series; engine output rose from 290 to 315 hp (242 kW). Also from April production onwards, a new X5 4.8is was offered (see below), giving the driver 265 kW (355 hp) and making it the third fastest SUV.
Several new extras were added to the 2004 X5 such as:
Soft-boot close feature (the top part of the trunk pulls itself closed)
Trailer Stabilization Control
Adaptive Headlights (available only with xenon HID headlamps; these swivel with the direction of travel of the car)
Originally announced in the end of 2003 along with the rest of the X5 refresh, the X5 4.8is first started shipping in April 2004. In had a new larger 4.8 L engine (which replaced the 4.6 L engine), and was also later used in the 2005 750i/Li. It also included a slightly modified body kit (parts of the bottom bumper became painted the body color), 20" wheels, and along with the 4.6is, were the only X5's ever to have a large chrome-tipped exhaust which hid the quad pipes.
2005
Along with the rest of the BMW lineup (apart from the 7 E65 series), the X5 received Bluetooth kits straight from the factory if ordered with the Premium Package.
Specifically, the 4.4i & 4.8is models got xenon HID headlamps as standard equipment in the United States.
2006
The X5 was not fitted with the new BMW R6 engine, which increased power for both the 2.5i and 3.0i versions of the 2006 X3 and Z4 significantly. It is rumored that BMW held back deploying the engine in the 2006 X5 so as not to waste development costs in retooling the assembly line, and to make way for a more dramatic unveiling of the all new 2007 BMW X5. In fact, 2006 also marks the end of the E53 X5 as well.
Options, Features, & Specifications
Year Range: 1999-2006
Passengers: 5
Original MSRP: $49,000 - $ 56,135
Average Bluebook Today: $19,995 - $46,945
Fuel Mileage: 15-21 MPG
Horsepower: 225- 355 BHP
Torque: 225-350 LB-FT
Towing Capacity: 6000 LBS
Transmission: 5 Speed Automatic, 6 Speed Automatic, 5 Speed Manual
List of some of the standard features:
Driver-Front Air Bag, Passenger-Front Air Bag, Alarm System, ABS-4 Wheel Brakes
Navigation System, Leather
Audio Controls Steering Wheel, Prewired Telephone, Traction Control
Power Windows, Auto Climate Control, AM/FM Stereo, Cassette Player, Cruise Control, Heated Driver Mirrors, Generic-Sun/Moon Roof, AWD, Power Steering, Air, Auto w/Manual Override, Automatic Transmission
List of some of the optional features:
Bluetooth technology , Xenon headlights , All-season traction for all-wheel drive , Hill Descent Control, Rain-sensing windshield wipers, 12-way power driver's and passenger's seat , Service Interval Indicator, BMW Universal Transceiver , Anti-theft AM/FM stereo CD2 radio w. Radio Data System, High Fidelity, 10 speaker audio system