For years, BMW had been contemplating coming up with a sports utility vehicle. In 1994, BMW acquired the Rover Group and was on its way to fulfilling its intentions. Borrowing some of the technology from the Range Rover which included the hill-descent control system, the X5 finally made its debut in 1999.
Calling it a Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV), BMW marketed the X5 with an emphasis on on-road capabilities with the ability to go off-road. Even with the technologies borrowed from the Range Rover, it wasn't BMW's goal for the X5 to compete with rivals as an off-road vehicle. This intention is evident from the X5's unibody design rather than the more common SUV approach of using a body-on-frame platform. The concept was again emphasized on its release when part of the worldwide press preview was done on a race track to prove that it is a luxury SUV that drives and performs like a BMW sports sedan.
First Generation X5 (E53), 1999-2006
The first-generation X5 crossover is known as the E53 series, based on BMW's 5 Series offerings. It inherited its engine and electronic systems from the BMW E39 series marketed from 1995. For its hill descent and off-road engine management systems, it adapted them from the Range Rover HSE. BMW initially built the X5 at their US Manufacturing Company located in Greer, South Carolina, also known as BMW Spartanburg. This plant produced E36 series sedans, Z3 and later the Z4.
The X5 weighed more than its rivals. BMW explained that their design priority was to provide a quiet vehicle that had exceptional chassis rigidity and advanced safety features and drove like a BMW.
The all-wheel-drive system ratio chosen was 62% to the rear wheel to give a feel similar to their rear-wheel-drive sedans. The suspension is handled by the subframe-mounted independent rear suspension system with thick aluminium lower control arms and upper lateral links. The interior exhibits superior materials and craftsmanship.
On its first release, a V8 powered the X5. BMW badged it as the X5 4.4i, indicating that it came with a 4.4L engine, specifically the M62TUB44 petrol power plant (210 kW / 440 Nm) mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission. Later, the X5 3.0i was released powered by the 3.0L petrol M54B30 (170 kW / 300 Nm) with either a 5-speed auto or a 5-speed manual gearbox. The next variant was the X5 4.6iS that came with the 4.6L petrol M62TUB46 (255 kW / 480 Nm). In 2005, BMW released the X5 4.8iS with the 4.8L N62B48 (265 kW / 490 Nm).
A diesel variant was also available. The X5 3.0d had an M57D30TU (150 kW / 480 Nm) coupled to either a 6-speed auto or a 6-speed manual gearbox.
New headlights with the lighted rings were introduced starting in 2004 together with a bigger kidney grille and new taillights. Further upgrades in 2004 included the introduction of the newly-developed xDrive all-wheel-drive system. The xDrive is capable of adjusting torque distribution between front and rear wheel axles, which replaces the original mechanism that was locked in a 62%:38% rear-front ratio.
Second Generation X5 (E70), 2006-2013
The second-generation X5 known as the E70 now also had the xDrive system that was incorporated on the facelifted first generation. The first-generation X5 SAV was a huge success for BMW, and this next generation offered better performance, better comfort and more technology advancements, although a number of them were available as options.
The E70 is 188mm longer and 61mm wider than the previous which was enough to equip the interior with a small third-row seat. The new unibody chassis also came with aluminium upper and lower wishbones replacing the old MacPherson struts.
Standard equipment on the X5 already gave a mouthful of features, but buyers could add more options to personalize their X5 with electronic, sports and technology packages. The premium package included a panoramic sunroof and BMW assist emergency communications system together with other electronic upgrades. The sports package added an active suspension system, sports seats and 19-inch wheels.
The second-generation X5 came in a number of engine options. The petrol variants offered were:
- 2007-2008 3.0si – N52B30 (195 kW / 315 Nm)
- 2007-2008 4.8i – N62B48 (261 kW / 485 Nm)
- 2009-2010 xDrive48i – N62B48 (261 kW / 485 Nm)
- 2009-2010 xDrive30i – N52B30 (195 kW / 315 Nm)
- 2010-2013 M – S63B44 (408 kW / 680 Nm)
- 2011-2013 xDrive35i – N55B30 (225 kW / 400 Nm)
- 2011-2013 xDrive50i – N63B44 (300 kW / 610 Nm)
- 2012-2013 xDrive40i – N55B30A (235 kW / 450 Nm)
The diesel-powered variants were:
- 2007-2008 3.0d – M57TU2D30 (173 kW / 520 Nm)
- 2009-2010 xDrive30d – M57TU2D30 (173 kW / 520 Nm)
- 2007-2008 3.0sd – M57TU2D30 (210 kW / 580 Nm)
- 2009-2010 xDrive35d – M57TU2D30 (210 kW / 580 Nm)
- 2009-2013 xDrive35d (U.S.) – M57Y (198 kW / 576 Nm)
- 2011-2013 xDrive30d – N57D30O1 (180 kW / 540 Nm)
- 2010-2013 xDrive40d – N57D30T0 (225 kW / 600 Nm)
- 2012-2013 M50d – N57S (280 kW / 740 Nm)
A facelift in 2010 included revised styling of the front and rear bumpers, air intakes, headlights and taillights with offerings of new exterior and interior colours. BMW’s newer entertainment systems were also added at this time. The number of optional equipment available for the X5 was also increased and now offered in packages such as the Sports, Performance Edition and the Edition Exclusive.
This generation also saw the first offering of the X5 to receive the "M" badge, a mark reserved for BMW's best of the line. The X5M was equipped with the S63B44 4.4L V8 Twin-turbo DOHC 32-valve engine that was capable of launching this 2,435 kg vehicle from 0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds and an advertised top speed of 250 km/h.
Third Generation X5 (F15), 2013-2018
The third-generation X5 (F15) had its introduction at the 2013 Frankfurt International Motor Show. The body dimensions and outside appearance didn't change much from the previous generation, but internally, there was a lot. Features that were previously offered as options are now standard.
Petrol engine options for the X5 included a rear-wheel-drive-only option and a plug-in hybrid:
- 2013-2018 sDrive35i (RWD) – N55B30 (225 kW / 400 Nm)
- 2013-2018 xDrive35i (AWD) – N55B30 (225 kW / 400 Nm)
- 2013-2018 xDrive50i (AWD) – N63B44TU (331 kW / 650 Nm)
- 2015-2018 xDrive40e (AWD) – N20 PHEV (230 kW / 450 Nm)
- 2015-2018 X5M (AWD) – S63B44T2 (423 kW / 750 Nm)
For the diesel-powered versions:
- 2013-07/2015 sDrive25d (RWD) – N47D20 (160 kW / 450 Nm)
- 08/2013-2018 sDrive25d (RWD) – B47D20 (170 kW / 500 Nm)
- 2013-2018 sDrive25d (AWD) – N47D20 (160 kW / 450 Nm)
- 2013-2018 sDrive30d (AWD) – N47D20 (190 kW / 560 Nm)
- 2013-2018 sDrive40d (AWD) – N57D30TOPTU (230 kW / 630 Nm)
- 2013-2018 M50d (AWD) – N57D30S1 (280 kW / 740 Nm)
The X5M top-of-the-line model was now capable of accelerating from 0-100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds with its pair of twin-scroll turbos and Valvetronic technologies. This is the same engine that generates power for the BMW X6M, coupled to an 8-speed automatic with manual shifting mode gearbox.
An eco-friendlier companion to the X5M is the xDrive40e plug-in hybrid. Powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder and assisted by a single electric motor. Performance-wise, it's not slow and manages the 0-100 km/h in 6.8 seconds. The combined fuel economy is 9.9L/100km, which is not a significant improvement over the xDrive35i but looks better when you consider you can run in an electric-only mode for 30 km on a single charge.
Fourth Generation (G05), 2018-Present
The fourth-generation X5 (G05) introduced in 2018 now uses the platform currently used by BMW in models like the G11 7-series and the G30 5-series. Known as the Cluster Architecture Platform (CLAR), this comes with a five-link rear suspension and now available with four-wheel steering or adjustable air suspension as options.
Petrol engine options include:
- xDrive40i – B58B30M1 (250 kW / 450 Nm)
- xDrive50i – N63B44M3 (340 kW / 650 Nm)
- xDrive45e – B58B30M1 + electric motor (290 kW / 600 Nm)
- M50i – N63B44T3 (395 kW / 750 Nm)
- M – S63B44T4 (447 kW / 750 Nm)
- M Competition– S63B44T4 (466 kW / 750 Nm)
Diesel engine options include:
- xDrive30d – B57D30 (195 kW / 620 Nm)
- M50d – B57D30C (294 kW / 760 Nm)
The new 2020 X5M with the competition package is now available with 466 kW of power. It features direct injection, air-to-water intercooling for its twin turbos, variable valve timing and cross-bank exhaust manifolds. Acceleration from 0-100 km/h is clocked at 3.7 seconds with a top speed of 285 km/h. The X5M Competition is not all about power but also comes with adaptive suspension and active roll stabilization. Braking power is handled by a brake-by-wire system with six-piston callipers together with 15.6-inch front rotors and single-piston calliper with 15-inch rotors at the rear.
Owning an X5
It is indeed a dream to own an X5 but may quickly become a nightmare if these crossovers are not maintained properly. BMWs don't come cheap, so you'd want to enjoy their exceptional reliability and performance for many years. With proper maintenance, you just might!
If you need parts or accessories for it, visit us at Carpart.com.au. We're the go-to website when it comes to new or used car parts, whether you're buying or selling. This is also the best place to buy your next used car and even help you sell your old one. Contact us at hello@carpart.com.au, and we'll make buying and selling easier for you!
-Fred Cajulis