THE ULTIMATE X5
This article is from our archives and has not been updated and integrated with our "new" site yet... Even so, it's still awesome - so keep reading!
Published on Sun, May 15, 2005
By: The LACar Editorial Staff
© All photos by Harvey Schwartz
THE
ULTIMATE ACTIVITY MACHINE
In model year 2000, BMW joined the growing number of manufacturers offering a
sport utility vehicle for sale to get their piece of the pie in this hot-selling
segment of the industry.
With their reputation for building 'the ultimate driving machine' BMW had to
design and engineer, from the ground up, a vehicle that would keep their storied
tradition of excellence in power and handling, but it would also have to offer
the versatility and roominess that drives so many consumers to choose a sport
utility vehicle over a sedan or station wagon.
BMW designers and engineers decided to aim for an 'all-activity vehicle' to
differentiate it from the standard SUV. The vehicle would have more
performance on the hard pavement and less off-road capability. You
couldn't go and carve out your own off-road trails with 20-inch tires and
wheels, but you could successfully transverse hard packed sand.
What percentage off 4x4 sport utility vehicles actually go off road anyway?
It is not very high during a year of driving. Most owners say they
purchased a sport utility for the higher ride height with a more commanding view
of the road, along with the roominess, versatile interior, and trailer towing
ability.
When it first came onto the market in late 1999, the X5 was offered with either
a 3.0-liter I-6 engine making 225 hp or a 4.4-liter V8 generating 315 hp.
In late 2004, BMW offered a new, 4.8-liter V8 that increased horsepower to 355
hp and 360 lbs. ft. of torque.
Other major changes made late last year included a new, freshened front
fascia/rear taillight treatment, a new 6-speed automatic, a new xDrive AWD
system, adaptive XENON HID headlamps, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.
Today, the BMW X5 is 2-1/2 tons of speed, performance, comfort and prestige.
Its 5.9-second 0-60 mph acceleration time is faster than most cars, and it has a
top speed of 150 mph. Its steering is precise, and the giant 20-inch
wheels and tires only add to the exceptional cornering grip. Inside, the
X5 is roomy, comfortable and offers all the bells, whistles and high-tech
features found inside the premium luxury sedans.
The X5's gorgeous styling is uniquely BMW, with an aggressive front fascia
featuring a front bumper with an upper portion in the body color, and a lower
section in matte black with protective screens behind the air intakes. The
hood contours are more pronounced and include wide, stylish, dual air vents near
the windshield cowl. The traditional BMW dual kidney grille is widened and
set higher.
The headlight clusters are newly shaped and now include adaptive Xenon HID
headlamps. Strong nozzle sprayers mounted on the bumpers, on each side,
help to clear mud and other debris from the headlamp lenses. Just below these
more powerful lights are round foglamps.
From the side, you notice a swept-back windshield, flared fenders, doors that
are scalloped and grooved, lower side extensions, flush window glass, big door
handles and a rear hatch line that cuts back into the roofline. Giant
wheels and tires complete the aggressive silhouette with, up front, 20 x
9.5-inch cast alloy wheels wrapped by 275/40R20 high-performance radial tires,
and in the rear, 20 x 10.5-inch cast alloy wheels wrapped by 315/35R20 high
performance radials.
The rear fascia features a new, wraparound taillamp treatment, swept-back hatch
profile with top mounted spoiler, a step bumper, and a dual opening rear hatch
with flip-up glass and drop-down tailgate. The lower rear fascia is
scalloped out and features two 6 x 2-inch chrome, oval exhaust tips at each end.
The small round disks on the front and rear bumpers are sensors for the
front-rear parking assist, and the adaptive cruise control.
The high-strength steel unit body is very stiff and torsional and all body
panels are made of thick, galvanized steel sheet metal for added strength and
durability. The coefficient of drag for the shape of the X5is is just
0.38.
Under the skin and out of sight is the engineering brilliance of BMW.
Powering the X5 is a 4.8-liter, DOHC, 32-valve (four-cam) all-aluminum V8 engine
with Valvetronic variable valve lift, Double VANOS steplessly variable
intake-exhaust-valve timing and steplessly variable intake system. The
compression ratio is 10.5:1, and a Bosch Motronic ME engine management system is
in control. This high-outpoint V8 engine makes 355 hp at 6,200 rpm and 360
lbs. ft of torque at just 3,400 rpm.
Mated to this powerful V8 is a ZF type H, six-speed Steptronic system with an
adaptive automatic transmission control, including sport and manual modes.
The all-wheel-drive xDrive system features an electronically controlled
multi-disc clutch for variable front/rear torque split depending upon road and
driving conditions, and all-wheel electronic traction control. The X5is
has a towing capacity of 6,000 lbs.
The unique, fully independent, sport-tuned suspension system gives you on-road
high-performance speed and handling ability with medium off-road capability.
You can choose from three ride heights: low, for ease of entry and exit; medium,
for high-speed cruising or spirited handling exercises; and high, when driving
over dirt, sand, rocks, mud or water. The BMW X5is front suspension
features struts, double-pivot lower arms, twin-tube gas-pressure shock
absorbers, and roll bar and air springs for the adjustable ride height.
The rear setup includes a 4-link integral suspension with aluminum integral
link, forward upper lateral arms & wheel carrier, steel lower & upper
lateral links, twin-tube gas-pressure shock absorbers, air springs, and
anti-roll bar.
The engine-speed sensitive, variable power assist, rack & pinion steering
felt great with a very good on-center feel and excellent feedback from the road.
Stability is enhanced with BMW's dynamic stability control (DSC) that includes
electronic brake proportioning, ABS, dynamic brake control, cornering/braking
stability enhancement & Hill Descent Control. The brakes are very
strong-14in. vented discs in front clamped with big, twin-piston calipers, and
12.8-inch vented rear vented discs clamped with big single-piston calipers.
The inside of the X5 is roomy, comfortable, ergonomic, luxurious and very safe.
The four doors open wide for easy entry and exit, and there are grab handles
above each door. The front high back, sport bucket seats are incredibly
form fitting with 16 different adjustments including an articulated power
adjustable upper seatback and four-position lumbar adjustments. The
seats are trimmed in soft Dakota leather and heated. The rear seats are
also heated and feature power adjustable seatbacks.
The beefy, heated/power tilting/telescoping/leather wrapped steering wheel feels
perfect in your hands and features buttons for the audio system, cruise-control
and accessory telephone controls. The instrument cluster is
straight-ahead, easy to see and understand. Just below are LED readouts
for the 8-function on-board computer, Service Interval Indicator, and warnings
of failure for all of the X5is's systems.
There is a three-person memory for the driver's seat, side-view mirrors and
steering wheel position. All buttons, dials and control levers are within
easy reach and fully illuminated. The side mirrors are heated,
self-dimming and power folding. The automatic climate dual climate control
features a micro-filter, air-re-circulation and rear climate control. The
four power windows feature express up/down, and the doors automatically lock at
20mph.
The BMW Onboard Navigation system is a $1,800.00 option. The outstanding
audio system features 12 speakers, including two subwoofers, digital sound
processing AM-FM stereo radio and a six-CD changer mounted in the rear cargo
hold. I do think that BMW should be offering this fine stereo system with
an in-dash six-CD changer.
Other standard features include thick-pile carpeting in the front, second row
and rear cargo hold, with front/second row floor mats held tight with Velcro
strips, map lights, rear reading lights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, rear
window wiper/washer/defroster, door lights, all with theater dimming, remote
entry and remote liftgate release, a giant, electric panorama moonroof, privacy
glass for rear windows, side window pull-up sun shades, center console with
dual-cupholders, deep center console with padded and locking lid, storage in
each door, dual power points up front, in the second row seating area, behind
the front center console, and in the cargo hold. The overhead panel has a
button for BMW Assist for navigation question and emergency needs.
Speaking of safety, that is an important part of the BMW X5, with standard
three-point safety belts for all five seating positions with pretentsioners/load
limiters up front, front Smart impact airbags, head protection system for the
front and rear outboard seats, front/rear crush zones, steel beams in each door,
an energy absorbing steering column, and optional rear seat airbags.
The new 2005 BMW X5is is one of the segment's best high-performing machines.
Sadly, it is not for everyone looking to purchase a mid-size sport utility,
because prices start at $70,100.00. My loaded test model sticker priced at
$72,975.00, which includes destination, the navigation system and the optional
(yet very convenient) $380.00 Retractable Load Floor with a carpeted panel that
rolls out on ball-bearing rails after you disengage the floor mounted handle.
© Test and photos by Harvey Schwartz
For more information on BMW products, go to www.bmwusa.com.
More photos from Harvey Schwartz can be found at www.autofotos.com
SPECIFICATIONS
Name of vehicle:
2005 BMW X5is
Price of vehicle:
$70,100.00 base, $72,975.00 fully loaded including destination
Engine type:
4.8-liter, DOHC 32-valve (4-cam) V8 with Valvetronic variable vale lift, Double
VANOS steplessly variable intake & exhaust-valve timing & steplessly
variable intake system
Horsepower:
355 at 6,200 rpm
Torque:
360 lbs. ft. at 3,400 rpm
Drive configuration:
Front engine/all-wheel-drive
Transmission type:
Six-speed automatic Steptronic with adaptive transmission control, sport and
manual modes
Front suspension:
Independent, struts, double-pivot lower arms, twin-tube gas-pressure shocks,
anti-roll bar, air-springs.
Rear suspension:
Independent, four-link integral suspension with aluminum integral link, forward
upper lateral arms & wheel carrier, steel lower & rear upper lateral
arms, air springs, twin-tube gas-pressure shocks, anti-roll bar.
Wheels/tires:
20 x 9.5 front alloy wheels/275/40R20 high-performance radials; 20 x 10.5-inch
rear alloy wheels/315/35R20 high-performance radials.
Brakes:
Front: 14-inch vented rotors, twin-piston calipers
Rear: 12.8-inch vented rotors, single-piston calipers
ABS, electronic brake force proportioning, dynamic brake control,
Overall length:
183.7 in.
Overall width:
73.7 in.
Overall height:
67.2 in.
Curb weight:
5,016 lbs.
EPA mileage estimates:
16 mpg in the city; 21 mpg on the highway
0-60 mph:
5.9 sec.