BMW X5
Encyclopedia
The BMW X5 is a luxury crossover SUV
introduced in 1999 as the first generation E53. It was BMW's first SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) also known as "Four-by-Four" (4x4) in the UK. It features all-wheel drive which is branded as the "X" drive system
and is available with either manual or automatic transmission. The second generation X5, known as the E70, was launched in 2006, with the first M version announced in 2009.
BMW describes the X5 as a Sport Activity Vehicle (SAV)
rather than an SUV, to emphasize its on-road ability despite its size. Like the Lexus RX 300
and Mercedes M-Class
, the X5 heralded the shift from light truck-based body-on-frame SUVs to crossovers underpinned by unibody car platforms that would come to fruition in the late 2000s.
X5s are manufactured in Greer, South Carolina
at the Spartanburg BMW plant
and in Mexico
at the BMW de México
Toluca
plant. Since July 2009, some assembly operations are also performed in Kaliningrad, Russia by Avtotor.
In 2003, BMW launched the smaller X3
, which uses the "X" prefix for the 4 wheel drive system or BMW "X" drive system
and the BMW SAVs
which were derivatives of the BMW number-series models.
On August 31 2011 the fuel filter heater of 2,120 units, was recalled due to a defect that can cause fire and battery drainage, even while the vehicle is non operational
.
The E53 was developed at a time when BMW still owned Land Rover
and as such shares many components and designs with both Land Rover Range Rover HSE model; specifically the Hill Descent System and Off Road Engine Management system and also the BMW E39
5-series; specifically the engine and electronic system. The entire in car entertainment system (Radio Function, Navigation System, Television and Telecommunications systems, and very flexible automotive computer system) are identical. As a result the X5 model earlier models can be easily upgraded with the newest BMW technologies.
A range of gasoline
inline-6s, V8s and diesel
engines are offered.
. It replaced the BMW X5 (E53) in November 2006. The second generation X5 features many new technological advancements including BMW's iDrive system as standard equipment and, for the first time in a BMW, an optional third row seat. This generation incorporates safety innovations for the crossover segment, such as a unique rear framing section to protect 3rd row occupants from injury due to an impact.
The branding for the X5 from late 2008 onwards follows the new BMW nomenclature scheme, for example the X5 3.0d is now called the X5 xDrive35d, and the 4.8i is called the X5 xDrive48i.
The BMW X5 M is a high performance derivative of the X5 and was introduced to the press at the New York Auto Show in April 2009, and started appearing in BMW dealerships in September 2009.The BMW M features the first M Power V-8 Turbo, 555 hp and 500 lbft of torque, and comes with M Dynamic Performance Control for impressive handling.
In 2009, the xDrive35d diesel engine variant of the X5 was made available for sale in Canada and the United States, along with the BMW 335d sedan.
The X5 was revised for the 2011 year featuring new front bumper and air intakes as well as a variety of minor cosmetic changes. For the gasoline-powered X5 models, the naturally aspirated engines (N52 straight-6, N62 V8) were replaced by turbocharged engines (N55 single-turbo straight-6, N63 twin-turbo V8) which will also be mated to 8-speed automatic transmissions. The xDrive35d received the same exterior changes as the rest of the lineup but otherwise no other updates.
Crossover SUV
A crossover SUV is a vehicle built on a car platform and combining, in highly variable degrees, features of a sport utility vehicle with features from a passenger vehicle, especially those of a station wagon or hatchback.Using the unibody construction typical of passenger vehicles, the crossover...
introduced in 1999 as the first generation E53. It was BMW's first SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) also known as "Four-by-Four" (4x4) in the UK. It features all-wheel drive which is branded as the "X" drive system
BMW xDrive
BMW xDrive is BMW's four-wheel drive system that powers the X1, X3, X5, X6 and 2006 and later xd and xi 3 Series, 5 Series and 7 Series models. BMW confirmed it has ....
and is available with either manual or automatic transmission. The second generation X5, known as the E70, was launched in 2006, with the first M version announced in 2009.
BMW describes the X5 as a Sport Activity Vehicle (SAV)
BMW Sports Activity Series
The sports activity vehicle and coupe series is a marketing description by BMW to describe a line of vehicles that traditionally were in the crossover Sport Utility Vehicle class....
rather than an SUV, to emphasize its on-road ability despite its size. Like the Lexus RX 300
Lexus RX
The Lexus RX is a crossover sport utility vehicle sold since 1998 by Lexus, the luxury division of the Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota. Three generations of the Lexus RX have been produced to date, the first being compact in size, and the latter two classified as mid-size...
and Mercedes M-Class
Mercedes-Benz M-Class
The Mercedes-Benz M-Class is a luxury mid-size sport utility vehicle , first offered in 1997 as a 1998 model, and built by the German automaker Mercedes-Benz. Gradually, the M-Class became a sales success in the United States and Mexico. In terms of size, it is slotted in between the smaller...
, the X5 heralded the shift from light truck-based body-on-frame SUVs to crossovers underpinned by unibody car platforms that would come to fruition in the late 2000s.
X5s are manufactured in Greer, South Carolina
Greer, South Carolina
Greer is a city in Greenville and Spartanburg counties in the U.S. state of South Carolina, between the cities of Greenville and Spartanburg. The population was 25,515 at the 2010 census. It is projected to hit 30,000 within 4 years. Each day, more than three times that number of people pass...
at the Spartanburg BMW plant
BMW Manufacturing Co. Spartanburg
The BMW US Manufacturing Company in Greer, South Carolina is BMW's only US production facility. It was built to serve the demand of BMW automobiles directly in the US...
and in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
at the BMW de México
BMW Mexico
BMW Mexico, full name: Bayerische Moteren Werke de México S.A. de C.V. also known as Lerma Motors is the independent Mexican owned subsidiary of German Bayerische Moteren Werke AG headquartered in Mexico City, Mexico...
Toluca
Toluca
Toluca, formally known as Toluca de Lerdo, is the state capital of Mexico State as well as the seat of the Municipality of Toluca. It is the center of a rapidly growing urban area, now the fifth largest in Mexico. It is located west-southwest of Mexico City and only about 40 minutes by car to the...
plant. Since July 2009, some assembly operations are also performed in Kaliningrad, Russia by Avtotor.
In 2003, BMW launched the smaller X3
BMW X3
The BMW X3 is a compact crossover SUV marketed by the German automaker BMW, based on the BMW 3-Series automobile platform, and now in its second generation. BMW designed the X3 in conjunction with Magna Steyr of Graz, Austria — who manufactured all X3s under contract to BMW for the first...
, which uses the "X" prefix for the 4 wheel drive system or BMW "X" drive system
BMW xDrive
BMW xDrive is BMW's four-wheel drive system that powers the X1, X3, X5, X6 and 2006 and later xd and xi 3 Series, 5 Series and 7 Series models. BMW confirmed it has ....
and the BMW SAVs
BMW Sports Activity Series
The sports activity vehicle and coupe series is a marketing description by BMW to describe a line of vehicles that traditionally were in the crossover Sport Utility Vehicle class....
which were derivatives of the BMW number-series models.
On August 31 2011 the fuel filter heater of 2,120 units, was recalled due to a defect that can cause fire and battery drainage, even while the vehicle is non operational
E53 First generation (1999-2006)
The BMW E53 X5 crossover vehicle was made between 1999 and 2006. Production ceased September, 2006 and has been replaced by the BMW X5 (E70)BMW X5 (E70)
The BMW E70 is the development name for the current X5 Sports Activity Vehicle . It replaced the BMW X5 in November 2006. It is manufactured alongside the new, 2008 BMW X6 at BMW's Greer, South Carolina plant in the USA and BMW's facility in Toluca, Mexico.-Design:The new generation BMW X5 is ...
.
The E53 was developed at a time when BMW still owned Land Rover
Land Rover
Land Rover is a British car manufacturer with its headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, United Kingdom which specialises in four-wheel-drive vehicles. It is owned by the Indian company Tata Motors, forming part of their Jaguar Land Rover group...
and as such shares many components and designs with both Land Rover Range Rover HSE model; specifically the Hill Descent System and Off Road Engine Management system and also the BMW E39
BMW E39
The BMW E39 is the BMW 5 Series made between 1995 and 2003. The E39 was the successor of the BMW E34 in 1995, and itself was replaced by the E60 platform in 2003. Sales to Germany and the United Kingdom began in 1995, and by 1996 sales to the rest of the world had commenced. A mid-generational...
5-series; specifically the engine and electronic system. The entire in car entertainment system (Radio Function, Navigation System, Television and Telecommunications systems, and very flexible automotive computer system) are identical. As a result the X5 model earlier models can be easily upgraded with the newest BMW technologies.
A range of gasoline
Gasoline
Gasoline , or petrol , is a toxic, translucent, petroleum-derived liquid that is primarily used as a fuel in internal combustion engines. It consists mostly of organic compounds obtained by the fractional distillation of petroleum, enhanced with a variety of additives. Some gasolines also contain...
inline-6s, V8s and diesel
BMW M57
The BMW M57 is a straight-6 diesel engine produced from 1998. It won the "2.5–3 L" category of the International Engine of the Year award for 1999 through 2002. The downgraded twin-turbocharger version won that same award in 2005 and 2006...
engines are offered.
E70 Second generation (2006-2013)
The BMW E70 is the second generation X5 Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV)BMW Sports Activity Series
The sports activity vehicle and coupe series is a marketing description by BMW to describe a line of vehicles that traditionally were in the crossover Sport Utility Vehicle class....
. It replaced the BMW X5 (E53) in November 2006. The second generation X5 features many new technological advancements including BMW's iDrive system as standard equipment and, for the first time in a BMW, an optional third row seat. This generation incorporates safety innovations for the crossover segment, such as a unique rear framing section to protect 3rd row occupants from injury due to an impact.
The branding for the X5 from late 2008 onwards follows the new BMW nomenclature scheme, for example the X5 3.0d is now called the X5 xDrive35d, and the 4.8i is called the X5 xDrive48i.
The BMW X5 M is a high performance derivative of the X5 and was introduced to the press at the New York Auto Show in April 2009, and started appearing in BMW dealerships in September 2009.The BMW M features the first M Power V-8 Turbo, 555 hp and 500 lbft of torque, and comes with M Dynamic Performance Control for impressive handling.
In 2009, the xDrive35d diesel engine variant of the X5 was made available for sale in Canada and the United States, along with the BMW 335d sedan.
The X5 was revised for the 2011 year featuring new front bumper and air intakes as well as a variety of minor cosmetic changes. For the gasoline-powered X5 models, the naturally aspirated engines (N52 straight-6, N62 V8) were replaced by turbocharged engines (N55 single-turbo straight-6, N63 twin-turbo V8) which will also be mated to 8-speed automatic transmissions. The xDrive35d received the same exterior changes as the rest of the lineup but otherwise no other updates.
Production and sales
| Calendar year | Total Production (X5M) | US sales |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 1,312 | |
| 2000 | 38,282 | 26,720 |
| 2001 | 82,645 | 40,622 |
| 2002 | 100,827 | 42,742 |
| 2003 | 105,554 | 40,715 |
| 2004 | 104,988 | 35,225 |
| 2005 | 101,537 | 37,598 |
| 2006 | 75,321 | 26,798 |
| 2007 | 120,617 | 35,202 |
| 2008 | 116,489 | 31,858 |
| 2009 | 88,851 | 27,071 |
| 2010 | 102,178 (2,778) | 35,776 |
External links
- BMW X5 Review on Edmunds.comEdmunds.comEdmunds.com is a provider of automotive information via Web sites, books, and other media. The company is headquartered in Santa Monica, California and maintains an office outside of Detroit, Michigan...
- Technical Diagrams and BMW Parts Online on penskeparts.com