BMW invented a whole new niche with the X5 and the facelifted original has yet to date noticeably

Words Paul Wager  |   Pictures Total BMW

The X5 has been with us since 2000 and although it’s fair to say that the E53 original is starting to look a little dated these days, the facelifted E53s produced from 2004 with their reshaped front grille and lights still look pleasingly similar the current range of BMWs.

The changes were more than a simple facelift though: the original permanent 4x4 set-up was swapped for BMW’s xDrive system which uses electronically operated clutches to vary torque from front to rear and from side to side.

The early cars were all petrols, the initial line-up being the 4.4-litre V8 and the 3.0i before the 3.0d was added in 2001 alongside the Alpina-developed 4.6is. The line-up  was pretty similar until the end of production in 2006, although the 4.6is became the even faster 4.8is for the facelifted cars and the 4.4 V8 gained the Valvetronic system to become the N62 engine.

Nobody will be surprised to discover that the V8s are massively thirsty and the ‘is’ models really do like a drink, which makes the diesel the no-brainer.

The 3.0i is something of an odd one, since it doesn’t offer hugely better economy than the V8 but is no faster than the punchy diesel, leaving it in something of a no man’s land. There’s nothing wrong with it and BMW’s M54 engine is a nice piece of kit too, all of which means the 3.0i can be something of a bargain compared to all the overpriced and miley diesels out there. The normally-aspirated straight-six petrol offers the chance for more DIY maintenance too, without the worries of the diesel’s manifold swirl flaps, injector problems or the cost of a replacement turbo. You’ve only got have a few big bills on the diesel for the costs of owning the thing to have swallowed up all the fuel savings you’re ever likely to achieve.

To read more about the X5 see the August 2011 issue of Total BMW

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