BMW would take a gamble in the late 1990s by unleashing the X5 “Sports Activity Vehicle” onto the public. Would this truck live up to the “Ultimate Driving Machine” tagline? Well, after a friend’s parents purchased an X5 4.4i shortly after it’s introduction, I had only one answer to that question: yes. I was amazed how car like the X5 handled. It was as if it was a 5 series on stilts, but the increased height had little effect on how tight it hugged the curves. There is even an E53 X5 in the GCFSB fleet, as our owner, Dan, recently purchased a clean, low mileage 2003 X5 4.4i to replace a Volvo XC70.
This 4.6is represents the top dog of the X5 range for 2003, with 335 horsepower routed through all four 20 inch wheels. It’s not an optimal combination for off-roading, but it’s doubtful this black on black example for sale in Oregon would leave the tarmac for extended periods of time.
