Tag: X5

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2002 BMW X5 3.0i Sport 5-Speed

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The first generation X5 definitely will not go down as the best-looking BMW ever produced, but I’d argue that it’s also not the worst looking of the high-riding ‘activity’ vehicles out there. And in some respects, they make a lot of sense. Pull up next to a modern full-sized trunk in an E30 or similar vintage ‘mid-sized’ car, and you’re looking directly at running boards. The X5 offered 5-series driving style with a commanding road position, and while it wasn’t really an off-roader let’s be honest – very few of the millions of SUVs you see out there ever see more than a gravel road.

What the E53 did offer, though, was a cross-over to the Sport package available in the E39. Because of that, you could opt for the 3.0-liter M54 hooked to a five-speed manual, and unlike the E39, you could opt to get those two hooked to all-wheel drive. They’re hard to find, but one popped up with some neat mods and in a neat color combination. Is it worth consideration?

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2002 BMW X5 3.0i Sport on eBay

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Feature Listing: Correctly Optioned 2006 BMW X5 4.4i

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Today’s Feature Listing is this well optioned, first generation BMW X5. Paul asked me specifically to write this one up because I currently have an e53 4.4i in my stable, and the seller’s quest in finding this example was very similar to mine. The e53 X5 was considered by many the best in class at it’s release — if not in the sense of outright off-road performance, but rather more than competent in handling the occasional foul weather detail and always feeling more than up to the task the rest of the time. In fair weather conditions it behaves like spacious 5 serious, which is what makes it such a great touring car coupled with a 400+ mileage range.

In the seller’s description he describes how he sought out the following packages for his ideal e53: Premium, Sport, Cold Weather, and Navigation. Trust me, this is the combination you’re looking for. Mine is too early for navigation and is also lacking the cold weather package; which means no heated seats and an omission my wife will never forgive me for. And yes, the sport seats are sweet upgrade in the cabin of a family oriented vehicle.

Click for details: 2006 BMW X5 4.4i at Avazi Auto

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2003 BMW X5 3.0i 5-speed manual

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I like things that are different, especially when it comes to cars. I think that’s why I’ve always been attracted to fast wagons. They’re an unusual choice in the States and I like feeling like I belong to a special club. Back in the early 2000s, the Germans were just starting to test the waters with SUVs. Little did they know that within a matter of years they would become their bread and butter. Wagons were slowly pushed out of the American market and those that stayed sold in very limited numbers until they were lifted and given body cladding. As a lover of long roofs I shouldn’t be a fan of vehicles like the X5 but of all the German SUVs, it has always been the one I had a soft spot for, even though BMW tried to coin the term “Sports Activity Vehicle” when it debuted. Perhaps it’s the fact that they offered it in oddball colors like this Grey-Green Metallic which screams Euro country cruiser or maybe it’s that they offered it with a 5-speed manual. The idea of a German SUV with a 3 pedals being sold in this country is laughable these days but from 2001 to 2006, it was no joke.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2003 BMW X5 3.0i on eBay

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2004 BMW X5 4.8is

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Lest I trick some of our readers into thinking its some kind of SUV week around here at GCFSB, we’ll follow on to the X5 4.6is we featured on Monday with that truck’s successor, the X5 4.8is. 2004 would bring a facelift for the first generation X5, which would be exiting stage right in 2006. But BMW decided to have one more go at the über SUV formula by jamming almost 5.0 liters of V8 under the hood, good for 355 bhp. While the black 4.6is we saw on Monday was a bit stealth, you won’t miss this Imola Red 4.8is if it was coming at you.

Click for details: 2004 BMW X5 4.8is on eBay

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2003 BMW X5 4.6is

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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.

Click for details: 2003 BMW X5 4.6is on eBay

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2006 BMW X5 3.0i

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It’s hard to believe, but the X5 has been with us for well over a decade now. It seems like yesterday that it was unveiled, shortly after Mercedes-Benz introduced it’s own mid-sized SUV, the ML. The car was a bit of a mash up from other BMWs and had a bit of Land Rover DNA in it. BMW’s brief ownership of the British off-road brand led to certain features like hill descent technology and a split tailgate. This SUV would also be one of the first BMWs to be manufactured in the new South Carolina manufacturing facility. This X5 3.0i for sale near Baltimore is from our reader Scott who is ready to move on to his next ride.

Click for more details: 2006 BMW X5 3.0i on eBay

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2002 BMW X5 5 speed manual

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I don’t like SUVs. This is nothing new to those who read my posts on GCFSB. But there are a handful of models from this vehicle genre that I don’t mind. It’s a short list though, that includes the following:

1. Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen
2. Series 1 Range Rover
3. Land Rover Defender
4. Lamborghini LM002

I’m not sure I’d count the GMC Typhoon on this list, since it wasn’t made to go off road. But I always admired this vehicle in any case. Another outlier on this list is any first generation BMW X5 3.0 with a 5 or 6 speed manual. Outfitted with thicker sidewall tires and three pedals, it could prove rather useful as a second hand workhorse while throwing in a little bit of that BMW driving panache. Here’s a fairly clean X5 5 speed for sale outside of Philadelphia.

2002 BMW X5 5 speed on eBay

BMW X5 Manual Transmission

Very rare stick shift BMW X5. This SUV is in excellent condition and has a certified clean Carfax. It is loaded with factory navigation, sport package, sunroof, premium leather, premium sound and much more!

I would wager to say that given the asking price and the fact this is not the more popular automatic version, a deal could be had here. Depending on how long this has sat on the dealer’s lot, you might be able to walk away with this X5 in the $13k range. While it is no spring chicken with 97k miles, the 3.0 inline six is the bread and butter BMW engine, known for its reliability, and with a manual transmission, servicing costs are sure to be less over time. The only thing I would do is lose the subwoofer in the back, as it compromises space.

Whenever I see one of these manual transmission X5s pop up, I think, well, if you must have one of these things, why be like everyone else and drive a steaming pile of suck, such as a Toyota Highlander or Honda Pilot, when you could snag something with better build quality and driving dynamics and stick out from the crowd? In this shade of green with tan leather, this would fit right in at the country club parking lot.

-Paul

SUV Theme Week Closes

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The SUV theme week added a bit of interesting flavor to the blog. I think we’ll continue to keep an eye out for the occasional German born beast to compliment the svelte roadsters we post. As always if there is a theme you would like to see us try shoot us an e-mail, dan@motoringblogs.com.

While we didn’t find any of the following for sale, I thought we just couldn’t leave an ultimate German SUV discussion without posting these.

If you are a Benz fan and want the highest form of expression of the G55 you actually have a pair of options.
You could go with the killer 600 horsepower Hamann Typhoon with 6 sidepipe exhaust:

or the even more crazy 700 horsepower, 800+ lb ft torque Brabus G V12 S Biturbo. Can you imagine a heavy truck with shape and weight of a small house that can hit 60 MPH in 4.3 seconds? The price tag is near $400,000.

~Evan

2003 BMW Dinan X5 4.6is Custom

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I’ve seen a few X5 4.6is models for sale over the years with the full monty fender flared, engine beefed up, stage 3 Dinan package. I haven’t seen one on the market this week, but in lieu of that here is a slightly less modified Dinan optioned X5.
This one has Dinan throttle body and air box, Dinan engine and transmission software upgrade, and custom dual exhaust.
The owner has also added aftermarket HIDs and angel eyes. The monster 20″ chrome rims and 315 width tires out back hint at the trucks street, not off-road, performance. Dark tint all around compliments the blacked out look.
The SUV, with 94K, is in San Diego and the seller is looking for $17,000. If it is in as good condition as it looks and an inspection and history checks out, that seems fair priced.

2003 BMW Dinan X5 4.6is on Craigslist

2003 BMW X5 4.6is

~Evan

Three X5 4.8ises for sale

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Around the turn of the millenium, German car companies flipped out and decided they had to make SUVs too.  Mercedes went first, then BMW, then Porsche, the last causing the most uproar.  Whether you think it’s a pointless dilution of the brand or a worthwhile cash cow that supports the rest of the line, there’s no turning back now.  The BMW X5 was most attractively styled of the German suburbans, more interesting than the bland M-class and less ugly than the Cayenne.  This was underscored with the sport editions, first the 4.6is and then the 4.8is.  Unique rims, some bodywork, and beefy rectangular pipes alluded to the strength within, the 4.8l V8 pushing out a healthy 355hp.  There are 3 great examples on eBay right now, varying in price and mileage but sharing the great engine and looks.

The silver one has extremely low miles, just 23k, but it also carries a hefty price tag at just under $40k.  The black one is the other end of the spectrum, with 83k miles and a Buy-It-Now of just under $30k.  The Imola Red one seems to be the just-right porridge out of these three bears, with just 48k miles and a Buy-It-Now of $30.9k.  And I can’t get over how good that red looks on the 4.8is.  If you’re looking for a bargain, there are 4.6is editions out there running at about $10k less than these and you get almost the same power, but they are older and thus come with higher mileage and problems.  All of these 4.8s are less than 50% of their MSRPs, and for that you’re getting an attractive and capable  luxury SUV with some good punch.  And it comes in that red…

-NR