Test drive BMW X5 E53 2000 - 2003 SUV

Charged

Mid -March, and the weather is like at the end of April. The first grass breaks through it is time to combine the equipment that is relevant for the dry season. Charged cars of the salted cars go to the roads, on huge wheels ...


Moscow. Center. Around midnight. At the traffic light, the BMW 8 series, just flying at a frantic speed, the driver nervously taps his fingers on the steering wheel. BMW X5 stops nearby. The owner of the eight first attracts the color of the car with bright blue, then his gaze rests on huge 20-inch wheels. Something here is wrong ... Green. Squeezing with tires, the eight breaks off and ... it turns out the second. X5, increasing the separation, goes forward, the owner of the sports compartment remains to admire the huge exhaust pipes, wide 315 wheels and a powerful diffuser under the rear bumper. It is better not to contact this jeep ...


Immediately after the appearance of the BMW X5 on the market, it became clear that it was not just an SUV, but an application for something more. General, in general, road clearance, high center of gravity, solid mass and sled qualities, more characteristic of sports cars. It was a true BMW real Driver's Car. Quite naturally, fans of the Bavarian brand began to expect a charged version of X5.


After a couple of years, the BMW X5 Le Mans concept was presented with slightly reduced road clearance, huge wheels, altered by aerodynamic design and, accordingly, a more powerful engine. The fact that he would go to the series did not believe, probably, no one. But after some time, the car appeared on sale with the name BMW X5 4.6. True, changes in appearance were not as radical as the concept, nevertheless, the X5 found a face more consistent with its character.


On the front and rear bumpers, the aggressive species spoilers were added, playing the role of diffusers, they help to correctly form an air flow under the bottom of the machine. Small expanders appeared on the wheel arches, and in the wheel arches themselves 275/40r20 in front and 315/35R20 behind. But the most important thing, of course, is under the hood. There is a V-shaped eight of 4.6 liters and with a capacity of nearly 350 hp.


There are not so many changes in the cabin. The style corresponds to the SPORT configuration elements usually made under a tree here are trimmed with matted aluminum. It looks quite true, like it is, although in fact it is colored plastic. On the middle console is the monitor of a computer, which is in charge of many functions from setting up the frequency of the radio station to the installation of anti -theft code. The monitor is equipped with an electric drive with which it shifts, opening access to the radio. The display can be used as a TV, however, only if the car costs or its speed does not exceed 5 km/h, then the image disappears on the screen a message appears that for the purpose of your own safety ... under the monitor on the console is a microclimate control unit with separate adjustment For the driver and passenger.


It is impossible not to note the exhausted ergonomics of the driver's workplace. Everything is in their places, easily accessible, the correct landing is selected quickly on the first attempt. The size and cross -section of the steering is ideal, besides, it is very beautiful. Plus, the audio control buttons and cruise control are located on it. Despite the small diameter of the steering wheel, the readings of the devices are not completely blocked and read perfectly.


The car is surprisingly obedient. If you want to go calmly, you need to accelerate calmly, you just need to press the gas, the behavior of the car is absolutely adequate and one hundred percent, which is not so common on powerful models. No frightening reactions, competently selected movements and efforts on all controls of the driver and X5 complete understanding and love. The steering is distinguished by excellent informativeness regardless of speed. There are no serious rolls and steering delay in corners. If you exceed the speed on the turn, then when the contrasting system (DSC) is turned on, a smooth demolition of the front axis begins, while the X5 pedal does not respond to pressing the pedal. When the DSC is disabled, the behavior of the machine becomes even more interesting if, after the start of the front axis starts, slightly drop the gas, and then add again, then X5 begins to slide out of turn, remaining completely controlled. The brakes work very efficiently, and ABS is characterized by delicacy, so it is possible to fully use the adhesive properties of rubber.


Some complaints causes a manual control mode of the box. The switching algorithm is turned inside out: increasing the transmission of the lever back, lowering forward. In addition, switching passes with some delay, which is not observed in automatic mode ...


One question is still tormented by the main engine in this machine. By power and torque, the new BMW motor is compared with the engine of the direct competitor of the tuned ML55 (347 hp and 480 nm versus 342 hp and 510 nm). Mercedes tuning was engaged in the AMG studio, and the car has the appropriate nameplate, which costs a lot in terms of image. The Bavarians brought the motor on their own, although they could entrust this to their BMW Motorsports GmbH. Or simply put a 5-liter 400-horsepower V8 engine from the M5 sedan. And in that and in another case, they would have the right to add to the index a proud Bukovka M. did not want for some reason. Is it really because Mazda is not upset with her MX-5 model?


I skated the X5 for two days and returned her reluctantly her heart, parted with my beloved. There was only a serious argument for 119.900 euros.
 
Alexander Nadens
 

Source: Motor magazine [May 2002]