Test drive BMW X5 E53 2000 - 2003 SUV

Generation "X"

Who makes the fastest cars in the world? Italians, Porsche, BMW and Honda immediately come to mind. We leave the Apennins championship in the Sportsup category. If we talk about all -terrain vehicles, then the last two brands should be considered, since SUV from Porsche is only on the way. So, BMW against Honda! Very soon, it is precisely exactly such cars as X5 and MDX that will become undividedly dominated by the market of high cross -country vehicles.
Today, the Honda can contrast BMW X5 only the MDX model sold in the North American market under the Acura brand. Since the MDX is equipped with a 3.5-liter engine with a capacity of 240 hp, it would be incorrect to compare it with a 4.4-liter BMW. To our joy, not so long ago in Russia they began to sell a 3-liter X5 modification with a capacity of 231 horses. We took it for a test, at the same time getting the opportunity to evaluate a new motor. At first glance, the MDX and X5 are very close conceptually. In favor of this, supporting bodies, completely independent suspensions, and all -wheel drive automatic transmission, and even consonant names speak. In fact, everything, as usual, is more difficult.
The war of the nuances
The salons of both cars are trimmed with skin, but on BMW it looks a little more expensive; Both there and there are inserts under a tree, but there are clearly more on BMW, although the stated athletic image of X5 would have approached aluminum inserts more. The automatic transmission selector at the MDX is sheathed with skin and rests on a brilliant rod, but in X5 its tan is finished with a combination of skin and plastic, and the rod is hidden by a leather curtain, which brings deceptive thoughts about a mechanical box. But the most important thing for the BMW torpedo consists of several planes, the parallel faces of which visually make the interior wider. On the MDX, the central console is clearly distinguished, as if breaking the front panel into two parts. By the way, a similar solution is found on Mercedes ML and Lexus RX 300. The instruments of both MDX and X5 are classic, and again on both cars in the center of the torpedo there is a multifunctional screen of the on -board computer (it can also work on BMW as well television). In the same vein, you can compare the machines of the driver’s landing: both X5 and MDX provide all possible seats of electroregulations, but the BMW traditionally takes the driver more tightly, reminding his sports orientation, which does not interfere with horizontal pillows to have sliding rollers under Knees, and Acura burdens to American concepts about comfort, although her chairs provide quite decent side support. And another nuance: the steering column of the MDX has only an adjustment on the angle of inclination, and the X5 also in the depth.
If you accidentally recall the passengers, it turns out that the MDX half ahead is not two, but three rows of seats. The general platform with the Honda Odyssey minivan is affected. True, it will not be easy for an adult to get into the gallery, and there is nowhere to put the knees, but the youngest members of the family can be placed there. However, the third row, like the second, develops, forming an even floor of the luggage compartment. And in the second row in both cars, the riders will not only be spacious, but also convenient thanks to a separate climate control system. Another quarter of the dollar in the Acura piggy bank the back door, which rises entirely. Nevertheless, when loading a mountain of things, this is more convenient than a folding board and a separate glass rising separately to X5. Although anyone likes that on the folding side is convenient to eat in nature ... As for silence in the cabin, even at high speeds of both cars you can hear only tires and a little motor. Here to someone more than a loud song Honda or a predatory roar of BMW.
The voice of blood
In a rapid flight along the highway, the cars are largely similar, but Acura is a little more comfortable. True, this is only until the wheels are smooth asphalt. On a broken country highway, the alignment of the forces is different. The MDX suspension actively transfers small irregularities to the steering wheel, and at a speed of more than 120 km/h to pass potholes in the asphalt simply scary shock absorbers cease to cope with the load, and the car begins to swing up and down. However, this is not surprising as we have already mentioned, the MDX is largely based on the units of the Canadian version of the Honda Odyssey minivan. In other words, in the soul our Japanese Canadian origin is a family car and not intended for extreme driving. Its suspension in front of the multi -link allows you to clearly write turns with minimal rolls, but it does not encourage madness. On the other hand, the MDX motor is quite frisky, and a five -speed automatic transmission can be called one of the best today. The programs are instantly switched by about five and a half thousand revolutions just when the motor develops maximum power, after which, with a drowned pedal of the gas, the tachometer arrow immediately strives for the cherished figure again.
In the usual mode, the MDX drive of the front, but insufficient rotation you will not get from this car. When slipping the front wheels, the coupling with multi -disc cliff placed in the rear bridge gearbox is triggered, and part of the torque to 45% smoothly goes to the rear wheels. The all-wheel drive system was developed by BorgWarner specializing in transmission and is called VTM-4 (Variable Torque Management). By the way, the VTM-4 allows you to force the all-wheel drive with a button from the cabin, but this is permissible only on off-road. And another nuance indicating the preferences of the designers of MDX, the steering wheel of the machine does not provide a reversing force in the steep turns. But it turns literally one finger. Well, the maximum of two ... The advantages of X5 begin to appear just when a calm ride on MDX ends. The energy intensity of the suspension is simply magnificent. She not only does not allow breakdowns, but also allows you to go along the Shcherbata asphalt almost as confident as the autobahn. With comfort, of course, you have to say goodbye, but the handling always stays with you. By the way, regardless of the number of beer loaded into the trunk, a multi -link rear suspension X5 retains a constant road clearance.
The dynamics of acceleration x5 3.0 is simply amazing, especially if you do not try to compare it with a 4.4-liter modification. Despite the losing MDX in power, a speed of 100 km/h X5 is gaining 8.5 seconds by 0.2 C faster than a competitor. As for the automatic transmission, the five-speed STEPTRONIC, known for BMW sedans, works in a sports mode in the same way as the MDX box, switching gears at the peak of power (6000 min-1). At the same time, there is also a manual regime that allows you to choose programs yourself. Here the Bavarians clearly overdo it why it was necessary if the box already allows you to twist the engine to the maximum and at the same time does not suffer from the traditional for machine guns? X5 is favorably distinguished by constant all-wheel drive, which vigorously looks after the electronics of the Dinamic Stability Control (DSC-X) and Cornering Brake Control system. The role of inter-normal locks is played by the ADB-X system, if necessary, automatically branding the boxing wheels and distributing the moment on the contact spots with the best clutch conditions. However, (BMW without this is not BMW!) It is possible to turn off automatic spies. Without them, X5 immediately turns into a norious stallion. And immediately it becomes clear where the German engineers allowed most of the torque of 68% constantly going back. In extreme modes, the machine easily breaks into sliding, but 32% that come to the front axis help the driver to reliably control the situation.
And what about off-Road, you ask? We will not amuse ourselves with illusions. Despite the plot of our photography, percent of ninety -expensive all -terrain vehicles never move off the asphalt, and the remaining ten at best familiarize themselves with the lanes leading to picturesque clearings for picnics and beaches. But if you go to the end, then on a bumpy primer more hard X5 turns out to be ... more comfortable than its competitor, because the MDX body is trying to play up and down on the bumps playfully, and the small comb regularly conveys to the steering wheel. And in the viscous leales, neither the owner of Acura, nor the owner of the BMW without a bulldozer can do.
Whale or elephant?
If we were children, it's time to summarize and answer the sacramental question: who is stronger than a whale or elephant? But since we all have long grown out of short pants, we will try to be objective. Who is better than BMW X5 3.0 for $ 66 100 or Acura MDX for $ 59,000? In many ways, the MDX minivan inherited for the law -abiding driver who appreciates comfort and spaciousness, but at the same time retaining the craving for originality, you see, outwardly this car is much more distinguished on our roads than X5. At the same time, it allows you to enjoy the speed on a long journey or to make it clear to the presumptuous teapots, that it is pointless to compete with you in starts from a traffic light. In the end, it was MDX that was recognized as the best SUV North America in 2000.
As for X5, this is not a real sports station wagon of increased cross -country ability, except that a little grown up. And with the target audience, everything is clear those devoted speeds of the drivers who preferred the alternate to sports cars, tired of the snow streets covered with snow and the bottom blows of inevitable potholes. They will like the opportunity to fuck, turning off the electronic stabilization system, and a slightly immodest salon, and even a new motor, which is very slightly inferior to its more powerful counterpart.
 
Text Savely Lopatin photo Alexander Nozdrin
 
How do they look:
Nikita Rozanov

Outside:
These machines are typical autopilgrims that moved from Europe and Japan to the New World. Just like immigrants, they brought to America the spirit and image of their country. Although everyone looks very peculiar, it is impossible to make a mistake in their identification. BMW is recognized primarily from the person that under no circumstances to confuse with any other car, even German origin. The design of both cars also carries the indestructible spirit of the family, and, for example, Acura demonstrates the best features of Honda style (the brightest representatives of the Accord, Inspire and Saber model). Well, the appearance of the X5 is familiar and close that this car simply asks for a collection of a fan of the brand, who already has a bomb of the M5 and a limousine of the 7th series with a slightly elongated rear door. The side of the steam is also individual: BMW has a slightly more dynamic silhouette of the back of the body, and the Acura of the front. Here, there is no doubt the leading X5, the plastic of the sidewall of which is not just beautiful and stylish, just no one. The off -road specialization of machines is shown modestly, only with a large, as usual, clearance and wide plates of protective skis, which peek from the bottom of the front and rear bumper.

Results:
The BMW X5 is a very bright and dynamic design, which simultaneously carries both features of proprietary affiliation and style, equally well suitable for a healthy lifestyle and to demonstrate business activity.
Acura MDX style of the car is democratic and quite fair, which easily allows you to present it as a family station wagon, which can equally be entrusted with two weeks of vacation and Friday shopping with the participation of the whole family.
Inside:
Car interiors are typically American: spacious and richly equipped. The leather-dererial decoration is verbose and close to the limit of its saturation. Device panels are also complex in their plastic and diverse in architecture. For example, in Acura, everything obeys the dominant of a complex and saturated medium console, and in BMW an elegant, through horizontal, which, like a mountain gorge somewhere in the Alps, dynamically cuts a massive volume of the panel. The general style of the inhabited space is built on the harsh functionality of traditional BMW and 5-star luxury Acura. The most beautiful and unusual design for the steering wheel of BMW, which indicates the traditional driver's orientation of the whole idea of \u200b\u200bthe car. But in Acura is more concern for passengers. Family setting is also manifested in a three -row landing scheme more convenient for the rear passengers.

Results:
BMW X5 Full correspondence of the acute -shaking style of the interior external design of the car with very high -quality design.
Acura MDX is quite a traditional and somewhat outdated solution of the instrument panel: everyone is worn today. But captivates the quality and much -worth, which are not inherent in all mass products.
 

 
 


 

Source: Cars