Test drive BMW X5 E53 2000 - 2003 SUV

X5 - formula for active movement

Slava -traditionally excellent rear -wheel drive models, the German company BMW long ago tried on the possibility of adapting all -wheel drive systems for its cars. The first progress appeared back in the mid -eighties - the all -wheel drive BMW 325ix sedan, although it did not become the bestseller of the market, but left behind a rather noticeable mark. Another thing is that then buyers did not quite understand the advantages of such cars, especially since all -wheel drive in cars in their minds was associated with more affordable brands like Subaru than with prestigious Bavarians. However, despite the small commercial success of the model, the Bavarians did not leave their venture, and already in 1991 another all -wheel drive Bimmer was presented to the buyers, this time the representative of the fifth series - the BMW 525IX. To date, in the range of a German company there are several models with all -wheel drive, including a powerful BMW 330IX, the test report you could already read in Ag. But today we will talk about the test not just an all -wheel drive machine: the first was a full -fledged SUV in the ITRITIES OF THE ITITIONS. So, get acquainted - BMW X5.
 
The desire of the Bavarians to stand on four wheels is quite understandable - various kinds of SUVs, especially fashionable SUVs, are very gaining momentum, especially when it comes to products of famous and prestigious firms. The success of competing models clearly demonstrated the need to appear such a model, so the demonstration of conceptual all-wheel drive models from BMW on various auto shows of the world was no longer surprising. True, many wondered what the first SUV will be the famous manufacturer of high-speed sedans and coupe, especially since after the disappointment caused by the appearance of serial Mercedes Ml, much more faded in comparison with the muscular concept that preceded its appearance, many already initially expected From BMW about the same.
 
After all, the concept car and the conceptual car, in order to simply demonstrate the capabilities of the company and new stylistic directions in design, and the serial model, as is most often happens, is much more traditional in life. And, in fact, if it weren’t for the desire of the Bavarians at all costs to make Mercedes ML, then the X5 could quite really be born in about the same guise as the Audi All -Directive station wagon. Indeed, according to espionage photographs of the latest running tests of camouflaged prototypes, it could really be assumed that X5 would be just an analogue of the Touring five, only with an enlarged clearance.
 
It is good that everything turned out to be different, although this car is designed by a regular all -wheel drive station wagon, only with growth higher and with the styling of a real SUV. The carrier body, completely independent (rear - multi -leaf) pendants, circular ventilated brakes on all wheels, a constant all -wheel drive without a lowering series of gears - is it not true, without seeing the car, you can imagine that we are talking about an ordinary passenger car? But looking at the BMW X5, especially in the silver color winning for her, this car simply does not turn this car with a universal of increased capacity.
 
The car looks very aggressive and stylish, especially if it has some accessories from the M -package - discs, spoilers, etc. In general, the X5 designers, no doubt, can put a solid five for their work: in any perspective, the car is unusually beautiful, including thanks to such design refinements as the concave side sides of the body. Although this is the merit of not only designers, but also the technical council, which made a decision on the final launch of the model in production. Do not keep in mind the sad experience of Mercedes, the car could well go into the series much more ordinary and boring in terms of the exterior. So, fortunately, it did not happen, and thanks to this we have the honor to sometimes see on the streets of our city one of the most beautiful, as it seems to us, serial cars of our time.
 
And the fact that the car is very attractive, we had a chance to make sure that we drove around the city - universal attention and admiration for him was guaranteed. However, it is possible that some, especially the drivers of passing cool foreign cars, looked at the car for a completely different reason: due to the short -term dough, the movement occurred with a gas or brake pedaling alternately. And in such modes, very few will be able to stay next to X5 - a powerful 4.4 -liter eight hiding under the hood, provides the car with characteristics, as it were to say more precisely, very extraordinary. Dynamics-u-ragan, and without any discounts.
 
In the first gear, X5 breaks so fiercely that even the head is pressed against the headrest. Moreover, thanks to the branded system of changes in the gas distribution phase Double Vanos, the motor in almost the entire speed range works with almost maximum return: for the development of maximum acceleration, the engine does not need to be kept in the green zone. Literally with idle revolutions, it pulls so excellently that this characteristic resembles an engine with a compressor that has recently flaunt passenger Mercedes. Naturally, the BMW engine does not have a compressor, the company does not use various cunning devices such as a compressor or turbocharged to achieve higher power or torque, so we can only remove the hat in front of those who created this really outstanding engine. Due to the presence of such a miracle under the hood, the car itself also turned out to be no less outstanding - to find an analogue of such a successful combination of asphalt and off -road habits, and even so beautiful, is very difficult.
 
The uniqueness of this symbiosis is that with external accordance, the image of a real X5 SUV turned out to be very asphalt - the suspension is not as condo as in the same ML, and the car itself is clearly much better behaved on asphalt, especially at high speeds and with active maneuvering.
 
For its class, the X5 behavior can be considered reference, especially if you do not take into account tuning specimens. I tried to twist the car a little on the snake, and the only thing I could achieve was a small smooth demolition of the rear axle at the moment when the tires are already losing the clutch. This is not the biggest drawback for a car of this type, because most of our drivers have the way to combat this phenomenon - the gas reset and the ruff of the rudder in the direction of skidding - was worked out simply to automatism. If the BMW X5, like many all -wheel drive cars, just slipped in the face out of turn, this could already lead to more sad consequences, especially on a winter or just wet road. Although in order to bring x5 to demolition, we still have to try. With such a high planting, the driver is handed over to the driver much earlier than the capabilities of the car are exhausted, especially if this person did not go on SUVs or drove, but only on clumsy professionals such as Nissan Patrol or Land Rover Discovery.
 
It was not by chance that I mentioned these cars, because in comparison with them x5 is felt as a very dynamic sedan, especially when moving at high speeds or inhibition. Since the car was originally designed under the asphalt, the Bavarians did not save on the brakes, and in standard equipment, all versions of X5 are equipped with disc ventilated brakes on all wheels. Such an option, still infrequently found even on business class sedans, came in handy, given the equipped mass of the car, and even its crazy temperament. In particular, they allow the driver of X5 instantly to extinguish the speed to safe values \u200b\u200beven before turn, thus avoiding unnecessary movements of the steering wheel and undesirable for cars with a high center of severity of the trajectory adjustments directly during the maneuver. Perhaps that is why it somehow turns out that on x5 is different than the fastest, you can’t go, or I just don’t want to. During the test, we only drove calmly once, and then only because I did not want to attract the attention of the traffic cops (or Daishnikov?). The rest of the time for the driver X5 is acceptable only one mode - acceleration/inhibition. Moreover, the force of acceleration, as the test showed, is completely independent of the type of coating. The branded anti -circus system in combination with the proprietary stabilization and drain control system can optimally use the entire potential of the engine. I specifically moved on the ground and turned off the anti -wings system in order to greatly, without the help of all electronics, to feel the acceleration that develops at the start of X5.
 
Impressed, and almost more than frantic starts in the M3 supercar. Initially, you simply do not expect such a huge one can go and accelerate so surprisingly quickly. By the way, even without the help of an electronic bridle, the car on a dirt road starts without the slightest slip, although the gas pedal was sold to the Cick Dawn. But what is even more striking during acceleration is the sound of the engine. A powerful eight, like all other engines from Bavaria, sounds amazing, especially when you lift up the moment. It is only a pity that the eight -cylinder version cannot be equipped with a manual gearbox. It would turn out a very piquant dish - BMW X5M. For some reason, it seems to me that she would definitely find her buyer.
 
However, the dynamics of X -Pip is enough even with an automatic machine, and it is very successful that from the very beginning, as soon as the BMW X5 went on sale, only eight -cylinder versions were offered customers - there were no others in production at that time. Almost all the cars that our compatriots order have eight cylinders under the hood. Although, given the difference in price, the version with a 3.0-liter engine could become a good alternative to a traditional car: acceleration from a place to hundreds takes 8.5 seconds, which is very good even for the rear-wheel drive sedan, not to mention a higher and heavy A full -wheel drive SUV, as the BaEMVASHRIS themselves prefer to classify X5. And even an economical diesel version, and since the spring of this year, the car is also offered with a 3.0-liter 184-horsepower turbodiesel, in its characteristics it turned out to be very in the spirit of BMW: acceleration from a place to a hundred takes 10.5 seconds, and this is automatic Box! Soon, by the way, the appearance of an even more extreme version is expected-X5 HP, which will be equipped with a 347-horsepower eight with a working volume increased to 4.6-liter. It will still be a song ...
 
Very asphalt habits of the BMW X5 very limited the capabilities of the car outside the roads, and basically compromise solutions concerned running qualities. Of course, it would be possible to experiment with the settings of pendants, but here the slightest retreat in the direction of improving off -road qualities would instantly respond to a deterioration in the asphalt. Given the general stylistic orientation of the car, the Bavarians still preferred excellent controllability of imaginary patency, especially since, according to statistics, SUV owners use their cars on a very light off -road type of beach. And for these purposes, the BMW X5 is in the best way: a powerful engine and a proprietary system of automatic differential braking ADB-X allow jokingly to overcome moderate off-road. But this, perhaps, should stop at this - for more serious off -road voyages, a professional SUV is already needed such as the aforementioned Discovery.
 
Conclusion: if you need a car at the same time prestigious and convenient, combining the comfort of the highest class sedan and increased mobility and at the same time possessing very outstanding, regardless of the version, characteristics, then the best option than the BMW X5, simply cannot be found.
 
Subjective opinion:
 
(+) A very successful design, an amazing engine, a stylish and convenient interior, the highest quality of manufacture.
 
(-) a bad review back, lack of a place for the legs of the rear passengers, price.
 
Text: Pavel Kozlovsky
 

Source: Autogazet / N 30 (333) dated 09.26.01