Test drive BMW X5 E53 2003 - 2007 SUV

iSTROTER

About the BMW X5 car, despite its relatively young age, legends are already composed. The desire of the Bavarians to make the best cars found its embodiment in this model. Incredibly beautiful, very high -quality, with excellent handling - X5 is more than worthy to represent the illustrious brand in the camp of SUVs. Many competitors recognize the running qualities of this model as reference and, when creating their models, they take precisely the X-Fifth for the prototype. Even Porsche, soon producing its powerful and high -speed all -wheel drive SUV, took the BMW X5 as a sample: this all -wheel drive Bavaire always flaunted in spy pictures next to the camouflaged prototype.
 
Of course, years are going on, and each next model, presented in this sector, is approaching X5, so the advantage of the car is no longer as obvious as at the time of its debut. But the Bavarian automotivemen are not asleep - the market has an even more powerful and high -speed version of the BMW X5, capable of shaking not only direct competitors like Mercedes ML 55 AMG, but also some sports models. Meet - the first in the territory of the Republic of BMW X5 4.6is.
 
Differences in modification 4.6is and standard x5, at least outwardly, are minimal. Although the experienced view of the admirer of cars of this brand will surely note several characteristic features that distinguish this model among ordinary X5. For example, spoilers - the front and rear bumpers now have special aerodynamic skirts painted in the color of the body. Also, in addition to the 4.6is nameplate on the sidewalls and the rear door, this version flaunts the sports system. The muffle vents sticking behind can tell about the potential of the car no worse than technical characteristics. But the wheels are most amazing. As in a real supercar, the rear wheels of 4.6is are wider than the front ones. The diameter of the disks is 20 (!!!) inch, and the wheel wheels 315/35 stand behind! Almost like in Lamborghini Diablo.
 
Knowing the traditions of Bavarian engineers, we can assume in advance that all these bells are present here for a reason. And the BMW X5 4.6is does not deceive expectations: under the hood of this car, a 4.6 -liter eight is hidden, developing power (hold your breath) - 347 hp! This is a lot even for a massive SUV. Despite the equipped mass of more than two tons, this is flies just like a light GTI. Still, because its engine develops a tremendous torque - 480 nm at only 3600 rpm! After listing these data, the fact that this x5 from a place to a hundred accelerates in 6.5 seconds is perceived for granted. It is interesting that when the Mercedes S600 appeared on sale at the beginning of the nineties, also having similar dynamic characteristics, German journalists excited about it, citing approximately the same argument: why, they say, to buy a sports coupe, if there is now a sedan with the same characteristics. Time passes, and now motorists are offered an SUV with amazing indicators - not every sedan with a 12 -cylinder engine can boast such accelerating dynamics.
 
Against the background of X5 4.6is, even in the basic version, which is a standard of controllability for parquet SUVs, all the other powerful SUVs look just awesome. Torsion pendants and too soft settings of shock absorbers make them more comfortable, but at the same time at high speed, especially in corners, they behave far from the best way. Or, conversely, creating high -speed versions of the SUVs, many companies, especially tuning, deliberately orient their car only on asphalt, thus nullifying all the advantages of the SUVs over ordinary cars. The IS version has no problem with this: the chassis, which is entirely borrowed from X5, is originally adapted to movement along the crossed terrain. Yes, in the sports version, the suspension is more rigid and relatively short -handed, but the road clearance remained almost unchanged. Huge 20-inch wheels with low-profile rubber are excellently holding the asphalt, but at the same time they are not afraid of our off-road.
 
True, originally designed for high -speed movement on asphalt, it can little on blurry soil - in the offseason it is better to change your mind into something more suitable. But still, how great 4.6is stands on the asphalt! Those who had previously traveled on powerful passenger models have yet to experience an incredible surprise when the gas pedal will jump forward on a light touch of pedal. Even in the turn there is no that frightening roll characteristic of SUV. In motion X5 is really similar to a regular five, unless a higher landing creates a rather unusual sensation. However, there will be plenty of unusual sensations to you, as well as the neighbors in the stream. With its dynamics, x5 4.6is can hit more than any supercar, if only because you simply do not expect such agility from a huge SUV. A huge torque is able to throw the car forward with such force that at first you even immediately release gas. It seems that the car will now catch up with those who go ahead.
 
The translation of the lever of the automatic checkpoint to position S only exacerbates the case: the car begins to accelerate even more fiercely, in each gear, bringing the tachometer to the red zone. Moreover, there is not even the need to squeeze the gas pedal to the floor, including the kik-dowan, just slightly tap it.
 
The brakes are also just excellent: in front and behind are ventilated discs (diameter - 33.2 and 32.4 cm, respectively), which effectively extinguish the speed to the desired limit. The anti -blocking brake system works only at the very last moment, without preventing the driver himself to control the slowdown process. In general, this monster will not cause problems even with a novice driver, because with a delicate handling of gas pedal x5 4.6is, he behaves very calmly.
 
BMW X5 4.6IS is a piece of goods, if not exclusive. SUVs, even SUV, are still small with such a temperament, and most of them are a product of serious, expensive tuning. However, the most expensive in this case will be not even the car itself, but its maintenance. Charged devices require qualified care, and much more frequent than ordinary ones. And to drive the car for this in Germany or at least in Moscow is not so much a false thing as a troublesome one. Against this background, the factory, and most importantly, officially delivered to our market, version 4.6is looks almost the most ideal option: warranty and post -warranty service, qualified service, branded spare parts, etc. By the way, to whom this is not enough, it may wait a bit. By tradition, the IS index indicates not the most powerful versions in the gamut. And who knows, maybe in a couple of years we have to get acquainted with an even more sophisticated X5, carrying the index m ...
 
(+) Incredibly beautiful appearance, excellent build quality, magnificent running qualities and dynamics.
 
(-)High price.
 
Text: Pavel Kozlovsky and Sergey Mitskevich
 

Source: Autogazet / N 12 (358) dated 03.04.02