BMW's X5 is mired in an identity crisis
a007apl
01-15-2002, 09:54 AM
By FRANK A. AUKOFER
Special to the Journal Sentinel
Last Updated: Feb. 22, 2001
BMW's new X5 resembles a Minotaur, that creature in Greek mythology that is half man, half bull: You think you know what it is, but you're not quite sure.
2001 Auto Show
Despite a new engine option, the X5 by BWM with a manual transmission isn't a very fun vehicle to drive.
MILWAUKEE AUTO SHOW
Dates: February 24 through March 4
Location: Midwest Express Center‚400 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Phone: (414) 908-6000
HOURS
Monday - Thursday: 3 to 9 p.m.
Friday: 1 to 10 p.m.
Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sundays: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
ADMISSION
Adults (13 & older): $7
Senior Citizens (62 & older): $4
Children (7 to 12): $4
Children (6 & younger): Free
• Section: 2001 Auto Show
Most people call it a sport utility vehicle, but BMW christened it as a sports activity vehicle, which makes it a SAV instead of a SUV.
Whatever, its basic concept is in the mainstream of tall, boxy station wagons with all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, which supposedly are as capable over trackless terrain as on paved highways.
That's the bull part of the X5. Although it has the massive profile of the typical sport ute, it clearly is designed more for rapid transit on smooth surfaces than chugging around in the boondocks.
This is not the vehicle you would choose to negotiate boulders or muddy arroyos, or to load up with camping gear for a foray into the deep woods. On the contrary, it's set up like a tightly wound sports sedan. And it's too expensive to be a beater.
The tip-off comes at first glance. You can't miss the high-performance street tires on massive 18-inch alloy wheels, with huge brake discs shining through the spokes.
BMW cranked up the X5 when it became clear that there were panting buyers everywhere who would plunk down megabucks for extremely well-appointed SUVs.
It's a strange phenomenon, and the 2001 BMW X5 3.0i is about the most graphic illustration you can find. For one thing, it's the only luxury SUV you can buy with a stick shift. Moreover, there are no truck-like qualities. It's a sport wagon, albeit a tall and hefty one.
But despite its massive profile and two-ton-plus weight, the M5 doesn't offer exceptional passenger or cargo space. At 98 cubic feet for people and 16 cubic feet for luggage, it offers about the same accommodations as a midsize sedan.
When the X5 was introduced for the 2000 model year, it arrived as a pricey alternative to the M-Class Mercedes. It sported a 4.4-liter, 282-horsepower V-8 engine linked to a five-speed automatic transmission and sold for more than $50,000.
For 2001, the Bavarian Motor Works adds the 3.0i version of the X5, with the company's turbine-smooth, 225-horsepower in-line six-cylinder engine and a choice of a five-speed manual transmission or an optional automatic.
The tester had the five-speed, which has a suggested sticker price of $39,470. But as with most German luxury vehicles, you have to pay extra for a host of options, which brought the delivered price to $45,115.
BMW is justifiably famous for installing manual transmissions in many of its expensive sedans, as well as in its sports cars, to satisfy the hard-core driving enthusiasts among its dedicated customers. It typically sells a higher percentage of stick shifts than any other car company, so the five-speed on the X5 3.0i is certainly consistent with the company's philosophy.
But spend some time in the X5 and you'll find yourself wishing for the optional $1,275 automatic transmission. The stick simply doesn't fit the character of this beefy beast.
For one thing, it's not very pleasant to operate. The best manual transmissions have a tactile feel, with linkages that smoothly engage the gears up or down whether you're shifting leisurely or rapidly.
The X5 doesn't work well either way. Instead of shifting like the proverbial hot knife through butter, it feels more like you're stirring a bucket full of marbles.
And the clutch aggravates the situation. On the test car, it was grabby and engaged high off the floor, making smooth transitions from gear to gear possible only with great concentration and skill. Often, the lurching gear changes were enough to induce nausea in passengers.
The braking and acceleration were exhilarating. The zero-to-60 time is just over eight seconds. Steering and handling were superior to those of other similarly-sized SUVs, but of course not up to the standards of lower-slung sports sedans, especially those from BMW.
You would be far better off on almost every count - performance, handling, even interior room in some instances - with a 5-Series or even a 3-Series BMW station wagon, especially one with all-wheel drive. Unless, of course, you're into image and you just have to be seen in a sport ute.
Appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Feb. 25, 2001.
Special to the Journal Sentinel
Last Updated: Feb. 22, 2001
BMW's new X5 resembles a Minotaur, that creature in Greek mythology that is half man, half bull: You think you know what it is, but you're not quite sure.
2001 Auto Show
Despite a new engine option, the X5 by BWM with a manual transmission isn't a very fun vehicle to drive.
MILWAUKEE AUTO SHOW
Dates: February 24 through March 4
Location: Midwest Express Center‚400 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Phone: (414) 908-6000
HOURS
Monday - Thursday: 3 to 9 p.m.
Friday: 1 to 10 p.m.
Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sundays: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
ADMISSION
Adults (13 & older): $7
Senior Citizens (62 & older): $4
Children (7 to 12): $4
Children (6 & younger): Free
• Section: 2001 Auto Show
Most people call it a sport utility vehicle, but BMW christened it as a sports activity vehicle, which makes it a SAV instead of a SUV.
Whatever, its basic concept is in the mainstream of tall, boxy station wagons with all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, which supposedly are as capable over trackless terrain as on paved highways.
That's the bull part of the X5. Although it has the massive profile of the typical sport ute, it clearly is designed more for rapid transit on smooth surfaces than chugging around in the boondocks.
This is not the vehicle you would choose to negotiate boulders or muddy arroyos, or to load up with camping gear for a foray into the deep woods. On the contrary, it's set up like a tightly wound sports sedan. And it's too expensive to be a beater.
The tip-off comes at first glance. You can't miss the high-performance street tires on massive 18-inch alloy wheels, with huge brake discs shining through the spokes.
BMW cranked up the X5 when it became clear that there were panting buyers everywhere who would plunk down megabucks for extremely well-appointed SUVs.
It's a strange phenomenon, and the 2001 BMW X5 3.0i is about the most graphic illustration you can find. For one thing, it's the only luxury SUV you can buy with a stick shift. Moreover, there are no truck-like qualities. It's a sport wagon, albeit a tall and hefty one.
But despite its massive profile and two-ton-plus weight, the M5 doesn't offer exceptional passenger or cargo space. At 98 cubic feet for people and 16 cubic feet for luggage, it offers about the same accommodations as a midsize sedan.
When the X5 was introduced for the 2000 model year, it arrived as a pricey alternative to the M-Class Mercedes. It sported a 4.4-liter, 282-horsepower V-8 engine linked to a five-speed automatic transmission and sold for more than $50,000.
For 2001, the Bavarian Motor Works adds the 3.0i version of the X5, with the company's turbine-smooth, 225-horsepower in-line six-cylinder engine and a choice of a five-speed manual transmission or an optional automatic.
The tester had the five-speed, which has a suggested sticker price of $39,470. But as with most German luxury vehicles, you have to pay extra for a host of options, which brought the delivered price to $45,115.
BMW is justifiably famous for installing manual transmissions in many of its expensive sedans, as well as in its sports cars, to satisfy the hard-core driving enthusiasts among its dedicated customers. It typically sells a higher percentage of stick shifts than any other car company, so the five-speed on the X5 3.0i is certainly consistent with the company's philosophy.
But spend some time in the X5 and you'll find yourself wishing for the optional $1,275 automatic transmission. The stick simply doesn't fit the character of this beefy beast.
For one thing, it's not very pleasant to operate. The best manual transmissions have a tactile feel, with linkages that smoothly engage the gears up or down whether you're shifting leisurely or rapidly.
The X5 doesn't work well either way. Instead of shifting like the proverbial hot knife through butter, it feels more like you're stirring a bucket full of marbles.
And the clutch aggravates the situation. On the test car, it was grabby and engaged high off the floor, making smooth transitions from gear to gear possible only with great concentration and skill. Often, the lurching gear changes were enough to induce nausea in passengers.
The braking and acceleration were exhilarating. The zero-to-60 time is just over eight seconds. Steering and handling were superior to those of other similarly-sized SUVs, but of course not up to the standards of lower-slung sports sedans, especially those from BMW.
You would be far better off on almost every count - performance, handling, even interior room in some instances - with a 5-Series or even a 3-Series BMW station wagon, especially one with all-wheel drive. Unless, of course, you're into image and you just have to be seen in a sport ute.
Appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Feb. 25, 2001.
JLove
05-18-2003, 02:14 PM
I can't imagine why anyone would want a stick in an x5. I just got my x5 two days ago. A 4.4 titanium silver with the 19" wheels. It is fast and feels great with the tiptronic transmission.
And of course it is not a "beater". What is that guy smoking?
And of course it is not a "beater". What is that guy smoking?
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