Review: BMW E70 X5 (2007-13)

Review: BMW E70.I X5 (2007-10)

Overview

Released in March 2007, the BMW E70 Mk.I X5 was a large, four-wheel drive SUV with five seats fitted as standard, though a third row of seats was available as an option. Manufactured in South Carolina, USA, the E70.I X5 range initially consisted of the 3.0d and 4.8i, with the 3.0si following in July; the range was further expanded in 2008 with the 3.0sd. In November 2008, the range underwent a mild update and the variants were re-named with the ‘xDrive’ moniker. Furthermore, the high-performance M variant was released in December 2009. The full range is given in the table below.

Compared to the E53 X5 , the E70 X5 was 187 mm longer (at 4854 mm), 61 mm wider (1933 mm), 59 mm taller (1766 mm) and had a 113 mm longer wheelbase (2933 mm); the E70 X5 bodyshell also achieved a 15 per cent increase in torsional stiffness. The E70 X5 had double wishbone front suspension and an ‘integral IV’ rear axle which served to separate the drive and damper functions, the wheel mounts and axle subframe.

xDrive

The E70 X5 was fitted with BMW’s permanent ‘xDrive’ four-wheel drive system which had an electronically controlled, multi-plate clutch in the transfer case. Generally, the clutch was partially engaged and provided a 40:60 front/rear torque split. In addition to partial engagement, however, the clutch could also be fully engaged (50:50 front/rear torque split) or completely open (all torque to the rear wheels) – the latter would occur when driving at high speed or when parking.

The xDrive system interacted with the electronic stability control system such that torque distribution could be varied in response to oversteer or understeer, and individual wheels could be braked to transfer torque to the opposing wheel (i.e. cross-axle torque transfer).

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment included dual front airbags, front row side (thorax) airbags, curtain airbags for the first two rows of occupants, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, cornering brake control, traction control, hill descent control, front seatbelt pretensioners and load limiting seatbelts for all occupants.

Features

Standard features for the 3.0si/xDrive30i and 3.0d/xDrive30d included 18-inch alloy wheels with run-flat tyres, a six speaker stereo with two subwoofers, a six-stack CD player, MP3-compatibility and auxiliary input, dual zone climate control air conditioning, Nevada leather seats, a 6.5-inch colour monitor with onboard computer, power adjustable front seats, cruise control with braking function, multifunction steering wheel, front fog lights, front and rear parking sensors, automatic headlights, rain sensing wipers, Bluetooth connectivity, a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel, 60/40 split and folding second row seats, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, a tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel, height adjustable front seats, a power-operated park brake, luggage net, tinted windows, ambient lighting, a 12 volt power outlet, roof rails, tyre pressure monitoring and an immobiliser.

The 3.0si/xDrive30i Executive, 3.0si/xDrive30i Executive and 3.0sd/xDrive35d were further equipped with an 8.8-inch colour monitor with a DVD player, BMW’s ‘Professional’ satellite navigation system, park assist display, digital TV tuner and rear view camera, fully power adjustable front seats, a power adjustable steering column, voice recognition, BMW TeleAssist and driver’s seat and steering wheel memory settings.

Beyond this, the 4.8i/xDrive48i was also fitted with 19-inch alloy wheels with lower-profile (255/50) tyres, self-levelling pneumatic rear suspension, a twelve speaker HiFi stereo, four-zone climate control air conditioning, ‘Comfort’ front seats with lumbar adjustment and memory settings, directional bi-xenon headlights with washers, adaptive headlights with foglight-integrated turning lights and power retracting door mirrors with automatic dipping on reverse.

Sport and M Sport packages

Initially, the certain X5 variants were available with an optional Sport package which consisted of 19-inch light alloy wheels with Sport suspension settings, contoured front Sport seats, Sport steering wheel, BMW’s ‘Individual’ high-gloss Satin Chrome trim and anthracite roof lining.

In October 2008, the M Sport package was introduced for all X5 variants (except the subsequently released X5 M) which included 19-inch light V-spoke ‘M’ alloy wheels, with ‘M Sport’ suspension, an ‘M’ steering wheel, ‘M’ Aerodynamics Package (new body-coloured bumpers, side skirts, colour-coded door protection strips and wider wheel arches), brushed aluminium interior trims, BMW ‘Individual’ anthracite roof lining, satin-finish aluminium side window surrounds and high-gloss satin chrome roof rails.

X5 M

Released in December 2009, the X5 M was the performance variant within the range, powered by a 4.8-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine. However, the M variant was also fitted with BMW’s ‘Adaptive Drive’ (active roll stabilization and continuously variable shock absorbers), an ‘M Dynamic Mode’ for the electronic stability and traction control systems which delayed their intervention and an upgraded braking package consisting of 395 mm by 36 mm front discs with four-piston calipers and 385 mm by 24 mm rear discs with single-piston calipers.

The X5 M was fitted with the M Sport package as standard and further distinguished by its 20-inch alloy wheels, 16 speaker stereo, contoured sports seats, heated front seats, head-up display, steering wheel gearshift paddles, proximity key, power-operated tailgate, power sunroof and alarm.

January 2010: Innovations package and Professional navigation

In January 2010, the Executive editions were discontinued and effectively replaced by an optional ‘Innovations’ package for the xDrive30i, xDrive30d and xDrive35d. However, the Innovations Package also included ‘Top View’, which utilised cameras in the door mirrors to display objects surrounding the vehicle on the control display.

The ‘Professional’ satellite navigation system was also updated with a new iDrive controller, menu structure and high-resolution 8.8-inch colour monitor, three-dimensional relief maps, DVD drive and an integrated 80GB hard drive (with 12GB for audio file storage).

Review: BMW E70.II X5 (2010-13)

Overview

Released in June 2010, the E70 Mk.II (E70.II) X5 range featured a revised line-up with new engines, an eight speed automatic transmission and improved fuel economy. The xDrive30i, xDrive35d and xDrive48i were effectively replaced by the xDrive35i, xDrive40d and xDrive50i, respectively (the latter two offered solely in ‘Sport’ editions). The xDrive30d and M variants, however, continued. Visually, the E70.II X5 could be identified by its redesigned front and rear aprons, larger front air intakes, dual round xenon headlights with LED corona rings (where fitted) and revised L-shaped tail-lights.

The E70.II X5 also benefited from the introduction of BMW’s EfficientDynamics technologies, including Brake Energy Regeneration – which controlled alternator output to charge the battery when the vehicle was braking or coasting – and the on-demand application of ancillary components such as the coolant pump, oil pump, air conditioning compressor and transfer box.

BMW M50d

In June 2012, the range was expanded with the introduction of the M50d. The M50d was powered by a 3.0-litre diesel engine with two small, high-pressure turbochargers and a larger, low-pressure unit. One of the small turbochargers operated from just above idle, with the larger turbocharger operating from 1500 rpm. At 2700 rpm, a vacuum-modulated exhaust flap would open to supply the third turbocharger to operate.

Features

Standard features were extended to include auxiliary USB and iPod stereo inputs and speed-sensitive power steering. Compared to its predecessor, the xDrive35i gained 19-inch alloy wheels and satellite navigation, the latter feature also added to the xDrive40d Sport.

The E70.II X5 range also included a range of options packages:

• Executive: available only on the xDrive30d, the Executive package included a rear view camera with Top View, power adjustable front seats with memory settings, and BMW’s ‘Professional’ satellite navigation system;
• Innovation: not available on the xDrive30d, the Innovation package included ‘Comfort Access’, a head-up display, bi-xenon headlights, high beam assist and a power-operated tailgate. For the xDrive35i and xDrive40d Sport, the package also included a power sunroof;
• Sport: standard for the xDrive40d and xDrive50i, the Sport editions included new 19-inch alloy wheel designs, a leather-wrapped sport steering wheel, high-gloss Satin Chrome trim, anthracite roof lining and titanium-coloured front grille elements; and,
• M Sport: continued as per the E70.I X5.

BMW EfficientDynamics

The E70.II X5 also benefited from the introduction of BMW’s EfficientDynamics technologies, including regenerative braking – which converted the kinetic energy of the wheels when braking or coasting intro electrical energy to recharge the battery – and the on-demand application of ancillary components such as the coolant pump, oil pump, air conditioning compressor and transfer box.

Performance Edition

In October 2011, limited-run Performance Edition models were released. The Performance Editions included previously optional accessories in a single package, including 21-inch Y-spoke alloy wheels, front and rear aerodynamic Performance trim, hi-gloss black kidney grilles, Performance side sills and wheel arch extensions.

May 2012: X5 update

In May 2012, standard features were extended to include a satellite navigation system, head-up display, reversing camera (with top view function), a power-operated tailgate, bi-xenon headlights, high beam assist, front seat memory settings and power folding door mirrors. The xDrive35i and xDrive40d Sport were also fitted with a power-operated sunroof.

BMW X5 M50d

The M50d was similarly equipped to the xDrive50i, but distinguished by its 19-inch ‘M’ light-alloy wheels, Alcantara/Nappa leather M sports seats, an M leather steering wheel with gearshift paddles, an anthracite roof liner and brushed aluminium interior trim strips. The M50d was also fitted with BMW’s ‘Performance Control’ system which could brake the inside rear wheel when cornering to reduce understeer.

Visually, the M50d could be identified by its titanium-coloured vertical bars for the grille, wheel arch extensions, unique side sills and kick plates, exterior mirror caps in Ferric Grey metallic and High-gloss Shadow Line trim for the side window surrounds and exterior mirror bases.

xDrive30d M Sport

In February 2013, a limited-run M Sport edition of the xDrive30d was released. Compared to the standard xDrive30d, the M Sport edition added BMW’s Professional navigation system, voice control, power adjustable front seats, bi-xenon headlights, a rear-view camera (with bird’s eye view) and a power-operated tailgate. Visually, the xDrive30d M Sport could be identified by its 20-inch M Sport alloy wheels, M leather steering wheel, M Sport bodykit and chrome tailpipes.

Related links

• Press Kit: BMW E70.II X5 (April 2010)
• Specifications: BMW E70.II X5 M and E71.II X6 M (April 2012)
• Wikipedia.org: BMW E70 X5