Review: BMW F15 X5 (2013-18)

Overview

Released in November 2013, the BMW F15 X5 was a large SUV. Manufactured in South Carolina, USA, the F15 X5 range initially consisted of the xDrive30d, xDrive35i and M50d, with the sDrive25d, xDrive25d, xDrive40d and xDrive35i following March 2014, and the X5 M in April 2015 (see table below).

All F15 X5 engines were compliant with Euro 6 emissions standards and featured the following technologies –

• Auto Start Stop: shut down the engine when the vehicle was stationary in traffic;
• Brake Energy Regeneration: regulated alternator output to recharge the battery when the vehicle was coasting or braking; and,
• Eco Pro drive mode: adjusted engine management, throttle response and transmission behaviour to minimise fuel consumption. Eco Pro also included a coasting function that could decouples the engine from the powertrain when the driver eased off the accelerator and did not apply the brakes to prevent engine braking.

Eight-speed automatic transmissions were fitted as standard across the range.

xDrive four-wheel drive (4WD)

Within the F15 X5 range, the xDrive and M50d variants had a permanent four-wheel drive system with 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).

The Dynamic Performance Control system – available as part of the Dynamic and Professional Adaptive Suspension Packages – included a torque vectoring function that controlled the power split between the rear wheels.

Dimensions and body

Compared to its E70 X5 predecessor, the F15 X5 was 32 mm longer (at 4886 mm), 5 mm wider (1938 mm) and 4 mm lower (1762 mm), though wheelbase length (2933 mm) was unchanged. The F15 X5 was also considerably lighter than its predecessor (around 90 kg for comparable variants) due to the use of ultra-high-tensile steels in the body structure, thermoplastics in the side panels, aluminium in the bonnet and magnesium in the instrument panel support.

For improved aerodynamics, the F15 X5 was fitted with BMW’s

• Air Curtains: vertical apertures which guided inflowing air around the wheel arches to create a curtain of air over the wheels;
• Air Breathers: once air was deflected around the wheel arches, it would be channeled through the Air Breathers (positioned behind the front wheels); and,
• Aero Blades: air-channeling elements near the roof spoiler.

The sDrive25d, xDrive25d, xDrive30d, xDrive35i and xDrive40d all had a drag coefficient of 0.31 Cd.

Steering and suspension

The F15 X5 had electric power assisted steering, double wishbone front suspension and an ‘integral IV’ rear axle. Beyond this,

• The X5 xDrive50i, M50d and X5 M were all fitted with electronically-controlled dampers (BMW’s ‘Dynamic Damper Control’) which continuously adjusted to road conditions and provided selectable settings;
• The X5 M50d and X5 M were fitted with BMW’s ‘Dynamic Drive’ active roll stabilisation program; and,
• The xDrive50i and X5 M also had rear axle air suspension.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the F15 X5 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, active front seat head restraints, front seatbelt pretensioners and load limiting seatbelts for all occupants.

The sDrive25d, xDrive25d, xDrive30d, xDrive35i, xDrive40d and X5 M were fitted with BMW’s camera-based ‘Driving Assistant’ package which included:

• Forward Collision Warning and Pedestrian Warning with light city braking; and,
• Lane Departure Warning.

The xDrive50i and M50d, however, were fitted with BMW’s camera- and radar-based ‘Driving Assistant Plus’ package which added Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function.

Features: F15 X5

Standard features for the X5 sDrive25d and xDrive 25d included 18-inch alloy wheels with 255/55 R18 run-flat tyres, a nine speaker HiFi sound system with a 205 watt digital amplifier, CD/DVD player, auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB), Bluetooth connectivity, BMW’s ‘Professional’ navigation system with a 10.25-inch colour display, 20GB hard drive, internet connectivity, voice recognition and iDrive Touch controller, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, Dakota leather upholstery, power adjustable front seats, cruise control with braking function, bi-xenon headlights with washers, LED fog lights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors, a rear view camera, leather steering wheel, 40:20:40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking with proximity key (BMW’s ‘Comfort Access’), power windows and mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, driver memory settings (for seat and mirrors), electrochromatic rear view mirror, a power-operated two-section tailgate (via remote control or an interior button), power-operated park brake, five 12 volt power sockets, tyre pressure monitoring, roof rails and an immobiliser.

The xDrive30d was further equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels with 255/50 R19 run-flat tyres, high beam assist, BMW’s ‘Surround View’ 360 degree camera system, power folding and heated door mirrors, electrochromatic door mirrors, ambient lighting and illuminated vanity mirrors.

Beyond this, the xDrive35i and xDrive40d added a harman/kardon surround sound system with sixteen speakers and a 600 watt digital amplifier, ‘Sport’ seats, leather instrument panel, directional headlights, steering wheel gearshift paddles and BMW’s ‘Parking Assistant’ which used ultrasonic sensors to identify parallel parking spaces and provide fully automated steering, acceleration and braking to park the vehicle.

The xDrive50i was further equipped with 20-inch alloy wheels with 275/40 R20 front and 315/35 R20 rear run-flat tyres, digital radio (DAB+), four-zone climate control air conditioning, ‘Comfort’ front seats with heating and power adjustable lumbar support, adaptive LED headlights with washers, a head-up display, Poplar Grain fine-wood interior trim and alarm system. Unique within the range, the xDrive50i was fitted with BMW’s ‘Pure Excellence’ exterior package which included chrome exterior highlights (including the kidney grille, bumpers and front air intakes), body-coloured underbody protection and Shadow Line roof rails.

The M50d was distinguished by its 20-inch M double-spoke alloy wheels, ‘Sport’ seats, M leather steering wheel, ‘BMW Individual’ anthracite roof liner and Aluminium Hexagon interior trim. Visually, the M50d could be identified by its M Aerodynamics package, black kidney grille and trapezoidal exhaust pipes finished in bright chrome.

2015 BMW X5 M

With its S63B44T2 engine , the X5 M could accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds (utilising the Launch Control function), while fuel consumption over the combined ADR 81/02 test cycle was 11.1 litres per 100 km.

For the X5 M, suspension changes included firmer settings, a modified upper wishbone and 10 mm lower ride height. The X5 M was also fitted with an upgraded braking package which included perforated and inner vented discs (front and rear) and six piston front brake calipers.

Compared to the X5 M50d, the X5 M featured M sports seats, digital TV reception (DVB-T) and a panoramic glass sunroof.

Pure Experience and Pure Excellence packages

The BMW F15 X5 was available with Pure Experience and Pure Excellence exterior and interior design packages. Of the exterior design packages:

• The Pure Experience package featured matt silver finishes for the front air intakes, kidney grille, exhaust tailpipe, rear bumper and side air accents, brushed stainless steel underbody protection and satinated aluminium roof rails. The Pure Experience package was fitted as standard for the xDrive30d; and,
• The Pure Excellence package featured high-gloss chrome finishes for the front air intakes and kidney grille, chrome rear bumper and side air intake accents, body-coloured underbody protection and high-gloss shadow line roof rails. The Pure Excellence package was fitted as standard for the xDrive50i.

Of the interior design packages:

• The Pure Experience design package featured Nappa leather upholstery in Mocha with contrast stitching, Black Walknappa finishes for the instrument panel and upper door-arm trims with Nut Brown contrast stitching and textured fine-wood interior trim (‘Fineline Pure’); and,
• The Pure Excellence design package featured Nappa leather upholstery in Ivory White with contrast stitching, Atlas Grey Walknappa finishes for the instrument panel and upper door-arm trims with Parchment contrast stitching and fine-wood American Oak interior trim.

2016 BMW F15 X5 xDrive30d Individual

Released in January 2016, the BMW F15 X5 xDrive30d Individual was offered with two different sets of BMW Individual features. Option 1 included:

• Ruby Black paint finish;
• Piano Black interior trim;
• Extended Merino leather upholstery in Smoked White;
• Leather instrument panel in ‘Walknappa’ Scotch Dark;
• Alcantara Anthracite roofliner;
• Aluminium satinated exterior line trim; and,
• V-Spoke 551 alloy wheels.

Option 2, however, included:

• Pearl Silver Black paint finish;
• Piano Black interior trim;
• Extended Merino leather upholstery in Nutmeg;
• Leather instrument panel in ‘Walknappa’ Black;
• Alcantara Anthracite roofliner;
• Aluminium satinated exterior line trim; and,
• V-Spoke 551 alloy wheels.

Otherwise optional features that were fitted as standard for the BMW F15 xDrive30d Individual included a lane change warning system, BMW’s ‘Comfort’ front seats, heated front seats, side rear window blinds, a panoramic glass sunroof, and ‘M Sport’ package.

Australian deliveries of the BMW F15 xDrive30d Individual Option 1 and Option 2 were 40 and 20 vehicles, respectively.

2017 BMW X5 M Black Fire Edition

The BMW X5 M Black Fire Edition was released in Australia in October 2017. Compared to the standard BMW X5 M, the Black Fire Edition could be identified by its Sapphire Black metallic paint finish, dark carbon fibre door mirror caps, blacked-out kidney grille, 21-inch black M alloy wheels and rear privacy glass.

Inside, the BMW X5 M Black Fire Edition featured fine-grain Merino leather upholstery, BMW M multi-functional seats finished in Black and Mugello Red, an anthracite-coloured Alcantara headliner, Alcantara trim for the M Performance steering wheel, piano black interior finishers and ‘X5 M Edition Black Fire’ signets. The X5 M Black Fire Edition also had an automatic soft-close function for the doors.

The BMW X5 M Black Fire Edition had a recommended retail price of $205,900 (excludes on-road costs). Australian deliveries were limited to fifteen (15) vehicles.

Related links

• Press Kit: BMW F15 X5 (May 2013)
• Specifications: BMW F15 X5 (April 2014)
• Specifications: BMW F15 X5 (July 2017)
• Specifications: BMW F85 X5 M and F86 X6 M (April 2015)
• Press Kit: BMW F15 X5 M and F16 X6 M (January 2015)
• Behind the Wheel: 2014 BMW X5 xDrive30d Review
• BMW Australia: BMW X5
• Wikipedia.org: BMW F15 X5