BMW X5 for 2004 - In Depth

Press Release

BMW X5 for 2004 - In Depth

Product Highlights

General

• The larger of BMW's two Sports Activity Vehicle lines - BMW's unique approach to the SUV phenomenon
• Two models for 2004: 6-cylinder X5 3.0i & 4.4-liter V-8 X5 4.4i
• Base prices including destination charge: X5 3.0i - $40,995 with manual transmission, $42,270 with automatic
  X5 4.4i - $52,195 (automatic transmission standard)
• Third model, X5 4.8is, to be introduced later
• Combines desirable features of sport-utility silhouette (commanding driving position, feeling of safety & substance, muscular design) with BMW performance, road manners, driving pleasure, sophistication, luxury, quality & safety
• All-road capability
• Built at BMW's factory in Spartanburg, South Carolina for all world markets; production of 2004 models began on October 1, 2003

What's new for 2004

Both models

• New all-wheel drive system, xDrive, that adjusts front/rear torque proportioning according to road & operating conditions; electronically controlled
• Freshened exterior design, with entirely new front end, new taillights & several new colors
• Xenon headlights (optional 3.0i, standard 4.4i) now both low & high beams (formerly low beams only)
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers & automatic headlight control, newly standard
• New wheel designs
• Clear ("white") turn-signal indicators newly standard
• Enhanced interior equipment, including standard 8-way power front passenger's seat in both models, a new optional wood treatment, & one new color for leather upholstery
• Availability of BMW Assist services & telematics system; offered as part of Premium Package or as stand-alone option

X5 3.0i only

• 6-speed manual transmission replaces former 5-speed
• New design for standard & Sport Package wheels
• Power passenger's seat newly standard
• Heated rear seats newly available (optional)

X5 4.4i only

• New engine: Valvetronic V-8, with 25 hp more output than previous V-8 engine
• 6-speed automatic transmission replaces former 5-speed

Handling, ride & braking, towing ability

• Fulltime all-wheel drive with new xDrive system including:
  • Electronically controlled multi-disc clutch for varying front/rear torque split
  • Variation of torque split to optimize not only traction, but also handling dynamics; resulting in unprecedented agility for this type of vehicle
  • Most operation in all-wheel drive, but rear-wheel drive under specific operating conditions
• Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), a comprehensive traction & stability system including:
  • 4-wheel traction control, with engine & brake intervention
  • Automatic Differential Brake (traction control via brake intervention only, selectable by brief actuation of DSC switch on console
  • Electronic brake proportioning, adjusting front-to-rear braking force for optimum braking effect, relatively even brake & tire wear
  • Dynamic Brake Control, to help achieve shortest stopping distance
  • Stability enhancement in cornering & avoidance maneuvers
  • Hill Descent Control, to help stabilize vehicle speed on downgrades
• Unit body/chassis structure with high rigidity for excellent handling & riding comfort
• Optimum front/rear weight distribution (close to 50% front / 50% rear for all models)
• 4-wheel independent suspension system with typical BMW engineering sophistication:
  Double-pivot front suspension Integral Link multi-link rear suspension with aluminum components Self-leveling rear air springs standard on 4.4i, optional on 3.0i Adjustable ride height with choice of three ride heights; optional on both models
• Variable-assist rack-and-pinion steering (engine-speed-sensitive)
• Generously dimensioned 4-wheel disc brakes with stopping capability equal to that of luxury performance sedans (documented by independent published tests)
• Wheels & tires, standard:
  • 3.0i - 17-in., H-rated all-season tires
  • 4.4i - 18-in., H-rated all-season tires
• Wheels & tires, optional:
  • 3.0i - 18-in., H-rated all-season tires (Sport Package)
  • 4.4i - 18-in., V-rated all-season tires (Sport Package)
• 19-in., performance with V-rated performance tires (option, available in combination with Sport Package)
• 6000-lb. trailer-towing capability, all models; Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) 6008 lb. for both models

Performance & efficiency

• 3.0i: aluminum 3.0-liter DOHC 24-valve inline 6-cylinder engine with variable intake- & exhaust-valve timing, 225 hp / 214 lb-ft. torque
• 4.4i: new aluminum 4.4-liter DOHC 32-valve V-8 engine with Valvetronic variable valve lift, variable intake- & exhaust-valve timing, fully variable intake manifold; 315 hp / 324 lb-ft. torque
• New 6-speed manual transmission standard on 3.0i model
• STEPTRONIC 5-speed automatic transmission optional on 3.0i; new STEPTRONIC 6-speed automatic standard on 4.4i

Exterior & aerodynamics

• Sophisticated & elegant, yet muscular exterior design; freshened for '04 with new front-end appearance, new "brilliant" taillight optics & several new colors
• Outstandingly low aerodynamic drag coefficient (CD): 0.35 (3.0i), 0.36 (4.4i)
• Roof rails standard on both models; accommodate various BMW carrier systems

Ergonomics, luxury & convenience

• Luxurious & elegant interior for five persons
• Power tilt/telescopic steering wheel with automatic tilt-up & multi-function controls
• 8-way power driver's & passenger's seats, now standard in both models
• 8-way power/2-way manual front sport seats included in Sport Package of both models
• Memory system for driver's seat, steering wheel & outside mirrors
• 2-level front center armrest with phone installation capability
• Standard leatherette upholstery & high-gloss interior trim (3.0i)
• Standard Dakota leather upholstery & Light Poplar wood trim (4.4i)
• Standard 10-speaker audio system
• Optional premium 12-speaker audio system
• Vehicle & Key Memory - programmable functional choices to suit customer preferences
• Split folding rear seats
• Variable cargo area with retractable cover, retractable/removable luggage net, dual electrical outlets
• 2-piece tailgate with upward-opening upper section, downward-opening lower section; interior & remote releases, 400-lb. load capacity

Safety & security

• Body/chassis unit designed for effective energy management in full-frontal, offset-frontal, side & rear-end impacts
• Best performance of any vehicle tested in Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) offset crash test
• Earned best rating (5 stars) in recent European crash testing (Euro-NCAP)
• 3-point safety belts at all seating positions
• Height-adjustable front safety belts with automatic tensioners & force limiters
• Dual-threshold deployment of belt tensioners & front-impact airbags
• 2-stage front-impact Smart Airbags
• Head Protection System for front- & rear-seat occupants
• Standard front side-impact airbags, optional rear side-impact airbags
• Battery Safety Terminal
• Standard alarm system with interior motion detector
• Multi-function remote, integrated into head of master key; includes selective unlocking & tailgate release

Factory options

Available option Packages for 3.0i & 4.4i models:

• Premium Package
• Sport Package
• Cold Weather Package
• Rear Climate Package
• 5-speed STEPTRONIC Automatic transmission for 3.0i (6-speed standard on 4.4i) Available stand-alone factory options:
• Self-leveling rear air suspension (3.0i; standard 4.4i)
• Adjustable ride height
• 19-in. wheels & performance tires with differentiated front/rear sizes (4.4i with Sport package)
• Xenon headlights with dynamic auto-leveling (3.0i; standard 4.4i)
• Park Distance Control, front & rear
• Auto-dimming inside & outside rearview mirrors (3.0i; included in 4.4i Premium Package)
• Dakota leather upholstery (3.0i; standard in 4.4i)
• Power 2-way moon roof
• BMW On-board Navigation System (substitutes cassette player for standard CD player)
• Premium audio system with 12 speakers (incl. 2 subwoofers), Digital Sound Processing*
• 16-way Comfort front seats (4.4i only); include 4-way power lumbar support
• 4-way power front-seat lumbar support (3.0i; included in 4.4i Premium Package)
• Heated steering wheel (not available in combination with Sport Package)
• Heated rear seats (require Sport Package)
• Various interior trim options
• Rear-seat side-impact airbag
• Retractable load floor
• BMW Assist

BMW SAV Center-installed accessories (partial listing)

• Trailer-hitch kit with stability function
• Roof-rack systems
• Aerodynamic body components
• 6-disc CD changer
• Cargo organizer, Cargo-area floor net