Hot in the Lot
Malcolm Willis’ BMW X5
NEIRAD enilno editionNow if you want a 5 series, but you would rather be higher off the ground, have the added benefit of all wheel drive, and extra cargo capacity, you might be interested in the X5, BMW’s trademark full size SUV that was introduced in 2000 to the US markets. Interestingly enough, all of those benefits come at a price nearly $4,000 less than a comparably equipped 5 series.
Similar to how the X3 is to a 3 series, the X5 is to a 5 series, incorporating homologous chassis design and consequently ride dynamics as the 5 series. In the Sport Utility Vehicle segment, the X5 is definitely the one that deserves the merit for the first initial.
Senior Malcolm Willis’ 2003 X5 is part of the E53 generation, the first generation of X5s produced by BMW. At the time BMW gave two engine options, a 3.0 liter inline six (the same engine as Justin Pryor’s X3), and a 4.4 liter V8. Malcolm’s oxford green metallic X5 has the six cylinder engine, which despite its horsepower output of 225, and curb weight of 2 ¼ tons, gets around very well. In fact, the only real reason to burn the extra bank for the V8 model would be to get around extra well.
One of the most prominent aspects of the X5 that someone will notice when driving or being driven in it is its incredibly solid feel. The SUV feels planted to the ground and magnetized to the road. It feels like a heavy vehicle but not in a bad, lethargic way, but in quality heaviness, or strength. The body is dense, similar to an expensive piece of jewelry or a well made piece of technology – think iphone 4 or Macbook pro. Everything about the X5 exudes an ambience of sturdiness and security; the cabin is as luxurious as the E39 5 series but the seat is higher, so the driver feels like a pilot of a precision engineered aircraft.
As always BMW style suspension allows for imperfections in the road to be absorbed effortlessly, and for handling to be virtually reflexive to the driver, however the real reason why the X5 drives and feels the way it does is the Xdrive all-wheel drive underneath it all. The 38% front and 62% rear torque split of the all wheel drive system gives tremendous grip of the tires with the road, and is really the contributor behind exceptionally planted and confident ride.
Malcolm bought the X5 used with a mere 50,000 miles on the odometer when he got his license last summer. Since then it has never been the same. Malcolm, a car, and BMW enthusiast was adamant about modifying his early model X5 to have the same, if not better features than its successor, the E70 X5. Malcolm’s X5 is a 2003, which is unfortunate because starting in 2004, BMW started integrating Xenon headlights and angel eyes in their X5 models. This has been a habit since. Understandably, Malcolm’s first addition was a pair of projector headlights with CCFL (Cold Cathode Florescent Lamp) angel eyes. Aside from the aesthetic visual upgrade, the projector lens provides an enhanced beam of light focused on the road, and cut off laterally to avoid blinding oncoming traffic. In addition to the improved headlights, Malcolm added 55 watt 6000k HID low beams to compensate for the lack of factory xenons. (Malcolm’s car was the example used in the HID article back in December.) Recently Malcolm also added a 35 watt 6000k HID kit to the fog lights.
Another popular feature on new cars is ipod integration and remote start. Sadly these options were not available for a 2003 X5, so to fix this, Malcolm installed a Dice Electronics ipod integration kit and ipod mount so he can easily play his ipod through the car stereo with crystal clear quality and text display. This is a recommended alternative to disassembling the dash of a vehicle and installing an aftermarket radio – the dash retains its clean elegant look, the sound quality is amazing, and in most cases it is cheaper. In the fall Malcolm had Premiere Auto Sport in Dairen install a viper remote starter in preparation for the cold winter months, a much appreciated decision. Malcolm is contemplating finishing off the personalization of his X5 with window tint and upgraded wheels for the summer, but until then watch out for the mean stare of the green X5’s angel eyes in the school parking lot. 
