E53 BMW X5 2000–2006 E53

Overview

Engines

3.0L inline-six, 4.4L V8, 4.6L V8, 4.4L V8 with Valvetronic, 4.8L V8

On record

6 warnings, 25 recalls

Sold as 3.0i (2001–2006), 4.4i, 4.6is (2002–2003), 4.8is (2004–2006)

The story

Work on a BMW sport utility vehicle began in 1994, after BMW bought Land Rover's parent Rover. The X5 borrowed the Range Rover's hill descent control and took its engines and electronics from the E39 5 Series. A published reference

BMW called it a Sports Activity Vehicle rather than an SUV, to stress its road manners, and built it as a monocoque rather than on a separate frame. A published reference

It arrived as the 4.4i V8, the 3.0i six followed for 2001 and the quick 4.6is for 2002. A facelift for 2004 brought new lights, xDrive all-wheel drive, new V8s and the 4.8is. CarGurus, Edmunds

Colors

• Blackyears not known
• Imola Redyears not known
• Estoril Blueyears not known
• Titanium Silveryears not known

Sources: A published reference

Specs

Badges

• 3.0i (2001–2006): 3.0L inline-six, All-wheel drive Edmunds
• 4.4i: 4.4L V8, 4.4L V8 with Valvetronic, All-wheel drive Edmunds, a published reference
• 4.6is (2002–2003): 4.6L V8, All-wheel drive Edmunds, a published reference
• 4.8is (2004–2006): 4.8L V8, All-wheel drive Edmunds

Engines

• 3.0L inline-six M54 engine page Edmunds, a published reference

  225 hp and 214 lb-ft · 2001–2006

• 4.4L V8 M62 Edmunds, a published reference

  282 hp, and 290 hp from 2002 · 2000–2003

• 4.6L V8 M62 Edmunds, a published reference

  340 hp and 350 lb-ft · 2002–2003

• 4.4L V8 with Valvetronic N62 Edmunds, a published reference

  315 hp and 324 lb-ft · 2004–2006

• 4.8L V8 N62 Edmunds, a published reference

  355 hp and 360 lb-ft · 2004–2006

Transmissions

• Five-speed manual (2001–2003) Edmunds, a published reference
• Five-speed automatic Edmunds, a published reference
• Six-speed manual (2004–2006) Edmunds
• Six-speed automatic (2004–2006) Edmunds

Drivetrains

• All-wheel drive Edmunds, a published reference

Trims

• Sports Activity Vehicle A published reference

Packages

• Sport Package Edmunds
• Adjustable ride height suspension Edmunds
• DVD navigation Edmunds, a published reference

Figures

• Built: At BMW's plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina CarGurus, a published reference
• Production: From 1 September 1999 to 22 September 2006 A published reference
• Shared parts: Hill descent control from the Range Rover L322, and engines and electronics from the E39 5 Series A published reference
• 4.6is colours: Black, Imola Red, Estoril Blue and Titanium Silver only, with 20-inch wheels and bigger brakes A published reference
• Towing: Up to 6,000 lb in 2004 to 2006 Edmunds

Years and what changed

1. 2000

   The X5 goes on sale in the US as the 4.4i V8. CarGurus, a published reference

2. 2001

   A lower-priced 3.0i with an inline-six joins the 4.4i, and rear-door sunshades, heated rear seats and a Sport Package are offered. Edmunds

3. 2002

   The 4.6is arrives with a 340 hp V8, the 4.4i rises to 290 hp, and hill descent control is improved and trailer stability control added. Edmunds

4. 2003

   No change recorded

5. 2004
   Refresh

   A facelift brings new headlights and xDrive all-wheel drive. The 4.6is is dropped for the 4.8is, the 4.4i gets a new Valvetronic V8 and a six-speed automatic, and the 3.0i a six-speed manual. Edmunds, a published reference

6. 2005

   Front lumbar supports and automatic climate control become standard. Edmunds

7. 2006

   No major changes in the last year of the first X5. Edmunds

Watch out

Faults owners and the press report, and how to spot each one.

• Takata airbag recalls All years

  Check: Make sure the driver's airbag recall was done, above all on a car with the sports steering wheel.

  CarGurus says a buyer of a 2000 to 2004 X5 must make sure the airbag problem was fixed. NHTSA lists Takata inflators in the sports steering wheel that can explode, with owners told not to drive until they are replaced. NHTSA, CarGurus

• Self-leveling rear suspension failure All years

  One source so far

  Check: See that the rear sits level and at the same height after a drive.

  CarGurus calls the self-leveling rear suspension notoriously prone to failure. CarGurus

• Oil burning and leaks on the N62 V8 2004–2006

  One source so far

  Check: Look for blue smoke at a cold start and oil around the valley under the intake.

  Euro Premium Parts says worn valve stem seals make the N62 burn oil, usually between 80,000 and 120,000 miles, and that its valley pan gasket leaks between 100,000 and 150,000 miles. A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Cooling system failures All years

  One source so far

  Check: Look for cracks on the expansion tank and ask whether the water pump has been replaced.

  Euro Premium Parts says the plastic expansion tank cracks, usually between 70,000 and 90,000 miles, and that the M62's plastic-impeller water pump can fail suddenly. A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Transfer case wear All years

  One source so far

  Check: Feel for shudder in slow, tight turns, and ask whether the transfer case fluid was ever changed.

  Euro Premium Parts says the transfer case leaks and wears, above all when its fluid was never changed, usually between 100,000 and 150,000 miles. A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Window regulators All years

  One source so far

  Check: Run every window up and down.

  Euro Premium Parts calls failing window regulators, from worn plastic guides, a very common complaint on every E53. A seller's guide (unofficial)

Recalls

Newest first. Ask the seller for proof the work was done, or check the VIN with NHTSA.

• 2000–2001 Recall 25V748000

  The sports steering wheel's Takata airbag inflator can explode as its propellant degrades. Owners are told not to drive until dealers inspect and replace the driver's airbag. NHTSA

• 2000–2004 Recall 19V015000

  The sports steering wheel's airbag inflator can explode as its propellant degrades. Owners are told not to drive until dealers inspect and replace it. NHTSA

• 2001–2003 Recall 17V047000

  A replacement driver's airbag inflator can rupture as its propellant degrades. Owners are told not to drive until dealers inspect and replace it. NHTSA

• 2003 Recall 15V318000

  Moisture can get into the driver's dual-stage airbag, whose inflator can then rupture. Owners are told not to drive until dealers replace the airbag. NHTSA

• 2006 Recall 13V564000

  The front passenger seat's occupant detection mat can fatigue and crack, so the passenger airbag may not deploy as it should. Dealers repair the mat. NHTSA

Owning

What owners and buyers say

• Sought after

  A 3.0i with the M54 six 2001–2006

  Euro Premium Parts calls the 3.0i the most dependable E53 and the clear choice for ease of ownership, and Edmunds' 2006 page says the six-cylinder X5s are the ones most often recommended for lower-risk ownership. CarGurus also suggests a low-mileage six. Edmunds, CarGurus, a seller's guide (unofficial)

• Watch for

  A 2004 to 2006 V8 without records 2004–2006

  Less sought after One source so far

  Euro Premium Parts says the facelifted V8s with the N62 need careful inspection for valve stem seal wear and oil leaks, and calls the N62 the most complex engine in the E53. A seller's guide (unofficial)

Maintenance

• Engine oil and filter All years

  Replace every 5,000 miles, per a parts seller. Euro Premium Parts says every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, and to check the N62's oil at every fill-up A seller's guide (unofficial)

  Ask the seller: Ask for oil change records.

• Transfer case and differential fluid All years

  Replace every 60,000 miles, per a parts seller A seller's guide (unofficial)

  If it was skipped: Euro Premium Parts says many cars never had it done, which speeds up wear.

• Water pump, thermostat, expansion tank and hoses All years

  Replace at 80,000 miles, per a parts seller. Euro Premium Parts says to do them together around 80,000 to 100,000 miles A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Spark plugs All years

  Replace every 45,000 miles, per a parts seller. Euro Premium Parts says every 45,000 to 60,000 miles A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Brake fluid All years

  Replace every 2 years, per a parts seller A seller's guide (unofficial)

Warranty when new