- suv 161,408
- 1,359 below average
- 5,995 good
- Rialto, CA
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- autoshopper.com
- 1,359 below average suv 161,408 grey automatic
2004 bmw x5 review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Freshened styling and a new 4. 8is model. introductionothers have followed, but the bmw x5 invented a class. As bmw's 3 series defines the sport sedan, the x5 defines an expanding group of big, powerful suvs that shine for their on-pavement agility and lightning acceleration, with an emphasis on luxury appointments. Climb out of a truck-based luxury suv like the cadillac escalade, and the x5 feels as capable on the road as the big bmw 7 series sedan (even though it isn't). improvements for 2004 are more extensive than any since the x5 was introduced five years ago. And a new high-performance 4. 8is model has been added to the lineup. logic? The x5 is 2. 5 tons of speed, comfort and prestige. It's quicker away from traffic lights than most cars, and capable of nearly 150 mph, though we certainly don't recommend driving a vehicle this tall that fast. Its steering is precise and it's exceptionally stable at supra-legal speeds. Massive tires contribute to impressive cornering grip and stopping power. A big v8 delivers the ultimate x5 thrill, but it's also available with an outstanding six-cylinder. that trademark bmw twin-kidney grille indicates its owner is successful. It also indicates bmw's reputation for quality and driving excitement. Moreover, the x5 delivers most of the attributes that made suvs popular in the first place. It works well in foul weather and easily negotiates muddy trails. It looks tough and polished at the same time. now let's get back to logic. Bmw says the x5 is designed for all roads, meaning superhighways, graded gravel or logging trails. In fact, the x5 is not capable off road, not when measured against sport-utilities that are capable. Though it handles well for an suv, its weight and height simply won't allow it the quick transient response of a sport sedan or sport wagon in the same price range. Compared to other bmws, the x5 is not the ultimate driving machine, and its fuel mileage is poor in comparison. It also costs more than some comparably equipped, very good luxury suvs. for 2004, the x5's look has been freshened, with a redesigned front end, new taillights and new wheel designs. Mechanically, both manual and automatic transmissions have been upgraded to six-speeds, with a more powerful v8 and a new, more sophisticated all-wheel-drive system called xdrive. There's more standard equipment, including rain-sensing wipers and a power passenger seat in all models, and new options like heated rear seats on the six-cylinder x5. New for 2004 is bmw assist, a telematic system with automatic accident notification and other premium services. forget rational vs. While the 3. 0i and 4. 4i have added standard equipment and more technology for 2004, their prices reflect an increase of $1,445 and $2,245 respectively compared to 2003, keeping with bmw's trend toward some of the biggest prices increases in the auto industry this year. the x5 3. 0i is powered by bmw's classic 3. 0-liter inline-6 engine, producing 225 horsepower. Standard equipment includes adjustable power front seats with driver's position memory electronically tagged to the key, remote keyless entry, power windows that can be opened with the key fob, cruise control, cabin-air filtration, a universal garage door transmitter, 17-inch alloy wheels and a tow-hitch receiver. For 2004, the standard manual transmission has been upgraded to a six-speed, while the leatherette (vinyl) upholstery remains. the x5 4. 4i adds bmw's powerful 4. 4-liter v8 engine, which adds 33 horsepower this year for a total of 315, matched with a new six-speed automatic. The 4. 4i is now almost as powerful as last year's 4. 6is. The 4. 4i also adds dual-zone climate control with rear-seat adjustments, leather upholstery, self-leveling air suspension and 18-inch wheels. the new x5 4. 8is is an ultra high-performance model that features a 4. 8-liter v8 engine that produces 355-horsepower and 360 pounds-feet of torque, coupled with a six-speed steptronic automatic transmission. It comes with 20-inch w-rated performance tires (275/40 front and 315/35 in the rear). The moonroof, for example, can be ordered separately 1,059), but it's also included in the premium package, which also adds auto-dim mirrors, adjustable rear seat backs, lumbar support, an onboard computer and the bmw assist telematics package to the 4. 4i 2,500), plus leather to the 3. 0i 3,900). The sport package 2,500 for the 3. 0i, $1,600 for 4. 4i) includes a firmer sport suspension, sport steering wheel, 18-inch alloy wheels (for the 3. 0i), sport seats, black chrome exhaust and a titanium colored grilled. The cold weather package 750) includes heated front seats, ski bag and headlight washers. The rear climate package 600 for the 3. 0i, $400 for 4. 4i) brings rear privacy glass, rear side-window blinds and rear climate control adjustment for the 3. 0i. Popular stand alone options include a five-speed automatic transmission 1,275) and the bi-xenon headlamps 800) for the x5 3. 0i, and a premium stereo with 12 speakers, two subwoofers and digital signal processing 1,200). A retractable load floor 380) and satellite navigation 1800) are extra-cost options on all x5 models. Bmw assist 750) provides telematic collision notification, an sos button, roadside assistance, locator and concierge services. An annual subscription 240) must be paid after the first year. all x5s come with full-time all-wheel drive and dynamic stability control, which includes traction control, electronic brake proportioning, an electronic stability program, and hill descent control. passive safety was a major development goal for the x5, which can be ordered with no fewer than eight airbags. Each front-seat occupant gets a front airbag, a side thorax airbag and a curtain-style head protection airbag. Bmw's head protection system extends these curtains the full length of the cabin, protecting outside rear passengers as well. Rear-seat side impact airbags are optional 385). Moreover, the x5's unit-body has been design for maximum energy dissipation in heavy impacts. According to bmw, it performed better than any vehicle ever tested by the insurance institute for highway safety (iihs) in its 40-mph offset crash test, which simulates the most. walkaroundthe 2004 bmw x5 feature freshened styling cues, though no one is likely to mistake it for something other than the familiar x5. From the windshield forward, all of the sheet metal is new for 2004. Side by side with a 2003 x5, the changes for 2004 are noticeable. there's no question who builds this vehicle. The bmw x5 looks like a 5 series wagon on steroids, and is remarkably close to the wagon in overall size. From its kidney-shaped grille to its multi-segmented tail lights, the curvy x5 is all bimmer. The slope of the tailgate matches that on the 5 series wagon. The major difference is that the x5 is 10 inches taller than the 5 series wagon, which creates a key component of its sport-utility character. Large-diameter wheels with low-profile tires enhance its aggressive appearance. the new bmw x5 4. 8is sports a unique front air dam, body kit, and huge wheels and tires. truck-based suvs, such as the mercedes-benz m-class, are built with a separate body bolted onto a boxed ladder frame. The x5, however, uses a monocoque body shell like that of a regular sedan. This unit-body construction provides a much stiffer structure, which improves handling, reduces noise and allows better fit and finish, though many consider the design less rugged and durable. The x5 is not the first unit-body suv, and many more have followed. With a few notable exceptions (such as the jeep grand cherokee), unit-body suvs tend to be like the x5, with on-pavement performance taking precedence over off-road ability. interiorthe x5 has a great interior. Typically bmw, it's all business and no nonsense, but it's also very luxurious. The 3. 0i comes standard with leatherette (vinyl) upholstery, but leather is an option. The door handles have a nice brushed-aluminum finish, and the soft plastic surfaces feel more like leather. The switchgear is ergonomically well designed. Available steering wheel controls allow a number of adjustments, including climate, stereo and integrated phone without removing a hand from the wheel. despite the x5's high seats, many drivers will drop the bottom cushion down, and that can obscure much of the exterior from view, not to mention stuff located a few feet around it. Cruise Control✔ Climate Control✔ Power Windows✔ Front Airbag✔ Sport Package✔ Sunroof/Moonroof✔ Climate Package✔ Alloy Wheels
5,995 Rialto, CARialto, CA at autoshopper.com