REVIEW
Gavin Foster
BMW X5 3.0i, from R370 000 BMW X5 3.0d, R391 000
We loved BMW’s X5 launched last year. The problem was that the price ticket of R471 000 for the 4,4 litre V8 model is a little rich for all but the very well-heeled. At the time it was believed that the three-litre petrol and diesel versions of the X5, when they arrived, would be the ones that would really sell.
Well, they’re here, and for nearly R100 000 less than the V8 versions, the six-cylinder X5s offer almost as much in the way of performance, comfort and safety as their more upmarket stablemate.
Powering the new X5 3.0i is BMW’s latest in-line six-cylinder three-litre petrol engine, recently launched in the 3 Series, 5 Series and Z3 ranges. With 170kW and 300Nm of torque on tap it moves the big wagon along at a fair old pace, with acceleration from zero to 100kph needing just 8,8 seconds, and a top speed of a smidgen more than 200kph being attainable.
Following the lead of BMW’s V12 and V8 engines, the six cylinder also has a fully electronic throttle that eliminates the need for any mechanical link between the gas pedal and the butterfly. Maintenance too is simplified the camshafts, chain drives and ancillary V-belt drives need no attention at all for the life of the engine and valve clearances are self-adjusting by means of a hydraulic mechanism. The transmission and final drive oil are lifetime filled, while the air filters and spark plugs require replacement only after 100000km.
Importantly for those who might venture north of our borders, the engine management system recognises all fuel grades between 87 and 98 octane and adjusts the engine settings according to octane rating and fuel quality.
The X5 3.0i is fitted with a manual five-speed gearbox as standard, with BMW’s five-speed manually selectable Steptronic automatic gearbox as an option.
Second of the new models is the oil-burning X5 3.0d. BMW’s award-winning 2926cc diesel engine first debuted on the South African market in the 530d in December last year. It incorporates common rail direct fuel injection, a turbocharger with variable geometry, and four valves a cylinder. Developing 135kW at 4000rpm and 410Nm of torque at 2000rpm, the diesel X5 is only marginally slower than the petrol version, with zero to 100kph coming up in 10,7 seconds, and a top speed of 200kph being claimed. Until next year the X5 3,0d will be available only with the five-speed Steptronic auto transmission.
BMW offers two performance packages for the X5 range, allowing buyers to tilt the on/off road balance in favour of their particular needs. The activity package (R10 500) includes aluminium running boards, high-pressure headlamp washers, an extended load floor, Xenon headlights and all-terrain tyres. For those who prefer to burn up the tarmac the R15 000 sport package offers sports suspension settings, a sports steering wheel with multi-function buttons, 19” alloy rims with low profile tyres, sports seats for the driver and front passenger, and various small changes in interior and exterior trim. Standard specification levels are high for all models, as is the level of electronic traction aids with an entire alphabet soup of ABS, ADB-X, ASC-X, CBC, DBC, DSC and HDC being served up. Confused? Me too, but for those who want to know they stand for anti-lock brake system, automatic differential brake, automatic stability control, cornering brake control, dynamic brake control, dynamic stability control and hill descent control respectively. In effect, sensors detect what’s happening at each wheel and fiddle with the brakes and power delivery as soon as things seem to be getting out of control in any way. It all sounds rather intrusive, but it really isn’t, and most times you’re left unaware that there’s more computer technology involved in getting you around each corner than there was in getting the first men to the moon and back.
The standard versions of the BMW X5 3.0i manual and Steptronic automatic retail for R370 000 and R381000 respectively, while the X5 3.0d (initially available in Steptronic only) retails for R391 000.