I Take It Back: The Original E53 BMW X5 Was Actually Pretty Good. (4.8iS) 

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The only reason I've never had one is the tax here in Ireland is horrific! They're a timeless design, still gorgeous 20 years on!

It's basically first modern not body on frame SUV that drove pretty much like a car.

I think these have aged really well, much better than majority of SUVs, to be honest BMWs do get better with age, they just don’t look dated.

Picked up an 05 3.0d in Perth Australia a few years ago....$4500 ...unbelievable car...practical...reliable and great for towing....highly recommended

One of the best cars out there, I've had a silver 4.6IS , an Estoril Blue and a Sterling Grey 4.8IS ! Wifey called it dirty because that's exactly what it did; it sounded dirty !!!

The best line you have ever said in video so far "if this car could talk it would need therapy" love it keep up the great work JM

I love these reviews of the early 2000’s cars….amazing how much has changed. Thank you, as always, James!

I currently own an 05 (facelift) 3.0D. I love it. Ticks all the right boxes for me. Surprisingly reliable at 365k km. Bought it to replace a 2019 Seat Leon which I hated.

We had a 53 plate 4.6is and absolutely loved it. The look of disappointment from a Boxster owner as we cruised past him when trying to show off to his girlfriend was funny.

I have a 2005 4.8is… with beautiful ivory leather. Having done 120,000 miles in an E39 530d I can happily say the build quality is similar. Me and my family have done 50,000 miles in it over the last 5 years including a COVID trip on the NC500 with 2 kids 1 dog and 3 bikes onboard. It’s now part of the family. We have “replaced” it with a Range Rover L405 4.4 Autobiography which is a different class. But the X5 is staying with us until a stupid bill kills it off… the valley pan coolant leak and valve stem seals have still not reared their heads. Sounds as good as a Tuscan when you are on the outside and it’s fired up… Love the fact you’ve done a video on this thing Jay.

Frank Stephenson is one of the most underrated designers of all time, here in Spain we even are proud of him being half 'Malagueño'!

Well I owned a 4.8is.. lovely car when it wasn’t broken which wasn’t very often.. everything broke everything!!! This was the only car to ever defeat me, the sound, power and interior are brilliant.

I owned a 2006 3.0 diesel E53 BMW X5 from 2009 to around 2012 and can’t really think of a bad thing to say about it. Ours was used as a family vehicle and with young kids was given a really hard life. The steering wheel finish peeling off was common to them all at the time for some reason. I used to like the exhaust whistle on acceleration. Other than that, a great all round vehicle.

JayEmm, you are sooooo RIGHT!!! My 2003 E53 X5 pre-face lift 4.4i still resides in my garage next to a 958 Cayenne S. (I did not care much for the early Cayenne design but I'm quite fond of this 958.) Anyhow, the E53 4.4i was at some point accompanied by a 4.8iS that I still miss dearly. The 4.4i now has nearly 160k miles and is a daily for my kids' college commutes. Its size is perfect for any parking situation. However, I had the trans out at 93k miles due to a broken torque converter that also caused an o-ring failure in the gearbox. A complete refresh has held up well. At 135k miles it was laid up for 2 years with a bunch of oil leaks but eventually I found time to extract the sub-frame with the engine and gearbox. Resealed the motor and replaced the chain guides as well updated the VANOS. Since then I went through three ABS modules and the front drive shaft issue. The monitor screen failed, the fuel pump broke and the front door window clips broke as well. The drivers' side door handle carrier broke. Over the years I replaced several drive shaft boots and all rubber components in the suspension and keep refreshing them frequently..... Recently did a 1000 mile round trip to Toronto, CA, in it as I needed something that could handle the snow and would be easy to park. It performed without any problem. This car is pampered and always parked indoors. We still like it a lot and it is driven frequently but I am pining for a 4.8iS :-)

Love these. Think they have aged really well

Brilliant cars. So solid and extremely reliable other than the door handle frames that are made from chocolate! Great road presence. Excellent handling for the type. A great size (not too big). Really hard car to replace 👍

No doubts - one of the best bimmers out there ever!

Love you channel… and thx for the revisit to the past. I personally have owned more than 80 cars… but my favorite to this day is still my old e53 facelift turbo diesel ❤

I've got a cheap and tatty 2003 3.0d bought in a hurry to replace an ancient Disco that expired one winter. Pulls horseboxes, drags a harrow up and down a couple of acres and acts as a commuter bus. I only drive it occasionally and have always though it's ok to drive rather than great, but certainly a step up from the Disco. Until the other week when I drove an XC90 and realised just how good it was by comparison. Sizewise, the E53 is actually slightly shorter than the E39 Touring which, in today's terms, makes it tiny. Regarding being a jacked up E39, it sort of is. The suspension is mostly modified E39 - same suspension arms etc with different geometry but then occasionally there's something that's completely different. BMW are very good at modifying things that need changing but leaving stuff well alone if they don't need to fiddle.

I bought a project second gen X5 with the N52 and out here in the western US, these things are great. They can do most of the trails I want to do and can get you to some pretty wild campsites in extreme comfort and style. They may not be “true” off roasters, but they are significantly more capable than most people are comfortable with. It definitely gets some stares on the dunes 😂

Excellent revue, James. Sadly you are correct. There is not a single BMW I would covet at present.

Mate of mine has a 6cylinder pre-facelift with 250+miles on it. Great car to drive, in terms of comfort. Would love to get a manual one one day if possible. Seems like a cool oddbal car to have.

Mate of mine had a 4.8 and it was a legendary car apart from the horrendous mpg… he still misses it today.

The perfect car for your best friend to own. Not your problem but you get to drive it on occasion

A fair review, I have an 06 4.4 which I bought 6 yrs ago and I love. It was cheap to buy and has been cheap to run. 12ltr per hundred is pretty good for a big car. Effortless drive and handles well. Performance is good. Disappointing build quality for items like the window regulators and door handles - I’ve replaced both 2x on the front doors. 350,000 km on the clock, I think that it is a great car.

This N62 engine is basically the same unit as you'll find on Morgan Aero Coupe and Morgan Plus 8 of 2014. Would be fun if you can get your hands on both (or even better, an AeroMax).

I have an e53 w 172k. Got an f15 and gave it to my wife. E53 is wonderful

Ufff that sound ! Love it

Absolutely spot on with the door handles- the front handles are a yearly replacement on mine - everyone forgets to lift them when opening- top video!!

Great video, and also amazing presentation James 👌

Today Jayemm learns competence doesn’t necessarily replace charm and the long inevitable march of progress isn’t always worth the loss of character in modern things

beautiful little car. The sound is really great

Ive always liked this generation of X5, they just look right imo. Even growing up these were cool. And they have the fortune of having came out when BMW was at its peak in both terms of styling and maybe even mechanically in modern times. The late 90s and the first half of the 2000s was truly BMW's peak, what followed got worse and worse in my opinion. I also look at nice examples of these every so often. I wouldnt long term own one, but I do want to experience one. Especially since it wouldnt be my only car.

Yup > my middle class local drug dealing Mother loved hers...

I have a lemans blue sport edition x5 e53 3.0d lci remap it's the best car ever it is so powerful never stops pulling. E53s are brilliant mate.

Like you I was never a big fan of SUV, until my wife bought one, and now I secretly love it, shhhhhhh don’t tell anybody tho.

interesting to see you solwly develope your affinity for SUVs, especially considering how much you used to hate stuff like that

2006 E53 X5 N62 4.4i In Australia cost me $5000aud. So far I have spent $1500 in parts and service consumables and I do all work myself. Problems were Timing chains/ vanos solenoids water pump and not being serviced properly. Front drive shafts Disks and brakes pads replaced. The motor had the usual oil leaks, it also had odd tyres so another $1200aud on a new matching set. So all up it cost $7700. Here in oz a good V8 one will cost you $10000. The interior is ok everything works including the sunroof and it also has a kickass aftermarket Android touchscreen entertainment system. For the money I have spent I am happy with what I have got.

My 2006 e53 3.0 x5 has 200,000 milesnwith minimal maintenance.

I had a 2007 X5 4.8is and loved it . The sound from that V8 is no joke and the handling was incredible especially when considering the size and height. I often wouldn't listen to music on my comute instead I would listen to that glorious engine and exhaust note. Unfortunately as it aged the maintenance costs ( and I quickly dumped the dealership and found a private mechanic when the warranty and service plan came to an end) basically equated to $300 - 500 a month , depending upon what my mechanic needed to do to keep it running... Too bad Lexus hasn't built an SUV as engaging, chances are with Lexus's reputation for reliability I would still be driving such a vehicle

I had a 4.8is for about 3 years, oh god I really miss it, one of the best sounding cars

I have a X5 3.0i 06' model.... 20'' wheels, air ride front and back, heated seats front and back and sunroof. Couldn't be happier with the car, having installed a speed booster on the gas pedal +a tune the car makes around 250hp which is plenty for city driving + small trips. Also, double windows front and back make it soooo much quieter inside than a stock car, plus converted to lpg makes it super economical for a daily driver. Parking is a problem though, if you do not have your own parking space it would be hard to park on a daily basis around city neighbourhood.

Magical video.

Hello had mine from new 62000 miles Still drives and sounds mint they need valve seals at about 10 years old which is quite a big job

Refresh the suspension (not anywhere near as costly as you'd expect--cheap in fact) and it will handle beautifully. Same thing for the brakes. I bought one for ridiculously little money. Replaced all the worn suspension bits (about $600 worth of parts). New rotors and pads probably $400 +/-). Fixed the usual cooling reservoir/hoses/water pump and a few sensors here and there. Replaced the usual leaking valve cover gaskets, so probably another $500 +/- worth of sensors, hoses, gaskets and plastic cooling system bits. With all of that sorted out, it is now one of the top three vehicles I've owned. Not sporty like the old Porsches, but comfortable, reliable and very enjoyable to drive.

It's a masterpiece man

I remember when my Dad had a dark blue 4.8is. To me when I was younger, the noise it made was amazing

I've still got the 3l diesel e53 21 yrs old absolutely love it . I'll hate the day it fails completely, although I'd still probably rebuild it , and here's the kicker ..mine seems to repair its own parts .water pump as an example started leaking 4yrs ago ..then stopped leaking and is still going , fuel transfer pump packed up. Then fixed itself , I'm calling it Christine now .

I just find comments like "360hp in a 2 1/4 ton 4x4 is not adequate" totally out of touch. It's not a super car mate ffs! I have a 163bhp in my XC90 which must weigh about the same. It is pretty slow compared to any performance car but i don't care, it tows well, returns reasonable fuel economy, carries alot and is comfortable and dependable in all weathers. If someone offered me more power at the expense of fuel economy i would run a mile (no pun intended). It absolutely has adequate power. And just to show the flip, one of my other cars is an RX8, it already has terrible fuel economy but if someone offered me more power for even worse MPG i would bite their hand off. As much as i respect your reviews James, sometimes you seem to come from a place where you're not really reviewing the car for what it actually is, not everyone is an annoying red Ferarri owner believe it or not..... Oh and the intro music is still absolutley gash!

So wish i could get a diesel one here in the states. Love my 06 3.0i. So easy and cheap to work on. Cant understnd how much shops charge when everything really seems quite easier than most american cars i have serviced.

I agree with the lifted e39, i own both and 💯 agree with that description

My Dad purchased a 2006 4.4i in 2009. I drove it every once and a while while in college in 2012-2015....Man I miss that car dearly! I was rear ended by a Ford Explorer and totaled in 2016....May buy another.

Just love these, yes they are expensive to run, and maintain , but what a lot you get for your money, i personally love these there is nothing quite like them on the road nowadays, i dont like the more modern x5s they are just not the same.

In-line 6, manual trans... the search is on!

Had a 2003 4.4i X5 back in 2005 bought with 10k miles, sold it in 2011 with 160k on it. Didn't go without its faults - the chain tensioner snapping and throwing the chain into the block was nice, as were leaking rear lights and problematic rear suspension. Either way, loved the car and enjoyed every single mile in it. It replaced a Volvo 850 T5 which... was bloody terrific too!

It is one of the best looking SUVs ever.

great looking car 20 years on

I had the 2006 3litre diesel, and the only failure I had was the front air springs. It always felt a very solid car, and was an excellent tow vehicle. However the rear end was compromised. The drop down tailgate prevented you from reaching anything in the boot that was up against the rear seats. The boot was also too small with the rear seat backs raised. If the battery needed to be disconnected, this involved removing the heavy spare wheel, which was an unusual exercise in itself. I sold it in the end, as it was too uncomfortable as the sport version on 19” wheels on our dreadful local roads.

Time really does fly, I remember being disappointed when I first saw the pictures, then wanting one when I test drove the first one in at our local dealership, now I drive the next shape - e70 and it’s too old to drive in London without having to pay! ..but, I guess that’s another story..

I have a 2001 x5 3.0 and a 04 x5 4.4i e53s and I really like them. I bought them cheap and did a little work on them and the 4.4 is my project and the 3.0 is for every day.

Sounds sweet on the move😊

That's Taylors old car! (best known from the Autoalex channel)

BMW did make an "M" prototype. V12 powered 😛

I had the oportunity to buy a '02 3.0 very cheap with idea of selling it on amd making a few $. But it's so good, I'm keeping it! Far better and nicer to drive than our current cars which are only a few years old.

I had an exceptional 2006 4.8is, quite a few videos on my other channel or just search in RU-vid and it’s up near the top.

I have a BMW x5 2005 e53 4.8is and it's awesome! I've even converted it to run on LPG and it's so good! I love my X5!

I remember Vicky butler Henderson driving one on 5th gear remarking how car like it drove on the track

Exactly! That one was the best!!!

I love my 4.8is

I’ve had one for 10 years. And I’ve had a Cayenne… I will not part with my V8 X5 but I am searching for the right Cayenne turbo to go with it. What’s cool about E53 X5’s is that you rarely see another coming the other way. The steering wheel on the facelifts always wear like that.. Also the 5 speed was / is a ZF box not GM.

This facelift is my favourite x5

U have changed James you have gone all SUV 😂😂😂

I had a 2004 4.4 sport. Extremely great car I thought! Certainly loads better than the 2010 ml I have now that’s for sure

Still a great car

Old car aged well, or new car getting worst? 😅

Nice SILVER wheels James!

Always loved the original x5. Only bmw suv that ever appealed to me.

I’ve owned this model for the past 4 years. Everything you said is spot on. One other thing they are great for is long long drives though. Good torque, epic at 140/150 km/h , and handle better when full of my wife’s luggage 😂 Yes - I paid $11000 (Aussie) and have spent another $7000… but every time we go to sell it the damn thing impresses us again and we keep it. My favourite era is late 90’s early 2000’s. Missus is partial to smoking SS Commodores in sport mode away from traffic lights. Also… it’s so nondescript, you can drive like a wanker and never be noticed or remembered 😅

This thing could be had with a manual! 😍

I have to correct you as a few BMW, including X5 E53 owner. Prefacelift E53 IS also had a 20" wheels, just different style ones. Interiors are almost identical on these, bit different materials. And only mechanical big working difference on the 4wd system is the transfer box, which has a clutch to lock 1 wheel on each axle. After that the braking system locks the wheels to equal the power as it does on prefacelift ones without xDrive. Biggest wins for facelift are practically the automatic gearbox go be 6 gear one instead of GM's 5 and a soft close tailgate. Other stuffs are more minor, many things are identical. Btw I think that car would already need a suspension refreshment with those km's, or a check atleast. And OEM is the way to go in my books :) Only thing I would avoid with these is a rust and bad service history. Gearbox needs an oil change bethween like 60-80t km. And if your diesel one is with GM gearbox, it does not durable more torque as it has a stock :) Prefacelift non-xDrive 4wd is much better than early E46's for example. My dad has E83 with the xDrive which is practically identical, and it does not perform better on a snowy road than prefacelift E53. Overall it's a great car, but as any other BMW; don't get the cheapest one and expect it to be as good as expensive ones. Regards from Finland.

Probably control arm bushes for the wobble...had them on mine and my E39 M5,you can decent ones online.The X5 you didn't mention was also built in the USA,so not quite an E39 on stilts.

J BMW showed once concept of this generation X5 in a version LM (Le-Man’s), which had a v12 engine ands was drivable, I remember, they (BMW) show even some videos doing some circuits💨💨💨 Keep in mind!

I have owned many different BMW V8s over the years, but my E53 LCI 4.4 was by far the best sounding of them all. I had a E64 LCI 650i convertible with essentially the same engine, and it really annoyed my that the X5 sounded *so* much sportier than the convertible.

a very good looking car indeed

The 6 cylinder pre face-lift had the gm transmission the 4.4 had zf 5 speed and the 4.6 had a different variant of the transfer case than either of the previous two mentioned.

I am thinking about one of these, basically because I want a e39 m5 but can’t find a good one so this will Be a good stop gap

Still love the E 53 shape is proper man vehicle full of testosterone feel

Had a 52 plate x5 wow what a car drove lovely fast as f;;k I will own another e53 superb engineering crap bushes replace them and smile into another petrol/diesel station lol

Owned a 4.4i V8 as my daily driver for 10 years. Underrated cars albeit requiring more ongoing maintenance than some vehicles. Heavy on wear to suspension. Various engines over the years but each can still have their own issues. Research, thorough inspection plus a good relationship with a decent BMW indy can help. Budget for £1k+ p/a for maintenance plus consumables depending on mileage. Buy based on maintenance history over wish list spec. If wanting a more reliable soft roader & less bills maybe buy a RAV4.

6:03 didn‘t knew these had air suspension with ride height control!

i've been driving a 2003 4.6is daily for 10 years. i'll be honest. buying it was a compromise. it can canyon carve, but not as well as a sedan. it can blast off the line and snap your head back, but not as well as a muscle car. it can tow a lot, but not as much as a heavy duty truck. and it looks good, but not as good as a sports car. it can commute, but not as well as a honda. i was not a bmw guy when i bought my X5. i was looking for something that would do a variety of things. i wanted a muscle car that could also sit 5 people if needed, and tow a boat if needed. i also wanted to sit a little higher because i was tired of low cars you can't see over traffic in. and i wanted something that looked cool. as a compromise it has done the job very well. i think the most surprising aspect is how much fun it is to canyon carve in. i like taking it out at night when no cars are around and hitting some corners along a long and lonesome road.

Remember the one-off X5 Le Mans. V12 with a manual

Just purchased 2006 with 5-speed?! And M54. Surprisingly great. Will never part from this truck!!!!

Funny they made the LM that is mental.

These sound and drive ridiculously good. And I’d have one over any Range Rover anyday.

I’m getting 24mpg in my R53 Mini, surprised to see moving to a 4x4 with a V8 isn’t a huge difference lol

7:24 what an easter egg!

Show us the exhaust! We want to see it!

Keep the old cars running long as possible , this is saving and save the pollution, I don’t come to naval vassal power ther is politics