2001 BMW X5 e53 3.0i 5 speed manual review

Darth Vader

First of all it is genuine manual 5 speed manual. This beautiful model came straight from the Spartanburg, South Carolina factory in Europe! Now this featured car is located in Split, Croatia with me as it’s 3rd owner for around year and half. Nickname is Darth Vader (huge Star Wars fan).

X5 e53 was a first BMW’s SUV vehicle made. They looked up on to Land Rover and that may be the reason why X5 e53 has simillarities with LR. For example; 4WD drivetrain for 1999 to 2003 models. Later 2003-2006 models got the xDrive system. I personally prefer 4WD because 62 rear : 38 front power on wheels ratio which paired with manual transmission allows you to do RWD fun stuff.
Only 3.0i/d models came with 5(preLCI)/6(LCI) speed manual transmission as an option. I am lucky that i managed to find one and buy it. Plus, automatic transmissions on used e53s are problematic. Mostly because they are not regularly maintained by previous owners which leads to failure and expensive repair bills which i wanted to avoid. That is the main reason why i wanted a manual one.
M54B30 3.0 petrol engine with double VANOS unit at this model produces 231 horsepower at 5900rpms and 300Nm of torque at 3500rpms. Car itself weighs 2 tonnes. With this specifications this model from 0 to 100kph goes in 8.3 seconds which is not bad for 2001 SUV.
Tank capacity is 93 liters. Average consumption on paper is 13 liters but it climbs up to 15 liters of combined, which is kind of poor. Range with full tank is somewhere around 760-ish km.

Why manual? Because raceSUV

Jokes aside, picked manual because i love going through gears and they are not breaking down like automatics do. Simple as that! Plus only 5% of total production were manauls (around 9000).

How does it drive?

People often ask me how does it feel to drive an X5. I seriously don’t know the answer. Not because i truly don’t know, but because there are no words to describe. You just need to feel it. I can talk about days how it handles, is it quick, etc. But I won’t. You have to drive it yourself. Some say it is lifted e39, some say it is cow, some say it is fast. Is it? No.

I personally love the way it handles on 8.5x18 style 215 (square setup), but there is always room for improovement, with 10x20 and lowering. All i can say - it handles corners better than the W211 E-class! I think that should be clear enoguh with what SUV you are dealing.

Fast?
Define fast! It is as fast as 320ci e46, maybe a bit faster. If you are hunting for straight lines my advice would be to go with e53 3.0d LCI because 3.0i is slow cow.

Am i happy with the consumption?
NO.

What about mainteance?
Oh God please don’t ask me that question. Please! It is a BMW! If you are even considering asking this question, don’t buy one and spare the next owners, please! It is not your average everyday Fiat Punto.

“Factory faulties”
VANOS KICKED IN JAAAAAAAAA. Yes! You read that good! At around 200-ish thousand km these things tend to break down and you will need to rebuild it.
Door handle mechanisms tend to break too. You can open door from inside, but not from outside.
Rear ricer camber issue - because rear subframe
Automatic transmissions die at 200k km and need rebuilds
Around 300k km M54B30 needs rebuild
If you have panoramic roof (LCI models only have it), expect one day to see it fully opened alongside with windows, because BMW
Sunroof - because sunroof
Rear wiper engine, side windows engines, rear lock
Baaaaaaaaaaaaaagzzzz - because poorly done from factory, people tend to remove or reinforce OEM ones

Interior

Interior resembles on e46 with e39 elements. It is really comfortable. cosy “comfort package” seats, 2 zone automatic AC, heated seats, leather (which is awful at summer times), 16:9 Navi/TV/Multimedia and plenty of space front and back. Trunk has lots of space. X5s come with rear window shades for extra privacy too. OEM sound system is excellent so no need for ricing out with aftermarket sound system.

Legend among SUVs

When we speak about X5 e53, remeber this: X5 e53 LeMans. V12. 700whp. MONSTER. Still holds the record on Nürburgring as the fastest SUV ever made. Every e53 owner dreams about it. Pure evil on 4 wheels.

"Tell me I'm worth it"

Is it worth the money? Depends on what do you search for. For my needs definitely, but fuel consumption needs to be better, so that is why i am switching to the same X5 e53 chassis, but facelift 3.0 diesel.
You can’t drive this car class if your daily income is not around 80 euros.
When buying this car, you better don’t go with “oh look, 10k euros X5 - cheap” state of mind! You got to remember that yout are buying a car that cost brand new around 100000 euros and you have to maintain 100000 euros car.
My gig with this car so far has been one of the best gigs so far in my life. I have never thought i will be contaged with an X virus. Lots of love, money and mods are in this car to get over it that easy. From now on - if it has be 4 doors it must be an X5 or if 2 doors it has to be an ///M. All I can say: Sheer Driving Pleasure and The Ultimate Driving Machine ;) :)