Am I Wrong To Call The BMW X5 (E53) A Modern Classic?

Many of you may disagree with me, but I think the BMW X5 is on the right track to be a modern classic in the making. Debuted 25 years ago, this off-road sized, road-biased giant can be described as a bit of a trailblazer in my opinion. Offering something completely different to what was available at the time, the X5 defined a new genre that put driving enjoyment ahead of off road ability, and subsequently changed the motoring landscape forever.

Whether you love it or loathe it, without the X5, there'd likely be no Porsche Cayenne, Range Rover Sport and countless others. When you look at the BMW lineup in period, the e46 3 series, e39 5 series, and e38 7 series are gaining a bit of a cult following. So I ask, why not the X5?

Watch the full video to get a closer look as to why the X5 E53 might just a be a bit of a bargain buy, and potentially a shrewd investment in years to come.

[tcaudiobooks]

They've never bettered the original X5. It defied the laws of physics and drove like a sporty saloon car... which the follow ups never did.

[jonc]

My 2006 3.0 x5 in texas has 200, 000 miles. Runs perfectly fone still.

[cgoldrick]

I bought one of these at around 71, 000 miles last autumn, and I am shocked at how fun it is to drive, especially since my other vehicle is a lowered Golf R! It has taken a few trips to the shop for a new starter, valve cover gasket, brake lines, and rear calipers, but these trips are becoming less frequent. I have also replaced the pulleys, tensioners and accessory belts, as well as the oil filter housing gasket and VANOS feed line, doing my own work with a friend. It didn’t have a complete service history, and I have no idea how long the car sat or how well it was looked after. It seems it’s the first time in a long while anybody is showing it some love. I’m hoping that although I’ve paid as much money as the car cost that I can continue to enjoy it for a hundred thousand more miles as a camping and utility vehicle and keep the miles off of the R, until I sell that for an E46 or E92 M3. In any case, it feels like a modern classic to me! -Chris from the US

[pauljenkins]

Thanks for a great video, I would agree. I've had my 2002 (pre face-lift) 3.0d Sport for 8 years now. The Sport has a nicer interior (steering wheel and seats), don't see many around. It does everything I need it to; tows my rib with ease, including launching and recovering off the beach, can carry boards & gear on the roof (you don't get those side steps on the newer cars!) carries the family around in comfort, and is very refined and comfortable on a run, as you say, a nice place to be. 25mpg around town, nearer 35 on a long run, and everything still working as it should. I really prefer the understated and more purposeful styling of these cars, they have just gone way too bling with the new ones, and they aren't SUV at all any more. I wouldn't be able to think of one reason to change it ! Paul.

[ewebbytrailscout]

great video, I have a 2001 e53 3.0 gas with 270k miles in Arizona, had issues with oil leaks at about 140k, window regulators, coils at 220, control arms front every 80k as well as water pumps, learned to do my own repairs. Just replaced fan clutch, hoses, pulleys, thermostat. burns 1 quart every 700-1000 miles. Change oil every 8k. wax with P21 Carnuba wax every 4 months. akebono euro ceramic pads have lasted 165k miles and still 25% left. Check your transfer case and front drive shaft splines, replaced mine at 240k as they were halfway worn.

[onlinebizjp]

I believe X5 is a modern classic because it revolutionized the concept of the SUV. I'm really looking forward to your future videos. Thank you🙏

[leethomas]

4.6is owner here and fell in love with it straight away. Like you was meant to be a stop gap for a year or so but I dont think I will ever sell it now. So much fun to drive and being the 4.6 is very rare especially in my part of the world. Few common issues over the last 3 years like window reg and door handle but nothing major I have not been able to fix myself. Looking forward to more years of great motoring with this car and over time getting it mechanically perfect and fully restored. Overall its actually pretty mint but I am fussy.

[jamescampbell]

I own a TitanSilver/black interior 2003 4.4 Sport Pkg X5 with over 230k miles. August '03 production makes it one of the final pre-facelift/M62 V8 engine E53s.
The service dept guys at my local BMW dealership (Plano, Texas) told me I held onto the right X5.
I run staggered 19" HRE wheels w/ Vredestein Ultrac Vorti R tires in the summer (soft compound) and non-staggered OE 18"s w/ P-Zero all season tires in the winter. Did a 2k mile road trip (Dallas-Atlanta-Dallas) a few weeks ago. Ran flawlessly.
Hope to see 250k miles next year.

[chaosriddenyears]

i've been driving a 2006 3.0d e53 for 4 years right now and this car is nothing but a piece of perfection for its time. it still is more handsome than 90% of the SU(A)V's out there. when you press on the pedal the power and feeling is still there compared to the cars which were produced in the same era. i've had one small issue leading to a bigger one happen to me and it was a faulty injector causing the whole fucking piston to meltdown. because of that i had to get the whole engine renewed and overhauled. i've put 20k kms on it and it was worth every penny.

[andrewlloyd]

Hi, I'm the proud owner of a BMW X5 2005 e53 4.8is Automatic, since January 2023, I've had an LPG gas conversion, an xtrons head unit, 4 new tyres, rear windows tinted, new battery, coils, front and rear diffs serviced, atf and filter change, new id4motion instrument cluster, new complete rear light clusters, just been serviced, this car is legendary status, the 4.8 V8 burble is simply stunning, it's the best car I've ever owned, and it's just sailed the MOT, NO ADVISORIES!

[billsmith]

Just bought a 2003 x5 petrol I love it plenty of power and comfort

[annlue]

Just acquired an 03. Loving it. The first week I did the fuel pump, spark plugs and coils and it’s purring like a kitten.

[native-american]

The original X5 - 03 plate and earlier were basically an E39 with 4 wheel drive - the very pinnical of motoring for me. Got 2 and buying another to put away. They are built like tanks mechanicaly - a chipped 3.0D is rapid and 40mpg frugal. The new one I'm getting is a 3.0 petrol with only 60k on it - MANUAL 6 speed - fantastic cars!

[voodoocars]

I’ve had one for 10 years. Awesome for its age (2001). It has every option available at the time apart from the sliding boot floor. V8 and looks totally different from everything else on the road. I still use it virtually every day. Love it.

[daad]

Had mine for 16 years. Kept thinking of selling to make way for a new vehicle within this category.

You have just reminded me of why I kept putting it off and it’s my love for it. It’s an awesome car and a real looker.

Sometimes you take it for granted. This video has refreshed my passion for the X5 I have owned for almost 2 decades.

[skullbonegaming]

as a happy owner of a broken down X5 E53 2005 4.4 Sport, i can say: it may be expensive and more certainly not easy to maintain, but by far, it's the ultimate experience of driving and even with a not that much cost to buy.

and yes, it may take a few time and a good amount of money fixing, but it will be worthy it. that i guarantee for sure.

[davemills]

I have the 3.0d, 4.4 and 4.6. it's a love hate relationship. As time goes on I see less and less on the road and more people give them a second glance. A modern classic? Most definitely.

[mosesparedes-gubw]

Message from Australia.
Yes indeed it is a modern classic as I currently own a X5 with M54B30 engine and it’s a pleasure to drive and will keep it as long as the SAV decides to retire. It has plus mileage and still very agile and smooth driving.

[scorcha]

I was recently looking for a cheap car which i could use for tip runs and was offered one identical to yours including being a 3.0 petrol for £750. I was expecting it to be a heap of junk riddled with faults but it was by far the opposite. I cant believe how refined and well built it is. The plan was to run it around for a couple of months then get rid as i couldn’t see myself loosing any money on it but now i think i might just do a few maintenance bits on it and keep hold of it. Even if it was to break and i decided to break it for parts its a win win

[acs]

In Australia the petrols are surprisingly common. Maybe we were behind the times. That being said, I have the diesel model and it's great! I cant see how a petrol model would be more economical, and we have no tax on emissions here so thats not a problem. Add to that the 500nm of torque the diesel provides for towing, which is more than a lot of modern cars, and you have a great vehicle!