X5 [Official] BMW X5 (F15)


The BMW X5 is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV produced by BMW. The X5 made its debut in 1999 as the E53 model. It was BMW's first SUV. BMW marketed the X5 officially as a "Sports Activity Vehicle" (SAV), rather than an SUV, to indicate its on-road handling capability despite its large dimensions.
Without a doubt the very worst angle indeed


It's rather sad given how athletic the previous two generations were. X4 and X6 will clearly take on the roles of being the dynamic SUVs while the X3 and X5 retire as non-descriptive utilitarian SUVs. The new shape is long, rather than boxy like the outgoing model. I actually had to look closely at the license plate to ensure myself that I'm looking at an X5 and not an X3.
 
I actually had to look closely at the license plate to ensure myself that I'm looking at an X5 and not an X3.

Not me, because I think the rear and rear 3/4 are far, FAR better resolved on the X3.

I will keep saying it, and I am pretty sure this is what happened:

Palbay kept saying he saw two different X5 models being tested in South Carolina. Both the same, but with a slightly different rear. I think BMW was testing a last minute solution where marketing wanted a '7 seater', when the car originally was a regular 5 seater.
And in the end, the ugly version with more space inside won. So we got the awkward back with ugly D pillar and 'air blades' (or whatever they are called).

What do you think? Maybe @Palbay can have his say too!
 
^ Also reckon the rear 'window' is thing that is making it look a bit odd.
4907020da5d7253791846d74aa4d3fa1.webp

To increase the headroom available for the third row they've reduced the rake of the rear window making it straighter and in the process ballooned the area above the rear lights.
 
^ Also reckon the rear 'window' is thing that is making it look a bit odd.

To increase the headroom available for the third row they've reduced the rake of the rear window making it straighter and in the process ballooned the area above the rear lights.

Spot on. The rear window should have simply followed the shape of the D pillar, and everything would have been alright.
No airblades, the window as raked as the actual D pillar.

They have somehow pushed the whole window outwards, creating space for people to sit in the boot. Utterly retarded.
I think Palbay saw models being tested with, and without this 'feature'. It sadly became a standard feature on all cars, and not some option for people who wanted a 7 seater.
 

This angle shows it off best, they not only reduced the rake on the rear window but they ballooned the metal work above the rear lights and the only logical reason I see for this is to increase 3rd row seating headroom. I commend them for getting a 3 row in without increasing the overall wheelbase but I agree with Klier that since it appears nothing other than the boot door is effected why not offer this as part of the 7 seater option and retain it's sleeker looks.

P.S.
Apart from that small failing IMO I am very please with how it looks and this wouldn't stop me considering one in the future.
 
The new shape is long, rather than boxy like the outgoing model.

I reckon this is due to having an increased wheelbase whilst retaining the same front and rear overhangs, probably an optical illusion rather than it overall dimensions changing much.
 
Not me, because I think the rear and rear 3/4 are far, FAR better resolved on the X3.

I will keep saying it, and I am pretty sure this is what happened:

Palbay kept saying he saw two different X5 models being tested in South Carolina. Both the same, but with a slightly different rear. I think BMW was testing a last minute solution where marketing wanted a '7 seater', when the car originally was a regular 5 seater.
And in the end, the ugly version with more space inside won. So we got the awkward back with ugly D pillar and 'air blades' (or whatever they are called).

What do you think? Maybe @Palbay can have his say too!

I agree 100% with this.

It´s the rear end, from every angle, what looks wrong on this car. It´s just FAT. It looks like a touring, not like a sporty SUV like the E70. You have those rearlights which are one of the worst rearlight design from BMW of the last 10 years, and that gigantic Hoff-Kink that is out of place.

And there is no LCI that can revolve that. The front end looks good, the interior too, and the lines on the profile are OK, but then you get to the rear end, and you just say "oh man, fire the designer".

X3 rear-end is the best of the entire BMW SUV line up. Though the X4, is it was not a SAC, has some nice ass too.
 
I wil shortly be posting the X5 eDrive which actually looks better because of its 21" wheels filling the arches.
 
Not me, because I think the rear and rear 3/4 are far, FAR better resolved on the X3.

I will keep saying it, and I am pretty sure this is what happened:

Palbay kept saying he saw two different X5 models being tested in South Carolina. Both the same, but with a slightly different rear. I think BMW was testing a last minute solution where marketing wanted a '7 seater', when the car originally was a regular 5 seater.
And in the end, the ugly version with more space inside won. So we got the awkward back with ugly D pillar and 'air blades' (or whatever they are called).

What do you think? Maybe @Palbay can have his say too!


Klier this is the post you are referring to :

1-dsc_5354-jpg.17438.webp


I've said in previous post there are big differences in the "Lines/Models" regarding the Rear Hatch area on the F15 X5. This photo speaks for itself. The Green (Front Car) almost looks like a Shooting Brake version of the F15 X5 vs the White (Rear Car). No trick photo...straight up shot. We'll see.......Thanks. PalBay
 
Wasn't there going to be a Joker err Sport version of the X5?

X5 Sport, like RR Sport to RR.

Was it catwomanned err cancelled ?
 
Here are X5s from the IAA, for the first time not sure if I like the Msport the most, usually I do.
The brown one is a 7-seater.

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Hi Scott
Please show us a picture of the New X5 equipped with the New 21' M Performance
Wheels. This car is driving in the IAA Loop . Thanks
 
Klier this is the post you are referring to :

1-dsc_5354-jpg.17438.webp


I've said in previous post there are big differences in the "Lines/Models" regarding the Rear Hatch area on the F15 X5. This photo speaks for itself. The Green (Front Car) almost looks like a Shooting Brake version of the F15 X5 vs the White (Rear Car). No trick photo...straight up shot. We'll see.......Thanks. PalBay

In my opinnion this is an optical illusion. In the first car the camouflage tape is taped on the window, but in the second photo it is taped on the upper rear spoiler casting a different kind of shaddow.
 

BMW

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, abbreviated as BMW is a German multinational manufacturer of luxury vehicles and motorcycles headquartered in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. The company was founded in 1916 as a manufacturer of aircraft engines, which it produced from 1917 to 1918 and again from 1933 to 1945.
Official website: BMW (Global), BMW (USA)

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