2002 BMW X5 Review
Fuel Economy
13 - 16 mpg
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
If you've got too much money and desperately need the SUV image (but don't really care about SUV utility), the X5 will ring your bell.
Pros
Rides and drives like a BMW sedan, wide range of engine choices, top safety scores, loaded with luxury.
Cons
Limited off-road abilities, less interior volume than a cheaper 5 Series wagon.
What's New for 2002
A sports car-quick X5 4.6is makes its debut, boasting a 340-hp 4.6-liter V8 making 350 pound-feet of torque. The 4.4-liter V8 has been upgraded to make 290 horsepower, up from last year's 282. The X5 now offers such goodies as enhanced Hill Descent Control, trailer stability control and a self-leveling suspension. A CD player finally makes its way onto the standard equipment list.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
Mechanical Nightmare
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 2 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 2 |
| Fuel Economy: | 1 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2002 BMW X5 4.4i AWD 4dr SUV (4.4L 8cyl 5A)
Review
I purchased this car with 38K miles and have had it 3 years. It is a great car to drive and has tons of power. Downside, a mechanical nightmare. I had to have new brakes and rotors at 40K miles. Had the cooling expansion tank replaced, both power window motors replaced, door lock cylinder replaced, water pump replaced as well as all hoses and belts since they had it apart. Also had a bad tail light piece replaced, and one CV boot on the front axle replaced. It also wears tires out very quickly because of the negative camber that BMW installs on these things. Worst car I have ever owned mechanically.
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
Engine Gasket Problem
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 6 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 5 |
| Fuel Economy: | 3 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2002 BMW X5 4.4i AWD 4dr SUV (4.4L 8cyl 5A)
Review
Purchased a lightly used 2002 X5 which runs well except When the coolant light came on, $2000 dollars to replace gasket at 70K miles. Watch out BMW not taking responsibility for poor engineering. Found out this is a common problem with all of the 4.4L. BE CAREFUL!! OIL LEAKS TOO. Buy it cheap or stay away - learn from my mistake!
Favorite Features
Good driver
Suggested Improvements
Stand behind your product and back up mfg defects.
It's still a BMW
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 5 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 6 |
| Comfort: | 4 | Interior Design: | 6 | Reliability: | 5 |
| Fuel Economy: | 3 | Exterior Design: | 6 | ||
Vehicle
2002 BMW X5 3.0i AWD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 5M)
Review
We purchased our X5 to haul a family, and it's definitely an interesting compromise between sport and activity/utility. Agile for an SUV, when you drive it like a BMW, it's rewarding. The 3.0 lacks some punch for a car of this weight, but the mileage and agile handling still make it a good choice. BMW didn't package the X5 as a minivan substitute; it's still lacking the big-gulp capable cup holders and clever use of interior storage of dedicated family haulers, but again, this is a compromise when a driver needs a family car.
Favorite Features
Even standard features are great: HID headlights, rain-sensing wipers, privacy screens in the back, and of course the handling dynamics that put all but the sportiest SUVs (and many cars) to shame
Suggested Improvements
The Germans don't approve of cup-holders, and the X5 is still more driver-focused than comfort-focused. The new models address the 6 cylinder's power need, but it still seems the mileage could be a little better.
Good but not Great
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2002 BMW X5 4.4i AWD 4dr SUV (4.4L 8cyl 5A)
Review
I have this X5 with Sport Package as a compromise between owning a fast sedan and owning a practical family car. I save on insurance in MA by not having two cars. I have not been disappointed. It will go well over 120 mph when I want and it tows the boat to the cottage a couple times a summer too.
Favorite Features
Acceleration and handling. For an SUV this almost handles like a sedan. Nice interior. Great head and leg room, I am tall, and it has memory steering column, so it is easy to switch back and forth between my wife and me.
Suggested Improvements
Steering with the 4.4i is a bit heavy and isolated feeling from the road. 3.0i feels better, but I wanted the big engine. The X5 could use more cargo space.
Convincing my wife
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2002 BMW X5 4.4i AWD 4dr SUV (4.4L 8cyl 5A)
Review
This has been a great, but not troublefree, vehicle. Our first BMW. I had to convince my wife that she would enjoy this SAV. Now I cannot get her out of it. It has never stranded us, but we have gone to our dealer several times answering the "service engine soon" idiot light. This light has alerted us to a loose gas cap AND a bad catalytic converter. Both on the same idiot light. My wife uses automatic. I use manual shifting. It reminds me of my first car--a stick shift way back in the 1950s. Great cornering and passing power.
Favorite Features
4.4 liter engine. 5 speed manual/auto optional transmission. The two piece tailgate. Great fit and feel all around. In and out.
Suggested Improvements
A way too small sun visor. We live in the desert and the sun is always getting me from the side. Visor too short when swung around to the side window. More specific warning lights.
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
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