Imola Red 2004 BMW X5 4.8iS: Pay Tribute (And Maintenance) To The Original SAV

The first-generation BMW X5 (E53) went into production back in 1999 and the Bavarian brand made sure the world knew it was an SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle) as opposed to an SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle).

While in hindsight that makes little sense, we can still understand their reasoning. For one, even though tech from the Range Rover was used in the development of the X5, BMW did calibrate the all-wheel drive system to be 62% rear-biased. The goal was to help the E53 X5 mirror the carmaker’s rear-wheel drive sedans in terms of driving feel – as much as possible, at least. And true enough, the X5 still remains an enjoyable ride for an SUV to this day.

While owning an old first-generation X5 might not sound all that appealing in 2020, there are certain models that still stand out to the eye, especially if they’ve been well-maintained. Take this 2004 Imola Red example for one, getting auctioned off through Bring a Trailer.

Watch: Would You Rather Have The BMW X5 M Competition Or The X6 M Competition?

This is actually the 4.8iS variant, which was the sporty flagship of the E53 X5 range, and the successor to the 4.6iS. Think of it as the ‘M Performance’ equivalent of the early 2000s. Power comes from a 4.8-liter N62 V8 engine, putting down 355 HP (360 PS) and 361 lb-ft (490 Nm) of torque. That got you to 60 mph (96 km/h) in about 6 seconds, which is pretty darn good for a 16-year-old people hauler.

Aside from having done 39,000 miles (62,000 km), this X5 also comes with chrome-finished 20-inch wheels, xenon headlights, an integrated rear spoiler, tinted windows, a sport suspension, and Park Distance Control (PDC). Inside, passengers were treated with heated and power-adjustable front sports seats in black Nappa leather, dark wood trim accents, dual-zone climate control, sat-nav, a six-disc CD changer and a panoramic sunroof, among other goodies.

How do you feel about driving this type of BMW X5 in today’s automotive landscape? We think this is still a reasonably handsome SUV (SAV, whatever), but the spec definitely has to be right.

A word about German luxury cars and maintenance

But before you get carried away, you should be aware that in general, the U.S.-built E53 generation wasn’t the most reliable BMW made nor the least expensive to keep up with maintenance; just take a look at any E53 owner forum. The higher up the ladder you go and the more features you get, the more painful it can become for your pocket as things eventually break down, need maintenance or replacement, from the panoramic sunroof and door handles to the adjustable air suspension and everything in-between. As with all luxury cars, unless you plan to do all the work yourself and have access to affordable parts, look at the original sticker price to get an idea of how much it will cost you to keep it running.