E53 4wd systems

[300bhp/ton]

Does anyone know anything about the 4wd setup on the E53?

I think the pre 2004 models used a different setup to the face lift ones. Does anyone have any specifics on them. Do they both have 4 wheel traction control?

On a similar note. Does anyone know what gearboxes are used in the 3.0 petrol and diesel models. Wiki says 5 and 6 speed auto and manuals. Which ones had the 6 speeders?

[Cheburator mk2]

300bhp/ton said:

Does anyone know anything about the 4wd setup on the E53?

I think the pre 2004 models used a different setup to the face lift ones. Does anyone have any specifics on them. Do they both have 4 wheel traction control?

On a similar note. Does anyone know what gearboxes are used in the 3.0 petrol and diesel models. Wiki says 5 and 6 speed auto and manuals. Which ones had the 6 speeders?

Pre-face lift X5s use a permanent 4wd system with 35% front and 65% rear split. All auto gearboxes are 5-spd. From memory, they are split like the E39 - the V8 4.4i got a robust ZF unit, the 3.0i and 3d got GM units, which don’t have a good rep. The transfer box also suffers from chain stretch at high mileage.

Post face lift X5s use a completely new 4wd system based around a clutched transfer box. It can send all the power to either the front or rear based on various inputs. All cars use a ZF 6-spd box which is much more robust than the 5spd unit.

All X5s have proper traction control.

I tow my race cars with a 2005 4.8iS and I love it...

[naturalaspiration]

Manuals are all made by ZF, FL 6 speed, and preFL 5 speed.

Autos are again all ZF except for the preFL 3.0i which has a GM box. 6th speed arrived with the facelift.

[300bhp/ton]

Thanks for the info. On the facelift X-Drive models. Do you know what the centre diff/transfer box is? Is it BMW’s own or is it similar to the Magna Steyr DD295 As used on the Range Rover Sport/D3 and latter L322 Range Rovers?

[Cheburator mk2]

300bhp/ton said:

Thanks for the info. On the facelift X-Drive models. Do you know what the centre diff/transfer box is? Is it BMW’s own or is it similar to the Magna Steyr DD295 As used on the Range Rover Sport/D3 and latter L322 Range Rovers?

No idea - it is very robust as long as you change the oil when diagnostic tools like INPA or Rheingold tell you to do so. Mine needed doing at 72k miles. About £30 per litre and only available from BMW. Easy to do. Only downside - all four tyres need to have equal thread and rolling diameter as prescribed by BMW otherwise the transfer box gets lost and would start shifting power between the axles and handling can get quite funny. In other words, the car needs proper tyres, especially the staggered wheels cars like the 4.8iS

[rayyan171]

AFAIK the AWD system (not xDrive) was used in conjunction with the L322 Range Rover whilst they were both being developed. xDrive was first introduced on the E70.

[Cheburator mk2]

rayyan171 said:

AFAIK the AWD system (not xDrive) was used in conjunction with the L322 Range Rover whilst they were both being developed. xDrive was first introduced on the E70.

Nope - the face lifted X53 from mid 2004 on definitely got an X drive system. I know as I have one and have been under it and have also been under early cars. Night and day...

[rayyan171]

Cheburator mk2 said:

rayyan171 said:

AFAIK the AWD system (not xDrive) was used in conjunction with the L322 Range Rover whilst they were both being developed. xDrive was first introduced on the E70.

Nope - the face lifted X53 from mid 2004 on definitely got an X drive system. I know as I have one and have been under it and have also been under early cars. Night and day...

I stand corrected. Was tempted to say, but wasn't 100% sure whether the facelift got it. Makes sense however, X3 released around 2003 and featured xDrive. Certainly is night and day, AWD system couldn't transfer all the power to the front and back, xDrive made it that this can now happen.