Performance Review: BMW X5 3.0d - [2003]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW X5 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW X5 3.0d is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2003. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2004 Westfield Sport 2000S and the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ 400.This particular BMW X5 has a 2993cc Turbo Diesel powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Diesel St6's includes the

The X5 shares its Diesel St6 engine configuration with the likes of the and the 2017 BMW 5 Series 540d xDrive G30. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the X5's All Wheel Drive, SUV combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 2170 kgs (4784 lbs) this makes the BMW X5 3.0d in the same weight category as the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW X5 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 2993cc 24V St6 engine produces 215 bhp (160 kW) @ 4000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Turbo St6 throws out 369 lb-ft (500.2 Nm) @ 2000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (369 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the BMW X5 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (123.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the BMW X5.

The BMW X5 has a Power to weight ratio of 99.0 bhp per ton and 170.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2003 X5 competing with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (123.7 bhp per ton) or the 1970 Mercedes SL Class 280SL W113 (123.5 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the BMW X5 generating around 170.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1948 Ferrari 166 MM (195.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 1997 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra 4.6 V8 (195.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.5 secs, this made the BMW X5 3.0d as fast as the 2006 Seat Leon 2.0 16v TDI FR (8.20 secs) the 2005 Land-Rover Range Rover 4.4 V8 (8.20 secs) the 2000 Honda Civic 2.0i VTEC Type S (8.20 secs) the or the 1998 Citroen XM 3.0 V6 (8.20 secs). This BMW X5 3.0d is also faster than the 2007 Renault Megane Renaultsport 2.0 dCi 175 (8.30 secs) the 2005 Mazda MX5 1.8i (8.30 secs) the 2005 Peugeot 407 3.0 V6 Coupe (8.30 secs) the and the 2001 Volkswagen-VW Lupo 1.6 GTi (8.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the X5 and the 2013 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the BMW X5 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.93 secs @ 80.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2013 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (16.86 secs), the 2007 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R GT - FN2 (16.87 secs), and the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTI Performance DSG 2.0 Turbo (16.88 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2003 version of the BMW X5 3.0d has a maximum speed of 130mph.

Top Speed of the 2003 X5 equals the 2010 Audi A1 A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic (141 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2003 BMW X5 3.0d then how about the 2010 Audi A1 A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic (141 mph), the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup (141 mph), or the 2006 Seat Leon 1.8 20vt Cupra R 210 (141 mph).

Related Links:

2003 X5 Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison