engine BMW X5 2000 E53 Workshop Manual
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Introduction
The X5 marks BMW’s introduction into the luxury “Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV)” niche seg-
ment of the Sport Utility Vehicle market. While carrying the designation X5, the vehicle is not
based  on  the  5  Series  but  it  is  its  own  new  car-like  platform.  The  X5  is  offered  with  two
engine variants:
• The 4.4 liter M62 TU engine equipped with the A5S 440 Z automatic transmission.
• The 3 liter M54 engine with either the GM 5 automatic or 5 speed manual transmission
The X5 incorporates the following
features:
• Four  wheel  independent  sus-
pension (BMW tradition)
• Full  time  -  all  wheel  drive
(planetary gear transfer case)
• All road vehicle (ON/OFF road
capabilities)
• High ground clearance
• Unitized  body  and  Chassis
(car like ride and handling)
• Double pivot front suspension
• “Integral  Link”  rear  suspen-
sion  with  air  spring  self  level-
ing
• X5  specific  traction  control
system
Two  different  suspension  options  are  offered  (standard  and  sport)  with  different  springs,
shock absorbers and stabilizers.
The  X5  has  180  mm  ground  clearance,  for  both  suspensions  to  allow  off  road  travel.
However, the suspension travel is the same as the E39 which allows the X5 to retain a car
like feel when driven every day.
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Body
The  design  of  the  X5  originated  in  California  at  BMW’s  Design  Works.  The  SAV  look  was
further  developed  and  refined  in  Munich.  Traditional  BMW  features  such  as  the  Kidney
grilles,  quad  headlights,  reverse  link  rear  side  window  trim  and  typical  rear  tail  light  treat-
ment allow the X5 to assume a BMW identity. Yet the unique side and hood treatments as
well as the large wheel house openings and high ground clearance set the X5 apart as its
own distinctive vehicle.
The design criteria for the X5 was to develop a vehicle with the superb handling and sporty
driving characteristics that are typically BMW, yet produce an all wheel drive vehicle that can
also be used off-road. This was achieved through the use of independent front suspension
and multi-link rear suspension components that are taken from the E38/E39 vehicle design
and expanded by the addition of front drive components.
The  entire  body  shell/frame  assembly  of  the
X5  is  reinforced  to  ensure  optimized  body
rigidity. 
In  addition  to  the  cross  bracing  on  the  front
suspension/engine  carrier,  an  additional
panel  is  installed  between  the  bulkhead  and
transmission tunnel.
The  floor  pan  of  the  X5  is  reinforced  with
additional  ribbing  and  cross  braces  to
increase the lateral rigidity. A continuous seat
cross  brace  is  connected  to  the  floor  pan
and side sill for reinforcement.
41530001
41530002
Cross
Brace
41530003
Reinforcement Panel 
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Specifications
X5 3.0iX5 4.4i
Doors 5 5 
Length 4666 mm 4666 mm
Width 1872 mm 1872 mm
Height 1717 mm 1717 mm
DImensions:
Vechicle Weigth withTransmission:
Automatic 2015 Kg 2085 Kg
Manual 1990 Kg Not Available
General
Fuel 92l 92l
Drag Coefficient 0.35 0.36
Payload 610 kg 555 kg
Roof Load 150 kg 150 kg
Gross Weight  2600 kg Not Available
Manual Trans.
Gross Weight 2625kg 2650kg
Auto Trans.
Cargo Volume 16.1/54.4 cu ft. 16.1/54,4 cu ft.
Towed Weight Braked 1600 kg Not Available
Manual
Towed Weight Braked 1700 kg 750 kg
Automatic
Turning Circle 39.7 ft. 39.7 ft.
X5 3.0iX5 4.4i
X5 3.0iX5 4.4i
Designation M54B30 M62 TU B44
Engine Management Syst. MS 43 ME 7.2
Horsepower (HP) 225@5900RPM 282@5400RPM
Torque 293@3500RPM 440@3600RPM
Bore 84mm 92mm
Stroke 89.6mm 82.7mm
Compression 10.2:1 10.0:1
X5 3.0iX5 4.4i
Engine: 
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Climate Control System (IHKA)
The  IHKA  is  standard  equipment  on  the  X5  with  the  M62  engine  and  optional  equipment
on the M54 version. The IHKA system is taken from the E39 sedan and  includes all func-
tions and features of the IHKA currently installed in the E39.
Features of the IHKA system include:
• Integrated control panel/module.
• Separate temperature control for the driver and front passenger.
• Air flap control through the use of bussed stepper motors.
• Automatic Recirculation Control (AUC).
• Recirculation air flap control from the MFL.
• “REST” function for residual heat when vehicle is stopped.
• Service station feature that closes the water valves when stopped to prevent hot water
circulating into the heater cores.
• A/C compressor clutch activation through a final stage control.
• Center face vent stratification control through a bowden cable.
• Separate  blower motor for rear passenger compartment
The rear blower motor is located below the center storage box behind the center air outlet
grilles. The blower speed control is mounted in the panel below the outlets. Cool or strati-
fied air is available at the center outlets.
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IHKA Air Flow
The micro filter for the IHKA system is installed in the engine compartment in the center of
the fire wall.
64530005
Warm Air Flow
Stratified Air Flow
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Drivetrain
The transfer case, driveshafts, final drives and half shafts make up the drivetrain assembly.
The transfer case is always mounted in the same position on the X5. This  applies to other
markets  and  future  models  that  will  utilize  different  transmissions  for  different  engine  con-
figurations. With these models, the transmission tail shafts will be modified to match up with
the transfer case.
The rear driveshaft is a two piece unit using a center bearing,  while the front drive shaft is
a single piece that is splined to the transfer case and bolted to the front differential.
The breather vents for both differentials and the transfer case are mounted higher up on the
chassis  to  prevent  water  from  entering  if  the  vehicle  is  driven  off  road  through  water.  The
front breather passes up into the engine compartment and is mounted under the left side
ignition coil cover. The rear breather passes along the under side of the body and is mount-
ed behind the left side wheel arch cover. The breather vent for the transfer case is mount-
ed up high in the driveshaft tunnel.
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Rear Suspension
The  rear  suspension  is  the  “intragal”  multi-link  design  taken  from  the  E38/E39  vehicles.
Several  components  AER  made  from  aluminum  to  erduce  the  unsprung  weight.  The  X5
with  the  M62TU  engine  uses  the  EHC  (air  spring)  suspension  system.  The  EHC  functions
the same as the E39 Sport Wagon with only minor differences to the components and lay-
out of the system. The X5 with the M54 engine will use standard springs in the rear with the
EHC  system  as  an  option.  The  rear  struts  on  the  X5  are  mounted  to  the  body  instead  of
the sub-frame.
The rear axle sub-frame is mounted to the body through four bushings (larger than E38) for
increased load and comfort. The rear differential is mounted through three rubber bushings
two in the front and one hydromount in the rear. The wheel bearings are similar to the E39
but incorporate different seals - designed for off-road use.
New special tools are available for adjusting the rear suspension due to the limited space.
Rear Axle Technical Data
Track: 1576mm
Toe In: 18 Feet
Camber 1 Degree 50 Feet 
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Overview of EHC Control System
The control philosophy of EHC is to "Initiate a control sequence only when necessary". The
system offers the following advantages:
• The control system operates independently from the vehicle’s engine (no engine driven
hydraulic pump system as per previous self leveling systems).
• Individual control of the rear wheels is possible
• An uneven load is identified and compensated for
• Uneven road surfaces are identified and not compensated for
• Automatic control is interrupted when cornering
• The system is diagnosable using the DIS or MoDiC
The air suspension system consists of the following components:
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EHC System Components
Control Module
The Control Module is mounted in the module carrier box in the luggage compartment on
the  right  side.  It  contains  the  processing  electronics  and  final  stages  for  operation  of  the
EHC system.
The  control  module  receives  the  follow-
ing inputs for its processing functions:
• KL 30 & 31 (Power/Ground)
• KL 15
• Left & Right Ride Height Sensors
• K Bus for;
- Vehicle speed
- Engine running
- Door/tailgate - open/closed
The  control  module  incorporates  two  filters  (slow/rapid)  for  processing  the  input  signals
from the ride height sensors. Depending on the operating mode, either the slow or rapid fil-
ter is used to check the need for a regulating sequence. 
The slow filter is used during the normal operation mode to prevent normal suspension trav-
el from causing the system to make adjustments.
The rapid filter is used during the pre-run and tailgate (LID) modes to ensure that the sus-
pension is adjusted quickly while the vehicle is being loaded or checked prior to operation.
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Normal Operation Mode
Once the rear lid is closed, KL 15  switched ON and the engine started, the system switch-
es into the normal operation mode. In the normal mode, the control module will constantly
monitor  the  input  signals  from  the  ride  height  sensors  and  will  activate  a  correction  if  the
ride height deviates by at least 10mm.
Tailgate Operating Mode
The  tailgate  operating  mode  is  activated  if  the  gate  is  opened  with  KL  -  15  On  and  the
engine  running.  The  difference  between  this  mode  and  the  normal  operating  mode  is  the
response time is rapid instead of slow .