New BMW X5 Rolls Off Spartanburg Assembly Line

Mid-Life X5 Upgrade Boasts 2,100 New Parts

At 6 AM September 26, the first mid-life upgraded X5 rolled off the line at BMW Manufacturing Corp.s Spartanburg facility.

Exterior modifications are subtle, but nonetheless the updated SUV includes over 2,100 new parts, 3 new engines (2 in North America), 2 new transmissions and 4 new colors.

"It is normal in a BMW vehicle life cycle, which is about seven years (the X5 began production in 1999), to make a series of improvements to stay ahead of the competition," stated Robert Hitt, manager for Media and Public Affairs. "In this case, the new X5 is virtually a new model with more than 2,100 new parts. In addition to the cosmetic changes to the exterior front end, under the skin this is a new X5 with an all new powertrain."

The engines in question include the carryover 225-hp 3.0-L inline 6-cylinder available in base models, now including a standard 6-speed manual transmission, a 215-hp 3.0-L inline 6-cylinder diesel (Europe only), and the new 315-hp 4.4-L V8 that sports an all-new ZF 6-speed automatic.

Putting the power down to the road now involves BMWs xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive system, reportedly enhancing road-holding and agility over the previous drivetrain by distributing drive power ideally between front and rear wheels resulting in reduced understeer or oversteer.

The four new colors mentioned include Olivine (green), Sterling Gray, Kalahari Beige and Toledo Blue. To contrast the new exterior colors the 2004 X5 will feature five additional interiors: truffle brown, black, beige and lava gray leather, plus poplar smoke gray wood trim.

Many of the 2,100 new parts come from a worldwide supplier network that is close to 500 strong, including 39 local suppliers in South Carolina, symbiotic relationships that have gone toward the end goal of a near seamless model changeover.

And talk about seamless integration, when the new sport activity vehicle took to the line there was only a ten car gap from 2003 to 2004 models, with Fridays production close to the companys normal 400 units per day.