Deciphering Which Options You Have on Your X5

This article is to help you determine which options you have on your X5.

DISCLAIMER: RABBIT IS IN NO WAY RESPONSIBLE IF SOME OF THIS INFORMATION IS INCORRECT. I TRIED MY BEST TO RESEARCH THESE OPTIONS, BUT BMW IS VERY STRANGE AND DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND. USE THIS INFORMATION AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION. IF YOU DO SEE SOME INCONGRUITY, PLEASE TELL ME ASAP. GOT THESE PICTURES OFF OF EBAY, SO IF YOU SEE ANYTHING STRANGE...DON'T ASK ME...

(+) indicates that an option is added only on top of a package

Packages Include (options generalized):

Cold Weather/Activity Package:

High Pressure Headlight Washers

two sets of nozzles on each side


Heated Front Seats

On opposite sides of the options panel


Ski Bag in Rear Center Armrest Pass-Through


(+) Heated Rear Seats (2001-2006 4.4i; 2005-2006 3.0i; optional with cold weather package; 2002-2006 4.6is/4.8is standard)

two buttons on the rear center console


(+) Heated Steering Wheel (2000-2003 non-sport; 2004-2006; optional with cold weather package)

Button always next to cruise control's I/O button on all steering wheel models




Premium Package:

Leather Seats (2000-2002: Montana Leather; 2003-2006: Dakota; standard leather on V8s)

Pictured above is leatherette

Basic seat with dakota leather


Board Computer (BC)/Gauge (2002-2003 3.0; standard on all V8)

No [BC] next to the clock icon

Low tech gauge cluster

High tech gauge cluster with text compatibility


Automatic Dual Zone Climate Control (2001-2003: standard manual on 3.0i) [REST] button on 2000 replaced by [MAX] on 2001-2006

Manual climate controls

Automatic climate


Power Passenger Seat (2001-2003: standard manual adjustment on 3.0i)

Manual seat control levers

Comfort seat adjustments shown


Automatic Light Control (2002-2003; standard 2004-2006)

2005-2006 models come with "on" indicator LED

2000-2001 light controls without automatic function


Rain Sensor (2001-2003; standard 2004-2006)

That bulky thing behind the mirror


Sunroof/Panoramic Sunroof (2000-2004/2004-2006, respectively)

Panoramic sunroof shown


Power Reclining Rear Seats (2002-2006)

Controls are the two black switches opposite of each other above the tailgate

Overhead switches on 2002-2004 models

Those black switches on the C-pillar above the rear outboard headrests replace the overhead controls on 2004-2006 models

(+) Power Folding Side Mirrors (2003-2006 optional feature with dimming mirrors; includes puddle lights on 2004-2006)

Operated by the the square switch next to the window toggle


BMW Assist (2004-2006)

The thing with the SOS and phone with passenger airbag warning indicator on 2006 models


Body Colored Trunk Trim (2003 3.0i)


Bluetooth (2004-2006)




Rear Climate Package:

Rear Air Conditioner Temperature Control (2001-2005 3.0i)

No temperature toggle on the right side of the rear vents


Rear Window Side Blinds (2001-2006)

Manually operated


Privacy Glass/Tinted Glass




Sport Package:

(+) Sport Seats (2000-2003 optional feature 3.0i; 2000-2001 optional feature 4.4i; 2002-2003 4.4i standard; 2004-2006 standard with sport package)

Comes with thick bolsters, triangularish headreasts, and adjustable thigh support


Aluminum Exterior Window and Mirror Trim and Door Sills

Glossy trim (annodized aluminum)

Plastic trim


Titanium Mesh in Bumper

with titanium mesh

no titanium mesh


Anthracite (Black) Headliner

Black headliner


Sport Tuned Suspension


18” Wheels (2001-2006 3.0i sport; 2003-2006 4.4i sport)

2001-2003 3.0i non-sport 235/65 17" - Style 57

2001-2003 3.0i sport 255/55 18" - Style 69

2004-2006 3.0i non-sport 235/65 17" - Style 130

2004-2006 3.0i sport 255/55 18" - Style 153

2000-2003 4.4i non-sport 255/55 18" - Style 58

2004-2006 4.4 non-sport 255/55 18" - Style 131

2003-2005 4.4i sport 255/55 18" - Style 74

2006 4.4i sport 255/55 18" - Style 183


(+) 19” Wheels (2000-2002 standard on 4.4i sport; 2003-2006 optional feature 4.4i sport)

2000-2003 4.4i sport 255/50 19" front, 285/45 19" rear - Style 63

2004-2006 4.4i sport 255/50 19" front, 285/45 19" rear - Style 132


White Third Brake Light (2003; 2004-2006 3.0i/4.4i standard; 2003-2005 4.6is/4.8is standard)

White Third Brake Light available from 2003-2006

Red Third Brake Light available from 2000-2002, select 2004-2006 3.0i, and 2006 4.8is


Body Colored Door Handles and Trunk Trim (2001-2002 3.0i)


Clear Amber Side Signals (2000-2003)

Rear clear signals

Amber colored rear signals


Three Spoke Sport Steering Wheel

2001-2003 sport wheel

2004-2006 sport wheel

Non-sport wheel


Black Chrome Tailpipe Tips

Black chrome tips


(+) Self-Leveling Rear Suspension (2002-2006 3.0i; 2000-2006 V8s standard)

Air compressor located underneath spare tire


(+) Adjustable Ride Height (2002-2006 3.0i/4.4i; optional with sport package/requires self-leveling rear suspension; 2004-2006 4.8is standard)

You have self-leveling rear suspension if you have this, located to the right of the light controls


Gauge Rings (2006; 2002-2006 4.6is/4.8is standard)

Titanium colored gauge rings







Individual Options Include:

Adjustable Ride Height (2002-2006 3.0i/4.4i; optional with sport package/requires self-leveling rear suspension; 2004-2006 4.8is standard)

Here is the location of the adjustable ride height controls again


Automatic Dimming Mirrors (2001-2006 3.0i; 2000-2003 4.4i; 2004-2006 4.4i standard; 2002-2006 4.6is/4.8is standard)

That little dot (sensor) on the upper center of the mirror is the sensor. 2004-2006 models come with a compass too

Side view mirror is normal colored (auto-dimming/electrochromatic)

Side view mirror has a blue "anti-glare" tint (no auto-dimming)


Automatic Transmission (2001-2006 3.0i; 2000-2006 V8s standard)

Manual transmission


Bluetooth (2004-2006)


Comfort Seats (2000-2006 V8s; 2005-2006 3.0i)

Huge seats with huge headrests


Heated Rear Seats (2001-2006 4.4i; 2005-2006 3.0i; optional with cold weather package; 2002-2006 4.6is/4.8is standard)


Heated Steering Wheel (2000-2003 non-sport; 2004-2006; optional with cold weather package)


Leather Upholstery (2001-2006 3.0i)


Lumbar Support (2000-2004; 2005-2006 standard)

Seat with lumbar support (comfort seat controls shown)

Seat with no lumbar support


Navigation System (2000-2001 4:3 screen CD-based; 2001-2002 16:9 screen CD-based; 2003-2006 16:9 screen DVD-based)

16:9 aspect ratio screen 2001-2006

4:3 aspect ratio screen 2000-2001


Park Distance Control (2000-2006 3.0i; 2000-2004 4.4i; 2005-2006 4.4i standard; 2002-2006 4.6is/4.8is standard)

4 sensors on lower bumper

A set of four sensors at the rear under the bumper


Premium Sound (2000-2006 3.0i/4.4i; 2002-2006 4.6is/4.8is standard)

Controls with DSP labled next to [AUDIO]

A subwoofer module in the right side of the trunk behind the panel

No premium sound


Rear Side Airbags (2000-2006)

The crease and the black [AIRBAG] on the rear door panel signifies the rear side airbag

Close up


Retractable Load Floor (2000-2006)

Rear floor not flush with tailgate

Extended Out


Self-Leveling Rear Suspension (2002-2006 3.0i; 2000-2006 V8s standard)


Servotronic Steering (2005-2006 3.0i/4.4i; 2002-2006 4.6is/4.8is standard)


Sunroof/Panoramic Sunroof (2000-2004/2004-2006 3.0i/4.4i, respectively; 2002-2003 4.6is standard sunroof; 2004-2006 4.8is standard panoramic sunroof)


Tire Pressure Monitoring (2000-2003: known as RDC; 2004-2006 standard)

Last button that looks like (!) is the tire pressure monitor. RDC on 2000-2003 models


Xenon/Adaptive Bi-Xenon (2000-2003 3.0i/4.4i xenon; 2004-2006 3.0i adaptive bi-xenon; 2004 4.4i adaptive bi-xenon; 2005-2006 4.4i standard; 2002-2006 4.6is/4.8is standard xenon/adaptive bi-xenon, respectively)

2000-2003 xenon headlights (a projector is there)

No projector

2004-2006 adaptive bi-xenon headlights (discretion, to tell if you have xenon bulbs, the lense must state so. if not, they are halogens)

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