Is it true?

[bcredliner]

There have been many discussions about the capability of the X5 off road.

There are mild to extreme conditions different members consider to be off roading. It always starts a lively discussion. Depending on the conditions, the X5 may or may not be suitable. I consider anywhere I wouldn't go with a car to be the low end off roading. Rock climbing usually gets thrown in as off roading. Seems to me rock climbing is so extreme it is beyond the definition of off road in a discussion about the X5. Even the mild definition used to describe rock climbing usually necessitates modifications from stock.

What is your definition of off road? What is the worst type of road you want this vehicle to be able to handle?

[Jungerishere]

If you’re looking for luxury SUV that can also tackle off-roading, get a VW Touareg with air suspension with diff lock. I was in trail caravan with some hardcore off-roaders of Jeep Rubicon, Wrangler, FJ Cruiser, and Xterra and the Touareg kept up without breaking a sweat. My X5 would have gotten stuck at the first obstacle. X5 is good for the paved roads but not for the mountain off roads.

[bestvaluestore]

I see.Will see.I will make my mind as soon as I sell my current car or I can trade it in.

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by ants_oz

Lift one wheel off the ground, and apart from the input of traction control, will sit there spinning that one wheel and not go anywhere.

Not true with X-Drive after 2004. Also, not true in my direct experience with this summer with as many as *two* wheels off the ground. X-Drive will send up to 100% of available power to the wheel(s) in the front *or* the rear it senses has traction.

Now, having said that, I agree with most here: Not an offroad, nor even an *any* road vehicle. The air suspension in my X5 got all hot and bothered (literally) when travelling over some VERY rough/ribbed mountain dirt roads in Colorado this year. I got the SLS error. Get this though: I reset it, and it happened *again* while running through the twisties on a PAVED US14 through Big Horn National Forrest.

I got the error reset when I returned home and have not had a problem since.

[StephenVA]

What is a dirt road? Dust on the wheels? Criminal!
Most X5 owners stay on hard surface roads as they were looking for extreme performance or a capable family hauler when they purchase these vehicles. Adventure around the corner with a Sports activity vehicle. Dry, wet, snow, and a bike rack ....or so showed the ads.
Now that we are all 10 years or older I think some of the Xers are finding new life as "hard use" vehicles. Some are even showing up on the drag strip. Running these vehicles in heavy off road usage I might choose a Jeep or a four wheel drive P/U as there are a lot more of them and rock crawling parts are readily available.
Pick a vehicle that meets your needs and plans. You will be happier in the long run.
I don't even like gravel parking lots due to the dirt and dust.

[dkl]

I reckon most X5s (99.9% - mine included ) have seen less "off-roading" than this MCoupe => Inuvik or Bust: To the End of the Earth in a BMW M Coupe | Expedition Portal

[Qsilver7]

To get an idea of what an e53 can do on certain types of non paved roads...just go to youtube and search for "BMW e53 X5 off road" videos.