They have also raced X5s in offroad racing a team also raced 2 of them in paris to dakar rally once. There is also a video of it. And if a cayenne can be good offroad and on so can a X5. And all you need to increase ground clearance is reworked air suspension. Like i said i dont need it so i wouldnt get the option. But i think it should be an option for people that have the money for a bmw and want to be able to drive to there house in the middle of nowhere in deep snow or mod and still get it up to 130mph on the highway when they actually find one. Why should they have to buy a jeep or a hummer if they want a bimmer

An X5 built for Dakar has no more in common with a street X5 than a M3 has in common with a M3 GTR.

The X5 (and the Cayanne) was never designed for off roading, and no matter what you do will not ever be a good vehicle of offroading. The problems start with the unibody construction. You cannot put sliders or skidplates on a Unibody if it wasn't designed for them to begin with. There is no strong place to attach them. Continuing on, there are not skid plates. The X5's suspension is also to delicate, the aluminium components would be torn up in no time in any serious off roading. Finally, the 4 wheel IRS as set up on the X5 is way to stiff and lacks enough flex to do any serious off roading.

There is far more to a vehicle that is designed for off roading than just lifting it. Take a look under a landcruiser at the size of the axles, how the vital components are tucked up out of the way, and the overall contruction and you will see there is no comparison.

There is a reason that Landcruisers are used around the world. They are overbuilt and exteremely reliable. There are many items that are specifically designed with that type of use. To give you a few idea, my 80 series has two fan belts to allow the water pump and fan to continue operating if one breaks. Many 80's also came with electric lockers front and rear. They are built with Birfield axles which are extremely strong and can be abused beyond belief before they break.

Every vehicle has its compromises. The X5 is designed as a vehicle that handles well on the highway and can be taken in the snow and on dirt roads. Landcruisers and Parado's are designed to be used an abused. No matter what you do, an X5 will always run circles around the Landcruiser on the road, and conversely, the Landcruiser will always be a superior off road vehicle.

I know exactly what you are talking about. When I lived in Oman(in the middle east), we used to go off-roading with our Land Cruisers and Nissan Patrols. Those patrol's are pretty good too. These vehicles are purpose built and can take some SERIOUS abuse. Never had anything fail on our Land Cruiser...ever.

Done some moderate off-roading with our 97 4Runner in the US too. It's not bad at all. The rear-locking diff is quite handy.

Does anyone know how clutch-cancel works in the manual trans. 4Runner? If you're starting on a hill, it lets you start without using the clutch or something like that so that you don't roll back. Pretty cool.

Re, the Clutch interlock.

In the US cars with a manual transmission are required to have a clutch interlock that won't let the car start unless the clutch is pressed in. Most 4x4s have a switch that when pressed will allow you to turn over the starter with the clutch engaged. This is primarly used when you are in 1st gear, 4L and halfway up a rock or other obstical that you don't want to roll back on. If you stall the engine you simply hit the button and crank the motor over. By using this method you don't lose any ground (remember drivetrain slack is increased when you are in 4L) and the starter has enough torque to turn the motor over because when you are in 4l it takes less torque to turn the wheels.

Next generation X5 will also be built strictly on-road and that's fine with me. I would rather have a nimble X5 with excellent on-road ability and not be compromised by the extra weight of the low-range transfer case. I read recently BMW did a survey of current X5 owners and most of them would prefer new X5s to be "on-road" only. And listen they did.

X5 Beach Wagon?
 

I agree I like the four wheel drive but have no reason to go off road. I am tempted to run it along the beach in the Hamptons. Has anyone run on the beach with a X5?

Yes. For kitesurfing. Have never come close to getting stuck. But I don't spin the tires so as to keep the bottom clean. I thought the Georgica Ponders would have shut down beach driving by now...

OK with me too, but if all hell breaks loose in the Persian Gulf, put my name on a diesel.

i got stuck on my X several times. it is humiliating, belive me. and it would not have happened if i would have a low-range button like ML has.
i agree with you guys, one does not need it in the US or EU, but other regions would benefit from it greatly. and i do not want to get a Landcruiser or toureg or ML (course X5 is better), and I can't afford a RR, Cayen or Lexus 470. All i need is just one more button near DSC button which will say low range on it. that's my opinion

I took the X for its first serious off-road experience on a designated track on private property which was a full day trip. The prerequisites were for a 4WD with low range. I also have a 'proper ' 4WD so was interested to see if the X would cut it. Basically with a 6 speed auto diesel, first gear is as good as low range anyway. I made it through without any problems (or damage) although as mentioned above the X doesnt have enough ground clearance for this sort of stuff. It was quite an effort to place it in the right spots to make up for the lack of ground clearance - but I got through without a scratch.
The traction control is pretty soft too - just find a lump on a decent hill somewhere and lift a front wheel off the ground and stop - you will find that getting moving forward again is not so easy as the braking force on the spinning wheel is pretty weak. Just my thoughts.
DS.