Overlap between E53 and Range Rover
 

Occassionally I run across a part for our 2003 X5 that shows it fits Land Rover as well (eg. Cabin Filter, yesterday). And according to the wikipedia entry, X5 was designed when BMW owned Rover Group. Does anyone know how extensive this part or systems sharing is? Just curious.

I don't know how extensive but I've read that the transmission and engine on the v8 are the same.

A lot of parts are same. A lot.

My buddy is a Jag/RR tech. I popped the hood and he confirmed... lots of parts sharing with BMW.

That would explain the constant problems. :p:

The E39 and Range Rover had a child; they called it E53. Some outrageously large part of the X5's parts (mechanical and electrical) are from the E39 and Range Rover.

The E53 is based on the E38 , using versions of the same electronics adapted for 4 wheel drive .
Subframes are an upgraded version of the E38 . The E39 is not up to the job .
The E39 V8`s share some E38 parts .

The first car BMW built was an Austin 7 under licence .
BMW have used British ideas ever since .
BMW V8 engines are based on the Rover V8 engine which itself is based on a Buick all alloy engine .

A British engineer spotted the Buick alloy V8 at a place he was visiting and liked it so much he bought the design rights for it .
American drivers originally thought the alloy engine would not be strong or durable and so it was abandoned by Buick .

I suspect the BMW inline 6 is based on the Austin Healy engine .

BMW V8 engines are not based on the Rover/GM 215 V8. The BMW pushrod V8 predates the Buick engine. Later BMW V8 engines were DOHC, nothing in common with the 215.

BMW was making six cylinder engines twenty years before the BMC C engine came out.

I think your Union Jack is clouding your vision :rofl:

I was previously looking @ an L322 RR and from memory, it was designed a lot around the E53 - they share electronics including Nav, and all that sorta Stuff too...

Hmmm...I have a 2006 X5 4.4i Nav and DSP. My friend has a 2006 RR Sport HSE.
I envy the large touch screen Nav in her car and the sound system, far superior to the X5. Why did they not give the X5 the RR's sound system?