Frank Stephenson: How I designed the original E53 X5 (In Only Two Hours!)

[spuntyb]

I'm not much for SUVs, but the E70 still looks good

[chrisny]

Originally Posted by jstein55

The new X5's interior really is amazing, its just such a shame it drives like every other crossover .

Not even remotely true. Awesome video on the E53 though.

[Just a 3]

Eye opening. BMW needs designers like him back. Not the jokers they have today who come up with the GTs and the 2GC.

Of particular interest in the video was his description of the H Kink - an element any other car maker would give their arm and leg for, but idiot Curr t BMW designers want to get rid of.

[XMetal]

Originally Posted by swagon

Honestly, I'd also give Bangle a call as even "his" cars looked way better than what they're making now.

I love my Bangle Butts

I am pretty much done with BMW - these 2 will be the last

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by XMetal

I love my Bangle Butts

I am pretty much done with BMW - these 2 will be the last

Both beautiful, particularly the Z4 M.

[MParallel]

Originally Posted by Stang70Fastback

I always liked the original X5 design.

Still do.

Specially the 4.6/4.8 Sport models.

[ntg44]

Based on the reliability of mine, it definitely felt as if the whole car was designed in a few hours.

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by ntg44

Based on the reliability of mine, it definitely felt as if the whole car was designed in a few hours.

BMWs of that era while lookers were generally reliability disasters. I would argue the early 2000s was the decline of the E Chassis in terms of reliability.

[XMetal]

Originally Posted by ntg44

Based on the reliability of mine, it definitely felt as if the whole car was designed in a few hours.

Originally Posted by 530iDriver

BMWs of that era while lookers were generally reliability disasters. I would argue the early 2000s was the decline of the E Chassis in terms of reliability.

Do you think I would still have my e53 after 16+ years and e86 after 12+ years if they were unreliable? I have 2 examples to prove you wrong - My e53 is 2004, and e86 is 2008, mid and late 2000s. You just got to be aware of their common issues and keep up with their maintenance. But then again, may be I just got lucky?

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by XMetal

Do you think I would still have my e53 after 16+ years and e86 after 12+ years if they were unreliable? I have 2 examples to prove you wrong - My e53 is 2004, and e86 is 2008, mid and late 2000s. You just got to be aware of their common issues and keep up with their maintenance. But then again, may be I just got lucky?

Took my E46 to 210k miles. 100% agree, these cars aren't perfect, but I knew that going in that these weren't Toyota's/Lexus'. Only big issue I dealt with was the typical M54 cooling system issues, and didn't have that start until the 180k mark, head gaskets finally failed at 210k so I got lucky that I got good milage out of my car. My son has an E83 X3 that's about to hit 160k, had it for about 20k+ miles and the previous owner took great care and have every single record. These cars can last long, just have to take good care of them. I had worse luck with my wife's E90 335 though, too many electronic issues.

[ntg44]

Originally Posted by XMetal

Do you think I would still have my e53 after 16+ years and e86 after 12+ years if they were unreliable? I have 2 examples to prove you wrong - My e53 is 2004, and e86 is 2008, mid and late 2000s. You just got to be aware of their common issues and keep up with their maintenance. But then again, may be I just got lucky?

I'm happy for you, really. But you're not proving anything - your experiences do not make mine invalid or wrong. I owned my 2001 3.0i sport package (whatever it was called with the 18(?) inch 5 spoke wheels) since new, and it was a nightmare. Front end replaced 3 times, electrical gremlins everywhere, tail lights constantly going out, upper rear hatch unlocking whenever it rained or snowed, the door handles not opening in cold temperatures, and my car broke down completely 3 separate times. To this day it's the only car I've ever owned that needed to be towed. My friend at the time had a 2001 4.4i, and his car was even worse. He drove it into a flooded street at 80k miles to total it for good, he hated it that much.

I'm happy you've had good experiences, but mine was the biggest piece of trash I've ever owned. I'm not partial to any brand - I buy what I like. But my E53 made me despise BMW for a very long time, until I finally came back in 2017 for my M3, and I love it. Great car. E53, not so much.

[XMetal]

Originally Posted by ntg44

I'm happy for you, really. But you're not proving anything - your experiences do not make mine invalid or wrong. I owned my 2001 3.0i sport package (whatever it was called with the 18(?) inch 5 spoke wheels) since new, and it was a nightmare. Front end replaced 3 times, electrical gremlins everywhere, tail lights constantly going out, upper rear hatch unlocking whenever it rained or snowed, the door handles not opening in cold temperatures, and my car broke down completely 3 separate times. To this day it's the only car I've ever owned that needed to be towed. My friend at the time had a 2001 4.4i, and his car was even worse. He drove it into a flooded street at 80k miles to total it for good, he hated it that much.

I'm happy you've had good experiences, but mine was the biggest piece of trash I've ever owned. I'm not partial to any brand - I buy what I like. But my E53 made me despise BMW for a very long time, until I finally came back in 2017 for my M3, and I love it. Great car. E53, not so much.

I had read all the horrible stories about BMW reliablities and bad presses on the e53 prior to buying mine. Heck, I even kept my Honda Accord for another 6 months after I got the e53...just in case. I was waiting for that breakdown but luckily it never occurred. It was so reliable that it gave me the confidence to get my 1st and only M car. Sadly, with how BMW has morphed into these days, I have no desired to get into another one

[Flashstar]

Draws with a pen, not a pencil. And draws on paper, not on a Wacom tablet. Respect! Nice Vid.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by jstein55

Agree, particularly with with the E70, which in my opinion was the best looking of the bunch, although there was a red E53 4.8is on BAT

The new X5's interior really is amazing, its just such a shame it drives like every other crossover.

Last summer my mom was ready to move on from her 2013 E70 M sport; this was our second E70. I helped them in the buying process of a G05 M sport with beautiful Tartufo individual interior with glass controls. The car's interior and tech are exceptional. The E70 stayed in the family.

But looking at them side-by-side, the E70 is as beautiful today as it was they day we brought her home. Classic BMW styling through and through, whereas the new model is visibly overstyled. And when you drive them side-by-side there's no comparison which is the Ultimate Driving Machine. The E70 is now on sale but will never be forgotten.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by GodfatherNiko

I'll say it again: Bangle-era cars have aged shockingly well.

I find only the non-M sport E60 models, and pre-LCI E65 didn't age so well. Otherwise I love them all.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

I find only the non-M sport E60 models, and pre-LCI E65 didn't age so well. Otherwise I love them all.

Agree although I'll add the E63 6-series, still can't stand the front end of that car.

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by GodfatherNiko

I'll say it again: Bangle-era cars have aged shockingly well.

Couldn't agree more.

[abx1]

cool video

[sb_12345]

Awesome video