Dakar X5

[SouthernBimma85]

I just got done watching some Speed Channel before going to bed and Saw that the BMW X5 was in the Dakar rally and is currently 4th in its class. I didn't even know they took those things off road!!

[Dan-needabimma]

I didn't either, cool if they do though....maybe shed some of its "doesn't want to get dirty" image. Wasn't there recently a POS american SUV commercial on TV that portrayed the X5 not wanting to get dirty? I vaguely remember it.

[m3urthy]

Dan-needabimma-
How are american SUV's a Pos?

I saw the X5 on stage 3 of the P-D rally the other day, WOW! it looks awesome in the desert.




Good Stuff
________
Arvind

[Dan-needabimma]

No worries, I just don't like american cars in general. Just my biased opinion.....

Given, there is a price difference, but american SUV's barely compare to euro's imo. Although, they are more willing to off-road. Asian SUV's though aren't exactly left in the dust. Our military even used toyota's for awhile I think. From my experience, american suvs are the epitome of cheap construction....IN GENERAL....I wouldn't mind an escalade.

wow.....that whole paragraph seemed extremely random.... but again, not flaming anyones ride....I just don't like american cars.

goodnight

[E31]

The X5 is white with blue stripes, right? I saw the same on TV here in Italy.

[barbus]

i saw that car in person

[///BimmerPower]

I've been watchin the Dakar every night since stage 1 and the X5 is my favorite in the 'car' class. It's powered by a twin turbo diesil and handles well in the sand and dunes. As far as i can remember it is the only bmw in the Dakar, the rest in the top of the classes are generally mitsu's and vw's. Oh and that commercial you were talkin about is for the Kia suv... the biggest piece of shit on the market .

[THESANTINI]

the x5 may never go off road, but I've never seen a clean one either. I do see MILFs that do not take care of them.

[Alex Mc]

the Volvo car is so nasty.. portal axles, god that thing has clearance like w00t.

<img src="http://www.dakar2003.nu/storbild/Autodesk-Dakar028.jpg">

I know you guys probably have no clue what portal axles are, but this leaf-sprung diesel is pimpin some serious ground clearance. Portals own.

<img src="http://www.dakar2003.nu/storbild/ex_bild6.jpg">
<img src="

[///NFSThundeR]

here you can find some off-roading bimmers
http://www.angelfire.com/space/nfsthunder/rallying.html

and here you find: x5-action pictures
http://www.rally-action.com/photo/latestphoto.asp

[Matt P.]

Doesnt the old Hummer have "port axles"? If 'm not mistaken, it's an axle placed higher than the wheel hub, and reaches the hub via gears, correct?

[Alex Mc]

Hummers are independt, but yes they do have a portal reduction gear for each wheel. this allows the differential itself to be mounted much much higher, and drastically increases ground clearance- as much as 8-9 inches!!

[Alibabajun:.]

speaking of cars being out of place..
have you guys heard about the new porsche suv that is coming out soon? The 911 suv version comes with some 450hp, and another 600hp special edition is supposed to come forth a little later.
I just read a breif article on this in the recent Playboy.

here are some pics i digged up from a quick search:

[Doctor H]

"didnt know they take the X5's off the road"
Actually I read in Road and Track that they put a 700hp V12 into an X5 and ran it for some sort of record at a track in Germany

[Alex Mc]

Yeah, the X5 LM was wicked fast an the Nurburgring.