The BMW 5 Series and X5

Book excerpt: BMW is a company associated with motoring firsts. The very idea of a sports sedan was merely a novelty until BMW introduced the 5 series in 1972. As BMW's "middle child," the 5 series has drawn features from the company's smallest and largest models, establishing a reputation for performance and practicality through multiple generations. This book covers the history of the 5 series midsize sedan and the related X5 SUV from September 1972 to the e60's major makeover for 2008 and the development of the e70 X5. Specific mechanical, electronic and cosmetic changes are described, including the time of and reasons for their introduction. Several aspects of BMW's corporate history and technically related models such as the 6-series are also described, as are aftermarket modifications by Alpina, Hartge, and other specialist BMW tuners and speed shops. The book includes more than 200 photographs.