2001 BMW X5 3.0i - Soft-Roading on the Cheap

[Jake]

It is amazing how heavy the steering is - just typical BMW of the era, really - and I can see why Karen McLexus wanted something with lighter effort for daily driving to soccer practice and Orangetheory.

If they're the same as the E46/39, there was a technical update around 03-04 to make the PS unit more powerful and reduce the steering effort, I remember intentionally choosing the older one for my E46.

It's the same as the E39 with nearly every other drivetrain component so you're likely correct... I drove a LCI 4.8is that would have had the newer PS unit but this was years ago so I just remember thinking it was pretty because of the big wheels and fender flares.