This past weekend, the X Chapter descended upon greater Greer, SC, to celebrate 25 years of the X5. Launched in 1999 with the E53, BMW made a careful decision to refer to the X5 as a “Sports Activity Vehicle” (SAV) to avoid association with an off-road truck. And that decision truly changed what we know as BMW today.
In the ’90s, consumers would have listed the Ford Explorer, Chevy Blazer, and Jeep Cherokee when the topic of popular SUVs came up. The team at BMW saw that many BMW owners had another vehicle in their garage, the Explorer, and they wanted to capture that parking space but do it even better. The first BMW X5 rolled off the production line on September 1, 1999, at Plant Spartanburg. It has since developed a passionate and dedicated fanbase for the X5, changing how we think about BMW altogether. Once known primarily for building sleek European sedans, SAVs now make up nearly 60% of BMW sales worldwide. The BMW SAV category has grown in the 25 years since with nine models (X1-X7, iX, XM), each with submodels offering various trim and powertrain options. Thus, the X5 was not just the start of the particular model but an entire X vehicle offering for BMW.
X vehicles line up for a photo during the off-road driving tour lunch stop. Photo by Afshawn Towfighi
The X Chapter, a non-geographic chapter of the BMW CCA, focuses on celebrating X and Xdrive-equipped vehicles and wanted to ensure the anniversary was properly acknowledged and celebrated with an equally big event. To begin celebrations, X Drives America kicked off earlier this year with the help of X Chapter, over 50 geographic BMW CCA chapters, and individual members to organize a cross-country drive, documenting the adventures of miniature X5 models across four routes, forming an X across the continental US. Those four routes converged for the Celebration of X weekend in Greer, SC, where the X5 began life 25 years ago.
The weekend started with a private Welcome Dinner at Wild Ace Pizza in downtown Greer, SC. Attendees from all over the country (as far as Alaska!) joined the celebration. Friends reunited, and new friends were made. For many participants, it was their first visit to the area, and they were excited to experience all things BMW.
On Friday morning, participants enjoyed factory tours at Plant Spartanburg, where they learned about various aspects of the plant’s activities. Everything from paint to assembly was showcased. As an added bonus, visitors to the plant tours can also visit BMW’s Zentrum, a museum and visitor center that celebrates BMW’s past, present, and future.
X Chapter members attend BMW Performance Center for Half Day School. Photo by Afshawn Towfighi
A lucky group of just 20 participants stopped off at the BMW Performance Center for an exclusively developed, all-X vehicle driving program on Friday afternoon. The program began with a delicious buffet lunch, then a brief classroom session, which provided an introduction to session instructors and an overview of the Performance Center’s offerings and our itinerary for the day. The program featured 7 of the 9 X variants (X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, and XM) and included timed autocross, handling course, and a rat race competition activities. Participants had an incredible time experiencing X vehicles’ capability, even in track settings. Even the school instructors were impressed with the timed autocross results, commenting that the 22-second times were commensurate with the times they see in the same program with M240i. It was a special and intimate experience for X Chapter members, with Richard Brekus, a retired BMW executive and BMW X Chapter member, also taking part.
Representatives from BMW past and present lead a discussion of X5 history and the future of BMW X. From left to right: Thomas Plucinsky, Rebecca Dalski, Heiko von Engel, and Richard Brekus. Photo by Afshawn Towfighi
Friday evening closed with a special gala and panel discussion titled “The History of X”, at BMW CCA Headquarters. Participants could “dress up or not” and enjoy premium appetizers and an open while engaging with a panel of current and retired BMW executives. Hosted by Thomas Plucinsky, Head of BMW Group Classic USA, and featuring Richard Brekus, a retired executive who focused on new car sales and product planning and strategy for BMW, Heiko von Engel, Engineering Department Manager, and Rebecca Dalski, Senior US Product Management and Strategy for Large X Vehicles. The experienced crew offered insights into how the X5 came to being, internal discussions that led to the E53, and further insights into how BMW makes decisions about what options are made available to the market, internal negotiations that happen between the product and engineering teams, among other aspects of the design and production processes. The evening was authentic, with panelists sharing stories and a brief Q&A session, bringing smiles and laughs to the room.
Saturday morning began with a Cars & Kaffee at Plant Spartanburg. In partnership with the Sandlapper Chapter, a huge gathering came together featuring vendors, all euro makes and models, and a priority parking area for X vehicles. BMW USA was also kind enough to display some crowd favorites, including the Stars and Stripes X5, Neiman Marcus Edition X5, and the 2024 Rebelle Rally X3 M50, which earned 3rd place in the X-Cross Class of the competition. In an effort to support the local community, the co-hosting chapters also sponsored an American Red Cross fundraiser to support those impacted by Hurricane Helene. Though the damage in Greenville/Greer was not nearly as severe as nearby greater Asheville, it is still very present even a month post-hurricane.
The X gang departs after taking in Jumping Off Rock Overlook. Photo by Afshawn Towfighi
Following Cars & Kaffee, many of the X vehicles in attendance headed out on an off-road driving adventure. Participants shared a lakeside lunch before continuing on to the Jocassee Gorges Wilderness Area. The drive featured a mix of the magical mountain twisties this region is known for and a 15-mile off-road drive where the X vehicles shone, navigating the dirt, ruts, mud, and dust like champs. Vehicles, including Tom Losito’s brand new X5, which he had taken delivery of from the Performance Center only a few days before, went from concours quality clean to covered in a layer of dust in a short while. Still, at the halfway point, drivers and passengers alike had ear-to-ear smiles and couldn’t help but express their amazement at what their vehicles had done to get us to the famous Jumping Off Rock Overlook. The group also saw many looks of disbelief from the other drivers at the site of 20 BMWs traversing a road where the site of pickup trucks and Jeeps are much more common.
After returning from the off-road driving adventure and perhaps a quick trip to a local car wash, participants gathered for the weekend’s capstone social dinner and happy hour. It was clear from the hugs and excited conversation that those who hadn’t arrived as friends at the start of the weekend were leaving as friends who had made some incredible memories and connections over the course of the Celebration of X weekend. Perhaps now a trademark BMWCCA event ritual, attendees gathered in front of the fireplace in the Hotel Hartness lobby after dinner. Stories and laughs were shared by all, and most importantly, plans were made to meet again in the near future.
The X Chapter is thankful for those who participated this weekend, including the Sandlapper Chapter team, to make it a success. We look forward to returning to our National headquarters and Upstate South Carolina in April for the annual BimmerLife MiX Enthusiast Festival. We encourage you to SAVE THE DATE to join us April 24-27, 2025. We hope to see you then!
Additional Photos:
X Chapter Board members, friends, and spouses pose for a photo at the History of X Gala. Photo by Afshawn Towfighi