See also:

New 8-speed Automatic Transmission with Steptronic.
On both new gasoline models of the BMW X5, sending the newfound power to the standard xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive system is BMW's new 8-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic control. ...

1998: the fourth generation - common rail direct injection, VALVETRONIC and BMW xDrive
The fourth-generation BMW 3-Series was launched in May 1998 and brought with it another hike in output, comfort and safety. The new model was four centimetres (approx. 1.5 in.) longer and wider th ...

Controls
The audio and video sources can be controlled using the: > Buttons near the CD/DVD player > iDrive > Buttons on the steering wheel, > Programmable memory keys, > Voice activation s ...