I don't mind doing work myself to save some money, and I agree to the X5 at least E70 driving experience as to the only SUV I'd like to drive (why I bought it). However, I've been surprised at having to spend 5K to diy all the needed maintence (fluid changes, etc.) and only some of the needed reapirs. Still have to fix my sunroof, power rear hatch, and valve stem seals (maybe). Basically I've spent almost 50% of the cars value in rehabbing it. I purchased the 2008 X5 4.8i with 89K miles (no smoking and everything worked), which had been under CPO until 3/2016. The smoking issue showed up when towing a travel trailer and backing it into a campsite. Guess it was too much for its marginal valve stem seals.

My biggest reason I won't probably purchase a new BMW is it comes down to driving fun for me. I don't like the F15s that much with their numb steering and floppy body control. However, my X5 is equipped with adaptive drive and the F15 I drove was equipped with the "sport" suspension and m-sport packages. My E70 seems to be a superior driving car for enthusiastic driving and I find it to be more fun.