I tell you what, I gotta agree with the expensive part. I've owned 3 BMW's, presently still have 2 of them, and am considering replacing my wife's 525i Touring sportswagon with an X5. I tell you what, though, for comparison purposes I fully loaded a top-end Dodge Durango, and it came to over $20,000 LESS than a comparably equipped E70, even with the significant military discounts I get through BMW. I strongly prefer the BMW, and there's no comparison between the X5 and the Durango. But there's also nothing like $20,000 in your pocket. I really want the X5, but I don't know if I can justify the massive cost.