Bimmerfan, I for one appreciate honest posts like this, it's not about bashing BMW but being honest that the pricing is way off here.

I've been looking at this vehicle for awhile, almost bought a 06 X5 4.4 but held off since this was just around the corner. You are right on the mark the options are just too high, with comfort seat, Prem Sound, Prking sensors, Tech Pkg w/ Nav and ventilated seats (a must for FL) Prem Pkg/Sport Pkg just brings the options over the top. It is bordering on price gouging. Don't even say well if you can't aford the vehicle why are you even looking. That is not the point, why would BMW price out the options so high, they know most people want those items. Finding a loaded up E70 used down the road will be a much better deal if one can wait that long.

I seriously did not think that the E70 would be that much more than the 06 4.4 but with the options added it is way higher than it really should be. Who wants to drive around in a brand new E70 that is stripped down to the bone with no options, how fun is that? I would imagine you will see alot of stripped E70's on dealers lots just to get them out on the roads so the public will buy them but to me, no options = no fun longterm.

I still want to test drive one, I want a new vehicle within the next few months. I would have got the 06 4.4 but I really want a Nav and I hate the fact that you lose having a CD player up front and you get a cassette instead, how outdated is that? I really like the interior layout of the E70 with the Nav.

Thanks for your honest post, it was well written and I agree with you.