I've test drove the E70 3.0 w/o sport package, didn't feel the power as I went on the high way but the ride was pretty smooth the car respond very well. The interior is roomier than the E53 and I do like the iDrive (probably one of the few who does), I notice that you can see the iDrive screen very clear as the light/reflection didn't bother it at all. The electronic parking brake is nice and so is the shifter on the center console is very easy to use/handle. The third row seats isn't much room to fit a person who's over 5'5/5'6 IMO. I really don't think the interior feels cheap but that just me. Love the new center split-open glove box door, better than the old drop-down door. Don't like where they put the rear entertainment LCD screen, it's rest on top of the center arm-rest area so every time you want to open the arm-rest to get something in it you have to move the LCD screen unless you have it up at all time, this just poorly designed IMO. The 20-way multi-contour seat is by far the most comfortible seat you can find in an automobile and to me it's a must have. The Head-up display is nice but one can live without it, $1,000 USD stand along option but you need to have the tech package to go with it.

The comfort access keyless entry is nice but to pay an extra $1,000 USD for a little chip install in your key/keyfob so you can use your hand touch the door handle twice to open the door and don't need to insert the key to start up the engine rather than press the button that's already on the key to open the door and insert the key to keyfob will only take a second so I don't see the point of getting this stand-along option UNLESS you just wanted to show-off to your friends and family .

The back-up rear camera is nice but I'll still turn my head around every time I'm backing up the car it just something that I'm so used to do.

The new fog light function is really cool, it lights up the corner for you for better view at night when you turn the corner but you need to have to fog light turn off and turn the light switch to "Auto" position for that to work.

I'll be test drive the 4.8i this weekend with sport package and will see how it feels.

After all, it's all on personal opinion, some likes the car and some don't. My lease of the 04 4.8si is up so I'm looking to get another X, been looking around different SUV but nothing compare to the handling of BMW X5 besides, it is the best looking SUV/SAV out there (that's for both E53 and E70) IMHO.