We can go back an forth on this subject. But the bottom line is that Jap cars are built well, and are reliable. The suspension of the X is one of the best out there. I'm sure Japs build a very good suspension, but lets not forget, BMW builds cars or Savs for much better handeling then your average Jap car. Jap cars are made more just to drive for everyday, BMWs are made for performance. Reliability in Bmw's is a little lower then Jap cars, but if you do the maintainance you need to do on the Bmw's, you outlast and out perform any Jap car, IMO...