...the X5! All of your input was very helpful in laying out the pros and cons of each - Thanks!

Finally test drove the 550 today - great ride, super responsive (and I the car I tested didn't have the sport pack either) and overall beautiful and fast car - but knowing myself, i would have always been kicking myselve for not getting the M5 instead....

In the end the X is the better ride for us given our lifestyle (biking, snowboarding, etc) and the fact that an all out fun car is in the works for next year. Besides, the X in black with 20's looks freakin sweet! So we ordered a black metallic E70 with sand beige interior - sports, premium, technology, iPod, premium sound, 20" wheels, running boards and mabye the aero kit...delivery in late August

Just for kicks and last minute due diligence, i test drove a cayenne turbo...very dissapointing. For a truck with 500+ hp, $100k sticker and a Porsche badge, i expected WAAAAY more. Cheap interior, bulbous and awkward overall feel. Cornering was not even in the same ballpark as the X and overall sportiness and throttle response was not significantly better than the X either...I guess if you want a Porsche, you still need to buy a 911....

Thanks again - i will post pics once i take delivery (and do some quick mods)!