I drive the 4.8i and have about 4000 km on it.

The built quality is second to none. If you go look at the underside of a brand new Range Rover, you can see the suspension and other parts just totally being exposed to the elements. I looked at the engine bay and the underside of my X, man it looks like its meant to be displayed. All parts are neatly tucked in and fully covered and even the exhaust pipes run down the length of the body in perfectly symmetrical paths! (they are not kidding about the 50:50 weight distribution)

take a look at this thread, the pic of the underside is there:
http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e70-forum/...t-hearted.html

It has the best interior of all luxury SUVs out there. Everything I need is there yet nothing looks too cluttered or busy but just simple and elegant. The iDrive and touch sensitive buttons, they just work. No squeaks or rattles anywhere too. I have lights underneath the outside door handles and also lights behind the door handles on the inside as well. Even the floor is illuminated. When I turn the engine on or off while having the music on or playing with the iDrive, it never seizes or stops but just keeps on going and I love that. The LOGIC 7 sound system is so good I love listening to music when i drive than ever before and the BMW leather smell (it's still there much to my delight) is euphoric! (lol ).

When I let the engine heat up a bit and gun it, it runs like a sports car, it handles and feels and grunts in that typical BMW style. The acceleration is neck breaking if you want it to but realistically though, its the linear acceleration that catches my breath. When you drive another model, say a Lexus (not to pick on them or anything), you push the gas pedal and it starts to move and it pulls and pulls and sort of stops trying (engine revving) and then shifts to the next gear to get moving again. The x5 pulls with the same acceleration constantly. It is like a jet taking off. it just never gives you that (oh i;m running out of juice better shift now) underpowered feeling. So the power-train, not only the power and refinement but handling, is world's best. Mind you BMW power-train technology goes into Rolls Royce Phantoms.

Speaking of handling, it really, with all jokes aside, feels like you are on rails especially with the sport suspension. The passengers don't even feel the car cornering sometimes on long bends. It stays flat as a boat, and we are talking a 6000 lb beast here.

The downside of the sport suspension with the 20"wheels (Mine is without Adaptive Drive- Canadian configuration) is that the bumps on the road are felt more than most people are used to. You don't quite hear when hitting the bumps but you can feel them. I also do not have active steering and I find the steering wheel a bit more heavier than the other makes as well.
So my advice to you would be to get the US sport package (includes Adaptive drive) and the active steering feature

Okay, so options, I have all the electrical gadgetry that I can get on the X except the wireless DVD entertainment system. The PDCs, rear camera with guide lines and distance markers, HUD, comfort access, the nav, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, are all in-expandable to me. I use and cherish all of these options every single day. BMW really got it right with the technology.

By the way, if you live in a temperate region with even occasional snow, I cannot think of a safer and more capable vehicle than the X5. This vehicle will go to where you point it to go, and it Will stop at right where you want it to. The steering precision and breaks on this BMW is unmatched-in all weather conditions. Even a Mercedes dealer will admit that (actually true ).

If you would like to know more about the car in detail, anything at all, please do not hesitate to ask. I'm willing to share even the minute details. I love the car so much I always talk about it anyway

p.s. when people call my X a truck, and I really strongly disagree with them. If you drive a 4.8i you will know what i mean. It is no truck I tell you.