JBF the threads were good, like I said in the 1 year I have drive then X I have had the thump feeling twice, once when I slowed approached a roundabout and then hit the gas violently and another time when I slowed at lights and then did the same, it is unnerving but as long as it does no damage then I can live with it, besides I have no other option I really do not want to splash out on a gearbox at 35km miles ! JBF for me the car is the best I have owned so far, and anyone driving it is amazed, if you get superchips to ‘ tinker ‘ with it, you will take off!!! .

Your best bet is to go for a test drive, and like you say most people who do go online do so to reports issues and not praise their cars, tricky one really, Japanese are reliable but doubt they have the same handling….. compromises have to be made, the more you scan sites the more you will become confused, reason I went for the x5 was the torque of the diesel the 30mpg town driving, the fact that I can park on the very high kerbs out here which you cannot risk for example with an M3 , and the space it has for passengers…..

Having said all that I suppose if like some of the unlucky lot on whatcar site you will just be happy to see the back of it and be happy with driving a Suzuki vitara! I was considering a rav and other japanses cars, but the interiors were pants, tooooo plasticky, and since I have been used to audi Mercedes and saab, I just could not make the jump to something inferior in terms of interior….will keep ya posted on my x5 ‘features’ hope it goes well for you, take your time on deciding, what about lexus in black?they look good…