I wish I saved the money on the active ventilated seats and put it towards nappa leather instead. I was concerned at the durability of the nappa (due to Mercedes' nappa being so easy to rip) and the fact that the X5 is more of a luxury rugged vehicle not a luxury sedan. But when I saw and felt the nappa in the X5, my mind completely changed. It's fine in a SUV, feels great and feels durable (I'm guessing Dakota would still be more durable, but the nappa would have been good enough for me). The ventilation on the seats is so disappointing. It's just loud and doesn't really do a decent job cooling me down at all. As for the active part, I've used it on a few long trips. It's okay. I much prefer the dynamic chairs in a Mercedes over the active one in the X5. It feels like things just just getting pushed up from below the chair in different quads at a time. I wouldn't miss it if I didn't get it (the second time around).

I've never driven the X5 without sports package. I liked the drive of it with the sports. I couldn't imagine how it would be like with a softer set-up. I really just went with it for the looks though.

__________________
2008 X5 4.8
White w/ Black Interior w/ Bamboo Trim | Premium | Sports + 214" | Tech | Cold Weather | Rear Climate | Premium Sound | Active Vent Seats | Heads-Up | Comfort Access | 3rd Row | Aero Kit | Huper Optik Tint | Clear Reflectors