Great info, thanks for sharing. Still disappointed with BMW NA though.

I posted some things that were annoyingly unavailable on the 2009 E70 X5. Now we are looking at 2011 and only about half have been improved upon I'm sorry to say. Here's looking forward (and hoping) to 2012!

Issue:
1. Carbon Black metallic exterior - available in other markets.
- BMW somewhat improved this situation by making it available with the M Sport Package, unfortunately if you don't want the rest of the $6,500 package you're screwed. Though they did add at least one nice new color option (Platinum Grey). (Not sure if Ruby Black will be available in the USA)

2. Camel Nevada leather interior - available in other markets
- Looks like they did away with this color completely (and apparently Saddle Brown too). At least they introduced some decent options this time, both that are two-tone: Oyster Nevada leather and Cinnamon Brown Nevada leather.

3. Passenger active seat - available in other markets.
- Still not available in the USA, on a car built in the USA.

4. Perforated leather (for Active Seats) in a color other than Black or Sand Beige.
- This is still not available in other colors for some completely bizarre reason, which means no Active Ventilated Seat Package if you hate those two color options, and I do. The BMW X5 M individual has perforated leather options in five colors (Platinum, Champagne, Criollo Brown, Syrah Blue, Slate) so BMW still knows how to punch tiny hole into different color leather.

5. If you want the Leather Dashboard option then you MUST order Nappa leather which means only Sand Beige or Black since those come in Nevada and Nappa options. Oyster or Cinnamon Brown is not possible with this option since they only come as Nevada leather. (BTW, why is one leather named after an entire state and another leather named after a small region within a state?) Also since only perforated leather is Nevada leather and not Nappa leather, if you want the Active Ventilated seat package you cannot have the leather dashboard. Sound stupid, you bet it does!

6. Night vision - available on other models.
- Still not available for the X5. Now the system is on it's 2nd generation with a higher specification camera (longer range and narrower angle) and better software (better person recognition, color options, zoom function), but zippo for the X5.

7. Automatic high beams - available in other markets
- Finally included for the USA!

8. Active cruise control with stop 'n go - available on 5, 7 series
- Finally included for the USA!

9. Updated i-drive console - available in virtually every other BMW model including the 1 series.
- Finally included for the USA!

10. CIC i-drive system - was previously unavailable on all cars, then made available.
- Finally included for the USA!

11. Provision to select "Individual" options and be essentially custom made.
- Very limited availability if at all for the USA

12. It appears that 2011 will still have the ridiculous 'mpg' display rather than a proper oil temperature gauge in the instrument cluster, something that is now present on every other BMW model. Sounds stupid? You bet it does!!

13. Lastly, BMW is making 2,000 "10 year anniversary" models that are stunning, but not a single one is coming (back) to the USA even though they are built here and the US is the largest X5 market!? Thanks BMW NA (not available).

My 2 cents.