I think the price went up a few months ago. They used to be easily found from BMW dealers online for $175 but as you have seen, they are all up to $229 or thereabouts. I can only attribute that to BMW increasing the price to dealers. (This happened with the 4.6is body kit in dramatic fashion.)

I was lucky enough to find a set of the newer cross bars BNIB from a forum member for a reasonable price. I would suggest keeping an eye open here and elsewhere. They do pop up occasionally, especially when the owner has sold his/her X5. Do be aware that there are two versions and in my opinion, the older ones are ugly.

__________________