I have a E92 M3 now but I rarely drive it due to work and practicality so when it came to getting a SUV, X5 was the only choice. It doesn't have that big SUV feel to it, drives like a sedan, if you opt for Adaptive Drive which I highly recommend, I don't think there is any other SUV that handles like it. The 2011/2012 models without the M package have the best look so far for the X5 IMO. I actually did not get the M package because I liked the stock look!

At the end of the day though, X5 or X5M will NOT be a replacement for M3 or M5/6. Different needs, different cars....this was tough for me to accept since when I did test drives on these cars I was disappointed, but then I realized that I can't compare them to my M, but rather to my daily driver which is currently a Pathfinder.

So now I have given up my need for a sports car which I didn't drive anyways but ultimately I would own a X5 for daily and a nice M for weekend...

Go for both if you can afford it!!!!