Sounds like a great upgrade.

I had a 3.0i 5-speed manual loaner from my dealer over 5 years ago, and still remember how much fun it was! Sad that it will likely be the last manual X5 that I ever drive. I remember that it was a long-throw, but not any worse than the E39 M5. Our X3 manual is no short shifter, but is a generation ahead of that X5 and the M5.

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2016 GMC Sierra 2500 HD All-Terrain, Duramax 6.6

2011 X5M Alpine White/Sakhir Orange, Eucalyptus, Spare tire!, Comfort, Soft Close, Tech, Rear Climate, Individual dash, Individual Audio, HUD, DVD, USB, Cold.

Gone:
2008 4.8i
2005 X5 4.8is
2004 X5 4.4i Sport
2004 X3 3.0i 6MT
2002 M5