I have no kids and have never towed with my X5. Had the Range Rover Sport and actually prefer the look and ride over the X5 but the reliability was horrific.

This time around (before purchasing 2012 X5 in June) I looked into another Range Rover Sport SC, Porsche Cayenne S and a 550i M Sport sedan. Nothing else really appealed to me (not a fan of the A6 or MB E class). I tried but couldn't get past my negative experience with the Range Rover's reliability. I thought the Cayenne had too many buttons on the dash, drove like an Audi and found it almost impossible to order one equipped how i want it. I came back to BMW and actually ordered the 550i but cancelled it because I couldn't get past thinking it is just too big and mature looking/feeling. My girlfriend was dead set against it as she thought it was an "old man's car". Her words not mine.

As much as I didn't want to ever buy the (technically) same car twice (trading in 4.8i) it fit the bill. Sporty enough, good price, size, utility, drive, feel, etc... Everything made sense. I'm pretty happy with the decision overall.

Honestly, I would love a 911 or M3 convertible but I use the car for work and occasionally need more space. I really don't want two cars. In the end, the X5 just seemed to do everything I wanted.

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12 X5 50i Sport
06 Porsche Boxster S
08 X5 4.8i Sport (Sold)
06 Range Rover Sport SC (Sold)
03 330i Performance (Sold)
01 330ic (Sold)