As others have mentioned, what I think off roading is may be entirely different than what it is or what others think it is.

I choose to avoid any situation that there is greater risk than driving on the freeway to cosmetically damage my vehicle. I would rather leave my shoes behind than get even mud on my carpet. If I don't have to I don't even drive when it rains. It has nothing to do with how well suited an X5 is to be 'off road.' It is just not how I enjoy my X5.

The X5 "off roading" Sarek is doing sounds like great fun but it is in an entirely different universe than what an X5 was designed to handle and he is making changes accordingly.

I choose to take my X5 to its limits enjoying engine performance and handling-- more within my interpretation of the ultimate driving machine. My guess is other high end, luxury SUVs are either in the same ballpark or they chose theirs as a status symbol.

Ukrcan, I think you can be totally confident your X5 will do what you want to do with no modifications, even tires.

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X5 4.6 2002 Black Sap, Black interior. 2013 X5M Melbourne Red, Bamboo interior
Dallas