What is the deal with these cars?

[thegameq]

Okay, I've been lurking for a while now and can't take it anymore. I am in love with this vehicle (4.6is) but the things I have been reading, the conversations with some indy mechanics are really beginning to scare me away from this awesome car.

I do mostly highway travel with long distance commute in Upstate NY. Summers are awesome, winters can be a nightmare. Highways are great for drivers who like to drive but tend to be really isolated - as in don't break down out here, you'll be waiting for a while for a tow truck, middle of no where.

I'm looking for a daily driver that is fun to drive (aggressively) but still give me the winter weather, snow handling capability of an SUV. I'm looking at mostly 2003-2004 X5 4.6is with easily over 100,000 on the odometer.

Guys, I've got the itch. I test drove one of these beasts and it will easily be the best car I have ever had (coming from a 2001 Montero, supercharged, an absolute tank). But I want a real car that I can rely on. I don't want a weekend toy. Please tell me all the horror stories are just exaggerations. I simply cannot believe BMW, with all their prestige and know how would release such an allegedly shoddy car.

I've talked to indy mechanics and they all have similar things to say about the car:

"BMWs are nice cars but once the warranty runs out get rid of it."
"The X5 is a nice truck but I wouldn't buy one used".
"(laughing with a smirk) why do you want an X5? Man those cars are a big headache? (cue story about a customer)"

On and on and on...

I have found some glowing phrase for the X5 as well, but it's always tempered by a "but if etc. breaks...."

I have been researching alternatives and honestly nothing seems to come close other than a Cayenne. Oddly some one told me to test drive the Mazda CX-5 for a pleasant surprise. I know Mazda has been called the poor mans BMW by some but the lack of horsepower concerns me.

The infiniti FX series? Grand Cherokee S R/T?

I want to take the leap ($10K) but I am terrified of being stranded on the side of a mountain road in the middle of no where in the winter or summer. I also don't want a money pit.

What is the real deal with these cars?