BMW rookie scared, wants 4.4!

[Lak]

WOw, this Forum has been great tons of info and candid responses, I just love it. I also LOVE the X5 4.4 that i am considering on purchasing. Here is the situation: We are looking for a 2nd SUV, as our previous MDX unfortunately had to go to MDX heaven due to an accident (great car, we loved it). Thank goodness for its safety! However, since there wasnt any MDX for sale in my area (they are hard to come by), we took a couple X5s for test drive, and i absolutely love it, especially the 4.4.

This one particular puppy is SOOO NIICE and tempting, its an 02 with 60K miles, no accidents, original owner, black on black, and everything up to date and ALWAYS dealer serviced even after warranty. BUT heres what scares me, i went to confirm the maintenance history of the vechile; kid you not, the file the service guy dropped in front of me was 2 and half inches thick!!! As he was looking through and explaining all that had been done, he said "Oh i remember this guy, he's a good customer, he spent alot of money here"...LMAO, i just find that hilarious, how he said it.

Anyways, everything that could of been done to the X, has been done he said - including replacing the tranny about 6000 miles ago. (Dealer only charged him $5500 for it, guess he really was a good customer). What scares me is that his X spent a total of 134 service days at the dealership since 2002 for 32 seperate services (one time it took 3 weeks to diagnose and fix a water leak). Is this normal? I guess it only comes to 2-3 days average per visit.

He's asking $18,000 for it, which includes the original fat rims with relatively newish tires, and also comes with a set of smaller winter rims (i think 17") and tires that are brand new.

First question: is this a fair price (i think its kinda steep, considering 2011 is just around the corner)

Secondly: is this really for us?? I wish i could say yes, lets do it, but i have reservations regarding maintenance expenses. We want something stylish, reliable, and NICE. I absolutely love it, but dont know if i can afford it at this point in time as being an entreprenuer everytime I would have to dish out $1000 per repair I would be think of how I could of used that money to better and grow my business. Then again, I would be using it partly for business, as well as a family car - so basically it would get used alot.

Anyway, what should I do!!??? I love this PUPPPYY!!! But at the same time I'm scared, like getting into a relationship with a high maintenance girlfriend that always needs attention, needs to go shopping every week, and lots of maintenance - they can make you go broke and go crazy no matter how hot she is .

PS - I heard 03+ models are more reliable...?