Looking at a 2003 X5 4.6is

[xsx450]

towing is such a tip toed around subject around here I would take it with a grain of salt...

In General Take all forum topics with a grain of salt. If you bought a full size truck (1500) you may have to rebuild the tranny at some point, 50k? 100k? 200k? There is no real way to tell. No need to hide with your head in the sand.

Towing 5000lbs will not be great on the transmission but just be smart. I would use the steptronic and leave it in a gear where it can use decent torque and not be slipping between gears. Downshift before the hill not during, and don't hot rod.

I wouldn't cry over using the Reese mount either. Tongue weight is what is going to matter in this application, just keep the tongue weight down (easy to do) and it will pull it.

Worst case scenario buy a warranty, or simply save up for the transmission, Say $3000, put away 250 per month and after a year you are fine. This really isnt the end of the world people

You have some bargaining with the PPI tell them 13k, and buy a warranty or 14.5 and they include it. If it sells it sells but if your worried about the Tranny dont walk out of there still worried walk out of there care free, why else did you just drop 14k? my $.02