WTF, Fully loaded E70 4.8i comes to $79,855

[caseyschulte]

I'm a bit confused by the comparison that some of you guys are making. While it's true enough that the sticker on a X5 4.8i with all the newest bells and whistles is kinda ridiculous, the new X5 really doesn't seem to be much more on an apples-to-apples basis.

Consider the comparison of a fairly well optioned 4.8i vs. a 2006 4.4i:

________________________4.8i_________4.4i


Base price____________$54,500 _____$53,600
Destination___________$___695______$___695
Heated rear seats_____$___350______$___350
Cold weather package__$___900______$___750
Heated stearing wheel ___Inc.______$___150
Premium package ______$_2,550______$_2,500
Premium sound package_$_1,800______$_1,200
CD Changer_______________Inc.______$___600 (?)
Rear climate package__$___900______$___400
Sports package________$_3,600______$_1,600
19" Wheels_______________Inc.______$___950

Total_________________$65,295______$62,795


So, we're basically talking about $2,500 extra for the bigger engine and other performance refinements introduced in the new model. Not sure what folks were expecting, but this doesn't seem too far out of line to me. Am I missing something? Were people expecting the new options to be free?