What options would you take (in the order of preference)?

[Denalio]

Originally Posted by iamcrom

Correct. In Canada, we have 3-year maintenance for free (I believe we have three years only).

It is 4 years or 80,000 kms in Canada, not 3 years.

[2thdr]

I am not sure which model you are ordering, but either way...

i) Dynamic Handling - I remember once seeing a video of Mercedes SL with Active Body Control doing the slalom side by side against one without ABC. The car with ABC went through the pylons almost completely level...no body roll. With an average of at least 5000 pounds being tossed around (if indeed you like to toss your vehicle around a bit), I would most definitely go for this option. For some reason, at least in Canada, this option is not chosen very frequently. In an earlier post frequented by most of us Canucks (no, not you Vancouver hockey fans), I noted that my dealer had told me in January that when I placed my order, I was one of only three orders with this option. One of the others is Denalio. Not sure if the third is on the board. Maybe Denalio can chime in specifically on his impressions of the adaptive drive and whether he thinks it makes a difference in how the X5 handles. Denalio?

ii) Activity Package - OK, lets be serious. If you live in the land of hockey and snow, you should be required to get this package. The running boards are the cherry on top of the package and those headlamp washers are worth every dollar when all that yummy snow is melting.

iii) Sports package - OK, I am a little biased here, coming from an M3. Anything that can make this SUV handle more like a car is always going to be good in my books. And with the Adaptive drive, you can make it as hard as you want - well, maybe not. But I would still vote for it.

iv) Premium Package - if the comfort seats were available, it would be a more obvious choice. Nonetheless, I am breaking down and voting for this in spite of the lack of comfort seat availability, as I love the UGDO and the lighting package. (forgive me for I am weak...)

v) I would vote agaisnt the Technology package. I think that there are much better portable GPS systems that you can take with you on a vacation if need be. Examples include PDAs with built in GPS (Asus), stand alone GPS (http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/gadgets/m...nd-242408.php), and even cell phones (Blackberry 8800, Apple iPhone). Even more convincing is the argument that if you end up lost, at least you are lost in an X5.

vi) OK, I also vote for the upgraded sound, but I spend an inordinate amount of time in my vehicle.

vii) And lastly (drum roll...) PDC! Only because my fiancee will be driving the vehicle once we are married. No need to elaborate on that, is there?

And on the subject of maintenance...I honestly have no clue what your salesperson was speaking about. As Denalio pointed out, in our Winterwonderland, we have 4yrs/80K km maintenance coverage. In 3yrs and 61000km with my M3, with every (and I mean every) shift being a red line shift, my vehicle has only ever had oil changes every 7500km (the interval was my choice). I am not sure if there will be any X-factor (that's "punny") with the SUV being built in S.C. that would make us want to consider extra coverage, but I am hoping not. M y experience with my dealer has always been good, but I guess each one is unique.

Hope this helps!

[X5FX]

GREAT SUMMARY-
one comment regarding Tech Package, remember it includes more than the Nav...it also includes Voice Control, PDC, Rear Camera and wider 16X9 display + the Nav has RTT (Traffic),

Since your fiancee will be driving the vehicle...the rear view camera might be wise too.