Agree 100% - I was looking at the GL last year and test drove a few. I was ambivalent until I found one with off-road.
Off-road pkg was hard to find and I only test drove one that had this- when set to sport, the GL is awesome. Firm, tight, handles much smaller than its mass.

I have three kids so the X5 is a severe compromise. GL looks good.

We just found out we're having twins (our first kids) 2 days ago. I thought no 3rd row was just fine, until now... ;) We may very well have a 3rd later on...

My car has already shipped so it's too late for 3rd row... you can never plan for these things. :D

Did you look at the Yukon or Tahoe with the Z51 package?

(you knew that this was coming :))

Btw- the new "limo" of choice for NYC car services is the MB R350 "station wagon"

Congrats, ic you're on the same boat as I was a few years ago, when I got my 2005 4.4. The x fit the bill for when we just had the twins, not for when the third one came along...I was not able to squeeze three car seats in the second row, so I was looking for something wider. The GL was able to swallow all three car seats in the second row, plus i get the convinience of a third row seat for when they are older.

I've had the GL 450 for a few months now, and I must say it is a solid truck, hanldes just fine, and feels tight, the closest thing to a BMW. The third row seats are automatic and they fold flat, this is what sold my wife on the GL...no need to be taking the seats out. Adults that are 6' ft tall fit in the 3rd row seat just fine, plenty of room. The truck is fast too, faster than my 05 4.4.

Anyhow, I am a BMW die hard, however, until BMW comes out with a competitor to the GL, MB it is... SUV wise that is.

Congrats on your twins!! You'll need a third row sooner or later. I almost bought the GL450 last year because of the massive extra room over the E53 but decided to stay with the bimmer instead. With two carseats the wifey barely has any room to sit between them. And with diaper bags, strollers, wifey's bags there's no room left for anything else in the cargo. The little pooch rides shotgun with me. And if the nanny joins us then the pooch go whereever there's room left. :rofl:

So I agree BMW needs a larger SUV, X7 maybe? Otherwise my next vehicle may well be the GL550.

What's wrong with a minivan? Do you plan to go off-roading with 7 passengers? :dunno:

Why is the X5 not big enough for three kids - just curious


(Disclaimer - no kids here)

I have an 8 yr old, 7 yr old and 2 yr old- all girls.
For trips of any distance, the girls must be separated or there is no peace in the car.
With the carseat and the older girls all on one row, it's a tight fit. Plus you lose any benefit of armrest and cupholders.
Asking my older girls to sit in that "third row" of the X5 was not a good proposition- not on long trips. And the wife insisted that the carseat be accessible so it has to go on the 2nd row.

:iagree:

Nothing wrong with minivans. I just prefer not to drive one and no I don't go offroading period.