The new BMWs are just plain dull to drive, period. They're competent and technically brilliant pieces of engineering, but not very exciting. So naturally, a E60 535i isn't going to be as interesting as a E53 X5. The fizz just ain't there.

Driving the E90 325i and my X3 are two very different experiences. The 325i is very fast and corners very well. The X3 leans more, rides poorer, has a higher centre of gravity, and accelerates more moderately out of bends. But at the end of the day, the X3 is preferred because it's just more enjoyable to drive fast. Everytime I go around a set of good roads quickly, I want to make a U-turn and do them all over again (and I have). This only occurs in the X3. In the 325i, I'm too busy screaming at the complicated computer stuff.

So in the end, I would rather just have a E46 M3. None of the excess bulk of the X3, more of the fizz.

I have owned a X5 4.4 in past and now 535 and 4.8is and between the 535 and 4.8is I prefer 4.8is as it has more oomph and sportiness, and better lane changing capabilities and acceleration responses on highway. My 535 is stock (and not 550) and not as sporty. If I had a M3 than it would be a different story. But sorry to other 535 owners, I prefer 4.8is to 535. ;) :)

That, and the F1 car the 4.8is is delusional about, isn't even a BMW. It's a Williams LOL!

You should try the 535 with the M-Sport package (including M-Sport suspension), and the manual transmission. :)

Seriously, I think the X5 is great. I really enjoyed mine. I thought it was a very competent, good handling, SUV. (It is an SUV and not an SAV) It is just that I find a comparable sedan handles that much better. I got tired of having a pretty good handling and very useful vehicle (the X5) and a very good handling vehicle and not very useful vehicle (the Z4), and so found one that could cover both bases. I can't tow a trailer, or put the top down, but most of the time I have a smile on my face when driving it.

But it would be boring if we all drove the same thing :thumbup:

I traded a E39 to get my X5 and I find that it is equally nice, but really needed the Xdrive and the higher clearance to get around in the mountains here. That said, I think it handles almost as well as my old E39.

As much as I love driving sporty ass cars, and believe me... I've driven ALL BMW's available as a dealer tech. When I had small, nimble, sporty little cars, I just missed my big, powerfull old trucks and SUV's... and the ability to haul a decent sized trailer for my other toys and home improvement runs... So I bought the 4.6is and haven't ever been happier with a vehicle. And have out run and out-handled many friends with supposed muscle cars and sport trucks. And we have customers trade in big domestic 4x4 deisel duallys for X5's saying "the X5 pulls my offshore boat out of a wet slip much better than the dually did"