I think you are right. A few days ago my wife and I were driving on 696 (expressway in Detroit) heading home - it was about 10 pm - and we were doing 80 mph - as most people do in the lefthand lanes - and we pass a minivan - the guy then promptly overtakes us and shoots ahead. We both kinda laugh and keep up with him until we are doing 100mph - thats when we catch up with some slower traffic - but the minivan continues - changing lanes like crazy to get ahead. We stop keeping up (we are not that crazy) but we are both dumbfounded by why this guy reacted like he did.

Another example - also involving a minivan - On mothersday we were driving down Woodward - we were just past 14 Mile, when we passed a minivan - we were doing a little over the limit - and the road was pretty clear. The minivan overtakes us (we are not looking for a race on woodward - that road is a speedtrap if ever there was one). Ahead we see a black SUV - my wife instantly recognices it as a sheriff car and slinks over to the right and slows down - but the minivan comes roaring up besides the SUV, and then slows down as he sees its a cop. The cop goes after him and seem to be pacing the minivan for a while. By this time we turn - but it didnt seem like the cop was pulling the guy over. Still we had a chuckle.

In general people do seem to "want to beat" us. Typically other european cars (especially Audi's and VW's) will try their best to get ahead of us if starting from intersections. Granted - the X5 has a natural ability to leave everyone behind when accelerating from a standstill - so the reaction from other drivers are not that unatural - they must think its on purpose and just to annoy them, while in fact we are just enjoying our car. When we were driving a Ford Escape we didnt notice any of this behavior (though we saw plenty of crazy drivers), but then again - we werent enticing people by (that much) spirited driving, and Ford is not a Ego-emitting car like the BMW - so I think its a response to our driving style, and the brand.

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- Ravenheart

I have been experiencing the same stuff out here too since I got my X (back in March).

I previously had a Jeep GC. Now, while I drive the SAME roads, the SAME way (kinda defensive & fast - originally from EastCoast - what can I say) the SAME speed(s) - people all of a sudden treat me differently on the road. They want to race me , cut me off , fence me in , ride up on me at a light & then my PDC starts beeping cause they are TOO FREAKING CLOSE (I am a five foot rule kinda girl).

They never use to do all this when I had my Jeep? I just don't get it

Conclusion - next time I am getting a 4.8 ... then they will see me ....

smoke their damn asses!!!!

not out here in CA.. BMW are dime a dozen unfortunately. I was at a stop light once here in pleasanton and there were 2 E39 M5's along with mine, a gallardo and a continental GT right next to me. Really depends on where you are...

While I make it a point to be a courteous driver, there are those rare times where I, for whatever reason, feel compelled to cut someone off (not to be an a-hole, but perhaps I did something stupid just previous to the event - whatever...) I always make it a point to see what kind of vehicle I'm about to cut off. If I think it has good brakes - off I go; if it's an old Chevy Tahoe, I'll at least think twice about it...

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'08 335i Coupe - Barbera Red / Saddle Leather / Light Poplar Wood / 6spd Manual
Options: Sport, Premium, Cold Weather, Comfort Access, Active Steering (awesome!), Power Rear Shade, IPod Adapter, Navigation w/IDrive
Mods: M6 Wheels, Split Armrest, M-Steering Wheel, Euro Light Switch w/Rear Fog Lights, Short Shift Knob w/Matching E-Brake Handle, Clear Reflectors, CDV, Clear Bra

Retired:'04 X5 4.4i

This happens all the time in my CTS-V. For some reason, every jerk with something to prove wants to race, or slowdown, or somehow aggravate me. A guy in a supercharged Hummer floored it as I was coming up on him. He tried to ace in front of me into my lane. As he hit the gas, and his Hummer began to shudder like it would explode, I downshifted from 5th to 3rd, left a little tire behind, and let him know that he should pick on something like my Escalde instead.

Every Corvette, juiced ricer, Mustang on nitrous, and any other manner of car you can think of does that.

Part of the territory I guess.

Maybe some day I'll find an X5 that wants to race.;-)

I think all of us can relate to these similar problems. The thing is we drive a high end vehicle that gets a lot of looks. I guess some people just get jelous when they see us cruising in our X. My older brother drives a 05 325i and before we got the X he was telling me to make sure i be careful of people of the road because they tend to stare at the bimmers and get caught up with the car and not pay attention to the road. He told me some guy almost hit up because he was to busy watching the 325i.
There are some real whackos out there these days, you just gotta be careful, cuz some people have some serious road rage and you just never know what kind of heat they are packing.