Just a side point. ( bit of a hijack i guess) I Drove up next to a MBZ 12 cylinder sedan today stopped at the signal. ( not sure the model) But as i sat there i noticed the driver side lower door panel's paint had more orange peel than i would expect from a MBZ. And this is not the first time i have had this experience.

I was in a show room three years ago and pointed it out to a salesman and he seemed quite indifferent about it. So i thought ahh maybe it just this one vehicle but i cruised the lot and sure enough they were all about the same.

I don't understand how my X has better depth in the paint then a 100K MBZ. Anyone else notice this.

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"What you hear in a great jazz band is the sound of democracy. “The jazz band works best when participation is shaped by intelligent communication.”
Harmony happens whenever different parts get to form a whole by means of congruity, concord, symetry, consistency, conformity, correspondence, agreement, accord, unity, consonance…….

Beautiful car. Very sweet. One thing I've noticed lately is the position and angle of the NAV screens in cars. The X5 puts it in the best position of any car I have owned or driven. The NAV on MB's are always too low to been seen well by the driver and I think are a driving hazard.

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Prior to this X5 we had a 2004 S500 and the paint was perfect (Black)

I always thought BMW's are more none for their orange peel than MB?

I have read a few threads in which people will pay to have the paint wet sanded and polished. The before and after shots are dramatic.

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2008 BMW X5 4.8i (E70)
Alpine White, Burl Walnut, Nevada Black, Sport Package, Cold Weather Package,
Premium Package, Technology Package,
Rear Climate Package, iPod adapter

Acura started wet sanding with the RL. You cannot notice any orange peel but I have seen orange peel look on some newer BMWs.

From what I've been told the MBZ paint is much better and there are more layers as compared to the BMWs (I've had 3 black and 1 blue benz's and all of them have exquisite paint, they seemed deeper and richer than the blue on my x5)

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2006 BMW X5 4.8is Lemans Blue/Beige/Dark Maple
-Nav, Comfort Seats, Heated Steering Wheel,
Rear Airbags, AUX Input
2009 BMW M3 Space Grey/Black/Carbon
-all options