significant decline all around but noticeably so in the SUV realm... looming $4 gas prices anyone?

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'08 X5 3.0si - Alpine White / Saddle Brown interior
Specs: Sport Pkg, Premium Pkg, Tech Pkg, Comfort Access, Aero Kit, Style 433 staggered 20s on Conti DWS
Mods: Carbon 35 tint, LED angel eyes, GP Thunder 7500k fogs, H&R 20mm/25mm spacers, clear reflectors, gunsmoke-tinted taillights
Coded: Digital speedo, windows/sunroof/tailgate close via keyfob

X5 pics at Flickr

I think that is the general trend for all manufacturers, not just BMW. With fuel getting more and more expensive, people are considering fuel consumption as an important factor. Just this morning, Toyota announced record sales for their Yaris, a sub-compact that gets amazing gas mileage and is priced below $15,000.

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Not to sound conceited, but I would drive and buy any Bimmer a million times over than buy something as ugly as a Yaris. Fuel economy is important to me, but not to the point where I buy something with hardly any style and luxury.

Just by 2 cents.

X5 V8

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04 X3 2.5i (Retired)
04 X5 3.0i (Retired)
06 X5 3.0i (Retired)
07 X5 4.8i (Delivered 6/20/07)

Quick, unrelated question: what size are your rims?

It's not being conceited at all. I would buy and drive any BMW over a Toyota Yaris, Honda Civic, Hyundai, Kia, etc..., just due to the safety aspect. In 2004 (on my B'day to boot!), I was t-boned in my X5 4.4i, by some teenager doing 50mph+ in a truck. The emergency crew said the X5 saved my life for sure (side and head curtain airbags). If I was in a Yaris, I would be dead!! I consider myself a "leftie enviornmentalist", and driving an X5 4.8i is not enviornmental....but it's my life. I do other things to make up for it...huge solar array @ home, buying carbon footprints, volunteering, etc..
Here's a pic of the accident. I'm on my 4th X5, NHIS says the X5 is one of the highest rated cars ever, for crash safety!

Yeah...that looks pretty bad, glad your ok. What a bummer that it happened on your birthday. I can understand about your point about safety, I always feel safe and secure in my X5. I was in a little fender bender about 4 years ago with my 04 and the woman hit my front bumper and it only put a tiny scratch in the plastic, while doing more damage to her 80's Caddy. We have quality built super machines here.

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04 X3 2.5i (Retired)
04 X5 3.0i (Retired)
06 X5 3.0i (Retired)
07 X5 4.8i (Delivered 6/20/07)

Wow Deutsch, that is an EXCELLENT pic and great info, thanks for posting. Glad you're OK first of all. Second, I'd be very curious to get more details on the physics and damage of this accident.
1) Is that the head curtain airbag that we're seeing stretching from front to back?
2) What is the airbag visible in the rear right seat? Is that the side airbag?
3) Did either of the 2 front airbags go off?
4) Were you belted in?
5) Any other passengers in your vehicle?
6) What trim level did you have: 3.0, 4.4, higher?
7) Was this considered "totalled" for insurance purposes?
8) Was the other guy really doing 50 mph? You're not exaggerating?
9) Describe his vehicle and what damage and injuries he sustained?

Sorry for the bunch of questions, but this could really shed some light on a topic rarely discussed on this board: collisions!

Hey StanF18!

Yes, that is the head curtain airbag from front to rear. Also you see the rear side airbag. The passenger side airbag also deployed (but the door was cut away, so it's not visible in the picture). Yes, both front airbags deployed, because when we were hit from the side, we were pushed head-on, hard and fast into a parked Infiniti Q45. We were both seat belted (it's the law!) and it was me, and my spouse in the car, coming home from the gym. We were in a 4.4i (and we replaced it with a great 4.8is!!). The insurance agency wanted to fix it, even though repair estimates were over $30,000! We told them that if they insist on fixing it, we would demand they sign a document stating the car has the same structural integrity as when it left the factory, and that it anyone in the future is hurt, or killed in another accident due to the car's weakness, and bent frame, that they are fully responsible. They totalled the car the next business day!
Why would I exaggerate the speed of the car that hit us? Kind of insulting man! What, are we 16? The Police estimated the truck (Nissan pickup, early 1990's model) was travelling between 50-55mph.
His car was totaled, and the entire front was smashed up to the front window. He was taken away via Ambulance, and I don't know the extent of his injuries, but it did look like he hit the windshield with his head. I think he was seriously injured.

Interestingly, I see the 7 series sales increased. Of all the models, why would the 7 increase in sales? Especially since it's nearing the end of the latest generation.

Since sales of the X5 are so weak, I hope BMW lowers the MF even further in April & May

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Carpe Diem