Here is what I'm thinking:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...yservlet-4.jpg

No way am I fully loading.. Too many options that are entirely useless and too expensive.

I don't want:
Comfort access. I have it on the 7 series and it's a PITA. I'd rather just press a button and put my key in the ignition.
Soft close doors. No way.. Why pay for this option?
Extended leather. Really unnecessary. The vehicles equipped without are stunning. It's a waste of money.

I don't know all the other US options yet so we'll have to wait and see.

:iagree: I had comfort access as well and its the most useless option. BMW should give it for free. Its probably useful for those who use the car mostly at night.

Hey, comfort access is good for something, entertainment value! We had a customer with it on a 7, drove his 7 to the airport, he got out and his wife jumped in the drivers seat... drove off. He got on a plane, she made it to the gas station! :rofl: She had to call and have the car towed home! (key stayed in his pocket)

Or when they come in saying their car doesn't lock and there is a key fob hiding in the floor vent or something...

I'd like to have CA on my next BMW...

I think I get the point that B-Line is trying to make though, why does an M vehicle need all of these ridiculous and ridiculously expensive options? Well, the only answer I can come up with is that BMW probably knows the "purists" buyers will purchase nearly "stripped" models while the "posers" will purchase every option just to say they drive the most expensive X5 offered. And BMW is more than happy to offer those options to increase sales. Of course there are exceptions to each end of that spectrum, thats just a grossly generalized idea/statement...

This is good info. What is meant by "soft close doors"? Is it different from the soft-boot close feature on the trunk of the E53? Because I like that feature. That way I haven't had to slam the hatch to close it, and have never developed that infamous E53 hatch "rattle".

Also what makes "extended leather" different from "standard"?

One option that I WILL want is the HUD. Way too cool to not get.

white would be interesting...
are these the rims you were looking at ?
http://www.wheelsto.com/images/hre/falllineM3.jpg
because those are sweet :cool: what would a set run ?

i am almost 100% on my setup :boogie:

-Black Sapphire Metallic
-Black perforated leather or black merino leather sport seats
-im not sure on the trim. carbon leather, light poplar or piano black ??
-the x5m style rims

packages

- zcw cold weather package
- zda driver assistance package
- zps premium sound package
- zrc rear climate package

options

- power tailgate
- comforst access keyless entry ( cant stand the take key sound )
- high gloss roof rails
- leather dash

after market

- limo tint

ill post what i was given to look over in a few....

Attachment 35464

Attachment 35463

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Another waste of money is the rear sun shades. On the 7 series, they are powered. So if you want to put em up or down you just press a button. It's nice to have but not a necessity.

On the X5 they are manual. So if you want the sun shades up, you have to go to the back seat and put each one up/down individually. Doesn't make much sense to me. Also, don't need the heated rear seats, I live in Cali.

I'm going to stay away from the sport seats. Truth is, they don't have much support. I also find that slipping in and out of then to get in and out of the car is more difficult without any real added benefit other than the pretense of side support.

I will get the HUD, power tailgate, premium sound.

And the only way I will consider the upgraded leather package is if that's the only way to get the ventilated (air conditioned seats..) But I haven't figured that out yet.

Oh, and don't get automatic high beams.. My bro has that option on his M5 and he hates it. Basically it takes over control of your highs. So if it thinks they should be off, it turns them off...
- It's an annoying big brother feature.

Oh wait.. It looks like you might be stuck with it if you want the HUD... :(

Soft close doors is exactly what it sounds like, you don't have to seal the door close, you just have to pull it to about 95% close, and it will do the last 5% by itself.

Extended leather puts leather EVERYWHERE.. (I wish we could find an M5 comparison pictures with and without it.) But one thing I learned when I bought my Porsche is that all those extra leather packages, trim packages, etc. for the most part, if you don't have em, you won't miss em. If you do have them, you would have been just as happy with the car without em.. So why pay for em?

Of course some people like extra carbon fiber or "full packages".. But the base model X5M without all the expensive decorative add ons will be stunning. I won't miss not having a $3000 upgrade. Even on a lease that means I'm paying an extra $1500 bucks for leather trim near the door handles.. Just doesn't make sense to me. But maybe pictures will prove me wrong.