I've driven and liked the do-rag, but it has had some pretty bad history (diesel) that kept scaring me off. Like everything else, do your research and especially on the vehicle you are looking at (PPI), and you should be fine or at least eyes wide open :)

Touareg is a great vehicle, my mom had an 05 with 140k when traded in.

The 4.2L V8 WILL need timing chains at some point above 150k, and it will require dropping the motor since the chains are at the back by the firewall

what? Oh fuck that!

FWIW, the parts prices are pretty comparable across most makes. And the premium vs regular debate, let's assume you drive 18k per year (your x5 is roughly at 18k per year), average 15mpg, and average a 30cent spread from reg to premium. You will only spend ~$360 extra over that 18k miles running on premium vs running on regular. In my opinion, I wouldn't put much weight into which octane a car runs on when picking a new one considering how negligible the difference is overall.

As far as what to pick, it really depends on what you want to spend. A newer X5 is nice, so are the Cayennes and Touaregs. I'm a big Audi fan but I am not impressed with the fit and finish of the Q7. What about an A8, A7, or A6? Mercedes has a couple nice options for SUV's as well.

I have friends with a 2011 5 series [gas, manual tranny] and an 09? Diesel X5. I like that newer 5 series sedan a lot, and would consider one if in the sedan market, either diesel/auto or gas/stick [since no stick available in the diesel]. I've been in the Diesel E70 and like it, too, would be advantageous for fuel mileage [though that advantage isn't what it once was, with complicated emissions and higher price spread on diesel fuel] and particularly torque for towing, which you may not need. My better half drives a 2011 Benz ML diesel. She loves it; I don't care for the ride, personally.

All cars are running into more expensive parts, that much I agree. BMW still are a bit more pricier. I'm in California, so the price differences per gallon is sometimes as much as 50 cents difference per gallon. I'm used to paying the premium price on gas, but the gas mileage really doesn't change so that was my issue in regards to the regular vs premium. As far as my spending limit, I don't want to go anywhere near >$20,000. I want to keep it below that.

Are diesels harder to maintain in your opinion? I always thought Diesel engines lasted longer too.:thumbup:

Diesel engines are great.

I like 'em too, especially for the torque! But the diesel reputation goes back to the old days when they were indestructible and ran for a million miles without much needing to be done to them. Modern diesel engines have turbochargers, direct injection, urea or other emissions systems, and all the electronics we love in the cabin. I would guess those "enhancements" plus normal cost reduction efforts have brought diesel life down, or maintenance frequency and cost up, or both. That's a guess, you can probably verify with some research.

Dont know if you need a big car but the e70 35d is a option, if you can go smaller get a 335d.