My family and myself have owned a number of different BMWs over the last couple years. My E53 was the first BMW SAV in the family and all of us love driving it. My Dad and I are spirited drivers and the X lets us do that while also being practical. I can also let my Mom or younger sister drive it knowing that it is not going to leave them stranded, isn't to technical, and is built like a main battle tank so its safe in case anything happens. We had a couple 7 Series; E32, E38, & E65. BMW has this uncanny ability of making even a large heavy car feel light, nimble, and agile; and of course they have managed to do the same with the E53. A friend of mine has on 04 Jaguar XJ8 Vanden Plas which feels soft, wooly, and numb compared to a BMW on worn suspension but that is another story entirely.

I'd never driven an E53 any substantial distance before I got mine. Drove a M62 version a couple of times and a 4.8is once or twice. Both only for a couple miles and not very spirited. When I test drove the E53 I bought I drove it for about 5 miles and was sold. The previous owner is a friend/customer of ours who is a BMW enthusiast and takes care of his vehicles, always up to date on maintenance and very well kept both inside and out. I bought it after I test drove it, had the two front timing cover gaskets replaced, put a new set of Pirellis on it and drove it from Atlanta Georgia to New York City within the next 48 hours. My two friends I drove up with loved driving it and riding in it.

I work at a shop when I'm home between assignments and have worked on my fair share of Xs. A couple of E70s but more E53s. For the E70s its usually something computer/module related. I've drove a couple of them including a diesel version, picking up and dropping off clients every now and then and to me they just aren't as nice to drive or look at when compared to the E53. Mostly of the E53s we work on are the M62 versions a lot of them have been for timing chain guides, valley pans, etc. which does come with age and wear.

In terms of maintenance you have to find one that has a good maintenance history. My E53 was well maintained, I have had to do some small things here and there and I have some repairs I need to get done but recently turned 170,000 miles so that is to be expected. If its been well maintained and cared for you'll have a vehicle that will last and not leave you stranded. I hopped in my E53 and drove from Georgia to Kansas to Texas then Back to Georgia without any problem other than a brake light going out and my FSR going out while I was visiting family in Kansas. Both small and simple fixes.

The E53 has a tighter, cleaner, and more responsive feel, E70 feels like it is being blurred, and just isn't as nice to drive. I find the E53 is more brutish and masculine looking than the E70. E53 is squared off and tough looking, the E70 has to many curves and looks kind of bloated.

I know I've repeated some of what has been said already but hopefully it helps. The only thing I find lacking in the E53 is the sound and NAV if you have it but again those are easy to upgrade if you plan on keeping it for awhile.

one reason why i prefer e53 is that it is a lot easier to work on this chassis than newer models, leaves more room to play and tune...simple as that :)

I could get with a 6 speed manual trans!

you've got the closest to an e53 X5M as physically possible with factory options/upgrades.
While i absolutely LOVE my tuned 4.4i, I'm jealous of your Dinan 4.8iS. I have seen a few locally but none priced well enough for me when I was looking and now I'm so invested into making my X5 MY X5 that I do not see changing out from it for any reason.

3rd pedal was selling factor for me