yup, that's true for all of us in Europe. The problem being that for some "BMW Marketing-Driven" reason, our US Friends are faced with many less options of mix-n-match than European customers; i.e. if you order an X5 without a Pano in the US, you're forced to give up on options that only come with the roof package, as Xstatic expressed. in compensation, US X5's are a helluvalotcheaper to buy than European X's..

You should also consider how long you plan on owning the X5. If you want to sell it, say, within 5 years of it being new, then it will sell faster with the sunroof (in the US anyway) as most Americans prefer their luxury vehicles fully equipped.

tHERE IS NO structural intergrity lost with it. And as far as the noise goes just keep the cover closed and it is very quiet. I usually leave mine closed all the time and don't even notice it is there.

If it doesn't leak, I don't care that they make u have it... will come in handy for some strange positions ;)

I am not a big fan of sunroof but the pano is really nice. It lets lots of light in and the ability to vent with the shade close is really nice when I park in the summer.

I understand the issue of forced "option" but my guess is that the addtional cost is low and therefore its a profit area for BMW.

The option to have or have not would be nice.

'

you can get a 4.6is without a sunroof? :dunno:

Yeah my 4.6is has no sunroof. Took me a while to find one without though!

I like mine but I agree consuemrs should have more choices.

I agree options should be just that--options. The pano with vent feature is very good for bleeding cabin heat off when parked at the mall, etc. It's also quite nice when twisting along a canopy road.

Ninjas like pano roofs because there are handy to rappel down through from a helicopter. I personally don't do this because I get bootprints on the back seats.

I love the sunroof, and couldnt live without one, but I totally understand your gripe..I dont think ANY car, SUV, whatever that costs over, lets say,
50K, should be sold without NAV...thats the only thing that ticks me off about BMW. I see these freakin' $15,000 cars with Nav and PDC and I have a 2004 X5 without either and in 2007, it STILL a freakin' option! WTF?!..I know, Im nuts, but theres no way in hell a 50,000 car should have Nav as a $1200 option..when its standard on a Kia...it doesnt HAVE to have it, but I dont think it should have to be PAID for...:rolleyes: :rant: