Have you driving an X5? That's the real selling point.

I know how my 3 series drives, I'm afraid that if I drive one now, I will want to buy before I have the economic support.

If you already have a 328, then you know about the BMW driving dynamics. Very little in the price range can touch it.
Drive an X5 and then drive anything else in the segment. Nothing else comes close.

Sure the X5 has its issues, but every car does. Even the Toyotas. The toyota owners just never talk about the problems they have because they are trying so hard to maintain their image of 'I have a Toyota and it never breaks, and it (and me) are just so wonderful'. If Toyotas never broke, then Toyota dealers wouldn't have service departments, would they?? :rofl:

I put myself through college working at autozone. There are plenty of yodas with problems.

I just don't want to replace a 5 grand transmission after a couple years of owning the car.

PR,
As mentioned, I'd lean toward an '03 vs '02. Another strong consideration,
in my mind, would be a car that is "CPO'd" via a Stlr. The CPO warr. is
not as comprehensive as the oem warr., but it does offer some safety
net. These Xs are great cars, but I would not want to step into someone's
used X, as the warr. expired. The only other option would be to grab an
'03 or newer, with some remaining orig warr., and pick up an aftermkt
warr. before the orig. expires. I and others here, have one through
Warr. Direct, but this is not a pump job.

I have the IL6, (with man. trans), and while I don't tow, I have never
wondered where the "oomph" or get up and go, were. A few here, from
memory, tow with the IL6, though the majority probably tow with the
4.4 V8. For 95% of your driving needs, the 3.0 is no slouch; whether
you might feel underpowered when towing, is beyond my experience.

We've had our '01 since new, and it is a remarkable car, esp if one
considers the CoG, the weight, etc. Ours is Sport suspended which
is stiffer/tighter, but the handling for a car of this size is outstanding.
It feels "tank tough", has amazing emergency handling capability, feels
refined and is a very well done suv-like vehicle.

I would go drive a few examples, too: 3.0, 4.4, sport, non-sport, etc.
Find a friendly/hungry Stlr that has a "lot full" and is looking to move
one.

Good Luck with your decision.
BR,mD

Mines a 2000 and have never had a transmission issue. I double dog dare ya to buy one!:thumbup:

Here is my experience
At first, somehow I didn't even consider X5. dont ask why :rolleyes:
day 1, test drove RX330 and RX400h.... :yawn:
day 2, test drove Touareg and old MDX.... :dunno:
day 3, test drove the new ML and Cayenne.... :rofl:
waited 2 days...
day 6, decided to test drive X5 ... :wow:
day 7, brought in the check and ordered a X5 without regret :thumbup:

I have a friend with a 2003 4 Runner, V8. ECU, Cluster replaced twice.
Back in the shop now with the same thing. Toyota can't figure it out.

Link Toyota tranny failures

Also Honda:Corporatehttp://world.honda.com/news/2004/image/usa_flag.gifJune 30, 2004 American Honda Expands Voluntary Transmission Recall to Certain Honda and Acura Automobiles
TORRANCE, Calif., June 29, 2004 -- American Honda Motor Co., Inc. today announced that it will expand its existing voluntary recall of light truck models for a potential transmission defect to include certain Honda and Acura passenger cars. The voluntary action involves approximately 499,000 Honda and Acura passenger vehicles with V6 engines and 5-speed automatic transmissions. Affected models include certain 2003 and early 2004 model Accord V6 sedans and coupes, 2000-2003 and early 2004 Acura TL sedans, and 2001-2003 Acura CL coupes.

The company has found only one confirmed instance of a transmission failure related to this defect in its passenger cars, with no accidents or injuries. “We are acting out of an abundance of caution to ensure that this doesn’t become an issue for our customers,’” said Tom Elliott, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

The situation is created by insufficient lubrication of the transmission’s secondary shaft second gear that can occur under certain driving conditions. Prolonged operation under these conditions can lead to heat build-up and under certain circumstances may eventually result in chipped or broken gear teeth or breakage of the gear. In the event of a chipped or broken tooth, the owner will likely experience abnormal noise from the transmission and seek repairs. In rare instances, this condition may lead to gear breakage and possible locking of the vehicle’s transmission, creating a potential safety hazard.

Owners of affected vehicles will be contacted via mail and will be asked to take their vehicle to an authorized Honda or Acura dealer to be repaired free of charge. Customer mailings will begin in late July. In most cases, the repair involves a simple gear inspection, which is accomplished without removing or disassembling the transmission, and a modification to increase the flow of transmission fluid to the affected gear. If there is any indication of damage to the gear, the dealer will replace the complete transmission assembly. Customers concerned about the condition of their vehicle may visit Honda’s Ownerlink website. Customers may also contact their local Honda or Acura dealer, or call Honda customer service or Acura customer service.

Note: This information is being released in conjunction with an announcement concerning a related recall action for Honda models in Japan.

One thing to remember: There is, what?, over 500,000 X5s on the road. Membership on this forum is several thousand, and one of the reasons for the forum's existence is for people to discuss the problems they are having. So, as a result, there is a lot of talk about problems. But if you add up all the tranny failures on the X5 as a percentage of the number of them on the road, you'd probably find that the number is within industry standard. Its just that the problem gets seemingly blown out of proportion on an internet forum.

As noncom23 pointed out, the japanese guys have their own problems too.

If you consider a car as something fun to drive, get a BMW. If you consider a car to be in the same category as your toaster, then buy a toyota or honda. Or, heaven forbid, a Kia!! :yikes: