2WD X5???
 

Theoretical question: If you weren't worried about resale value and you could have bought a 2 wheel drive version of your X5, would you have? Personally, I live in a warm climate, I don't have enough power to break traction unless I try pretty hard, I don't drive off road, I don't drive my X5 at the limits when cornering, (I have other cars for that) and I would rather carry around a couple hundred less pounds, not to mention expensive components that can fail.

Just curious if anyone else feels this way?

No, if that were the case I would not have bought a BMW SUV...

At first glance i thought this was going to a terrible post...until I read it!

Great thought my friend. Although I would still keep the xDrive in ours, I could see how others (like you) would prefer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Also, you should change the title of your post from "2WD X5" to "RWD X5 with BMW's signature balance and performance"!!! It would be a blast to drive with the V8!

Interesting question, when I was car shopping I had originally had my mind set on E60 5-Series. Living in Toronto however can be very hazardous to ones health:D We have some of the worst snowstorms, combined with pothole invested roads and some very poor drivers. I knew the 5'er would just not cut it here, so I settled in the X5 which I still think was a good decision on my part. Plenty of ground clearance to tackle the snow and X-drive to handle the conditions up here in Toronto. Now if I was living in Texas or Arizona, I have no dought in my mind I would be driving a 5'er no doubt in my mind :thumbup:

In this case wait for an X1 which is scheduled for sale in North America starting 2011.

Wow.. I bought an X5 cuz its roomy, I feel im sitting in an executive suite, I have room for a lot of stuff, and my kids and friends,

..Im gonna tow my seadoos in the summer to the colorado river..

I Love the pana-moonroof, It has a pretty awesome sound system, and thats with no DSP or NAV! (though Im gonna throw on some MB Quartz to make it better)...

But you guys are right, I could have bought a 335i or 328i coupe, rent the seadoos, and use my office for my suite...

(p.s. I live in SoCal Los Angeles County)

Easier to rent a jet ski at the lake than to rent a race car at the race track! Towing has always been a requirement for me, but off-roading never has. I grew up in Northern Montana and Michigan, and still always preferred 2WD with good tires and good weight distribution. My 2WD 328i with dedicated winter grips was such a capable winter machine it was unbelievable. And the DSC made my wife feel safe. And being able to turn it off and hang the back end out was very satisfying for me. Before buying the X5, our family truckster was a Toyota RAV4, which I bought as a FWD version. But it didn't have a 6000 lb towing capacity.

Good to hear the thoughts. I may just have a good condition transfer case and front diff/axles for sale in the future! Lightly used, as my X has lived in Texas most of it's life! :)

I would like an option on the X5 where I can disengage the front axles from the transfer case

wow I didnt see you have a manual? how do you like it? I was considering one.. but I couldnt find one?

Great thought. RWD would be great in 90+% of cases. Mercedes SUVs (not sure about GL) come in RWD; 4matic is an option. My RWD E class works better in the snow (amazing electronics!!!!!) than ANY car I have ever driven in the snow. I have gone though many types of vehicles too. On the same corner, I could not break the rear end free in the Merc but my X5 did a complete 180! FUN as hell, but not what I was expecting. With the right electronics, I would buy any German RWD car RAIN SNOW or SHINE.