x5 is now retired... went with a Jeep !
 

Still kept the 2003 X5, but the repair bills were pilling up and it just needed a lot of work and $$ to be a reliable daily driver again. Granted its over 10 years old and things are bound to start wearing down. Hope to slowly get it back in to shape overtime.

So ended up getting a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland, and wow !

It doesn't have the sporty feel of the x5 for sure, (truck vs car based suv), but 5.7 v8 has plenty of juice and a nice rumble with the exhaust. Plus fully loaded for much less sticker price ! (heated everything, vented seats, nav, remote start, panoramic sun roof, etc...)

I haven't pushed it to the limit yet, but the X5 def handles the curves much better and smoother with the gears (well i have a manual), but I can say Im very impressed with the jeep.

Nice truck. I like them.

There arent many SUVs out there that I like. The only thing thats in my price range now that i might buy is the VW Touareg.

The VW touareg is nice... I also looked at Audi (owned by VW) but the designs on the q7 make it look like a huge station wagon. (i do love audi, my wife has an a5)

The jeep may not have all the performance refinement as the german counterparts, but what you get for the $$ totally makes up for it. Plus it is far more capable off road.

Can't wait until I get rid of my X5 and get a SRT8.

The new front grille is hideous.
Not sure how SRT trims looks.

Last years SRT trim model made my head turn and do a doubletake !

Congrats on the Jeep, i dont know if the 2012 has the improved handling or not but here is an interesting "study" or whatever u wanna call it about the jeep. Fyi i am not knocking down Jeep just sharing what i saw...Jeep Grand Cherokee fail moose test part-2 - YouTube

holy hell that jeep is unstable on those sorts of turns.... I own a 2002 jeep tj I don't drive it like I do the X5, but that jeep was messed up oO I take hard turns with the x5 because I know it can handle the turns but with my jeep it just leans to one side and scared the hell out of me

I like the looks of many Chrysler products. They have had horrible reliability for so long I'd have difficulty choosing one.

I have seen that test. Scary.

I would never own a dodge product again had a couple of them just not reliable .IMO

we are talking about reliability on a E53 forum?..... LOL