I am shopping for an X5d around 2010 and not finding much. My backup car is a Lexus GX470. I hope I don't need to go that route. The GX is a pig and does not handle nicely compared to the E70. If you go newer X5 are you willing to give up Adaptive Drive? It is really hard to find on the newer ones.

Yeah my holy grail X5 D would have 3rd row n adaptive drive, vented seats n HUD in space gray. In a whole year of searching BMWUSA every other week I have not seen one w/EDC setup.

I did find a sliver one a couple months back at Carmax in Illinois w/o the 20's or 3rd row but it did have adaptive drive, vented comfort seats HUD leather dash brushed alum trim, pretty much everything else, it was a 2011.5 I think.

I love the handing of my 4.8i been very impressed with it, I push it when possible :)

Why do you need something expensive, complicated and fragile as the X5 that doesnt handle in the same continent as X5 ? Exterior aesthetics are matter of a personal perception, but I cant find anything that looks the way E53 and E70 look with the sport package (IS models for E53). I am still lusting after my old Estoril Blue 4.6is.

E70 is a niche car
 

Who would have thought an E70 would be like the other cult bmw cars like an e30/e36 for an SUV LOL

VW/Audi/Porsche products are way more in the shop than a bmw, I had an A4 wagon, I was at the dealer every 6-8 weeks like clockwork. So I will never buy another Audi for sure...

GX470 is extremely reliable and was considering too, or leasing a new GX460 for $499/mo but don't think I can live with the handling since it is more of an off roader based on a 4Runner.

I am willing to forgoe the adaptive drive since it is what broke already once for me and was $1,200 to replace a front passenger strut that was good, but the sensor box took a hit from moisture and shorted out. Dang Chicago Winters! Just did a battery too through the stealer with my cca discount it was $520 installed!

Yes the newer ones are less equipped on average used or very expensive if well equipped since they are rare.

Never seen an e70 referred to as Holy Grail! LOL But I can see your point with equipment combo rarity. Most 3.5i/3.5d's I have seen are only base models with or without Nav on 19s. Sport and Tech Pkgs are the only additions. Also only have seen fullly loaded 5.0i's otherwise in the Chicago Area.

May just keep my E70 with 29k mi and risk it for now. I also have shopped extended warranties but do not want to a lump sum of $5g's for a 5yr/100k mi exclusionary warranty since it is not cancelable but covers everything unconditionally like a new car warranty. If gas goes through the roof I want to be able to get out of it. Otherwise cancelable cheaper ones only cover a basic car vs a loaded bmw. Some may but they are too new or small of warranty company for my liking.

Durango as well, very nice car.

That isn't true at all really. You can get a problematic VAG just as easily as you can get a problematic BMW, or Honda for that matter. My parents own an A4, and in the 160k miles that they have owned it, it has needed an AC compressor and steering rack outside of general maintenance. My A4 only broke when I broke something, and my SO's GTi has only ever needed a thermostat outside of scheduled maintenance. I also had an Audi with 300k miles on the original motor and trans. I didn't hesitate to take it on any roadtrips. My E30 has been equally great as my VAG products. My X5 on the other hand seems rather fragile.

I had a Toureg prior to my E70 and it was reliable even thought was an 04 V6 which are known to be hunks of crap. It wasa great ride for $20k. I wouldnt buy an underpowered Toureg again but a nicely loaded V8 model would be plenty of fun to drive. Id also consider a Q5, the 7 is just too big for city driving and constant parallel parking, imo.

I just sold an '06 Cayenne S. These are MUCH more reliable cars than the X5's. They have their issues, a couple kind of major, (coolant transfer pipes, and rear cardan shafts,) put overall, they are bullet-proof cars. Pretty quick too; my 2006 Cayenne S was definitely slightly quicker than my 2008 4.8i.

But I sold the Cayenne because I did not like it, and I love my X5s. It is certainly a very comparable vehicle that does a lot well, arguably some things much better than an X5, (ie it can cross 36" of water, and has a low range for the transfer case, and it handles great, much less ponderous than the X5). Tiptronic is fun, but a few even came with PDK...more fun. It's also a true body-on-frame construction, and that helps if towing. On the downside, IMO the seats are not comfortable at all, and the suspension was a bit bouncy, (I did NOT have the optional air suspension in my Porsche...which I would definitely want if getting another). Take one for an extended ride before buying, and make sure you experience some bumpy roads.

From what I've seen, the resale on the X5's is a bit better than the Cayennes. So used Cayenne's can be had at a lower price. But beware; as much as BMW tacks on thousands for options, Porsche is much worse...find a loaded car.

Here's one: My previous 35d for sale - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums

Yes X BMWs are expensive to own and maintain ,I guess.