with options, the 4.8i ends up in the same neighborhood as the RR Supercharged, that's when I started to consider that vehicle... But you're right, the perception is certainly that the RR is more expensive, and there definitely are less RR's around.

I'm most likely going with the X5 for performance and reliability reasons. To me, the main draw of the RR is the fact that there's less around (exclusivity, I guess), but performance and handling will almost always be my first priority..

well if its about handling i think youre better with the x5 as for the reliability i can assure you land rover has improve a lot in the last 4 years in that department ,i can assure you that because i have a jaguar and ive never had big problems with it and a friend of mine bought a rrs last year and he havent had any problems either but its your choice,good luck!

Handling on road - BMW
Handling off road - RRS
Maintenance - BMW (cheaper parts)
Navigation - BMW (dealer told me that a relplacment nav CD for the RRS is A$1700!)
Interior - BMW - more contemporary design. Many RRS parts from the old 5 series bin when BMW owned range rover
Gadgets - BMW (HUD, comfort seats, comfort access etc, reversing camera etc)
Price - not much in it
Towing - RRS
Looks - matter of taste. I actually prefer the RRS
Space - BMW (especially if you need third row seats)
Snob value - probably RRS by a wisker
Drug dealers choice - Black RRS with tinted windows
Telephone - BMW integration much better
Resale - BMW by a mile
Reliability - BMW should win but I worry about all the technology to go wrong. RR has improved here.

I the end I decided on the BMW over the RRS. I do like them both but I had to be honest with myself that 90% of the time the car would not go off road and then when it did the BMW could probably cope. The reality is I'm not a good enough off road driver to take a RR off road and use its capabilities anyway. More likely to use it only on dirt tracks and in the odd field on the farm (and the BMW can handle this fine).

I agree, my X5 lists for $71,000 so it's pretty much the same price. The RR is definetely more exclusive and better looking but the X5 is the better vehicle in every other way. I just hope my wife agrees with me since she'll be driving it most of the time.

I don't necessarily agree that the RR is better looking at all. I like them both about the same in that regard. They both have a look all their own, totally different from one another, and I think that part (obviously) depends on your taste.. but I think both look very good and better than anything else in this market.

Longest sentence award? ;)

I don't see the stunning beauty in the RRS that most of you see. I think the normal RR (esp. SuperCh.) wears the design much better. Now that is one good looking truck. And yes, I said truck, because both are trucky compared to the X5. The RRS also has a "truckier" less luxurious interior, IMO.
My main put offs were the gas guzzling V8, shotty reliability record, higher price, and the fact that I see 10 each day driving around.
But of course we're just biased BMW folks ;)

I see a lot of both, but for every RRS, probably 2 or 3 X5's, though not very many 4.8's.

I always come back to the same thing, until you're driving Ferrari's and the like, there will be plenty of whatever you drive running around next to you. I guess you could buy a Porsche and live in the ghetto, but usually where you live is going to dictate what you see as well and if you can live there and afford certain vehicles, so your neighbors....

The adjustable ride height function that the RR has is pretty cool. The car will lower itself automatically once the driver switch off the engine. Perhaps this is to allow easy entry or getting off the vehicle.

looks cool that way when it's parked too..