first years are always harry with any auto. and also keep in mind that more often than not you will hear about peoples problems with stuff rather than the good. for example many come onto this forum looking for answers to questions, not to promot sales or anything of the sort. if you're nervous about the new X then i would wait.

I've had my '07 X5 since February and think it's fantastic. Maybe it's just the luck of the draw. The only minor glitch so far has been turning off the motion sensor alarm when I leave my dog inside alone; I'm taking the X5 in to the dealer this week to fix that. True, it's a drag that the iDrive is weak and sometimes slow to respond, but I think the interface is simple and good.

All in all, I'm very satisfied with the E70. Love it!

Well, not counting the Porsche's, she can't drive a manual.
Her last car was a Range Rover (she loved it, I hated it) and she was not looking forward to getting the X5, in her mind is was the best of some not very good choices. She's driven the X5 for a few weeks now and can't believe how much fun the car is to drive, how fast, responsive and comfortable it is and tells everyone it's the best car she's ever had. When we're in it together she insists on driving, what else can I say other than I like it for the same reasons too. We've also had no problems.
If your wife thinks the 05 4.4 is underpowered I'm not sure if the 07 4.8 will do it for her. I do not find the tranny looking for a taller gear and in fact holds lower gears longer than most cars of this type. It kicks down rapidly an holds gears on hills which is nice. You should take one out for an extensive test drive and see for yourself.

I echo the test drive comment. Even with the updated software for the initial transmission issue, the steady incline issue is still very noticable. Have had numerous passengers comment on this.

It definetely holds lower gears on inclines which I don't mind but if you take your foot off the gas on an incline it will jerk forward. I actually like the fact that it holds lower gears because when you push the gas you've got power immediately. My wife complained at first but when I explained the advantages of holding gears on hills she seems ok with it. You just have to adapt your driving style a bit. I'm interested to see how the tranny "adapts" over time.

Ya know what's funny, is the fact that there's all these complaints on how BMW overengineered various transmission programs and how they don't work. But you know what? It works for me.

My dad hates the programming on the X3; it's too aggressive, holds gears too long, and doesn't loaf along like his favorite Toyota products. But when I drive it, the transmission does what I want it to do about 90% of the time, which isn't bad. I always notice and appreciate the fact it doesnt upshift by itself when I'm coasting down the parking garage. I like how it holds gears when I motor around college campuses (notorious for being hilly). It upshifts at the right times around town and never has to second-guess itself when I accelerate after a corner. It just picks the right gear and goes. Maybe it's just the way I drive. But this extremely complex, problem-prone, and somewhat unnecessary engineering works for me, and I really do appreciate it. :thumbup:. When I drive this vehicle, I feel like it recognizes me and behaves and does what I ask it to do without complaint.

Of course, its not perfect. The Sport mode is too lazy and prematurely upshifts unless I cane it and use kickdown. I'm getting that addressed at the service visit Tuesday. But I've just used manual mode to override.