For me it is the sport/active suspension. BMW should make it standard. My last car was a 3 series (E46) with sport suspension and my E70 is much more comfortable driving around town, but yet manages turns with no body roll. It is amazing for a big and heavy SUV. :thumbup:

IMO, 3 series without sport suspension drives better than X5 with sport suspension. But still X5 with sport suspension is more comfortable.

I think it's just the chassis design difference, the 3 series being the sport sedan, and the X5 being the luxury sport utility vehicle with more emphasis on comfort than outright handling capability.

I specifically was shopping for a V6 SUV, as I have a '07 335i coupe for 5.5 sec or less acceleration fun...test drove multiple V6 SUV's on the market...the X5 3.0si inline six is by far the smoothest, most esp. in the manual or dynamic sport mode options...beyond this great leather, great finish, great lines on the X5, great headlights (look cool and lots of illumination), lots of cool OEM wheels to pick from, mood lighting, lighting of the door handles, great blue tooth, actually like the i-Drive...etc, etc

Just adding a few things not yet mentioned:
1) Automatic mirror tilting down when reversing (though I would have loved it if the driver's side does it as well
2) the xenon lights turn and light up towards the direction you are going when turning
3) heated mirrors

I absolutely love the ride and handling, it is amazing that such a big vehicle looks and feels much smaller from inside and handles like a sports car. Other than that here is my short list:
-USB Adapter (no stolen iPods)
-Gear Shifter
-iDrive (it is better than touch screens, less distracting, easy to use and accessible)
-Cooled center console and cup holders
-Sound System
-Angel Eyes with dynamic head lights
-Forward and rear sensors and camera (can be improved for night)
-Auto fold mirrors
-Auto dimming side and rear view mirrors
-Nice throaty growl
-Nice acceleration for a 6 cylinder
-Responsive manual mode shifter
.........

I like how they changed the door pull for driver door, more room for door armrest , oh and I just realized that the front headrests are power, nice

-One thing i do miss is the split (in E53)in the middle of pany roof with shad closed, seems they moved it to the front now, unless I missed something

I suggest you buy yourself a Lada Niva for example...

The fender flares are perefectly normal since it is connected to the optional 20 inch or 21 inch rims... At a competent dealership they should know this and if you order the rims (afterwards) it is normally included in a set of 4 wheels.

Ok the backup camera has a delay... Get in your car, start, put in reverse, put your seatbelt on, set your radio, check your hair and start reversing...

I would hate if the nav was touchscreen!!! It would get dirty in no time, would get scratches on it,... So if this is majorly important for you, you bought the wrong vehicle since you knew it didn't have that feature. I like the I-drive because it similar working over all the different features and you can keep your mind to the road. But ok, it can be considered advanced like a multi functional printer... ;)

If I need surround sound, I'm in my comfy seat in my living room with a nice glass of wine...

I was just told by the Concord, CA BMW dealer that their service department has no knowledge of a cooled center console...:dunno:...It was refreshing to see this post to make sure I was not imagining things.

> I was just told by the Concord, CA BMW dealer that their service department has no knowledge of a cooled center console


Probably just a leak from the A/C ducting to the rear. Does it throw warm air in the Winter?

Think this was pretty common in 2007 cars. Not sure if it was a feature or a leak. But I don't have this in my 2008 and wish I did.