We looked at both types of leather surfaces as we ordered the Comfort Seats, but wife preferred the grained leather look...and upon checking her inventory of hand bags and wallets, I understand why...:rofl:

Plus she didn't want to spend on the optional leather with one toddler and hopefully another child for us within the next 12 months. Shame to have the Prince Lionheart seat protector with the Britax seat on top of it covering the nicer leather! And also why we didn't order the rear heated seats...
We want it for April as that's when her Lexus lease ends and we'll step out of it right into the X5.

As for Active Steering, I've driven an E60 5-series with it and drove me nuts! She didn't ask for it and I didn't encourage her either. I've read it takes a while to get used to, but prefer the more 'natural feel' of the normal steering system.

Nice Rik

ill probably see u on the motorway use the M42 much?

Congratulations!

Whoopy - Use it a bit in the better part of the year as I shoot at Kingsbury. I'll watch out for a black one.
Let me know what its like when you get it !!

Ah, now I understand. I only have one kid at home, and he's not young, so it isn't a problem. I wouldn't order Nappa if I had a toddler, either.

Also...

Lexus lease? Are you getting out of an RX? That's the move we made (2004 RX330 to 2008 X5 4.8i), and we have not looked back. What are your thoughts on the matter?

We're getting out of an '06 LX470.

In terms of utility, reliability and overall quality it's been great. But it is a dated design and the new LX570 puts us off completely as it tries to take on the Escalade segment of the market, not our cup of tea.

The Lexus' ride was also pretty poor, basically due to its body on frame construction - and as mentioned above, it is a dated design based on the venerable Land Cruiser.

We'd originally thought an MB GL450 would replace it; but after test driving, my wife really wanted something smaller and sportier for her day to day activities as a full-time SAHM. So it came down to the X5 and the ML550, and the rest as they say was history...

Interesting. Well, you made an excellent decision.

Compared to the RX330, the X5 is (obviously) faster and it has better handling. However, it's also far more luxurious, has less wind noise, and simply "feels" more expensive. That's hard to put into words--but I'll just say it's absolutely worth the $20K jump in price.

We also drove the Range Rover Sport HSE and Cayenne S. The RR Sport felt extremely heavy, even if it isn't significantly heavier than the X5. It just didn't drive very well, and the interior was disappointing. The Cayenne, surprisingly, had less road feel than the X5 even though the $tealer was trying to convince me otherwise. It also had a cheap interior unbefitting of its $70K+ sticker (load up the options and watch the price go up, up, up).

So it was an easy decision.