i bought my 2008 with only the basic features (no packages), in fact the only add-on option i included was the ipod adaptor. so mine doesn't have alot of the features that have been talked about (i/e complained about) here, but from the sounds of it that may be a good thing.
i've only been driving my x5 for a week now and i'm impressed with it mostly, granted there are some things i still need to get used to (and/or find out how they work). so my small list of annoyances include:
1) the turn blinkers (the quick ones - well they are just too quick for me, they turn off before i can make a complete lane change, thus i have to push all the way)
2) for some reason i still find it hard to physically get out of the vehicle, i guess i'm just used to opening the door and putting my foot down like with every other vehicle i've owned, but can't do that with the x5, not even with the running board. so i guess this one is for the non-functional running board
3) i'm somewhat dissapointed in the sound system, i know its the base package but i expected more out of a bmw. maybe i should have gotten the premium sound package. ;)

but honestly, the above is me just being very nitpicky - i truly love my x5 and i'm happy to finally be a bmw owner.

-emilio

Oh i also don't like how fast the lowest setting on the windsheild wipers is

Anyone know if driving it in manual-shift mode is the same gas consumption as DS mode (without the manual shifting)?

I've been doing some manual shifting and obviously the acceleration is a ton better with the allowable late-shifting. Is this exactly the same on gas as DS mode? I ask because DS still feels more powerful.

It depends entirely on when you shift it, and where your foot is on the accelerator.

In standard mode, there is a certain shift algorithm programmed in.
In DS mode, the shift points are higher, so you consume more fuel.
In manual mode, it is up to you. If you shift at the same time as the standard mode would have, you will get the same fuel consumption. If you shift at the same time as the DS mode would have, you will get the same fuel consumption as the DS mode. In practice, you will likely not shift at the optimum point so your fuel consumption could be worse than either.

Take it another way: I live at the top of a long hill, and in standard mode it wouldn't quite shift, it hung up just before the shift. DS mode didn't help on that hill. It is a residential area, so I didn't want to go faster. Manual mode allowed me to shift up one gear higher, dropping revs, and it pulled just fine. That improved my fuel consumption over either standard or DS mode, but it isn't the usual use of manual mode based on what I read from other posters. The exception is withidl, and his posts about pulling a large trailer. He used manual mode to optimize the torque converter lock-up point, saving fuel and his transmission.

The only thing I do find annoying with the X5 is the lack of spare tyre when you order third row seat.
The wife loves it and I honestly prefer driving the X5 to my little 330i- one of the reasons why I won't be getting the M3 but the X6 as a replacement.
Back to the lack of spare tyre, I believe if the engineers had thought hard about it, they would have fitted one in the boot and still accomodate the third row seat.

+1!!!

Really like the convenience of having the 3rd row seat. But really not sure about the run-flat with all the negative feedback on them. I want to go with the non-run flats. But don't know if I should just risk not getting a flat. I've only gotten 2 flats in the past 17 years! But still I have a feeling that if I risked it. It's just gonna happen.

-1, I keep a spare in the garage - that's good enough for me.

But what happens if you get a flat? Just have someone else drive to pick it up and bring it to you? Could easily be a 1 hour+ wait before getting on the road again. Probably the same amount of time required to get the car towed to a dealership by BMW roadside, no?

I bought a spare tyre and carry it about. I like RFT but I am not going to fall for the "call BMW assist" marketing BS.

Exactly what I have done with my 3 series and the X5.