Trigger has been pulled!
 

Well, after lurking on this board every day for the last 5 months I finally pulled the trigger today:D . Here's what we ordered:

X5 35d
-Vermillion Red
-Black Leather (the interior color was the point of contention for the last couple of weeks)
-Sport Package
-Premium Package
-Tech Package
-Rear Climate
-Ipod adaptor
-Heated front seats
-Dark Bamboo Trim

Now my one question: should I get the step rails or not? They "look" good and I have two young ones (2 and 4) so I figured the steps would help...but I noticed on my test drives that I would constantly rub my leg on them getting in and out.

I have the running boards and although I do use them getting in the car, if I had it to do over again I would not get them. They kinda get in the way and I have rubbed my pants on them several times already.

While in Germany I noticed that you can pick and choose just about any option you want. If you want NAV for e.g. or the sunroof, etc. you can order just that option or you can get the pkg.

Here everything is grouped into a package, and if you wanted NAV you would have to get the complete Tech pkg. with HUD, etc. Not a concern if you are getting a fully loaded car with every option of course! ;) A fully loaded 4.8i in Germany with the M Pkg. came to approx. Euro 105,000 plus taxes! That converts to US$142,500. :wow: And I thought Canada was expensive!

Oh no you didn't! haha Vermillion RED, please please post pictures after you get it. I can't wait to see it. Congrats!

To each his own.

I love my running boards. Besides the looks, I use it to wash the car and mount stuff on the roof. Rubbing against my leg was never an issue for me (or my wife who's petite). I have 2 kids and the running board does help getting them in and out of the passenger area. Besides, I always keep the car clean and not into light colored pants. I'm also 5' 8". So all these things in consideration may affect other owners. I used to have an E53 without running boards and I have gotten so many complements from friends saying it does look better with the running boards.

Other than that, whether you get the running boards or not, you're getting a BMW and an E70 so you're in great company of happy owners.

Congrats.

Congrats!!!! Post the pics when you get it, not too many Vermillion Reds on this board.

Running boards do look good, but you are correct, they do rub against the trousers, and specially after driving in some rain can mess them up. I do agree with "golfer4life", they are useful in cleaning the roof or mounting something on the rails, and my wife loves them ;)

The only use would be to step on them to wash the moonroof glass. I've yet to touch the center portion of the glass with my sponge. ;)

I'm 6'3" tall and I can barely dry off the roof after a car wash. It wasn't so bad with the E53 from what I recall. Maybe the H&R springs I have on order will help! :rofl:

Get the steps ! My kids - 8 and 11 - would not be able to get in without them.

I just order a fully loaded X5 M-Sport 35d, plus towbar, 20" wheels, tinting, the lot, no boxes left to tick as we can order each option seperately, comes to just under $180k AUD. (around $128k USD)

PS, Probably weigh 4 ton:dunno: