'08 also has standard:

- auto hold
- moonroof

what's auto hold?
moonroof or panoramic for std '08?

55K @ 60mos. w/ 6.25%APR = 1070/mo

70K @ 60mos. w/ 2.9%APR = 1255/mo

That's a big ... difference. Im hoping to find an '08 with what I want for about 52K or maybe an '07 (if this post shows that an '07 is the better choice per the options available) at 47K.

Well that 70K you are quoting--if that is invoice then that is probably a 78K MSRP with every option. I'm talking about your normal Sport/Prem/Tech/Comfort Access and 20"s tires--that invoice is around 62K. So, in reality vs. an '08 you are maybe $100 difference. Plus if you plan on keeping it let's say 8 years you have $0 payments for 3 years once it's paid off on a new one vs. on an '08 if you want to keep it until it's 8 years old you only have 2 years of no payments.

Yeah im thinking Sport/Prem/Prem Sound/Cold/Tech/Comfort Access w/ 214's 4.8i I doubt I'd get that for under 67K even with today's market. But all that is moot simply because I couldn't fathom paying almost 70K today with the new iDrive 3 months away. And to get the price point I want (which is under 900/mo), I'll probably have to lease the 2010 or buy an 07/08.

Ok, cool. BTW I believe 07-08 CPO X5's right now have 3.9%/48 months or 4.9%/60 months--that's not too bad.

when auto hold is engaged, anytime you fully stop, it will hold the brake for you. In actuality it's using the parking brake to do it. You can release your foot and just tap the gas to move again. Supposedly useful for traffic although I actually find it more cumbersome, since when in traffic, you can simply release the brake to move up instead of hitting the gas, then hitting the brake, release - an extra couple steps. Maybe it's more useful for local driving with lots of red lights. In a year, I've never gotten used to it either way.

panoramic moonroof is the same thing.

> Supposedly useful for traffic

Actually, it's most useful when you have to stop on a steep hill or upwards incline... it stops you from rolling back between the time you take your foot off the brake and get the engine RPMs up to where it moves.

Much more useful with a manual clutch transmission, so I really see little benefit on an X5, but it's a case of since they can do it cheaply, they do it... whether it is really useful or not. It's one more "feature" they can advertise while they are eliminating the engine dipsticks to pay for it.

I think the "start-off assistant" feature takes care of that.

the x5 never rolls on steep hills..so the auto hold is useless..