My thoughts exactly. A little variety is nice.

I'll throw in another youthful conundrum for ya...have you test driven the E71? No kids (pets?)...drove the V8TT and it sent me right back to the drawing board :D

I really like the new 5 series. If I wasn't so tall I would own one. Like another poster mentioned, I would do the 535, it's plenty quick and has excellent gas mileage.

I drove the 5 GT a few times and didn't care for it at all.

The only work of caution is that first year BMWs can be trouble while they work out the kinks.

Similar thoughts of f10 vs new e70 are crossing my mind currently. For me its more about just a change of pace. I also find the fit and finish of the f10 to be noticeably higher. With that said I fit better in the truck, being 6'4. Also I have other needs that the x delivers on. I am sure you will enjoy either vehicle, good luck.

I was originally wanting to do the new 535xi, but didn't really end up liking the new design. And was surprised to find the X5 is actually a bit cheaper, and really happy to have the diesel option (why no 535xd?). I also like having the extra cargo space, road clearance for snow, etc.

Go test drive the new 550 - I did, and was underwhelmed. Steering was numb (my E60 felt fantastic in comparison afterwords), power was so smooth as to be boring, and yet shifting was jerky whenever the transmission was caught off guard. Only thing I really liked was the new steering wheel, the thumb scrolling controls are handy.

Very fair points

Hey TahoeM3. Lots of coincidences. Where did you move to?

No modes on the Vantage. I got it on a lease that runs out next July. I'm eyeing the V12, but trying to be good. Also want to see what the new 6 series looks like

I haven't driven it. I was assuming there wouldn't be a big difference between it and the X5 given the common underpinnings. To be honest, I'm not sold on the styling and so have stayed away from it - though I did see one in black that looked pretty hot :D

I have an '08 550i and have debated the '11 550i versus the X6 5.0. The new 5 is a very nice car but it is so isolated from the road, that the X5 is more fun to drive and sounds far better too.

South Florida. I should update that on my profile. I still have a house near Tahoe but I don't spend much time there.

Not to threadjack here...The V12 looks good and sounds good...I still prefer the sound of the V8...and wasn't patient enough to wait for the V12, hence the supercharger. I ended up with a car that's faster than the V12 and it was probably a little cheaper, but no warranty. The tuning on the cars is very lean from the factory, so they respond well to modding...and to boost. I am making 534rwhp, or roughly 630-650 at the crank (vs 307rwhp stock) with only 7psi, and that dyno was done on a 100 degree summer day.

Back on the topic...I've heard a lot of complaints about numb steering in the new 5. Also about the muted exhaust. The 535i ranked third of 3 in the most recent comparo...not a good start. It sounds like they went Lexus-style on this one. Definitely drive it before you decide.