Thanks everyone for your feedback and thoughts. The 550 is definitely out. I'm going to test drive the X6 50i on Tuesday to complete my diligence before my X5 order goes in.

I've been warned by a number of folks that once I drive it I'll be sold.

There it is...at very least experience it for yourself. And by all means, don't hold back on the throttle (for testing purposes) :D If you weren't aware, i believe there's an option to have the rear seats converted to fit 3...and there's a well priced factory performance upgrade (7RR) that boosts HP & torque without compromising gas mileage. Member cmyX6go recently received a tuned X6 50i and has written great reviews.

An X6 will handle just as confident during inclement Tahoe weather. A set of all-season M&S rubbers or dedicated M&S winters and you'll forget all about your Vantage...(during winter months of course :D )

Well, since you nixed my first vote, I am now voting X5. I just can't get past the rear of the X6. It looks great from the front and front quarter but then it goes downhill fast, imo.

What was it about the 5 series that killed the deal?

First off, the 5 series is a very nice car - great interior etc. But driving it I realized that I much prefer the higher seating position of the X5. I also just couldn't get excited about it and ended walking away feeling it was a nice car, but that was about it. Obviously more of a personal thing vs anything being wrong with the 5 per se.

Regarding the X6: I have to say that I was firmly in the same camp as you. My first impression was that the rear end looked like a duck's ass. But I have to say that when I looked at it in lighter colors (e.g. Titanium Silver) it started to grow on me to the point that I now think the whole car looks pretty aggressive (no I am not taking hallucinogens). But then again I got the FX45 the first year it came out, so I apparently like odd shaped vehicles :D

I do love my X5, so it is going to be quite hard to get me into the X6 since it is like an old friend. It'll all come down to the test drive.

Test drove the X6 50i today:

minuses:

- Less room than the X5
- Less visibility out the rear than the X5

pluses

- More planted and better cornering than the X5
- More unique (+ve or -ve is a personal opinion :))

Given that we don't have kids (and aren't planning on any), I've decided to go with the X6. It is just so much fun to drive. I love my X5, but a change will be nice, while still staying in the same family

Going from the 4.8i X5 to the 5.0i X6 it's like you're leaving an old girlfriend for a better looking more "fun" younger sister! I'm sure you won't look back on this one, the X6 5.0i is a fun beast.

I like that comparison... not sure my wife will :D

Awesome choice! I would have picked the X6 in a heartbeat (if I didn't have the kid issue).

What is +ve or -ve?

Just test driven a 550i GT and X5 35i back to back.
I understand that GT generates some very polarized response - either you love it or hate it. But it drives pretty well. Though you are aware of its weight, it handles beautifully.

One thing I really love about the GT is the black panel dash and the interior. The dash is completely black apart from 4 partial rings when off. When you open the door, the numbers light up and the rings are completed. The lower part is a high res color TFT display. Really looks great. Wish they had included updating the orange-dot-matrix display in the X5 when doing the facelift.

http://www.xoutpost.com/attachments/...t5-prod-11.jpg

http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/5GT/GT5-prod-90.jpg

+ve = Positive
-ve = negative

Sorry for my geekiness :D