Had a great drive today.
 

Was driving on an open stretch of highway alone when all of sudden an Fx35 sport pulled up hard behind me and just stayed there. I used to have the same FX35 so I know what it's capable of. Coming from my 550 sport, I'm still trying to get comfortable with the size and height of the X5. Long story short, the X5 exceeding my expectations today, especially in the corners and exits. This Fx35 didn't have a chance. :thumbup:

Cool :thumbup: I think a lot of people are shocked how damn fast our E70s are. They can be quite the wolf in sheep's clothing, can't they?
Happy New Year!

Almost got a 2005 FX45. Decided to not spend the extra money and get my 02 X5. My 02 4.4 V8 is not as fast as yours, but the X5 won for me cuz its soooo damn sexy.

Not only fast, but it handles corners great. The active roll stabilization is superb. The exit we hit was a 35 mph flat corner... I dropped it down into 3rd gear (i think) without braking and completed the turn around 55-60 mph with no tire slippage or fear. When I looked in the rear view mirror the FX was way behind me but he must have floored it to blow by me on the straight. I let him go since I proved to myself that the X5 does handle well even for a SAV. Apparently the performance and fun factor carried over from my 550 to X5.

+1000!

The X5 can deal with the twistiest of roads. I impressed even my BMW owning friends on the Tail of the Dragon. Even M3s have to work to pull away from it.

So here's my question. Is the X5 built on a 5-series frame? A friend of mine asked me and I didn't know. I do know my FX35 was built on the G frame. Something tells me the models prior to the E70 were, but the E70 is longer now??? The E70 drives very smooth, car like. Whatever BMW did, they got it right IMO.

Did you manually select gears?

Yes, popped it in DS first and then up twice to 3rd gear. Actually made the same trip again this morning. So I was able to follow the same steps. Damn this X5 holds the corners well.

interesting.. I never considered any of my X5's as great handling or fast... considering a x5 4.8 runs the qtr mile in mid 14's, there are quite a few very pedestrian cars that are faster... :rolleyes:

and no.. the X5 is a 5 series chassis.

Agree, but she holds pretty well against other SUV's...there are faster ones (and a lot that are lighter) but few that can out handle her...in an era of 300hp minivans and mini suv's you definately need the 50i to ensure drag strip victory...my truck that's a 4x4 2500 with 35" tires and weights a few thousand pounds more will ruin my x5 (13.4 qtr mile) and almost anything just off the line(1.7 60' times)....granted it's not very green nor cool when i do a smokey boosted launch at a stop light so i have to choose my battles wisely.

The x5 is the best handling vehicle i've ever owned, but then again i'm comming from owning several trucks and suv's and never a car....so it's amazing for me....but sure it's a tank coming from a sportscar background.

A kill is a kill and feels good when someone else starts it...granted i try to be responsible, but some people have it comming....