Just my opinion.... I have been in sales for over 37 years. I have been a car enthusiast since I was 12, and that is 52 yrs ago. Having been fairly successful in what I do and ultimately starting my own business, I have always driven what I wanted to drive and that has been a hi line premium car like a Benz or a BMW ever since I was able to afford it. While I certainly understand a concern with what clients might think, I have come to the conclusion that if they have a problem with what I drive, it's their problem, not mine. If they choose not to buy from me because of it, so be it. Life's too short to let what others think dictate how I will enjoy the fruits of my labors. I work 60-80 hrs a week and I'd be damned to drive a "lesser" vehicle because of a prospective clients issue with how I spend my money. If you're successful, other successful clients will not be jealous or care, they will see you as someone who gets things done, those who don't and think you make too much money, well I'm sorry for them.

Have I lost clients because of what I drive, yes definitely. But they went away for other reasons and only used the car as an excuse.

I drive 25k a year and I need to be happy when doing so. The car is my sales tool and the X5 works well for me- perhaps a Porsche may be a bit much, that's possible, but if I decided that is what I wanted, I wouldn't think twice.

Buy the car that makes you happy, not what it does or doesn't do for others.

I am in sales as well, own my business, drive about the same miles and came to the same conclusion :thumbup:

I use the two X5's in my sig line for business.

I figure that if I were going in for major surgery and I could only choose between a doctor that drove a clapped-out Corrolla or a late-model BMW, I'd choose the doc in the Bimmer every time.:)

This is so hard for me. I am in a "dyed in the wool" BMW guy. I would love an X5 35D for my daily driver, but I really think in my line of work (primarily roofing sales) there are a significant enough number of my customers who would struggle with the stigma being presented. I can see that if I were in pharmaceutical or high tech sales it probably wouldn't matter.

I am leaning towards the Touareg because I believe it would be more comfortable to drive 30,000 miles in a year in than my F250 and I don't think it would "get in the way" of making a sale. And, it has enough room to haul my sales materials and I can haul a few job supplies when I want to. Obviously a pickup wins on hauling things (like an occasional sheet of plywood or an 8' piece of flashing), but I rarely (if ever) do this anymore as I have employees who do this. Honestly, 99% of the time in the last 2 (out of 10 years in business) I have not needed a pickup whatsoever. Seems kinda silly, and even though the F250 is cadillac comfy going down the interstate, it wears me out in traffic and in neighborhoods.

Despite all of this, my wife still thinks I need a pickup because I am in the "construction industry" and need to look the part - and, she might be right. It's only been 15 months since I plunked out some significant coin for the loaded F250 I currently drive and I think I scare her how often I change vehicles. But, I am successful and I plan/hope to keep it that way in 2013. The way I figure it my vehicle is my office and I need to be as comfortable as I can be within reason - a decked out Porsche Cayenne would be my dream work vehicle!

Tomorrow am I am going to test drive (don't hit me) a 2013 RAM (not DOdge - grin) 1500 V8 with 8 speed transmission and air suspension. Who knows, maybe I'll like it . . . .

They are coming out with a diesel variation later this year but by the time it's available I will have put another 25,000 work miles on the clock!

See I disagree. I just bought a brand new house and the super of my development has a X5 3.5i and on the flip side it said to me "Ok he is successful, been in this a long time and knows quality"

Actually, I think the Dodge may be a great alternative. With the coil spring suspension, the ride will be good and I must admit, in your business, it does "fit" better. And since your wife supports it, how can she be wrong?

Let us know how the test drive goes.

I test drove drove 2013 RAM 1500 with coil spring and air suspension plus 8 speed transmission - it was pretty nice. This is my favorite motor/tranny combo of the 1/2 tons right now. Everything was smooth and the ride was "soft" and comfy in all conditions I threw at it. Maybe the best overall comfy pickup I've been in.

However, I am not too excited about it - not really much fun to drive. The hemi had a nice braaaw to it, but not nearly the guts as the Ford Scorpion turbo 6.7 diesel in the Super Duty. I think that the Ram would be maybe 15% more comfortable than my 2012 F250 Super Duty. I guess I really shouldn't be that concerned about the lack of "fun factor" in a pickup truck, right? :(

I could actually get excited about driving the TDI Touareg - it is fun. Not twin turbo X5 V8 fun. but not bad. This is the direction I am leaning right now. In my mind I see the Touareg being 25% more comfortable (overall) than the F250 and I see it being about 50% more fun to drive. But, it has about 50% less hauling utility. OK, just thought of a weighted decision making exercise. I will assign an importance to Comfort, Fun Factor and Hauling Utility and then score the Toaureg against the Super Duty and the 13 Ram 1500 8 speed air suspension.

OK, Here goes:

Importance to me (on a scale of -10), in my work vehicle (in which I spend about 2,700 hours per year) of the following factors:

Comfort - 10
Fun Factor - 5
Hauling Utility - 6
Image Presented to Customers - 7 - I am not saying this factor isn't important to me - I am saying it is not that critical to customers - they are far more concerned about quality of my company's product & service. I didn't score this one because I feel that all three of the following vehicles have a perfectly fine presentation towards my customers.

2012 F250 Crew Cab Super Duty Turbo Diesel
Comfort - 10*6 = 60
Fun Factor - 5*5 = 25
Hauling Utility - 6*10 = 60


Total Score = 145

Ram 1500 - 8 Speed V8 Hemi Air Suspension
Comfort - 10*7 = 70
Fun Factor - 5*5 = 25
Hauling Utility - 6*9 = 54
Total Score = 149

2013 Touareg TDI Lux (or maybe EXEC)
Comfort - 10*9 = 90
Fun Factor - 5*8 = 40
Hauling Utility - 6*7 = 42
Total Score = 172

There you have it - Touareg is the winner (for my weighted needs and wants)!

I've logged 8500 mi on my Touareg. I have driven it twice to Tahoe, a few trips to Monterey, and a trip to San Diego. I think it is a better "all around" car than my X5 was. It is quieter, smoother, and feels more powerful. It handles great, but not as great as the X5. It is much better in Tahoe and feels much more at ease in the snow and icy roads (both with similar all season M/S tires).

I did have one mechanical issue so far, the front differential needed replacement, likely had a poor bearing surface that made a whining noise. The Touareg is considered an executive line, so the dealer gives free loaners, which was nice. The service is included for 3 yrs, unlike the cayenne. The power train has a 7yr/100k warranty.

I average 23-24 mpg with similar driving habits of my X5d that yielded me 20-21 mpg.

It is a pleasure to drive it, and as I've said before, it is a worthy replacement for my beloved X5d.

If you decide to purchase, you will love it!

Your MPG in your Diesel Touareg and in your diesel X5 is similar to "all Fuelly users":

Per Fuelly:

2011, 2012 & 2013 Touareg V6 TDI (I chose these three years because they are the same version and motor)

Touareg TDI Diesel - 24.9 MPG Average - 74 cars over 939,780 miles

2010 -2013 X5D - In Fuelly I chose the last four years in order to use newer versions of the X5D

BMW X5 35D - 22.9 MPG Average - 50 Cars over 608,447 Miles

The results from both vehicles is impressive! If the 35D had an 8 speed like the Touareg the 35D's MPG would probably be as good as the Touareg.

Since the 2014 X5 F15 35D will have the 8 Speed, and it is supposed to be lighter than the E70 (and lighter than the Touareg) we could see the real world MPG of the 35D climb up to 27 or 28 MPG on an average!

Touareg Update
I have logged 19,800 miles on the TDI Touareg since I purchased just 6 months ago.

Likes:
The TDI Motor & 8 Speed is extremely nice - plenty of low end turbine like power with a near seamless integration with 8 speed transmission

The body and chassis and cabin is rock solid - it rides like a vault. The body and interior is more solid and quieter than our E70.

My average MPG is about 25 (all around) with a cargo box - I drive pretty aggressively - I think this is really good. On the highway at 70MPH I get about 30MPG

It is simply a "nice" car to drive - very comfortable and non fatiguing, and I know - I drive about 35k miles per year.

Dislikes:

Handsfree is mediocre at best
I have the LUX and the backup camera doesn't have audio sensors (yes, I backed into a basketball stand)

Built in navigation is terrible compared to our 11 X5

Wish I had gotten keyless entry

It doesn't brake as well as our E70 (it is not irritating or anything, it is just not nearly as good as E70)

It doesn't handle (nearly) as well as our E70 (again, it handles well, and is even a bit fun, but I wish the Touareg had sports options like on our E70 with is a sports package and Adaptive Drive, which of course is an entirely different handling machine than the Touareg)