Agreed. The GL does pretty well for MB, i wonder why BMW hasnt done that yet. I bet theyre avoiding getting the soccer moms into their dealerships haha

Since the X5 is struggling to sell ~25k units this year, why would you
think/want BMW to slice that niche mkt further, by pumping out an "X7"?

Do you feel there is really a crowd clamoring for a van sized $80G+
soccer mom/dad car? The X3, the X6, the coming X1; they are all
nibbling at BMW's own "suv brand", imo. Just wondering...

It's really dumb to make the X5 hover somewhere between mid-size and 7 seater... the X5 should have remained a mid size sporty vehicle, and X7 should have been created to seat 7.

BMW was trying to "inflate" the X5 to make it 2 in 1 (mid AND large), but what they actually did was losing the 2!!! What we have now is no more the sporty midsized SAV that we all loved, and at the same time it's not the soccer mom/dad 7 seater!! very stupid strategy, and that's exactly why, dear MD, the X5 is struggling!! IT LOST ITS PERSONALITY

nothing can be changed now, but they should have left the X5 as is, and went for an X7. it would have been muuuuuuuuuuch more intelligent thatncreating this X1... what the hell is an X1??? it was historically known that you have a mini SUV (X3), mid-size (X5), and large (missing!!)... the coupe SUV was introduced by infinity, so BMW created the X6, fine! but what is this X1??? and X7 would have filled the missing part in BMW arsenal, but what did they do? they tried to reposition the X5 (they killed it in that!) and created an X1 that has absolutely no personality!! is it a mini-mini-SUV? who will buy it? X3 is small enough!

It's a mess... a mess!!

BMW should have stuck to making the X3 and X5, and made the X7 available in limited quantaties... Just my $.02

I have to agree with most of the people who are pro-X7. I had an e70 X5, and it was good, but limited in some respects. We are now considering a GL 350, and really don't want to jump over to MB. However, the GL has the right amount of size and features. The cargo space is great, power third seats makes life easy, which with kids is nice, or if loading things that require more room.

I think that BMW is really underestimating their potential market, as they have many positives going for them...excellent diesel engine, 4yr/50K mile warranty, excellent handling dynamics, excellent (new) iDrive system. The SUV/SAV market is on the upswing, as judged by my conversations with both BMW and MB dealers. The BMW dealers cannot keep the X5 35d's in stock, and MB can't keep the ML/GL diesels in stock.

I really wish that BMW would reconsider their decision on this issue. In many ways, the diesel engine helps to obviate many of the concerns over the gas guzzler image associated with these vehicles. Can you imagine if they were able to come to market with a diesel and diesel hybrid engine?

Well, looks like I am going to go shake hands with the devil...lol. GL 350 on the way.

:confused:

That's his opinion. Next X3 is growing in size. Watch out for 2014 MY X5.

Is it true that the next X3 will be similar to E53 size? If it is, then the MY14 X5 should be a true 7 seater, no?

Getting very close.

X3 had to grow as X1 is out now. BMW is positioning X5 as the family crossover/SUV people mover.

:iagree:

Bigger is not better