[cairns]

We have two X5s. One is a 2001 4.4 w/sprt all options with 105,000 miles that I use as a daily driver. The other is a 2008 4.8 sprt/all options that the wife uses (maybe 20,000 miles). While the older one had some teething issues when new (a leaking rear tail light cover that was shorting the right rear tail light and left front fog light was finally found and fixed it) it has been an incredibly reliable, wonderful beast that has towed the track car all over and seen very hard use as well as loving care. Same for the new one but no teething issues.

The newer one is much more luxurious, while it still handles very well it has much more suspension compliance and a softer ride. The older one is more like a truck, stiffer sport suspension.

The old one supposedly needed a new transmission about 10K or 15K ago but a new solenoid and transmission fluid and all is well. Be careful who diagnoses the problem. I've never had to replace window regulators or parts like that maybe we're just lucky don't know.

My wife loves the things and I have to admit while I initially didn't want one I really like them too. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one or recommend them. Parts are expensive but you get what you pay for. Mine gets serviced by me or a friend who is a BMW tech. The car runs, drives and looks like new- everything works perfectly. I have separate snow tires for the Winter and it'll get through just about anything with those on. For the Summer I got the 4.6 20 inchers which stick very well.

I was thinking of getting a new Cayenne to replace the old one but it runs so well that would be really stupid. The new X5 and X6 are faster and a much better value anyway. For the price of a similarly loaded Cayenne S you could buy an X5M.