The official pics look much better than the spy shots I've seen in the past. Just wanted to know what people here think of the new X5. Here are my likes and dislikes...

Pros:
Exterior looks good! A lot like the previous generation (some spy pics I saw had it looking a lot like the X3 which I don't like at all but not the case with these pics)
Appears the speedo and maybe navigation arrows are on windshield
Speakers galore! Up to 16 as an option!
3rd row seats (even though they don't look very comfortable)
Backup camera

Cons:
Interior - Looks cheap and VERY plain IMO (ML did a much better job on their interior...very classy compared to X5)
Not sure I care for the shifter. Looks like a joystick but not much of a con I guess.
Still to be determined but if this thing rides at all like the previous generation, Like a damn semi-truck - very harsh ride and cabin noise was loud from the engine.

I was glad to hear that the ML350 is faster (0-60mph takes just 7.1sec in the ML350 vs. the X5 3.0 in 7.8sec! Not to mention the ML350's base price is more than $3,000 cheaper!

Here's the link for the pics...
http://www.x5world.com/x5-e70-forum/...s-release.html

 

where did you get these numbers? Everywhere in the MB literature it's posted that ML350's 0-60 is 7.9 sec. On top of that the BMW's engine has smaller displacement

 

Interior looks pretty nice to me. Nicely set out, materials look good. The dash on the ML is horrible, the material and texture for the price of the car is shocking.

 

Car and Driver got a 7.1 0-60 when they first tested the ML350, which is almost too good. For some reason MB quotes 0-60 in 7.9 for the '07 but the '06 was 8.2...

 

I think MB usually lists 0-60 times that are higher than normal

 

The 350 is definitely faster than 7.9. It's surprisingly quick. I think MB is conservative, and want to make the V8 look better.

 

I've always been partial to BMWs since my Inca Orange 2002 purchased new out of college through my current E46 M3, but the X5 does nothing for me. I can't explain it, but the look is not appealing. It will probably be a fine vehicle performance-wise, and if you need 7-pass. well worth considering.

 

i like it, but I guess the interior can be boring, all BMW interiors actually. however, exterior and interior both look solid.

 

What's up with the shifter??

It looks like a big X3 to me...it's decent I guess.

 

i really like the new X5, i think they nailed the design both inside and out. I do think the 6 cyl. engine is a little light on HP, but otherwise, looks to be a solid offering, esp. with the optional 3rd row seating. Had the X5 redesign been available last year, probably would have gone that route over the ML. It's all about what's available at the time you happen to be in the market..

 

ClubLexus dubbed it the I-Johnson.

Somebody said it was the SMG shifter.

 

Does anyone know if there is going to a "M' version of the X5? I would hope BMW will produce a rival to the ML63.

John

 

Its ok, the ML is a lot nicer looking.

 

I second that. haha