[Marmik]

I have a 2011 X5 35i loaner today and I have to say I DO NOT love it. I'm sort of surprised, this is the first time I've driven one and I've occasionally thought I should have considered buying one. Compared to my X3 35i it feels like a tank. Heavy, truck like and MUCH less responsive in all respects. Also don't like the seats compared to the sport seats on my X3. Prefer the placement of the driving & info controls on the X3 center console. And the X5 dash looks cheap and cluttered to me compared to the very clean X3 dash. Then there is the clunky automatic rear hatch combined with a manual drop down tailgate setup, piss poor design imho. Plus the awkward exit from a too tall SUV. Are you supposed to use those running boards as a step, mostly they seem designed to just put dirt on your pants legs as you exit the car. On the plus side, I DO like the design of the front end of the X5. But not much else. My X3 is a fast responsive sports car compared to the X5. Plenty big and economical as well. I'm happy with my choice.