The 3.0i has a rigid unit- construction chassis, fully-independent suspension, and full-time all- wheel drive system.

From any angle, there is no doubt as to the X5's manufacturer. The trademark twin kidney grille and quad headlights under a plastic fairing are a giveaway from the front, as are the large, rounded taillights from the rear.

A bit of History!

So how and why did I end up with a BMW?
Well a long long time ago I fell in love with the
Bavarian Motor Works engineering.

To no surprise a BMW has been a goal of mine
for years and years. So how did I end up with one?

Long story short, Ellen's good friend was working for the Thermometer family and when Ashley went off to college, the X5 came available and at a great price.

A price much cheaper than I could have ever imagined, in fact it was cheaper than any other option that was presenting itself to me at that time. With our long driveway and not being able to get out of the house in the convertible, one requirement was four wheel drive or all wheel drive.

This met all expectations and tons of extras!

So no, I didn't buy this baby as an ego booster, it is transportation that is just really fun to drive. : - )

The X5's chassis structure is designed for effective energy management in full- and offset-frontal, side, and rear-impact crashes. All seating positions have three-point safety belts. Front, side, and head-protection side airbags are standard equipment.

The X5 has a chunkier look, taller, with shorter front and rear overhangs and more ground clearance. Prominent vents in the sculpted hood and an aggressive, black plastic-clad lower front bumper fascia, wheel arches, and lower cladding give it the contemporary SUV look. Flared fenders say "You want performance with that utility?" The only chrome is found around the grille, with black trim predominating.

The "Premium Package" adds the leather upholstery, power passenger seat, moon roof. The "Climate Package" adds rear and dual-zone front climate control, privacy glass, and sun blinds for the rear doors. The seats are the usual BMW fare - firm and supportive for long-distance comfort. There is plenty of rear seat room, at the expense of cargo space. But there is really no shortage of cargo space, which is aided by the 60/40 split rear seat and easy, if slightly high, cargo access. The full-sized spare tire is located under the cargo area.

With Reece on the way the convertible had to go!
She was replaced by this BMW X5
that has 8 airbags and weighs in at 6005 lbs...

It feels a lot more safe than the Mitsubishi
Eclipse Spyder GS, and to no surprise it is just
as fun to drive, if not more.

-Update: It's much more fun to drive than
the Spyder in snow!

MUCH MORE!