Could this be the world's highest-tech car? That's a good thing, right? BMW chose the X5 as the first BMW (first vehicle of any kind) to implement the high-speed FlexRay electronic bus, initially controlling the rear suspension. In plain English, when the front of the X5 hits a bump, sensors can tell the rear suspension (via FlexRay) how to adapt when it gets there. For others, the X5 is simply an awesome all-wheel-drive sports activity vehicle (SAV) with more room and refinement in the second generation, which debuted fall 2006 as a 2007model. More for specsmanship than passenger comfort back there, the X5 can be fitted with a third row seat. Engines are a choice of inline six or V8, either one mated to BMW's new E-shifter six-speed Steptronic automatic, the one that looks like a satin chrome beer tap. Depending on how it's equipped, you can buy an X5 for somewhat less than $50,000, or if it's very nicely equipped, bring one home for just under $80,000. BMW has been selling 2,000 to 3,000 X5's each month. 2006 was a down year because of the model switchover at the Spartanburg, SC, plant that builds all the world's X5's: Year U.S. sales 2007 ..... 33,000 +23% (projected, virtually all X70) 2006 ..... 26,798 -29% (mostly E53, previous-generation X5) 2005 ..... 37,598 +07% (E53, previous generation) 2004 ..... 35,225 --- Here's pricing (December 2007) on the 2008 X5. Note that you can't just add up all the options prices since some conflict (eg Napa Leather and ventilated seats, or the technology package and its component parts: DVD, PDC, camera): X5 3.0si ........................... $46,675 X5 4.4 ..............................$55,275 Napa leather .........................$1,000 Active steering ..................... $1,400 Sport package .... .................. $3,600 BMW Assist & Bluetooth ................ $750 Park distance control ................. $700 Premium package ......................$1,750 Cold weather package .................. $900 Rear climate package .................. $900 Active ventilated seats ..............$2,100 Premium sound ....................... $1,850 HD Radio .............................. $350 Sirius satellite radio .................$595 iPod adapter .......................... $400 Rear seat entertainment ............. $1,700 Technology package: DVD, Park Distance Control, camera).. $2,600 Multi-contour seats, lumbar ..........$1,200 Comfort access ...................... $1,000 Navigation .......................... $1,900 Head-up display ..................... $1,200 Heated front seats .................... $500 Heated rear seats ..................... $300 Third-row seating ................... $1,200 Running boards ........................ $300 Max price, 2008 X5 4.8i .............$78,420 Base prices include $775 shipping
