Test drove some cars today...

[CWW]

Mercedes E320CDI Bluetec. Or dou you really need a gas burning SUV?

[TBR]

Can you people read? 3-4 people have asked why he doesn't just get a sedan, yet it says so quite plainly in the original post and he has repeated the point numerous times.

My choice would be the Q7, it is just so pretty.

[the Teuton]

How expensive are ML350s these days?

[TheIntrepid]

How expensive are ML350s these days?

ML320 CDI Bluetec ftw

[850CSi]

I posted something on the ML350/320 CDI on the last page. Basically they're not worth it compared to the Q7.

[MaxPower]

What about an Infiniti FX35 or 45?

[CJ]

Have you ever ridden in one of those?  The ride is awful.

[AKL]

The ride in the FX is firm. But it's not horrible IMO.
It's a pretty nice SUV. I've always thought it looked great.

I'd pick the X5 out of all of them: It has a great interior, great handling and is a good size. The Q7 as a close second. I find the Audi too big for my tastes (Does your father really need that much space? He is coming from a significantly smaller X3). Although, I admit the Q7 is beautiful inside and out.

[TheIntrepid]

Have you ever ridden in one of those?  The ride is awful.

It's a tight, firm ride, as AKL said. It's not horrible, it's a matter of taste. I like a softer ride so I don't like the FX's.

[850CSi]

I find the Audi too big for my tastes (Does your father really need that much space? He is coming from a significantly smaller X3).

That was actually his main gripe with the Q7. 10" longer than even my mom's 4Runner. Although it feels shockingly smaller than it is.

[850CSi]

It's a done deal.

He negotiated with the BMW people today. Got the X5 for mid 700s, 36 month lease, 12K miles. I'm not sure what he put down, but I know it was in the $1K range. Black/Black (warned him about Black but it shouldn't be as bad on an SUV as it is on my car... 2 Black BMWs, will take pictures ), Leather, Xenons, Cold weather, Panaromic sunroof. He got a good deal because they did something like having him buy off the X3 and treat it as a trade-in (saved big on taxes, in IL they have a retarded rule that you pay sales tax on the MSRP of the car even on a lease).

First time I'm remotely jealous of my dad's car

[CALL_911]

It's a done deal.

He negotiated with the BMW people today. Got the X5 for mid 700s, 36 month lease, 12K miles. Black/Black (warned him about Black but it shouldn't be as bad on an SUV as it is on my car... 2 Black BMWs, will take pictures ), Leather, Xenons, Cold weather, Panaromic sunroof. He got a good deal because they did something like having him buy off the X3 and treat it as a trade-in (saved big on taxes, in IL they have a retarded rule that you pay sales tax on the MSRP of the car even on a lease).

First time I'm remotely jealous of my dad's car

Don't be jealous. The 3er is t3h pwnz0r.

Kidding, congrats. That's a very nice SUV, or SAV.
So it's sitting in your driveway right now?

[850CSi]

No, I believe he's getting it tomorrow. I'll drive it this weekend when I go home.

[CALL_911]

No, I believe he's getting it tomorrow. I'll drive it this weekend when I go home.

BTW, I thought the shifter would give my dad a hard time, as he has a facelifted E60. It's simple, and very intuitive.

[Colonel Cadillac]

Did he get the I6 or the V8?

[CALL_911]

Did he get the I6 or the V8?

Probably the 6, at that price.

[850CSi]

BTW, I thought the shifter would give my dad a hard time, as he has a facelifted E60. It's simple, and very intuitive.

I guess it saves some space but it's still an answer to a question no one asked (sorta like the push button and the weird turn signal). Not something I really love or hate.

[CALL_911]

I guess it saves some space but it's still a question to an answer no one asked (sorta like the push button and the weird turn signal). Not something I really love or hate.

Yeah, it's weird, but it's really easy to use.

[850CSi]

Did he get the I6 or the V8?

I6. V8 was way more than he wanted to spend.

It's no speed demon (~7.8 to 60) but it's enough. He doesn't care much about straight-line speed.

[CALL_911]

I6. V8 was way more than he wanted to spend.

It's no speed demon (~7.8 to 60) but it's enough. He doesn't care much about straight-line speed.

True. The X5 is probably close to best in class, if not best in class.

[Raghavan]

What's different about the shifter?

[850CSi]

What's different about the shifter?

It's retarded, some sort of weird electronic shifter...

[Raghavan]

OK, that's horrible.

[Lazerous]

It's retarded, some sort of weird electronic shifter...

How exactly does that work? Is it like a joy stick where you have to pop it back 3 times to get to D?

Oh and mabrook on the new ride I'm sure your dad will have a blast in it, and for whatever it's worth, it is possible to power slide in an X5 without tipping it over You can thank my friend Basel for that tip

[nickdrinkwater]

Congrats!  Though I would have gone for the 3.0d.  Sounds like a good buy though!

[SJ_GTI]

It looks like they want to make all their automatics at least "look" like the SMG automatics.

[Champ]

How exactly does that work? Is it like a joy stick where you have to pop it back 3 times to get to D?

Oh and mabrook on the new ride I'm sure your dad will have a blast in it, and for whatever it's worth, it is possible to power slide in an X5 without tipping it over You can thank my friend Basel for that tip

We get them at valet a lot, the 7-series has this but it's on the right side of the steering column.  The higher end MB's have this as well.

Pull down once for Drive, Push up for Reverse.  Push the P button for park.  It always returns to the middle position (doesn't stay down like traditional shifters).

[850CSi]

Congrats!  Though I would have gone for the 3.0d.  Sounds like a good buy though!

Thanks

I think he would have also liked a 3.0d but I don't think that's coming to our side of the pond for another few months, if at all.

[BMWDave]

Nice!  Congratulations!

[TheIntrepid]

Very nice, Farris. Remember to post pics.