If they're going to keep making it lower, and more car like, then why not just make it a car/wagon?

Someday, we're going to be over this SUV thing. It will be a glorious day.

Re: thoughts on the e70 / 2nd gen. x5?
 

On the SUV note... my parents held my sisters baby shower last weekend (my first nephew!) and yuppie cousins came. One had a Land Cruiser, the other whatever the lexus equivalent is (LX470???). I had to move the lexus around. Wow, what a ride. I could never stand to drive that thing as a daily driver, but I see why so many people pay what they do for these things.

The engine is insanely smooth, quiet as a church, luxo-gadgets everywhere, and top-notch fit and finish throughout.

It is utterly ridiculous that they drive one, but it just reinforces on me the fact that if I ever need a real SUV, it will be a LC. Plenty big, capable off road, can do decent towing, and comfy on the long trips to Montreal. And of course, ultra reliable.
I see that nice used examples can be had for less than a new Outback (LL Bean). :paranoid: Fuel economy does suck though, and it is huge and clumsy. And it is a large SUV and probably would not commute with it.

Re: thoughts on the e70 / 2nd gen. x5?
 

Comfortable I'll give you, but it's more adequate than competent.

A trailer that size will throw something as small as an X5 around like a toy in a strong wind.

I have been very pleased with the Disco' thus far. Hell, I actually enjoy driving it. The steering is nicely weighted and believe it or not, does offer decent road feel for an SUV (makes the Tahoe feel like even more of a joke). The brakes are good and power is just about right. There is ample room for passengers as well as cargo. My wife uses it daily for her antique business. And if I ever need it, it has a 7000 lbs. towing capacity.

Off-road, it really, really shines. My wife and I took a mountainbiking trip to the mountains of NM recently and did some 4-wheeling in the process. It is supremely capable in that regard - a very important part of our buying decision.

The LR3, aka Disco III, looks like an extremely attractive product for people who want a "real" SUV.

Re: thoughts on the e70 / 2nd gen. x5?
 

It might be able to get the trailer moving in non-windy conditions, but certainly isn't something I'd want to use in towing that much weight. Figure 3000 lbs for the car (?), another 3500 for the trailer, throw in some gear, spare wheels and tires. The X5 is not designed to handle that much weight. Now throw in some cross- or head-winds, and you're upside down in the ditch.

I assume that BMW includes a transmission cooler with the towing package...? :(

Yikes! A trailer that size is really best served with a big pickup. Actually, it's not so much the trailer that benefits -- it's the driver, since s/he will be the one dealing with the whiplash.

As far as "real" SUVs go, the LR3 does look to be a good package. I also think the new GC is right up there, although I don't know if they offer unpainted lower body trim any more.

I saw one while passing by the dealership a couple of weeks ago. Someone was taking delivery so I didn't want to intrude on their experience.

I'm not sure if I am totally sold on the new design yet. It isn't horrible but I like the more "quirky" looks of previous generations as opposed to the LR3's more mainstream appearance. It may grow on me.

You are right though. Those looking for a true SUV with real off-road capability would be hard pressed to find a better package. We love ours.

You're all such elitists.

Rarely does one need the BEST towing vehicle, the BEST offroad vehicle, the BEST handling vehicle, the BEST cargo capacity, the BEST luxury vehicle, etc, etc...ALL the time.

You tow sometimes. You offroad sometimes. You carve up twisties and onramps sometimes. And you like to cruise in comfort and leather and get 23 mpg at 80 mph in rock-solid freeway stability sometimes.

And sometimes, the vehicle that suits the needs you have best may be something that may not be THE pinnacle of each criterion, but does each of them well enough to satisfy your requirement for all those things.

A Swiss army knife or leatherman tool is really useful. It's not the best tool for each task you use it for, but it does all of them adequately to do the job. If you could pick only one tool to own for the next 10 years, it'd be a great choice.

So get down off that snobbery perch before I start criticizing YOUR cars. (except lemming, because he has a pretty bitchin' fast car)

Sarcasm (I think), noted...

We don't need all of those things all of the time but we need (or at least I do) all of those things some of the time. The Disco' is our mule. For everything else, there's the M3.