An interesting topic 535dboy, so I'll add my 2p worth as I guess I'm one of the guys you refer to.
We changed from a '06' e91 330d MSport Touring to an '06' e53 X5 V8 back in in 2008. Several reasons for this,we also needed to change an L200 at the time that was the family bus/load carrier for our place in France. Fuel + running costs for it were preety high + it was small in the back for ever growing son. We looked at several options, keep the 330d and p/x the L200 for a daily commute for the OH or sell both knowing we would out grow the 330d within 6 months as no.2 was in the planning stage.
Started looking at e61 525/530d and fell for a very nice demo albeit a lot more than we wanted to spend
OH earns the dosh in our family so was impressed by her when she suggested an X5. Now having had several diesel BMW's the 3.0d was the one to look at all very similar/more money than the e61's. I then came acroos several V8's for much less money £3/4k less than a 3.0d of the same age. Did a bit of research and came across the old X5 drivers site, after reading AW8's very informative buyers guide
and reports from other V8 owners I was convinced that this could be the route to go. At this time in 2008 unleaded was atleast 13p less than diesel, I do less than 7k a year so made the V8 the 1 to have over and above the 3.0d. Finally went for a 14k mile example handing over just under £2k and the 330d which had done 23k miles a great deal considering both were the same age and the 'X' was nearly £20k more when first registered
I have to say that I loved every day I was in the 'X', like Sanj said the driving position, rear space for the kids + the looks and the value that the 'X' represented over anything else at the time.
2 years down the line and the 'X' had behaved with out fault given around 22ish mpg and at this point had been the best car I had ever owned. However it needed things doing to it, Insp I, both rear tyres (20's) fronts were also close an MOT, Insurance, you get the picture total for this would have been around £2k In fairness we had budgeted for this so no big issue, however our son starts school in September so plenty more running around to be done, so the saleman in me started to look around on the BMW AUC site and others, Audi, Vauxhall and Merc. My gut reaction was and has been for a long time that the e70 was to big and too much money, it also seemed from owners that it had a few issues fuel consumption, reliability, tyres to name a few. As for the other makes, Audi dealers were the worst I have come across and very much doubt I will ever buy one. The new Merc E Class was nice but old manish and to much money. Don't knock what I'm now going to say bit the Vauxhall Insignia Sport Tourer was very nice with a strong deisel engine and great spec on the cars I was offered direct out of the back door from the factroy. I will freely say that I came very close to buying 1 the reason I did not was that the 'X' would need to be sold first and did not want the hassel + possible greif. This only left 1 car the e61 5er.
After trawling the lenght of the country and looking at around 25 cars I came across a '59' 520d MSport Business Ed Touring with a very nice spec. The dealer finally came up with a deal and the rest is history.
Now at this point most of you will have fallen asleep with my usual waffle
, however I have one last point to make. The e61 is quite a bit better than the e53 X5 in many areas, better rear seat for fitting child seats, fresher looking dash + switch gear, better driving dynamics great fuel economy currently 44mpg for everyday driving, hit 49mpg over 180 varied miles on my last French Frolic last week.
Don't get me wrong the e53 X5 was a fantastic car and I will never forget that V8 roar when on song but the e61 IMHO is a much better all round car and if the truth be told, I should have bought one instead of the 'X' back in 2008.
I would also like to add that I have meet some great friends on here, in the flesh and on line, so I have the 'X' to thank for that. I also loved the banter on the old site and this new one continues with that, so if its ok with you lot I will be sticking around
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If your not on the edge youre taking up too much space 
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d so i know that comment isn't bullshit 