2008 BMW X5 4.8i: The Soiled Pants Edition
January 20, 2009
There are many things to like about the X5 such as its exterior design, size and handling. There are a couple of things to love about the X5 such as its stonking V8 power. And there is at least one thing to hate about the X5: Its standard pant-dirtying rocker panels.
For whatever reason, BMW grafted onto the SAV's rockers a gray plastic shelf that is exceptionally good at collecting dirt, slush and mud and then delivering them to your left pant-leg as you try to exit the vehicle. In this way, the X5 is the anti-Ford Flex, which not only doesn't force you to leap out of the vehicle but keeps any potential contact area clean.
Not a deal breaker, I suppose. Still, a guy likes clean pants.
--Daniel Pund, Senior Editor, Detroit at 25,087 miles
