BMW X5 Safe, fun to drive, but unreliable and expensive to maintain.

I've yet to vent on my blog, and I'm a bit embarrassed by some of my thoughts...but I'm sick of my X5. First off, I have a 2001 X5 and it was the first production year for the 3.0 model. Of course, most people tell you to avoid the first model year as the problems can be addressed and tested for the next model year. Well, I should have waited as nearly every mechanical issue has plagued my X5. Window regulators, engine wiring, oxygen sensors, temperature switches, dead pixels in display, fuel sensor outage, more window regulators (do they go out every 10k miles?), GPS display going on and off. This is just off the top of my head as I know I've had more items replaced. I do believe that the car is extremely safe and fun to drive, but at what cost?
Today, with my two children in the car, I was at an intersection waiting for the light to turn green and the service engine soon or (SES) light turns on. Unfortunately, this is a common light that comes on for my X5. I said a few adult expletives under my breath as my 4 year old is very curious about the situation. I explain that daddy's car is acting up again and that I need to turn off her music so I can listen to my car cough and sputter as if it's taking it's last dying breath. I hate this SUV or SAV as BMW calls it. Engine sputters and dies. Next step, turn on my hazards. I'm really getting too good at this process. I then say a quick prayer and turn over the engine. It starts again, but is sputtering even more. I gun it and just make it to the curb where I call my mechanic.
I will have the X5 towed over to the mechanic who can troubleshoot the latest SES light and codes. Should be a fun conversation as the mechanic supposedly fixed the same issue last week. Same issue and he replaced all six spark plugs with new wiring and all codes were removed after road test. Cost last week $800
Good news...car is paid for. Bad news...trip to mechanic always runs $350-1200.