I just bought (Friday 2-6-09) a new Bi-Tone XDm 40 and paid $589 + tax ($632) for it, with the XD gear and nice carrying case of course.
It appears I should consider myself lucky. BUT, I got caught between a low price I sold 3 XDs for recently (a 4" bi-tone 40, a 4" black 9mm with night sights, and a black 3" sub-compact 40 to pay for lots of 5.56 and 223 ammo for my rifle I was amassing), and the new panic pricing for new pistols. I was looking to replace at least one of the 3 (older model XD pisotols I recently sold for ONE new one (of the older style), but the price of the older style XD was so high I was much better off buying the new XDm model, so I did.
After the ice melted and the sun came out I finally made it to the range Sunday (2-8-09) and stomped around in the mud. I shot about 185- 200 rounds of my 165 grain FMJ flat-point reloads (using Winchester 231 powder) with NO issues whatsoever. And, what impressed me most was the MATCH barrel. I belive it is much improved and the new grips help keep the 40 S&W from twising in my grip. I didn't see much difference in the trigger (sorry Sprinffield). But, the gun worked flawlessly and it is a for sure keeper.