Sorry to hear about the troubles but it sounds like some maintenance items just caught up with you at the same time, especially the belt, expansion tank, and VCG. Your vacuum leak is probably the intake boot or one of the hose fittings that come off it. Better check your CCV and cooling system hoses at the same time. The driveshaft is a different matter though and the only thing that really bit me unexpectedly too. But I don't hesitate to hook up the boat and head out 5, 7, or 10 hours for extended weekend lake trips.

2002 X5 3.0 258,476 miles
2004 325i 114,000 miles