Thanks for the Scoopz link. I used the OBC menu to learn the following:

1) Pre-ignition voltage of my battery was 12.1 VDC
2) At idle, immediately upon starting, voltage fluctuated between 13.8-14.1 VDC
3) Off-idle, running at 30-35 MPH with accessories off (headlights, radio, climate control), voltage was fairly stable around 14.2 VDC, with some transients to 14.1 to as high as 14.4 VDC.
4) With climate control and headlights on, I saw an average voltage of 13.8 VDC. Climate control only, 13.9-14.0 VDC.
5) With all electronics running as well as they can, discounting the lack of draw from my malfunctioning iDrive, the average during my 5-mile roundtrip was right around 13.8 VDC.
6) Upon parking the car and turning the engine off, VDC started at 12.8, then trickled to 12.2 before seemingly stabilizing there.

As an unschooled mechanic, to me this sounds normal, and that my charging system is functioning well enough to run my electronics and simultaneously charge my battery. What surprised me was the draw required to run my climate control system, and this explains why the high output alternator is required to run the 4-zone CC system.

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2007 BMW X5 4.8i - Sport Package, Wife's Car

2001 BMW 325i - My Car.

2005 Ford Excursion Limited 4x4, 6.0 Powerstroke Diesel. My first "grown up" car.