Just got home from a Texas -> North Carolina and back road trip last week (~ 2600 miles total) in my 2005 X5 3.0 and saw this. I nearly crossed paths with you, got as close as Shreveport. Sorry to hear of your woes. My trip was relatively uneventful aside from a hood emblem that decided to come unglued and project itself toward my windshield. Otherwise smooth.

Glad you made it back OK and sorry to hear of your woes. Travel is always an adventure.

Chris