After 9 weeks on the east coast, I'm now back in Idaho with over 11K miles on my 9 week old '06 X5. Extended warranty and maintenance is my next "mod". Maybe you saw me as you zoomed by. I was the one within 5 miles of the speed limit. SC,GA,NJ,MD,NJ,CT,NJ,SC,GA,SC,FL,SC,NJ,SC,ID all to the tune of the Beach Boys "I Get Around". Never again. Even for me, this was too much.

Around town, I never got less than 17mpg. I even got over 21mpg on the highway. Towing a small trailer was 18mpg even at 70mph. I really don't like the headrest, but that's because it hits the top of my shoulders even fully extended. The hesitation from a standing start is also not a favorite, but I think a Dinan upgrade should cure that. Otherwise, I've had absolutely no problems. It runs beautifully.

I did have to put some 87 octane gas in it between St. Louis & Kansas City. The station only had reg since it was replacing their tanks and I did not know how far it was to the next station. Only put in 5 gallons and immediately filled up with 91 octane as soon as I could. Gas mileage dropped from 18 to 16. It took 2 more fillups before it got back up to 18 again. This was a question pondered here earlier. Now I know.

My reason for buying the '06 X5 evaporated. The townhouse in SC, I've had to back out of. The big reason is I have to amend all my 2005 taxes thanks to my father's accountant. (Fed, ID, & NJ). We dissolved a family 'S' corp last year. I have a K1 that shows nothing but distribution without any reference to cost basis. It's a mess. I am trying to get documentation and being told I don't need it unless the IRS knocks on my door. Money for the townhouse is now earmarked for possible additional taxes and who-knows-what. I see my accountant next week.

Maybe next year? In the meantime, I have 2 X5's, 2 sets of golf clubs, and 2 cell phones (Idaho & South Carolina #'s). Thankfully, I had not started buying furniture.

I'm disappointed I missed the various meets. Too much planned, too much traveling. I hope the future will grant me better luck. For now, I have no plans to go any further than 50 miles from home. Nothing feels better than home.

Mark Burkley

__________________
Mark _______________________________
2001 X5 4.4i topaz blue/sand Sport, complete Dinan S2 , hitch, V1, tint, BSW Stage 1, Alpine INA-W910BT
___________
Life is not fair!
You can't protect people from their own stupidity!
Laughter makes life worth living