Just come back from the dealership after, driving my first X5, its a 3.0i petrol version (2004 facelift). When driving I noticed the throttle seemed a little strange, push it a little and nothing happened, push it a bit more and woosh, we were off like a bull out of a gate!

I conveyed my concerns to the rep who said he would take a look but I got the impression he thought this was normal. I just cant imagine how this can be safe if it is normal?

I have told the rep straight that if they recognise there is a fault and rectify it I will continue with the order, otherwise I will not accept that they cannot find any fault. He replied by saying it sounds like there may be a problem with the fly-by-wire (term for the automatic throttle control switch I have since learned).

At least he seems to know something about this kind of problem, tells me they must experience problems like this often....