This is a completely different vehicle in sport drive mode (the shifter, not the button). Not necessarily using the manual to shift gears up and down (which I've not dared to do during break-in) but just shifting it left to DS mode. My question is, does this harm the engine long term (I presume manual shift can if you repeatedly rev it incorrectly over years)? Second [dumber] question - does it actually eat up more gas because it seems it's just allowing higher revs per gear.

I've got 290 miles on it right now. It just feels so much looser on DS than regular D. As if the car's completely broken in and all its power is available at the slightest tap of the gas pedal.

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'08 X5 3.0si - Alpine White / Saddle Brown interior
Specs: Sport Pkg, Premium Pkg, Tech Pkg, Comfort Access, Aero Kit, Style 433 staggered 20s on Conti DWS
Mods: Carbon 35 tint, LED angel eyes, GP Thunder 7500k fogs, H&R 20mm/25mm spacers, clear reflectors, gunsmoke-tinted taillights
Coded: Digital speedo, windows/sunroof/tailgate close via keyfob

X5 pics at Flickr