Six blocks after starting from home, car died at stop sign this afternoon. Called BMW Assist (mistake) and waited 1 1/2 hrs. for tow. I've read from other posters to get 3A which I have but thought I would try Assist. The truck came from miles and miles away in heavy traffic. BMW must have contracts with just a few tow guys. Bizarre since I live in the SF Bay Area with lots of bimmers. Fortunately I stopped by the side of the road since I was making a right turn, in daylight in a safe place and on a beautiful day. Waiting that long in an unsafe place, middle of the road, at night, etc. would have been totally unacceptable. The people answering Assist were very polite and understanding. They said the average wait is 45 to 70 minutes!

Tow driver started to pull the x5 on the tow truck without releasing brake or putting in neutral until I hollered at him. Then he didn't know how to put it in neutral manually. (I'd read the manual so told him there's a tool in the tool box and the release spot is under the cup holders-lift off the rubber cup holders-in case you ever need manual operation.) Assume your tow driver knows nothing about your car's operation.

Won't know until tomorrow what the problem is. The car has about 9,000 miles and has had no problems except transmission "bump" which was fixed at about 500 miles. I've loved the car so far...crossing my fingers...