OK. Our 'check engine light' (AKA Exhaust-gas values light) came on this AM. So this has now officially gone from a minor problem annoying others, to a BFD demanding immediate attention - NOW!

Seriously, we have over 4,500mi on our 2009 35d built in early August. This is the first problem we have had with it. So this is just a bit better than our previous 2001 X5 experience, where we got to drive so many loaners that we knew more about current BMWs than all car mag test drivers put together

I absolutely dread taking it in to the dealer. The 100 mi round trip is bad enough. But once it is there, I don't trust the dealer's mechanics to diagnose/fix ANY problem when their computer doesn't explicitly tell them what they should replace. So I'm now in the market for a good OBD II reader that preferably will allow me to reset the fault codes (in a later life after warranty). Any suggestions?

Funf Dreisig

p.s. Our late US 2009 35d shows the "Engine" symbol not the "Service Engine Soon" symbol as described in the 2009 X5 owner's manual.