I did exactly what XV8 suggested in post #9. Everyone at I spoke to BMWNA was very nice, and I of course was very complimentary & and mentioned that I hoped to be shopping for another X or 5 series someday. Four days later, they called & said "we love calling BMW owners and making their day, because we're covering your center cluster 100%, parts and labor".

Geez, it went so well on my first call to BMWNA, that now I wish I had given them a shot when the tranny cratered last year.

I am a bit concerned though, because they said they dealer that is to do the work should have called me to set up an appointment by now.