Most likely I'll write more on the saga in a different thread at some point, but..

I'll be taking delivery on a 2011 X5 Premium in the next day or two that I pretty well loaded up (it's amazing how much more fun it is if you ignore the numbers by that "$" symbol) and I have a few questions on the break-in period, as this is the part that seems to be the least well-documented (officially, anyway).

Since people seem to ask..
Space Gray, Sand Beige interior, light poplar trim (don't like the darker colors). I left out the third row seat, but I think it has most everything else (no entertainment system - didn't like it in this vehicle). I waffled a bit on the HUD, but later added it when I found out the guy at work that just bought one didn't have it. I think it will be genuinely very useful - taking ones eyes off the road even for a second is bad. I can't tell you how many times I nearly wrecked with the Lexus NAV (which is an excellent NAV system, but not positioned where it should be).

The salesman actually discouraged me from several options (most anything that started with "Active") and when asked, said that the Napa leather seats tend to wear very quickly. I did get the Napa leather dash - the dash itself seems so dull, I hope it spices it up a bit. The Entertainment system was kind of tempting, but I don't care what the people in the back seat think, as long as they don't throw up or anything.

(this was a real problem with the 50i test drive, so I stuck with the 35i)
(I gave them heated seats anyway - who are they to complain?)

I actually HATE taking a delivery. They want to show me everything, but I've read the Owner's Manual cover to cover several times and I'm an Engineer by trade anyway.

"Yeah, yeah, just give me the keys and I'll call if I have any questions. Except that would be like reading the manual or asking for directions. Not happening."

OK, so if memory serves, the manual says there are essentially two break-in periods: 300 and 2000 miles.

<300: don't drive fast (but it doesn't SAY that, so I'm a bit confused)
<2000: no kickdowns

Having done A LOT of reading and research, many, many sources claim that there should be an oil change done somewhere right around these break-in periods. Is this true, not true, overly cautious, or just old-fashioned? Sorry to have to ask, really, but I learned a looooong time ago that anything posted on the Internet should be taken with a grain of salt until you can build a consensus.

I've owned Lexus for many years and there are no special considerations for break-in periods, other than they claim it will improve after a lengthy break-in period (generally 3000+ miles), but they don't use any special oil, etc. in that time, and don't advise you to do / not do certain things, so this is new for me.

Speaking of.. Everyone seems to say change the oil twice as often as BMW says (every 7500 miles or so) if you want to keep it. Transmission service seems to be scheduled at 30K miles and most sources agree that's a good number. Thoughts?

I've also heard that they will usually allow you TWO oil changes a year with your Ultimate Maintenance (or whatever it's called - sorry, I'm new to all of this) if you ask nicely, but I can't corroborate that. At any rate, it's certainly not a big deal to get it done every 7500 miles. Lexus was 5K miles and it nagged you until it was done. Comments?

Much appreciated. LOTS of great info here - I'm glad I found it early.