Wow. Two replies in a short period. This place is awesome!

AzNMpower32 did say as much, but I felt compelled to answer to yours too..
Wherever you are, "Richard in NC" in my home state.

Actually, yes - I added HUD SPECIFICALLY because of NAV directions.

I know it adds a lot more on the M versions (and I've seen it - really VERY nice) but as I mentioned, taking your eyes off the road should always be a no-no, and the ONLY thing I used to ever take my eyes off for was the NAV when I was in unfamiliar territory.

BMW's works differently from Lexus, of course - you get the "shrinking bar" instead of a distance - and while I have to tell if one is better or worse, I will say that the distance is.. misleading. It's CORRECT, but the "vector" method is better, in my opinion. Ergo, it doesn't LOOK like 500 feet (but it is), but the shallow end of the diminishing bar is a greater illustration of how soon you have until you need to turn.

The HUD does this very well. I guess I was lucky the demonstrator was so well-equipped. I fell in love with it instantly. All my friends told me I will never use it. Once I learned the height was adjustable.. I doubt that. It's an excellent implementation. We have lots of former Corvette folks (who, damned fools, went off and got married) at the office who always say they miss the HUD the most. Not the huge, gas-guzzling engine.. But the HUD to show them what they were doing.

At some point, I will post "my story" (no one cares, but it will feel good writing it anyway), but..

The X5 was the very last on my list. It only made the list because of the 2011 model numbers (power / efficiency). From the instant I sat down and the whole time I drove it, I was tremendously impressed.

When we ended the second test drive (I drove the 50i first, then the 35i, back to back) he said "How do you like it?"

"I.. LOVE it. Give me one."

I drove it like a baby the whole time, yet this was something I wasn't prepared to love. I drove the Audi Q7 (I absolutely hated that car) earlier in the day. AND the brand new Cayenne S (fine car, but didn't care for its lack of creature comforts, or the dealer's attitude).

At every step of the way, the X5 said "you love me and you know it." And I did. I only had to talk myself into the 35i versus the 50i (which made me laugh the entire time I drove it). $$ wasn't the issue, but I've had license "issues" (read: tickets and double the insurance cost) before and I instantly saw myself driving 90 in a 45. (even in the test 35i, I was driving 85 and I swore it felt like 60)

I probably won't be able to pick it up until Wednesday or Thursday. I have cleared my calendar, and hence the question, was wondering how gentle I should be. No kickdowns then.

OK. It will take me a good long while to get used to actually DRIVING (versus RIDING) again anyway.

Thanks again for the advice. To me, it isn't enough to be told "yes" or "no," etc. I need details. Y'all have provided plenty, and I appreciate that.

I feel more comfortable in driving it "normally."