GREAT write up. Thank you for taking the time and effort...I know we all appreciate it!

Funny, so many of your thoughts/feelings are exactly what I feel! The "old" E70 headlights, cheap sunvisors and mish mash of rubbers, plastics and materials are my biggest irk!

Actually having cheap, red (bulb) rear blinkers is my biggest annoyance. I know how it irritates me when American and some Japanese cars blink (especially in bright sunlight) and you cannot even see the rear blinkers. If BMW wanted to use red blinkers for the rear (a bad idea), but they could have used LED red blinkers like the new 5 Series and the LCI 3er sedan. Mercedes also uses red LED blinkers. The rear blinkers should be either amber bulbs or amber LEDs or red LEDs. Not red bulbs...they are dangerous, cheap and ineffective!

I too have the multi-contour seats and they are awesome. I think my biggest surprise is how much I actually LOVE the head up display. It's so practical, and really cool. I can see this becoming one of those "must have on the next car" features. Comfort Access is also a MUST HAVE always. I've had that on my last 3 cars before the 35d, and I love it.

Of course, MPG is really great too. I feel so 'green', even with the monster torque band our 35ds have.

Again, thanks for the 1000 mile update!