Thanks to ozguy, 3literX5, and any others for the advice. I had pretty much come to the same conclusion myself today to not take the "demo", but do what I had to do to wait & order one. Told the salesman that, whereupon he became very testy (has anyone noticed that bmw dealers are not the most user-friendly?). I do have other questions: are the Zenon, lumbar, &/or premium stereo worth it? But I may post a separate message for that. Now to figure out how to afford both the X5 and all the work my E24 needs! Thanks again, Steve