More recently that than that in the UK - the Ford Focus had one until
recently. Which wasn't reliable. And was replaced by a conventional auto.

Like near any rubber band drive it's fine if it can be easily changed -
same as cambelts once were. But make it difficult as it likely is on any
transmission and it is a time bomb just waiting to go off.

Nothing new under the sun. As they say.

In article <C4D092F0.84F%alanb@sonic.net>,

Much as I am a fan of BMW, the Dutch were using CVTs in cars in the fifties
and they were available as an option in the Subaru Justy in the eighties.
It's not a new technology... in fact, Leonardo da Vinci invented the whole
conical-gear-with-follower concept.
--scott

The best I've ever seen on my 528 was 37 when acting as 'tender' car to a
'50 LandRover along a pretty deserted motorway early one Sunday morning at
no more than 50 mph. That was the average for the whole journey. An
instantaneous reading means nothing.

I am pushing a 528i 2000 series down the highway ... using synthetic oil of
course.

My factory trained teck has me come in every 5K miles or 6 months which ever
comes first.

Waiting a bit of time is not a problem for you especially since you do not
drive it all that much and you have rather good lubrication the crankcase,
it is one of the reasons why you have such good gas mileage.

Synthetic in the transmission and rear end ... with a BMW puter moving the
cylinders it sets to idle speeds the engine RPM and slips the transmission
out of the drive train at 80 mph if the road conditions allow (down hill).

It is a little more pricy then a standard oil change given the quality of
the products you have to use ... but I think they pay for themselves in
mileage.  It is easy for me to get 40 mpg highway.  Can't wait for the
infinity gear transmission to come out.  BMW leaders on that one as well.

Today I phoned my local BMW agent for an oil change on my X 5. I put
less than 5K miles a year, I do an extra oil change (before the
inspection lights  come on). The earliest date they could give me in
September 28, that is more than a month away...I realize oil change is
not an urgent repair, but one month is a little long to wait?

What are the experiences of this group?

george