it also does it at 35 mph in fifth gear ... just idle at that speed once it
is established for as long as the terrain cooperates being flat.  otherwise
the 528i as you know can really suck gas with all those expensive race car
parts in it .. which is how it provides the gas milage ... better
technology.

An E39 528i that pulls 40mpg is non-existent (unless you count only downhill
runs ... there are some mountain descents that can probably yield 60 mpg),
but enjoy your delusion.  The transmission is never out of the drivetrain
unless you put it there, but the coast down capability of the auto trans and
the ECU will do remarkable things and can actually improve upon idle + out
of gear.

R / John

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