heh yeah well…it seems you really thought most of it through anyway 
seriously though, if it’s a gas issue, and the beemer’s paid off then i’d suggest trading it in and getting a good used civic or metro or focus or the like. you hit it on the head that the “gas” excuse is just an excuse used by people who want to ride to convince their SO to let them ride. it’s more dangerous than driving a car, it takes a lot more training and practice to keep from wrecking it, and it’s arguably MUCH more fun 
I’m not going to say that you shouldn’t or couldn’t get a bike for commuting, but for what you seem to be looking for it doesn’t seem like the ideal choice. for point A to point B basic transportation you’d likely be better off in a small subcompact, and save the bike for weekends I view riding like I view all my hobbies/passions and really take the work mentality in reverse. Live to Ride, not Ride to Live (though I’d like to have the option of riding to work rather than driving, still I’d not replace the cage for day to day hassle.
