[Thirsty]

I know all you guys are BMW enthusiasts, but I would much rather have a Chevrolet SS, just sayin'.

[Dieterle Tool]

MCGSXR, I was in a similar situation 4 years. I concur with everything Gopher suggests. I bought an E series based on those recommendations, however the N55 was pretty new at the time.

CPO a must. In the three years mine was still under warranty I had a few fixes... warped valve cover was the worst. That being said, the service is outstanding and completely free. Clefchef is right too however. The first thing I did, out of warranty, was walnut blast the intake valves ($700). But it has been trouble free and putting horsepower to it is a blast.

-Dieter

[DaveC113]

I know all you guys are BMW enthusiasts, but I would much rather have a Chevrolet SS, just sayin'.

Good call, I agree. Who wouldn't want a 450 hp Malibu?    They are awesome cars though, I'd love to have one.

[mcgsxr]

I have looked at a variety of options in my research:

BMW 335i (2012 and up - some concerns about overall size)
BMW 535i (2011 and up)
BMW 550i (2011 and up - some forecasted maintenance issues)
BMW 750i (2011 and up - many forcasted maintenance issues)
Audi A6 S line - friend has the coupe and loves it
Lexus GS350
Lexus IS350 - looks a little small in the back for me
Acura TL A Spec - uninspiring - nice enough car, but does not move me
Acura RLX - similar feeling as to the TL
Chrysler 300C Hemi (my brother owns one)

All would be under 60K miles.  Most are 2011 and newer.  All are under 25K USD (though buying in Canada so the local $ looks like more!).

As you can see I trend more to luxury than sport in many instances.

My mechanic would say buy imported - and he would mean Japanese for reliability.

I am not in a rush. 

[rif]

2 thoughts - is a bmw 6 series in your budget?  I like the looks of those but know nothing about them

You may be able to get a 2016 nissan maxima for that budget.  They look very nice and stand out in a good way.

[jaywills]

Here's my 2 cents.  Have owned 8 or so BMW's and drove a '91 M5 for ~15 years (became hideously expensive to maintain towards the end).  Now have a 2001 740iL Sport that I bought with just under 70K miles for $10K in early '08 (it now has ~104K).  Have replaced front control arms (~1800), water pump (they're usually good for ~70K) and the valve gaskets after an oil leak (~1500).  That's it other than routine oil/air filter maintenance.  Here's a link to a site where common BMW model problems are identified and discussed:

http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/e38/

I'm very happy with my 740, but you need to go in with your eyes open.  Good luck.  Cordially,

[FullRangeMan]

Winter is coming in the southern and just bought me a Mercedes Benz amphibious to the monsoom months see here in white at far right>

[rtate]

Hey Mark, just for giggles you should have a look at the Hyundai Genesis sedan.
I own one and love it !
It's 90% of a 5 series for 70% of the money.
My car is the V8 and has been super reliable and much cheaper to maintain than a BMW or Audi.
And the used market is favorable for the buyer as they don't seem to hold there value as much as the European cars.
I looked at the Audi's, Infiniti's and Acura's but kept coming back to the Genesis.

[mcgsxr]

The V8 Genesis is a great addition to the list.  Thanks, though the V8's are very rare up here.

The 2011+ Lexus IS F V8 is also one I would love to drive - though I think it may prove a little small for what I have in mind.

Have the T Bird up for sale so slow and steady progress. 

[charmerci]

Have the T Bird up for sale so slow and steady progress.

What? NNNOOOOOO!!!! 

[mcgsxr]

What? NNNOOOOOO!!!! 

I know. No fun to see the old girl go.  But with my kids approaching driving age, and my driveway not growing I can only accommodate so many vehicles. 

Living in the suburbs is otherwise great!

[Dieterle Tool]

FRM, not sure about your Mercedes but props to your public transportation system.
And how about those synchronized swimmers practicing in the street? 

-Dieter

[FullRangeMan]

Monsoon season allow practice for Olympics.

[Archguy]

The E39 2000-2003 540i 6sp sport is IMHO one of the best cars ever made. Other than a radiator (stupid plastic neck on the stock one) and the occasional O2 sensor (x4), I never had to do much to it. I wish I'd never sold mine or better yet, they still made something like it 

The E39 still gets my vote as the most perfect (and perfect-looking) sedan ever built. 

Add my vote for natural-aspirated 5 too.  The very last NA inline-6 528i was 2011 or 2012??  Before they made it a turbo four.
If I could find one of those with low miles, that would be worthwhile.  Though there's still the runflats thing to deal with.

[Woodsea]

2011 was the last of the non-turbos for BMW.

I recently purchased and immensely enjoying an '11 e93 in blue with dark brown interior.  Fits 4 people snuggly.  Now I just would like to upgrade the under-seat woofers and amplifier.

[Archguy]

Yep: Looked it up.  It was 2012 when they put the turbo four in.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/12/automobiles/bmw-528i-fewer-cylinders-not-that-youll-notice.html
Car is so handsome it even looks good in white!!

I had an E90 and it was a sweet ride with the six.  But just too small for me at 6'-3"

As an aside, it's passing strange that we have a HP race past 600hp for some cars, while others are having their awesome NA sixes replaced by high-strung turbo fours, which incidentally sound like toy boats back 'round the exhaust pipe.  But I digress.

[oem-wheels]

being in the used auto parts industry, I advise you not to get the BMW... 1/3 of my customers that own a BMW and MBZ hate them... they're ultra finicky and any little burp in the electronics their dash board lights lite up... and anything that needs fixing costs an arm and a leg.... they say they're a big money pit and way over rated, you're just paying for the logo that's on the hood... you know what they say the worst job is ?  a BMW parts department clerk... everyone that purchased something from you hates your guts... for the same money you pay for that used BMW, get a new Mustang 5.0 ... way better value   drive a new $70,000 Beemer off the lot and lose $20,000 right off the bat

[Folsom]

The only thing about that is, why does everyone else have to make such damn ugly cars? I'd be all into some cars if they weren't so flat ass boring, no inspiration, etc... it's like many non luxury companies want to chase away customers.

[S Clark]

The only thing about that is, why does everyone else have to make such damn ugly cars? I'd be all into some cars if they weren't so flat ass boring, no inspiration, etc...

Maybe because many of us buy cars based on function, not some perception of ego as fueled by auto advertising.  I don't give a rats ass about looks.  Will it run trouble free for 200+K?  Is the price competitive?  Is it comfortable?  Will it haul people/stuff as needed?  Is it efficient/lower carbon footprint?  After looking at these parameters, I usually end up with a Toyota or a Honda, small SUV for my wife, sedan for me.  I also have a '93 Dodge 250D with a Cummins for hauling loads.  It will do it's 5K per year for the rest of my life.  Our last few cars have been Camry, RAV4, and CRV...  boring cars that do a job and I can walk into a dealer and negotiate for cash. And you don't lose a huge depreciation when you drive it off the lot.   

[Woodsea]

My mechanic chose the e93 for me because of reliability and my requirement for an open top.  I initially wanted an Audi for the all wheel drive, but he reminded my that my 17 yr old Landcruiser (190k) will get my around when it snows!  I bought the convertible with 39k, which is both functional and to my eye gorgeous.  He also drives an e93, he is trained as an engineer and ten years older than myself.  Honest to a fault.  He would not sell or allow me to buy a turbo vehicle, he understands that I keep my vehicles in good shape and expect high miles.