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I'm a dyed-in-the-wool BMW lover so I think they should always be on the list for a fun, practical sedan. They are great value particularly if you don't mind a used one with 30k-40k miles. They can still feel almost new even with that mileage (I recall a very nice one I saw with 40k at a dealer and it wasn't even a Certified Pre Owned car). The CPO cars are really good. You can probably get great deals now that there is a new body style coming out. What is really special about a BMW is the blend of acceleration, handling, communication with the driver, refinement and fuel economy. A 328 or 330 will be very good in all of these areas. You can find cars that are better in 1 or more dimension but I don't think you will find a better all around sporty sedan. Audi can't do it. Infiniti seems to be getting closer but I have not driven the new G35 so I can't comment. If you like a sporty car then do test drive a 328 or 330 with the Sport suspension (if it has 17" wheels from the factory then it probably has the Sport suspension). If you are lucky you will find one with the Performance Package -- you will know since the engine has a higher redline, a short-throw manual shifter and an even more sporty suspension from the factory. I fitted an M3 suspension and wheels to my 328i. It was refined enough that I could easily handle a 2 hour drive after a 16 hour trans-pacific flight. It could be throttle-steered with ease through corners and flung into freeway on-ramps well above the national speed limit. It had enough torque to shove you back in your seat around town, 3rd gear was good for triple digits. It still got 28-30 mpg on the freeway. I loved the car even if I gave the engine, suspension and brakes regular work-outs. That said, I lent the car to my 65 year old aunt for 2 weeks and she loved it -- how's that for user friendly! An E34 M5 has more of a hard edge than an E46 330i (even with a Sport suspension) in terms of ride and engine note. But it is still refined and comfortable. In its time it was called a 4 door Ferrari -- not that much of a stretch given that the 3.8L inline-6 was putting out 340 hp back in the early 90s (naturally aspirated, no turbo or supercharger). Have fun with your shopping!
I'd like to sign up as the next person seeking opinions on a next car.Due to a few recent events involving people backing into my car and causing significant paint damage I feel that it is probably better for me in the long run for me to sell my beloved Z06. For a little insight I moved to San Francisco in the last 1.5 years. Most recently I moved again but this time into a place without a garage. I can rent a parking space in my neighborhood but it is going to cost me approximately $300 a month not to mention the $160 a month I already pay to park near work. In addition my insurance went up $85 a month because of the SF zip code (not that my insurance was low to begin with). All told I'll be shelling out almost $800 a month above and beyond the cost of the car itself. I've been trying to get by with street parking for as long as possible but earlier this week someone backed into the car (apparently in their truck) and scraped the hell out of the entire front clip to within 1/4 of an inch of the hood. This is the 2ND time this has happened this month (first time I was able to buff out the damage). Insurance will cover it but the bottom line is that I need a car with bumpers.Cars under consideration:Subaru STI or STI LimitedSubaru WRX WagonAudi S4Cadillac CTSV Jeep SRT 8Chrysler 300 SRTOther? (insert other options here)Criteria: Sporty but prefer fast, road holding and braking is more important to me than outright speed, "sporty"-comfortable and some utility would be a nice change. Most of my driving right now takes place between work and home (5 miles a day) but one of my favorite things to do is to get out on the open road.Thanks for any input!-Gabriel
Glad to see you made it home safely, bubba. Did you have any additional 'possum encounters?
FWIW, bubba came by to see me after taking possession of new pride and joy, and it is a GREAT car! Aside from the front air dam (some of which I had something to do with...sorry 'bout that ) the exterior of the car is in superb condition. The interior looks to be that of a 2 to 3 year-old car (meant to be a BIG compliment!), and the engine and suspension served to remind me why I love BMWs so much. Although I couldn't resist the urge to 'test' the M-Sport during my auditions (purely unemotional fact-finding measures reluctantly accomplished to ensure the validity of your purchase investment...really ), I heard nary a squeak, rattle or groan from any part of the car.
Well done, my friend. I'm truly happy you finally found what you've wanted for so long, and that you were able to get it before someone else did...and they would've. It is far too nice a car to have lasted long on the market.
The car I purchased for our current trip (an '06 Lincoln LS) exhibits a *lot* of BMW handling tendencies to my extreme surprise, and the V-8 has proven relatively powerful (easily attained 120 mph traveling up a steep incline in TN before Kandy's screams convinced me back off...sorry, babe) and thrifty (over 28 mpg cruising between 75 and 80 mph ). Even so, if God is willing, I *WILL* someday have a Bimmer of my own.
Nice car Brian !!! Best of luck with it.....vrooommm So you had to go all the way to Mississippi to find it ? Chris
And I wish I only had to go to Mississippi to find that car. But I had to go to North Carolina to buy it.
Too bad you couldn't see it in the daytime. As nice as it looked at night, it was better during the daytime.
You do what you have to do I guess. And as there were only 2 cars made like this one worldwide I feel very lucky to have found & bought it.
Just buy that '03 M5 that's up here in Seattle. I'll drive it down to ya.
I had a heart attack when I was quoted a replacement bumper (that's not even painted).
If I had the money, a Tesla Roadster would be in my garage. Totally electric car. 0-60 in less than 4 seconds. Looks as good as an Italian exotic. No OPEC worries. Check them out at www.teslamotors.com/
