[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by CJFusco

Yeah, you know, it's funny: when it comes to luxury brands nowadays, it almost seems like a happy accident when a specific model ends up representing excellence, and it seems to take time to figure out which models hang in there (just as it's taken some time for the public to begin to realize that the m96 and m97 engines are fragile). For example, although BMW has had a score of drivetrain problems in the 2000s, the E39 platform is largely considered a paragon of quality; many sources attest that if you buy yourself a late 90s/early 00s 528 or 540, you're buying a car that will last well into the 200+K mile range. This used to be something that people understood inherently about a given make of car; for example, what were the two things that people knew about Volvo in the late 80s/early 90s? They are super safe, and they last forever. Sure enough, where I live (western Connecticut) you see COUNTLESS Volvo 240s, 740s, 850s, and even V70s on the road. I've never really counted, but I'd be willing to bet that you see more 200k+ mile, 20+ years old Volvos on the road here than any other make.

What will be today's luxury cars that still hang in there? Smart money is probably on Lexus and Audi right now based on initial quality and long-term test results, but as their electronics age, who knows? After all, the m97 generation of Porsche sports cars always did very well in those kinds of metrics, and look what's happening now.

Funny that you mention BMW, they are on my "never again" list. Sure an E39 might go 200k, but by that point your interior will have fallen apart, VANOS failed, suspension bushings been replaced 3x, cooling system replaced 2x, maybe a transmission rebuild, etc. Great driving cars but they are made of broken. I'll take a 9X6 over an E39 any day of the week.