Sedan suggestion
 

The lease is nearly up on my BMW 535xi. I've usually kept a sedan and they come in handy sometimes, but I'm retiring, downsizing my life, and I'm not sure what to replace the 535 with. Working cars currently in the stable now are a BMW Z3, Toyota Tundra, Porsche 911, and a BMW motorcycle. A sedan would be nice, but I've had it with "luxury performance" cars. In spite of the "performance" claim they seem to be designed for people who don't like to drive. I've just had it with bells and whistles and automatic everything. The 535 in particular is an exercise in frustration.
Is there a car out there that will comfortably hold 5 people, has decent power and handling, traction control, ABS, and a simple air conditioner, heater, and radio that have actual knobs that control them?

Try looking at Hondas - Civics or Accords. Functionality is pretty high in them, of course reliability is also very good. Problem is, if you're coming into such a car from a 535, it's going to feel cheap.

We used to have a 94 Lexus ES300. It was a wonderful car, very comfortable, simple controls, everything worked (all the little stuff like window switches, power seats, etc) right up until we got rid of it at close to 200K km (125K miles). The oil thing I ever remember having to fix was a crack in the brake line. Not expensive, but made for a scary trip to the shop with very weak brakes :) I miss that car.

E39 m5?

Find a mint used E39 530i and you'll be set. Really, if you like your 535, the 530 is a simpified version and any potential maintenance will still cost you less in the end (for the life of the car) than the cost difference between the used 530 and a new car.

If you're stuck on a new car, then you'll have a limited range if you don't wan all the bells and whistles while still providing theblevel of comfort and performance that you are use to in a BMW.

I agreed having a sedan is very nice. I bought my 530i used and it's been rock solid. I figure if I have to put another 10K into it over the next 5 years I'll still be well ahead.

Maintenance is a major expense on these. Limited production numbers = expensive parts and service.

Mid sized Mercedes sedan. (E Class)

Can't go wrong and it's NOT a BMW.

Ready. Hope you are sitting down. This is going to hurt.

Hyundai Genesis V8.

Mercedes-Benz E-class - current or previous generation.

For a more budget minded choice: you can't beat the Subaru Legacy sedans. Had one for 13 years / 194,000 miles without any major concerns.

-Z

A simplified 535 would be ideal. I like many things about the 535 - the lighting is fantastic, power is great - with twin turbos and DGI it will outrun my 911 in a straight line, OK transmission for street use, suspension and brakes are OK. But the controls - so goofy and complicated they take the fun out of driving. And iDrive - the best thing about iDrive is that it is durable. I've pounded on the knob in frustration many times and haven't driven it through the floorboard yet. Mercedes is out unless they have a new transmission. The delay in changing from reverse to forward is the reason I switched to BMW.
Looks like I'd have to go back 10 years to get one without iDrive, but that's doable if I can find a mint one.

No one would believe that unless they saw one up close. Very nice cars, very Benz like.

Taurus.

your retiring. dont they just hand out BUICKS? :D

honestly, i would get a caddy CTS-V. go out pimpin.

Umm, CTS-V, 30 series tires on 22 inch wheels with chrome rims and gold spokes. What color of spray, white? black? Black says class mo better, but white conveys that "not dead yet" message.

I was riding in a 993 at the track this weekend when we got passed by a Panamera turbo. Just FYI :)

I just threw up a little in my mouth after reading that...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/suppo...eys/spankA.gif

-Z-man.

How often do you need a 5 passenger sedan ? If it is only needed a few times a year just rent a car when needed. Just think of all the extra money you will then have to play with.

Every time I see the Genesis from a different angle as I pass one on the street, I think that I am seeing a different car. I'm pretty sure I've mistaken it for every similar sized luxury sedan. Its like they mated an Audi, BMW, Benz, and Lexus and the Hyundai was the result.

Its easily as "loaded" as any European sedan but most likely more loaded.

0-60 in 5.5

375hp V8

Leather on every surface (you pay about $5000 to get this luxury on a Porsche)

10year/100,000 mile warranty

It won't have the "soul" and "passion" of the Euro brands but hey its $40K sticker (can get for much less) where an equally optioned S550 or 750I will set you back exactly $100,000 sticker. Even a V8 E or 5-series are easily $65,000 when equally optioned.

Fixed it for ya.... by "soul" and "passion" I assume you mean "quality" and "reliability" ;)

I don't care if it is loaded with rich Corinthian leather and has 20 cupholders and shiatsu massaging seats -- the Hyundai is simply not engineered to the same level as the German cars are. They aren't even up to American car levels...

Yes - Hyundai's have come a long way in terns of quality and reliability, the Hyundai has a long way to go to compete head to head with the German cars.

Besides, I believe the Genesis is in the same bracket as the BMW 5-series and Mercedes E-class, not the 7-series and S-class...

Just sayin'
-Z-man.

Looked like the Benz from the front and the Bimmer from the back. :)

I think they are probably better made than an American car.

I think the Pontiac G8 looked cool and solid, till they killed it.