Poll: Do you LIKE or HATE this interior?

Last time I drove a e65 I was not very impressed. I think the older e38s have a much better build quality.

 

Exactly. Along with the ugliest rear lines ever seen on a BMW.

 

Too many gadgets and buttons - I realize that's the nature of the particular car but I like things simple.

Overall look is fine but personally wouldn't go for such a light leather color,

 

+1

I see Buttons, buttons, buttons, knobs, levers, joystick....is that a car, or the Space Shuttle?

 

Hairdressing aside, just based on the interior I say go for it, having no knowledge of the mechanicals or exact exterior. It is very Range Roveresque. Classy use of wood, metal, and color. A bright positive interior for when you are well dressed. Once you own the car the controls will not be intimidating.

 

You'll be lucky to get by for anywhere near that. The front brakes on my BMW e46 3 series were $650+ at the dealer back in 2004 or so, and they seemed to last about 20K miles. Recently paid for more brakes on an Audi A5 (not an RS5, but an A5), and I can't see a BMW 7 being much cheaper.

One of the better automotive columns I've read in years:

Dyer Consequences: The Nine-Year Itch - Automobile Magazine

Quoting: Driving a new BMW 7-series says, "I've arrived." Driving a 2002 745i says, "I've arrived at a tent in my mom's backyard, where I live because it costs so much to keep this car on the road." People admire new cars and they admire thirty-year-old cars, but the nine-year-old car exists in a drab netherworld, neither new enough to confer status nor old enough to imply connoisseurship. The Ferrari 360 is a beautiful car, but the valets will know that it's worth about the same as a nice new Corvette.

 

There are really two views of car ownership: transportation appliance and conjurer of sensory bliss. No matter how you slice it...cars are expensive. When you add in insurance, maintenance, and depreciation -- even cheap new cars aren't. I figure I can either write the check and drive someone I dislike or write a bigger check and enjoy it.

I think that article is great general advice, but it largely misses the point (for me, at least). The truth is, 10 year old high-line cars are awesome in a lot of ways, but they are completely inappropriate for people living paycheck-to-paycheck.

My daily driver (and I drive a lot for work) is very much a financial calculation. I have an '09 BMW 335i. It's covered under warranty and has maintenance for another 2 years. I'll probably sell it in 1.5 years and lease a new 328i. Keeping it any longer doesn't make financial sense. Under this plan...I'll always have a firm and set budget for vehicle cost.

On the other hand, I have a '03 modded Subaru WRX and '86 Porsche 944. Subaru since new (170,000 miles!) and the 944 since '97 (up to 138,000 miles now). Neither of these is particular smart to keep around. On the Subaru I should sell it before the motor goes ($5k). The Porsche...costs about $2000/yr to keep running "right" -- which includes not only triage repairs but replacing things like suspension bushings, stone guards, etc. Per mile -- I don't even think about what I'm spending to drive a 27yr old car with 150HP. This doesn't make sense, but I like both cars and spend the money like one spends money on vacations and other hobbies.

I think the article highlights the worst possible scenario of middle-aged Euro car ownership -- the luxo-barge. It's raison d'etre is irrelevant (technology) and the driving dynamics, exclusivity, and styling are nothing to write home about. A 2003 Audi RS6, however...that's a special car -- just not appropriate for a kid working at a cellphone kiosk at the mall. Oh yeah, and having a good specialist mechanic is just as important as buying the right car in these situations.

 

I have the new i-drive in my 2009 335i which apparently is a MAJOR improvement on the previous version. This is one reason I won't trade in on a 2008 M3 Sedan because I can't find one without that older i-drive system.

Well, that and I may lose my job because of sequestration but that belongs in a different thread LOL!

 

I'm sure it's very good. With regard to expenses, I think it's partly down to luck. My Merc had a failed instrument cluster at <10K miles, and it's one of those thing they don't fix -- just order a new one from Germany at monopoly prices.

My e46 coupe was generally very good, though. Just went through tires and brakes pretty quickly, which gets you up to $1500/year pretty quickly, assuming nothing breaks. If something does go south, the dealer is often the only place to get it sorted.

 

I think it just emphasizes my point that used European cars are not for people living paycheck-to-paycheck. You have to prepared for moments where things break and you just have to say "aww shucks" and write a check. It's like owning a Ferrari...with smaller numbers.

Regarding tires and brakes -- that's the way things go on sport(y) cars. You could put on fairly moderate all-season performance tires and get much more mileage. Same with having a lighter right foot and being less aggressive in the canyons (that will save the brakes, too). My friend used to own a Subaru shop and was always amazed at the naiveté of his customers who would be truly upset when they've added 50% to the HP and the drivetrain is suddenly less reliable. Or when they'd go to the track and wear out brakes in a weekend.