cocogigio

Since 1975 ...

1965 Ford Galaxy 500 white 2dr Hardtop
1968 dodge Dart
1979 VW Super Beetle
1980 Toyota Corona (5 speed Manual)
1986 Chrysler LeBaron GTS Turbo
1990 Chevy Lumina (company Car)
1993 Ford Taurus (company Car)
1974 VW Kharmann Ghia convertible (Red/Black Top)
1991 Mazda Miata red Black top (removeable hard top)
1994 Chevy Blazer 4WD
1994 Dodge Intrepid ES
1999 Lincoln Mark VIII Black
2000 Saturn SC2 White
2002 Mecury Mountaineer V8 Metallic Green
1999 M3 convertible metallic silver with black top and removable hard top
2002 Audi A6 Avant (wifes current car)

Got my 545i in July after a May Euro delivery. I love this car! definitely the best but the M3 is sooooo close. Have the M# for a few more weeks and then must say goodbye. Oh well, maybe someday I'll win the lottery and build a BIG garage to fill!

tab545

I grew up loving cars, and my dad worked for GM in Detroit, so we had a new company car (always GM) every 3,000 miles. So I drove dozens of my dad's cars in the 80s. Most of what I learned was how few of those were great fun. But I never owned a car. Once I started work after school, I was in downtown Chicago and didn't need a car, plus my taste in cars ran more expensive than my willingness to pay. (I wouldn't bother with any car I could justify buying.) I've subscribed to most of the car magazines at one time or another, and have driven lots of rental cars in the US and Europe (5 series, E class, Volvo, VWs, Audis), including at 140+ mph in Germany. But never owned a car. I finally moved to a place a little further out in Chicago, where I could claim I need a car (although my wife didn't need convincing -- she knew I would get what I wanted). During this period, my income has grown to put excellent cars in reach.

So, yes, at the age of 40, my 545 is the first car I've owned. My dealer admitted I was the only first-time buyer he'd ever sold a 545i to. Not your usual entry-level car, that's all.

I just wanted a demanding, fun sports sedan, hot but practical enough that I can keep it with kids (just got married). The E class just seems too sedate. A hot E class (E430 or E500) presents a majestic, sober face. The E class is a beautiful design, and it will age very well, but it's just very serene. My Mystic Blue E60 545i 6-speed presents a smirk, a devilish grin, saying "I'm good at all that luxury stuff, but I'm having lots of fun, too." The Audi dealer had one black S4, but was a jerk and wanted me to beg him to test drive it. (Plus the little S4 back seat would have required that I have only small friends, and that my kids never grow up.) The S4 body has also grown too bland in a market that includes the E60.

So 545i it is. I'll own this one a long, long time. (I put 700 miles on it the first weekend. How long do you suppose it will last....)

Sorry for the long story. But this car is great.

alohalc

tab545, congrats on your new toy. bimmer or marriage? well, you go figure which one .
before i got my car, i serious thought about a clk or a e-class . but i didn't regret a bit after i got the bimmer . and i can almost guarantee that because you have a 545i .
btw, does your dad still work in gm? i want a escalade or h2 .

tab545

Nope, he's long since retired. Out of the business.

The CLK is a beautiful car, too. The CLK430 is hot. The new CLS will be sleek. But all too adult. Plus I'm afraid people think the CLK is a chick car. Undeserved, because it's a great car with that V8; but it wouldn't age as well as the 545 will.

Let's just say I'm happy with my marriage and my car. It isn't about competition. Lucky for her.

alohalc

when i first saw the clk, i thought it's hot, too. but not anymore when our e60 came out . the cls is nice but with the amg package will be much better. otherwise it's a bit too "business" look .

cps

UK

Mini Metro - biscuit tin on wheels.
Ford Sierra 1.6
Orion Ghia 1.6
Rover Coupe 1.6

BMW Z3 1.9
BMW Z3 M - 321 bhp, no DSC. My favorite car

Moved to US

BMW 330 convertible
BMW 530

I have a kid now and I never thought that I would have considered a 5 series, but after trying a baby seat in an E46 M3 coupe (which must have looked comical), I took a look at the 5 series and opted for the 530. I love it.

My wife, being the more reasonable thinker in our family, made the point that a 545 would be a waste as it would primary be a baby mobile. And that I should wait for the new E90 M3 when it arrives as my weekend car.

It's funny how having a baby changes you, since then I've been lusting after the 745 (a car I disliked when I first saw it) and have put the M3 out of my mind.

Am I getting old?

Radu530d

yep...

wolverine

OK, fun thread, I'll weigh in...

As a poor student...

1975 a 1966 Plymouth Fury Sedan
1978 a 1973 Dodge Dart
1980 a 1972 Plymouth Fury Sedan
1981 a 1973 Ford Gran Torino

Then I got a job and bought only new cars:

1982 Scirocco
1986 Audi GT Coupe Quattro 5 sp
1994 Audi A4 Quattro 6 sp
2001 Audi A6 Quattro 6 sp
2004 BMW 545i 6 sp
2006 First on the list for the new M5.


This is by far the best car I've ever had - except possibly my 1966 Plymouth.

Member545

Bing this one to the top, since no one else was...

abias

Since '89, when i came to U.S.A. here they are:

'90 Chevy Camaro IROC-Z
'92 Chevy Blazer S-10
'93 Ford Thunderbird
'94 Mitsubishi 3000GT
'96 BMW M3
'97 BMW 740iL
'00 Lincoln Nav.
'00 Lincoln LS
'03 BMW 330 cab.
'01 Porsche 911 cab.*
'03 Infiniti FX35
'04 Infiniti G35 sedan*
'04 BMW 545i *

* Presently owned