andy545

You're right...then at 31 he goes for a 760i V12?

I think it's how you feel personally. I know people who are more than 50 and have
an M3. They feel young and want to have fun. ( just an example )......

darkside

You're right...then at 31 he goes for a 760i V12?

I think it's how you feel personally. I know people who are more than 50 and have
an M3. They feel young and want to have fun. ( just an example )......
[/quote] Let's be clear about what "old" means." Old means older than I am, and I am over 55. Currently I am driving an e46 M3, though I must admit the comfort and power of the soon to be 550i is very tempting.

cjindustry

the reason i didnt like the 745, is because it was the same engine as the 545, but with mire weight, iw as thing the 750 with the extra horsepower might sway me.

wolverine

How about listing what you're looking for in a car instead of what you don't like? Here's a list of items, in order of my priority. Maybe you have some to add. What's your priority?

1. Driving enjoyment
2. Performance/Handling
3. Comfort
4. Utility
5. Reliability
6. Styling
7. Cost

cjindustry

1. Reliability
2. Power
3. Performance/Handling
4. Driving enjoyment
5. Styling
6. Comfort
7. Utility
8. Cost

Guest

Interesting punch list. I assume you are in unimpressed with the 545i because of "reliability" problems, since it is still likely to be slightly better than the 750i in factors 2, 3 and 4. Styling is a matter of taste (the trunk on the 7s is just ugly to me), and the 7 is likely to offer greater comfort and utility (if that means transporting adults in the back seat comfortably), whereas the cost favors the 5 series.

As you may know, this generation of 7 series has had a very poor quality and reliability record (in the initial 2 years or so of production), although one would hope that most of these issues have been solved in what will be its 4th full year of production (2006). Because the 7 is larger and heavier than the 5, it does not handle as well as the 5 (in my view having driven one over a long distance and in the twisties over a mountain).

wolverine

I would get the 545, and buy a set of 19" aftermarket rims and Max Performance tires. First of all, the reliability of the 545 is better than the 750. No question of this, although the 7 series has gotten better, there are still more problems - more things to go wrong. In terms of power, the 545 and 750 will be about equal because of the 545's lower weight.

Since cost is lowest priority, spend $5,000 for a top-notch set of wheels and Max performance tires. This combo will transform the 545 into a nearly M3-like driving experience with all the luxury of the 5 series. Performance/Handling and Driving Dnjoyment will far surpass the 750. Styling is your own opinion. Comfort and Utility the 750 wins out. Cost is obviously in the 545's favor, even with $5,000 into wheels and tires.

Good luck!

cjindustry

thanks wolverine, yeah im not impresed with all the issues im having with the bmw, and i didnt put it on my list, but space is important(family) and image is a big deal to me(ego :-) ) looking at the forums it doesnt look like my problems are getting resolved with the never 545i I'm even looking at the
2005 MB E55 AMG
http://www.mbusa.com/brand/models/E55.jsp

wolverine

Sorry to hear you've had problems with your 545. Sounds like that experience is affecting your decision. If reliability really is your no. 1 criteria, stay away from Mercedes. They are by far the worst German car manufacturer in this category. In a recent survey done in Germany, all the major brands (US, Japanese included) were rated in terms of their status, then in terms of owner satisfaction. Mercedes was no. 1 in terms of status, and almost last in terms of owner satisfaction (out of some 25 brands)! BMW was no. 2 in Status, and no. 6 in owner satisfaction.

cjindustry

the what would you suggest to get knowing what my taste is with mb and bmw?