I beg to differ. I thought the post was very well written and I enjoyed it very much. It's only too long if it doesn't say anything meaningful to the reader. By the looks of this thread, it was quite meaningful.

 

I hardly think it's sad that your main mission has changed over time, it's a simple reality.

As an owner of E36's, E39's and E46 M3's I can appreciate a cars engineered mission to meet personal driver needs...My car choices over the years were driven by my evolving needs and pocket book. In my early 40's, I loved the grit and track spirit of the M3. As I approach 49, the more luxury/performance blend of the 550 is the "sweet spot" for me today..

Sure am glad BMW offers cars engineered to cross a wide spectrum of driver needs, but always staying true to the brands performance DNA.

 

Very wll written. I also considered the 3er before making my choice, but the design of the e90 didn't grow on me at all, while the first time I saw an e60 I was wowed. But of course it is a very emotional reason, not a rational one. I guess I tend to take "important" decisions based on feeling more than merely on facts and figures.

 

fivetothree:
GL with the car change. Both are very nice cars and you won't go wrong... unless you go
over to the dark side (M.. heheheh

 

Very nicely written post fivetothree.

I've always loved the 5er and when I found a used one with 15,000 miles in my budget I just couldn't resist. I'm probably one of the youngest guys on here and I really didn't have much of a practical purpose for this car since I'm a single guy with 2 other vehicles. I carry 1 passenger frequently, but once in a blue moon will I actually have passengers in the backseat. I like the look of the car and the relative rareness of it (in the Minneapolis area at least). I only put on about 5,000 miles/year on this car but I love every minute of it. I have a '05 Z4 that's really nice for top-down rides to and from work along with some spirited drives on the back roads. The 5er is great for just relaxing on a slow drive into work when the snow falls....the small creature comforts really come into play here. Then, I take out my '07 Yamaha R1 (motorcycle) when I really wanna zip around during the summer months.

The new 335i is a beautiful car and although I've never driven one, I'd love to some day. While I had my Z4 in the shop one day the dealer gave me a 2007 3-series loaner (328 maybe???)...

I was glad to have a loaner, but was AMAZED how cheap the interior was on this car compared to my 5er and even my Z4. Granted the 3er I had was bare-bones, but I guess I just expected more. It looks like the 335i is a decent jump up from that in not only looks but performance/materials as well.

Either way, both are great cars and it sounds liek you made a great choice for your needs

 

I recently had an E90 while my car was in for service - a sporty 328 that left me with a new respect for the 3 series. I can only imagine how much pull the 335i must have. In the end, I was glad to slide back into my E60 (two weeks without my baby was too much) - mostly because I missed the size, but i was very impressed with the 3 series - especially getting 32 miles per gallon on the highway during a trip to Indianapolis.

I dont think I could make the switch for a full time basis, but i can certainly understand the logic behind the decision.

 

Ha ha! I figured it out Rudy. I went back and read some threads yesterday. Believe it or not, several others had the same question. I hope C enjoys Doc's M5. However, I doubt this odd saga is over. Last I heard Doc was picking up a 550 today, or maybe a 335? You have to admit, this is a bit circuitous.

 

Great post, I will save your description of why the 5 is a perfect car and re-read it if I ever feel the urge to sell my 5.
Enjoy your new ride

Interesting about the fear of plummeting resale for V8 autos - I often read the auto section of the paper and have seen many V8 cars (not neccessarily BMWs) for sale a pretty good prices. Here we pay about $5.50 for a US gallon and I think it's starting to pray on peoples minds (and wallets). I am glad I leased my M5, not sure what it would be worth if gas spikes higher. The residual is $50k in Oct 2010 - I wonder what it will actually sell for?

 

I found your comparison to the F-15 perfect. I have been in the military for 16 years now and have done many jobs. I started as an F-15 Maintenance Crew Chief in Okinawa and I was always impressed when I would walk up to "my jet." To this day, I smile when I think about that airplane. It was 78-0492, the 25th F-15C produced and had just over 5,000 hours on it when I left it sitting on the ramp in March 1997. I got one flight in an F-15D and my jet was flying on our wing. It was great to see it fly after spending all that time working on it on the ground. It was like I got a chance to see a glimpse of the life it spent away from me. For the next six plus years I worked in intelligence in three different F-16 units. I got to fly more (over 50 hours in the back of the F-16) but there was definatley a difference. The F-16 was, and is, no F-15. It was small and agile and fun to fly in, but just not in the same class...

For the last five yearsI have been working in a job that is away from the jets and flying. I am still having fun, but I miss being in the part of the Air Force that was tied to the "Air" in Air Force.

Since you made the comparison, I now understand why I think about the e60 in the same way I do the F-15.

 

You write REALLY well.

I'd probably say that with the 3-series you always feel in control - the 5, a little less so. Not much, but a little and if you really are only driving 7 miles each way and don't need the space, then the 335 is the perfect car indeed.