The first step to healing is to admit your problem.
It's a life saver when driving through France.
I've heard this about the new 7 series BMWs, plus they are not a good looking car at all. BMW is dreaming if they think their usual buyers are not concerned. The BMW enthusiasts' boards are death on these new ones! My 98 740iL, on the other hand, is a dream car. I hope it lasts 300,000 miles!
I did an engine swap in a friend's 1987 3-series BMW just this past week. What a nice car to work on. Nothing so complex on it that an intelligent do-it-yourselfer couldn't figure it out. I'd hate to dig into a new Bimmer, though. It'd probably be like working on the Space Shuttle (or maybe the Death Star, given the sinister looking interiors in the new Bavarians...).
My family had Mercedes through the 60s and the 70s, and they were constantly breaking down. As soon as Nissan came out with the Maxima, we ditched them.
"The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has a computer-driven suspension system that reduces body roll as the vehicle whips around a corner."
Mrs. Felis' '95 Caprice has the "sport suspension." Nice thick anti-roll bars, stiff shocks, hard springs. Corners like a go-kart, and you can throttle-steer it. Plus, no computer to break...
I do the Japanese models myself. The G35 works like a dream.
The proper philosophical outlook on this, is that by buying a German car, you are getting a reliable Italian car. Car enthusists will understand this. Others will likely be puzzled.
BTTT
I've always preferred cheap, practical cars. I switched over from VW to Toyota about 20 years ago, and I can't imagine buying another European car. At the moment I'm driving a Subaru, because of the Vermont winters, but if I were further south I think I'd stick with Toyota.
It's the same reason I use Dell computers. Excellent quality at a very good price. The only possible reason I can think of to buy a Mercedes is if you have money coming out of your ears and a deep need to impress your neighbors.
Friend just bought an M55. Already there are serious computer problems.
The more gagets and gizmos that you put on a car, the more stuff that there is to break.
It aint the luxery. It's the quality... and it works every time.
Avoid cars made in socialist countries such as Germany. Also avoid Nissan, which is controlled by the French Renault. Avoid Michelin.
If she didn't have to have want a full-sized rig, she would be in a rice-burner also...prolly a Maxima.
The Mercedes I owned was the biggest POS ever.
It'd've been cheaper to have had a mistress.
Now the happy owner of an affordable, reliable Toyota (but no mistress).
I test drove used BMW's (700 series), Mercedes-benz (500 series) and Mercury Grand Marquis.
They were all between 5-10 years old. The 95 Grand Marquis was the superior car.
It was solid, quiet ( no rattling, no loose switches etc) and handled beautifully. Lots of power.
It was definitely better, and far simpler.
Keep It Simple.
High-volume production is conducive to quality. The more expense the car, the lower the volume and, statistically perhaps, the lower the quality.
Everybody is strugling with quality problems
They all think Computer Aided Design and computer controls are are wonderful
Cars were easier to fix and more reliable pre computer anything
And of course, these are put on the most expensive cars, because the technology is not solid enough to put in the high volume cars until the "bugs" are worked out (can you say Recall?).
Give me a low-tech clunker ANY day - I can pop the hood and actually WORK on it. ;-)
bump