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[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

I find badge snobbery (inverted ?) from VX drivers quite amusing. 

[Broomies Mate]

I owned one for a couple of years.  Admittedly, the 3.5 V8, but I was very underwhelmed by it's 'speed'  I know the 4.4 V8 is much, much better though..  Very small inside, yet quite comfy.  Power delivery was smooth throughout the rev-range, unlike the Omega V6.  Handling is exceptionally good in any V8 guise due to uprated suspension over the straight 6 models (to handle the extra weight).  The Steering Box was not an issue for me, I had several Omega's before, then the BMW and then an Omega after........ We drive sensibly on roads, you see! No folding rear seats proves a problem (on saloon models), suspension items are massively expensive (and only use OEM), and the 5 Series Forum is as lively as a 518i.

Here a link to a few pics of my 1997 535i SE.

http://s70.photobucket.com/user/rossinbristol22/slideshow/BMW%20535i

[Lazydocker]

Nothing to do with what others think... It's what I think 

[SMD]

Problem with these is they rust worse than Omegas!       Maybe I should save up for the E60 as ugly as they are or wait for a mint Omega

[Lazydocker]

Problem with these is they rust worse than Omegas!       Maybe I should save up for the E60 as ugly as they are or wait for a mint Omega

I think most "modern" cars do... Seems that they really have become a consumable item

I really don't know what I will replace my Omega with so until I do I will spend the money and keep it going!!

[SMD]

Aren't modern cars galvanised to prevent this (or at least keep it at bay for 10-15 years?). With the E39, it appears they rust really badly around the sills (amongst other places) and you need to take the covers off to see the true extent. Not really possible to do during a viewing

[Mr.OmegaMan]

Problem with these is they rust worse than Omegas!       Maybe I should save up for the E60 as ugly as they are or wait for a mint Omega

If your that worried about rust how about something like a aluminium Jag XJ / XJR or something 

Have noticed an unusual amount of BMW 3 series around the 2002 age have a lot of rust mainly around the front wings with some being completely rotten away  ... It ain't called the ultimate driving machine for nothing 

[Viral_Jim]

Problem with these is they rust worse than Omegas!       Maybe I should save up for the E60 as ugly as they are or wait for a mint Omega

If your that worried about rust how about something like a aluminium Jag XJ / XJR or something 

Have noticed an unusual amount of BMW 3 series around the 2002 age have a lot of rust mainly around the front wings with some being completely rotten away  ... It ain't called the ultimate driving machine for nothing 

Nice idea, but bad examples to choose, Jaguar being one of the few companies to perfect an aluminium car that rusts.* It affected a lot of x350's, XK's of the same era and even seems to be creeping onto some x351's   



*OK, so strictly speaking its bimetallic corrosion caused by steel rivets in the aluminium body/chassis. But still british inovation at its finest ;-).

[TheBoy]

It is a shame that some people miss out on an excellent driving experience because they are more concerned about "what others would think if they drove a BMW". 

I drive loads of them, fear not, I know exactly what I'm not missing out on

Beemers aren't (often) bad cars, but not what I'll call great cars either. Certainly not good enough to justify the price premium (new or 2nd hand).

As to what others think, well, I drive an Omega FFS

[VXL V6]

Problem with these is they rust worse than Omegas!       Maybe I should save up for the E60 as ugly as they are or wait for a mint Omega

I like the E60, the more I look at the exterior the more i've grown to like it. I never thought I'd say it... I'd only buy the diesel 3.0  the petrol models, by all accounts, do not easily take to an LPG conversion.

[YZ250]

I drive loads of them, fear not, I know exactly what I'm not missing out on
..............

You're driving the wrong ones then. 

[D]

It is a shame that some people miss out on an excellent driving experience because they are more concerned about "what others would think if they drove a BMW". 

I drive loads of them, fear not, I know exactly what I'm not missing out on

Beemers aren't (often) bad cars, but not what I'll call great cars either. Certainly not good enough to justify the price premium (new or 2nd hand).

So what of a E39 vintage would cost less and handle better and justify the price as you claim? Would be interested to hear. I agree that modern BMWs have their issues. For me, the main issue is that they are mass produced rep mobiles. A Ford Mondeo is more exclusive than a 5 series.

I do lust after a M3.