Lexus

Your descriptions sound a little all over the map so the best advice above is to go sit/look/drive all of the ones that catch your eye. You might drop Porsche in there as well, can get a base Cayman or similar for similar money.

If you find something that you really enjoy don't be scared off by the lamenting of how expensive they are to maintain. First, reliability of Porsche/BMW/Merc tends to be better than Chevy, etc. and the actual maintenance isn't that much worse if you blend some self-done and an independent for standard items. Secondly, I've never understood the advice to plan to spend even MORE money on a newer replacement car rather than accept the admittedly high price of OEM only parts, and sometimes that's the only choice. Yeah, you could end up with a repair bill for some obscure bits that may be in the $1-3K range, but just the TAX on a new/replacement/warrantied car will likely exceed that. Just makes no sense. Again, assuming you have something you like.

I'm a perfect example - we have a 2008 M3 we bought new. It's not a daily driver and only has about 45K on it but has been almost perfectly rock solid. Did have the stability control/ABS controller go out a couple years ago and that WAS over $2K to replace. Again, that's the tax on a new $30K car, and that's without factoring in the hit to value you always will take on a car.

the Lexus, I went to buy a 5 series and the salesman told me not to (and he would have made a bigger commision on the Bemmer) I wound up with the GS350 F sport, if comfort, RELIABILITY and resale matter. only one way to go, Lexus.

quote:

Originally posted by tacfoley:

quote:

Originally posted by h2oys:
BMW is more of a drivers (aka sporty) car and the Mercedes is more of a cruiser.

Are you saying that after having driven ANY AMG M-B?

The C63, in three versions here in Yoorup, will make you sit up and take notice for sure.

The E63 will blow your socks off while you are sitting in them - the top version, with 604 BHP and FWD, is a monster.

The OP stated an Audi R8 is out of his range and my neighbor has a SL63AMG. Crazy fast but more expensive than a R8.

My comment is in general and excluding the performance side of BMW (called "M") and the performance side of Mercedes (called AMG).

So if your comparing a BMW 3, 4, or 5 series to a C or a E Mercedes for example, the BMWs suspension etc is set up for more spirited driving whereas the Mercedes is set up more for autobahn smooth cruising.

Go for the E63 AMG wagon.

I’ve owned MBs, BMWs, and Porsches.

Look at the higher end muscle cars. The top end Camaro convertible, and the high end Challengers and Mustangs are much more interesting cars, IMO.

I bought my Tesla - and am very fond of it, but otherwise it was a hellcat redeye widebody, or (if my hearing would have let me keep a convertible, the top end Camaro)

They all rode better than my e550, and were better looking, and more fun.

A few people here are suggesting a Lexus. My suggestion, put Lexus on your list of cars to drive and see what you think for yourself. The couple Lexus cars I've driven have been very well built, very comfortable, and reasonably economical. But IMO, what they lacked was 'soul'. The MB C63 will walk away from any Lexus out there while providing comfort and luxury a step above. The soul of most of the MB and BMW sedans emanates from a power plant that makes you want to drive them. The Lexus' I've driven just never evoked that sort of emotion in me.

No matter what you get I also suggest a CPO type program vehicle. Wife was looking at Porsche Macan. Bought a year old 56K sticker vehicle for mid 40's. Then because the CPO warranty adds 2 years to the factory warranty I ended up with a 4 year unlimited mileage warranty from time of purchase instead of 3yr/36K warranty. Even the salesman and F&I guy said this is the secret to buying one of these vehicles.

The lease on my 2018 AMG E43 ends in November. Here are my thoughts.

I've generally really enjoyed the car. It strikes a nice balance between luxury and performance. It's twin-turbo V6 produces almost 400 HP. Put it in Sport+ mode and it can haul ass when you want it to. Put it in Comfort mode and it is indeed a comfortable cruiser. It handles quite well for a larger car too. The interior is nicely finished. The quality of the materials used is very high. No squeaks or rattles anywhere.

Now the downside. I've had consistent problems with the navigation system. The "Live Traffic" functionality has been problematic. It often just doesn't work at all. In fact, I just picked the car up from the service department today because it hasn't worked for the last month. The dealership tried to fix it and discovered that there is a known issue with the navigation software and Mercedes is still trying to come up with an update to rectify it. Not all vehicles are affected but apparently I'm one of the lucky ones. Pretty disappointing that there is an unresolved issue like this in a car that is over 2.5 years old. The workaround is to use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, but I actually prefer using the native MB traffic software (when it works).

So what am I going to lease next? Well, the E-Class has been a larger car than I need, and it's difficult to park here in San Francisco. So I'm looking at a 3-Series BMW or a C-Class MB. My son insists that our next car should be at least as fast the E43, so we test drove an AMG C63. That thing is a freaking beast. Love the power and the exhaust note of the V8. But my experience with Mercedes Nav software has soured me a bit on the brand, so we will test drive BMW as well. The next-gen M3 is not available yet, so I guess we will look at the M340i which seems to get consistently solid reviews.

Good luck!

I bought a 2016 CPO BMW 535i M-Sport last fall for half of the original MSRP with 40,000 miles on it. Sounds like the same goals of having a fair weather car that is fun to drive and very different from my daily driver which is an SUV. Original owner added the M Performance exhaust and M Performance Package bringing it up to about 370 HP out of the very reliable and proven 3.0 twin turbo I6. It checked all my boxes and replaced a Harley that no longer did.

Where are you in Texas? You can drive my M5 if you want to get your bearings.

not sure why people bash bmw's reliability.
my 2018 4 series convertible is past 63k miles and no issues. i change the oil at 7500 miles religiously. i did the rear brakes (pads, rotors, sensor) at 58k miles for $200. Took me less than an hour. My front brakes are at 5mm so I have time but I will probably replace them the next time I do an oil change since I'll have the car up on a lift. I'm debating doing spark plugs as well since I have a tune on the car.

I'm debating a hardtop convertible M4 before they get rid of it. I had two previous BMWs before and had no issues.

Because some of us have owned them

Not sure what happened to the rest of my post but there was a ROTFL emoji on there.

I have up on BMWs 14 years ago, or so.

All my MBs have been shop queens

My Porsches were good cars

quote:

Originally posted by SevenPlusOne:
Where are you in Texas? You can drive my M5 if you want to get your bearings.

Actually I’m in Tulsa for a while.

My sister has an X3 in the garage and my older sister and her husband each have their own BMWs but I don’t know which. X series I’m sure. Probably X3’s.

I’ll probably head to BMW of Tulsa this week to see what the model differences are.

I might take you up on the offer though if none are in stock! Thanks for the offer.

I have had two BMW vehicles in the last 8 years. My current 535 XI is a great car with plenty of power. You really need to go test drive many different models, then buy or lease. You will find one that is the most comfortable and meets your wants and desires. Do not get the first one that seems just right. Take your time.

quote:

Originally posted by TXJIM:
Lexus service treats you like royalty

Indeed.

I'd be into a Lexus IS in a hurry if it would fit me just a little better; the GS and GS-F are the Lexus offerings that now get my attention.

quote:

Originally posted by h2oys:

quote:

Originally posted by tacfoley:

quote:

Originally posted by h2oys:
BMW is more of a drivers (aka sporty) car and the Mercedes is more of a cruiser.

Are you saying that after having driven ANY AMG M-B?

The C63, in three versions here in Yoorup, will make you sit up and take notice for sure.

The E63 will blow your socks off while you are sitting in them - the top version, with 604 BHP and FWD, is a monster.

The OP stated an Audi R8 is out of his range and my neighbor has a SL63AMG. Crazy fast but more expensive than a R8.

My comment is in general and excluding the performance side of BMW (called "M") and the performance side of Mercedes (called AMG).

So if your comparing a BMW 3, 4, or 5 series to a C or a E Mercedes for example, the BMWs suspension etc is set up for more spirited driving whereas the Mercedes is set up more for autobahn smooth cruising.

Last I looked, the R8 Spyder (equivalent drop-top) starts at $182k. The V10 Performance version (602 bhp - V10+ over 620 bhp) will set you back north of $208k - base price. The good/bad news is, MY20 is likely the last year for the big V10, and it will be missed. Likely the same for the SL 63. <Sigh>

Before you pull the trigger check out an Audi s6, add in 5 or 6 grand for stage 3 apr and your talking close to 650 rwhp 675 torque with tcu tune 3.0 to 60mph 10 second quarter in a four door luxury sedan with breaks and suspension to handle comfort and speed. I've driven one a couple of times and it is a race car with room for a baby seat and golf clubs.

The interior is generally regarded as superior to Mercedes and BMW at the 100k price point new. Some Mercedes models have a better interior but those models are more in the exotic price point.

If I had 50k to play with I would get a used one year old 15k miles and drop the 5 grand on the apr stage 3 without looking back.

C63 AMG.

I also have an F150 FX4, and my other car is a 2013 C63 AMG sedan. love it, no issues at all, just routine maintenance (I don't go to a stealership, I go to a shop that specializes in M-B).

Overall, I'd say less mechanical issues as of late with M-B vs BMW, but the BMW M3/M4 are sweeeeeet rides for sure.