I've owned 1 Audi, 1 MB, 2 Porsche and 21 BMW's - tells you what I prefer.

That said, I have an Audi RS6 Avant on order to replace my current 2020 BMW X3 M40 :-)

Find a non-turbo 6 cylinder CPO BMW if there still is such a thing, otherwise a turbo 6; stay away from the turbo 4 BMW's

If the OP is looking at an R8, then 2 seaters are not out of the question. Without hesitation, I’d steer him towards a 911. I had a GT3 before we needed rear seats for the kids, and it was utterly reliable daily driver that i accumulated 50+ track days over 4 years with only tires, fluids and brake pad changes.

My MB C63 was problem also free. But it was the last year of the 6.2L engine model so all kinks were worked out, and I am not familiar with the current generation cars.

My daily now is an BMW M550i, and while its a solid car, its in the shop every couple of months for minor things, which has grown into a definite annoyance.

I would not steer a friend towards BMWs these days. My 2016 750 was also full of problems, as was my 2006 M3.

Just my personal experience. I had a Mercedes E250 which is the twin turbo diesel. I loved the car and gas mileage was exceptional. BUT, as others have pointed out, service was VERY expensive. Normal service was expensive and in my case, batteries (yes, two batteries in the E250) needed to be replace just after warranty expired! Cost me over $400 in batteries. As some suggested, I would look for some sort of lease or CPO that includes SERVICE along with extended warranty. I do not do my own service so I ended up finding someone who was a Mercedes mechanic and did my service work once out of warranty.

Just remember the old saying about Mercedes or BMW: "You can afford to buy one you just can't afford to keep one!"

I've had a few Mercs and had really good luck eith them from a maintenance standpoint. Likewise my oarents and my wifes parents are all-in Merc drivers... between us we've owned close to 20 of them and we keep buying them.

I think, until you get into the AMG series, the BMW is a little more about a raw driving experience. That is not to say they aren't extremely comfortable, but they are a bit more performance/driver oriented. The MB is, in general, a bit cushier.

A Lexus, imo, just isn't in the same realm when it comes to styling or driving experience. Its a trade off. Go drive some and you'll probably realize it.

The Audi is great but is often just as expensive as it's German counterparts. And I don't think I would call them unique, at least not where I live, as I'll see a hundred of them on my 12 mile morning commute.

One thing to know is that all of these guys are putting turbo 4 cylinders in their midsize sedans. They have to lighten them up a lot. So an E class from 10 years ago had more of a cruising, luxury feel more like an S but the current E class is more nimble but more stiff. I can't say I like it quite as much but they are still very fun to drive.

Lastly, in my experience, the people bashing German car reliability are often just repeating something they heard and have never actually owned and maintained one.

quote:

Originally posted by aileron:
I have an Audi RS6 Avant on order

Not a large enough drool-face icon exists to express reaction to this.

quote:

Originally posted by YellowJacket:
Lastly, in my experience, the people bashing German car reliability are often just repeating something they heard and have never actually owned and maintained one.

Amen. I've owned a nice cross-section of automobiles in my 54 years, and maintained/repaired them all.
My E46 BMW is no different from most of the other cars. Parts really aren't more expensive, if you shop around.
Get a Bentley manual (as close to a factory service manual as you can get) and do the work yourself. Keeps things affordable and manageable.

quote:

Originally posted by Boat Fun:
Just remember the old saying about Mercedes or BMW: "You can afford to buy one you just can't afford to keep one!"

Lol. This is what I am afraid of but as others have said thats not really true - at least nowadays.

After watching some YouTube vids of BMWs I don’t think anything less than the M5 will satisfy me. But until I drive one who knows.

quote:

Originally posted by Jimineer:

quote:

Originally posted by Boat Fun:
Just remember the old saying about Mercedes or BMW: "You can afford to buy one you just can't afford to keep one!"

After watching some YouTube vids of BMWs I don’t think anything less than the M5 will satisfy me. But until I drive one who knows.

If that is what you are leaning towards, you should try the M550 on for size.

quote:

Originally posted by pulicords:
Please excuse me for suggesting a hatchback, but my wife and I researched sporty MBZ and BMW options last year and settled on a BMW X3 M40i. It's not very big SUV wise, but has plenty of room for four or maybe five passengers, lots of storage space when needed and fast as all hell! It's very comfy and provides excellent driving characteristics, while not being crazy expensive. Ours is a 2019 355 hp version and gives us all the performance we need, but the 2020 versions can be bought or leased with engine specs up to 500 hp!!!

Check them out and see what you think. I don't think I've enjoyed owning a new car like this in decades!!!

2nd this...wish we had got the 40 but the 30 is very nice and my wife hates me now because it has spoiled other cars for her.

I would not normally but new just due to depreciation, a CPO would be where I would focus if I were buying.

When I was looking for a fun car for myself I drove a BMW M235i with a 6sp.....way too much fun. I went with a tuned GTI due to the hatchback being a bit more practical if a bit less quick.

Just get a Lexus if you really want to treat yourself.

I've had several M class BMWs over the years. I currently have a MB SL65 AMG with an ECU and TCU tune. It is faster than just about anything, but it doesn't feel as connected to the road as the last M5 I owned. That's ok as I don't drive like I used to and the SL is really nicely finished in side and out and is room y for a 2 seater. Plus the hard-top convertible is money. I always hated the noise of my convertible M3 soft top.

I stopped at BMW today and really liked the X6 M50i. The V8 twin turbo really sounds great.
I’m 6’3” tall and had no issues with head and leg room.

I like the slopped backend compared to the X5, seems a little more aerodynamic to me.

I’d like to get one in Riverside Blue but would likely have to order one.

Did I mention it’s a rocket on the road!?

Not enough Porsche in this thread.

Depends on your budget, of course, but if you want a 4 door, the Panamera is a damned good sports sedan.

If you would like a 2 door, then there is no competition for a 911 or a Cayman.

Not even close to what you are currently looking at but the little X3 suv with the M series upgrade really got my attention. A little bit More practical and plenty of fun rolled into one package.

quote:

Originally posted by Jimineer:
I stopped at BMW today and really liked the X6 M50i. The V8 twin turbo really sounds great.
I’m 6’3” tall and had no issues with head and leg room.

I like the slopped backend compared to the X5, seems a little more aerodynamic to me.

I’d like to get one in Riverside Blue but would likely have to order one.

Did I mention it’s a rocket on the road!?

I'm the opposite & cannot stand the X6/X4, not he Mercedes SUV Coupes. Would much prefer an X5 or GLE over their coupe equivalents.

I've owned several X5 and X5M's, but now drive a X3 M40i until the RS6 Avant arrives. Personally, I don't care for the shape of the X4/X6 - but BMW sells a lot of them so it must a blondes vs brunettes kinda thing.

The current BMW "hot vee" twin turbo V8's are a hell of a motor, as are the ZF 8-speed transmissions mated.

I always special order my cars, the X6 is made in Spartanburg SC and BMW normally can build one to spec and get it to the dealer in less than 6 weeks - sometimes 4. In the middle of a pandemic - who knows?

A couple years ago, before we decided to move away from the high stress, high pay jobs, I had a 2017 E63 AMG. I think this is probably the best car ever made. It was incredibly comfortable. It was beautiful. It was super safe. It was pretty damned fast. It was fully optioned out. It was an amazing automobile.
It’s a little bigger than a c63, and a lot more luxurious. I highly recommend checking one out.

We stopped buying sports sedans / coupes almost 20 years ago.

Instead of the all-in-one “surround (or stereo) system”, we now opt for “separate components” - ie a sports car / roadster and truck / SUV. Yet, even those components have been swelling excessively. Example - a modern 911, despite its performance, is too much a GT given its weight and comfort features. Likewise, many $60k trucks have lost the basic mission of a truck.

It appears that the OP isn't really a car guy. That's ok.

But why drop "enthusiast" level money on an M or AMG badged German car just to get a sporty, leather wrapped ride?

If the goal is to get a sporty car that has some luxuries, and is fairly economival, may I suggest one of the new Genesis sport sedans? The G70 should fit the bill.

If you don't need the brand projection that comes with a high dollar German car, the Genesis is otherwise a beautiful car.