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I seriously considered a 530xi wagon when I was replacing my 2001 9-5 (with a new -then, 2006 9-5). The 530xi is regarded as one of the finest automobiles for a reason. It's very good. Cargo is good (not as good as a 9-5), handling is amazing, ride is great (with our without run-flats, which I had on my MINI and despised). Mileage isn't as good mainly because of AWD. iCrash/iDrive is kind of a Teutonic nerd-system better served by good ol' knobs that the Saab has. The cupholders on the BMW seem worth about $4.99. Cheap-ola, but beyond that, it's quite flawless.
I chose the Saab because it seemed like 85-90% as good as the BMW without the snob-penalty and for $20-30,000 less. However, the deals on a 530xi are SO good (or were when I was shopping) that leasing one then would have been about $25 more a month than the Saab. Also, consider insurance. It was significantly higher (many hundreds) more per year to insure the BMW.
That said, I feel as if I blew it recently. My 2006 9-5 was totalled while parked recently. I hurried to get a new 9-5 during employee pricing/cash back -and inventory was zilch-but a dealer had exactly what I wanted. I got it, love it ...and instantly GM began showing signs of implosion and failure. Now I've got a brand new car with a dubious future for the service I've enjoyed at Saab in the past. I REALLY wish I'd got a used, low mileage, certified 530ix instead. The prices are about half of what they are new with 20-30k mileage. A rather good deal.
Further, we have a 2002 BMW 325it which has probably been the most flawless car I've owned. It is very, very good. Capacity is vastly less than the 9-5, but I use the 9-5 as a luxo-truck, so that matters more to me than others.
The new 3 series wagon is amongst the highest regarded vehicles on earth. You can't go wrong it if connects for you on all levels. It's smaller (like mine) than a 9-5, but sublime to drive. Features aren't laden.. and you'd have to option hard to get it to the Saab levels.
Also, I'm an OnStar fan and BMW 'assist' SEEMS like the most similar of the systems including Mercedes-Benz telematics, OnStar, Assist. Audi, Lexus, Volvo, Infiniti etc offer no telematics systems.
, Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:43:13
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