Gave up on BMW, bought my first Lexus!
#18
And I haven't really told anybody yet... I have a good buddy who's had about half a dozen E34's (my body style 5-Series) and I swung the GS400 by his house. He drove it and is now considering buying one, since the head gasket on his '95 525i Touring is soon to be deceased.
In the BMW world, "going to the dark side" is buying a Mercedes. Lexus doesn't get too much hate from the Bimmer crowd. Personally, I'm happy to own both.
#19
Lexus Champion
Thanks man!
And I haven't really told anybody yet... I have a good buddy who's had about half a dozen E34's (my body style 5-Series) and I swung the GS400 by his house. He drove it and is now considering buying one, since the head gasket on his '95 525i Touring is soon to be deceased.
In the BMW world, "going to the dark side" is buying a Mercedes. Lexus doesn't get too much hate from the Bimmer crowd. Personally, I'm happy to own both.
And I haven't really told anybody yet... I have a good buddy who's had about half a dozen E34's (my body style 5-Series) and I swung the GS400 by his house. He drove it and is now considering buying one, since the head gasket on his '95 525i Touring is soon to be deceased.
In the BMW world, "going to the dark side" is buying a Mercedes. Lexus doesn't get too much hate from the Bimmer crowd. Personally, I'm happy to own both.
German car fans are usually driven to Lexus by a couple of things: 1) chronic maintenance issues. 2) a serious "crisis" situation repair bill on something that shouldn't have happened.
The E39 is one of my favorites, but it's aging right now and it's not aging well. Same goes for the E class Mercs.
Last edited by MattyG; 11-14-14 at 05:28 PM.
#21
German car fans are usually driven to Lexus by a couple of things: 1) chronic maintenance issues. 2) a serious "crisis" situation repair bill on something that shouldn't have happened.
The E39 is one of my favorites, but it's aging right now and it's not aging well. Same goes for the E class Mercs.
The E39 is one of my favorites, but it's aging right now and it's not aging well. Same goes for the E class Mercs.
My 540/6 has been in the family since brand new and was serviced at a dealer it's entire life. One of the most meticulously maintained cars I've ever seen, and it currently has two windows that don't work, a door that has to be locked/unlocked manually, and a sunroof that doesn't like to work when the car is in the summer sun. Because it's a BMW, the parts to fix it are all riveted together, meaning you have to buy an entire assembly for way too much money, instead of just swapping out the faulty piece.
I also do not understand German wiring logic. I installed HID fog lights, and when I turn them on, my tachometer quits working properly and just swings around the dial randomly. Video here: (Excuse the Miley twerking reference, it was a hot topic at the time.)
The other thing I don't love about BMW (or at least the E34 platform) is the lack of aftermarket support and the difficultly of install. For example, there are 2 or 3 companies that make coilovers for the E34, the cheap ones are $900 and aren't known to last that long. The other two are close to $2000. If you want any coilovers to get you any lower than standard lowering springs, you have to remove the OEM strut housing, cut 2.5" out of it, weld it back together, then install coils. From what I can tell by looking on here, bolting on a set of $700 Megan coilovers will get a GS very close to the ground.
I also really like the E39, but it ran for about the same years as a 2GS, and I'm finding that the GS is aging way better. Everyone who has ridden in my GS assumed it was a couple years old and a $15-20k car, not a 15-year-old, sub-$6k car. E39's don't get the same reaction.
#22
Lexus Champion
That's a very good perspective on German car brands. Those dodgy electronics dull the great driving experience and wear a little thin over time. I think the Japanese manufacturers definitely put a lot more effort into durability from their electronics.
But mind you, there have been a couple of recent defections over to BMW from here too so there is still some lust for that special handling driving feel.
I do get bored sometimes and think about a 3 or 5 series but I also don't have the deep bank balance to work out expensive problems, so that's keeping me away.
But mind you, there have been a couple of recent defections over to BMW from here too so there is still some lust for that special handling driving feel.
I do get bored sometimes and think about a 3 or 5 series but I also don't have the deep bank balance to work out expensive problems, so that's keeping me away.
#23
Racer
iTrader: (2)
Congrats on the GS4! i think you will love it. I went from a BMW 325 Drop to the GS400 and never looked back. I loved my Bimmer too, but i swear everything i tried to fix on it, in my own garage was the biggest pain in the...
I love everything about the GS4. Best "all-around" car i ever owned. and i have owned a lot of vehicles in my lifetime.
Rest In Peace - E46
I love everything about the GS4. Best "all-around" car i ever owned. and i have owned a lot of vehicles in my lifetime.
Rest In Peace - E46
#24
Congrats on the GS4! i think you will love it. I went from a BMW 325 Drop to the GS400 and never looked back. I loved my Bimmer too, but i swear everything i tried to fix on it, in my own garage was the biggest pain in the...
I love everything about the GS4. Best "all-around" car i ever owned. and i have owned a lot of vehicles in my lifetime.
Rest In Peace - E46
[IMG]http://straight-p.com/bmw/4.jpg
I love everything about the GS4. Best "all-around" car i ever owned. and i have owned a lot of vehicles in my lifetime.
Rest In Peace - E46
[IMG]http://straight-p.com/bmw/4.jpg
I am hopelessly in love with my GS4 already. What an awesome car.
#25
Lexus Champion
They are good looking rides... but of course they present challenges. Now it looks like the Takata airbag recall covers a lot of them. 01-05 3 series. It's the last thing a Bimmer owner needs to hear.
Though the Lexus SC430 is affected, it's only in certain US territories or places with extreme temperature fluctuations.
No 2GS cars so that's another plus for folks coming over the Lexus brand.
Though the Lexus SC430 is affected, it's only in certain US territories or places with extreme temperature fluctuations.
No 2GS cars so that's another plus for folks coming over the Lexus brand.
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