Thanks Tee, I was trying to be objective because the 750Li is one very fine automobile, just never been a BMW guy. Of course I was never a Lexus guy either until my brother showed me the way. I really wish he would compile a list of cars he has owned and give a littly synopsis of the different ones. Maybe put it on the chat page.

 

Good luck with the new car... I know for a fact you will be back within no time... this time around your thread will say... WHAT WAS I THINKING!!!

 

We all would love to see his BMW just fall apart while reversing from his driveway, but if he's nowhere near 100K, he's going to get many years of good driving out of it. Even a Kia nowadays lasts to 100K with barely an issue. Lexus and BMW are in the same market segment, but aim at totally different drivers that's it's not really a good comparison of one over the other.

As for comparing a 2006 of the two, 2006 was Lexus' last year of the 3rd gen. LS, while mid cycle of the "7" for BMW. I wouldn't expect the design of an essentially 2001 to match up well to a 2003/2004 vehicle.

 

Ouch! It's still under 40K mi. Hopefully it'll hold together for a while.

 

Excellent point, shows that he has a newer design and with the warranty should have many years of enjoyment. LOL

 

Good luck with the Beamer or Bimmer or however it's spelled..lol. I think it's slightly unfair to compare your bare bones 05-LS to the loaded 06-BMW..however, I think if you had an Modern Lux (which adds NAV) LS with the Sport Package LS, with the 18" lower profile tires, and stiffer suspension, I'm not so sure you'd be quick to jump ship. I know the LS isn't a roadracer the way BMW is advertised to be, but I knew I didn't want to be navigating a soft n mushy, bouncy-boyant boat while on land (as I'm sure the standard or Air Suspension LS handles). The rims & suspension on the Sport Package, add the perfect amount of firmness, yet without choppyness or harshness. It's possible to have the best of BOTH worlds (smooth yet firm) because of the 115" wheelbase.

Not sure if this link was ever posted, but here is a great read comparing the 2004 models of the LS, A8L, 745, XJ8, PHAETON, and S430.

I hate to ruin it for those of you who haven't read the review, but the LS430 came in 2 places ahead of 3rd. lol

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/..._test/(page)/1

Please do return and give us an update in a couple months!

Good luck to you.

 

Wow... nice article. At first, I thought "wow, an auto magazine actually picked a Lexus over the others?" and then saw it was Car and Driver and not sure why I rolled my eyes. Anyway, interesting still, but the Jaguar and VW did not even belong in the same comparo and to have the VW and Jag come before MB is another eye roller. What was nice to see, from a Lexus standpoint, was seeing a mid cycle (2004) beating a newer 745i to the punch. Isn't the VW Phaeton pinned on the same chassis and engine as the Audi A8?

 

Thanks, I will. By the way...this forum is much more lively than the one for BMW

 

Great read! I posted that review few months back but always good for a refresh for those who missed it, and yes the VW Phaeton is built on the same platform as the A8.

 

LOL.

Hey, if you get a good deal, that's important! Also would've checked out LS460 but yes I guess the BMW 7 is more sports-oriented.

 

Not to hijack this thread, but BlackUltra, I'm fascinated by your passing reference to how glad you are that your '06 M35 is gone. Just off test drives (I'm not blessed with either of these fine cars), the M seemed to me like a legitimate rival, if one with a completely different personality. What is it about the M that fell so short for you?

And on a side note, that Beemer glamor shot made me do a double-take at first. The Hyundai guys did a really, REALLY good job of knocking off that body.

 

You can see that these guys are brothers. Writing is very poetical.

 

I think you made a good choice. It's your decision to make dear sir, enjoy the BMW, there fun to drive!!!! L.G.N.M

 

Previous to the M35 I had a G35 which I really liked and my wife LOVED. We took a test drive in the M to get 10 free Blockbuster videos for the wife. Once inside the M I was hooked. It wasn't the ride so much as all the options that came standard in the base model and the interior was first class all the way especially the Brazilian wood. The M35 base model was Bang for the Buck hands down and I would still recommend it as a great sport driving automobile.

What seduced me about the LS430UL was the air suspension ride, quiet cabin, most comfortable seats on the planet and the most options I had ever seen on a car. Put that with a great price thanks to last Decembers financial scare, add world class reliability and it was even greater Bang for the Buck.

But to answer your question - there was not anything wrong with the "fun to drive" M I just never imagined a car as "comfortable to drive" as the LS430UL.
My wife and I have friends in Florida that we plan to visit in the coming years and the LS430UL was the best for those 6-10 hour drives.

When I traded my 2006 base model M35 ($39.9k new) with 16k miles last December the Infiniti dealer would only give me $18k trade-in. He said they had a glut of them coming off lease due to the popularity and the residuals had tanked. I would think you could get a great deal now. Mine sold for $24k after I got $20.5k in trade on the LS430.

 

Not a crack, actually slightly, but BlackUltra is almost 60 and at his age, I'm sure comfort and quietness is more important than having sporty handling. I'm not 40 yet and I took the 430 over an M. The "M" in my mind is in the middle of nowhere, it's not seen as sporty as a BMW and also not as luxurious as a Lexus, so it's the "middle party" that gets crushed by the Democrats and Republicans every year.

I guess that's what happens when you join the luxury party last and advertize your vehicles with pictures of forests and landscape. Infiniti... what the heck do they sell?