From what I've learned and has been stated, the forums will rarely have people chime in saying the car has been great and nothing else. I did a bunch of research before buying my X and knew what the major problems where and associated cost to fix them. I'm a big DIYer and will tackle most things. The one thing with Bimmers I've noticed is parts are relatively cheap and if you DIY, up keep cost is not that bad. If you can't DIY you have to have deeeeeppp pockets. Once the major issues are addressed these things will run a long time. Big things being cooling system, alternator, timing guides, tranny, tacse/front drive shaft issue. After that there will always be little things but every car has them. I personally enjoy working on cars and "driving" them, so for me having a estroil 4.6 is awesome. It's rare, looks awesome and driving it is sublime. I would put it like this if you need transportation get a honda, if you want to actually drive get a bimmer, but having a back up car isn't a bad idea.

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Current garage:
'03 4.6is Proud X5 Peasant
'93 Jeep Cherokee (XJ)
'07 Jeep Liberty (KJ)
'88 Jeep Comanche (MJ)