:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

IMHO: I think it is the over hangs and shorter wheel base that makes the E53 look lighter, tighter, and more "Muscular", if that is the right phrase. Looks like a SUV with tennis shoes instead of large and bulky.

I drove a new X5M a few weeks ago, too big, too much $$ to tie up in a fast depreciating asset, with not a lot of driver experience from the ride. I will hang on to my SAV Beast a while longer. As all it takes is a few hundred a year to fix what ails it. Cheaper to pay for a repair ticket on the valve seals than it would be a year of car payments. Everything else I can do my self.

Go for it. Once you get the hang of these cars there pretty cheap to own. I’ve driven all the newer line of M’s and as much as I love all the new nick nacks they provide nothing compares to a naturally aspirated engine. Now I just pulled the trigger on an E60 M5 so I’m gonna have some real maintanence to worry about soon!

None taken.


Those are totally different vehicles. I don’t believe you can compare digital to analog.

The best part in my opinion of owning my E53 is, carving canyons while manually shifting the gearbox (fully analog).

This is classic technology.

I'll hold off temptation for now. I also would only consider very few combinations.

The key thing to know and accept here is that at best the E53 is a 14 year old vehicle. It will have issues. It will need care. That's just part of the contract we have with old vehicles. I have an 02, 01 & 85 and I would not trade them for anything new.

Im jaded, as most on this forum are - that said - purchase, but as a knowing participant in the joy and occasional chaos.

I'd rather pay 2500 for VSS vs. 4500+ to TGCs 4.8is all the way baby.