My point was that you don't need an SUV or a wagon to haul the items the OP is concerned about. They make roof racks for seven series cars. He didn't seem interested in another SUV and he said himself he was interested in a seven series. I was giving an option for transporting his bike with a car he was interested in.

I agree that the gas mileage isn't a huge issue when you are talking about cars in this range anyway. Funny thing though is that the heavier, newer 750il you are referring to actually gets better mpg's than my dad older, lighter one. Plus, It may be worth it to someone to give up 3-4 mpg's to have the more naturally balanced, silky smooth v12.

I didn't own the X5 for more than a few hours before I ditched the roof rack...I'd shoot myself before installing a roof rack on the 7. To each their own.

C4's owned wagons in the past, so it's not a far stretch to get one again. I'd have to reread the post, but I think the only reason he started looking at 7's more was because I kept pressing the legroom factor. But as I said, if its primary purpose isn't hauling people, I'd rather save the potential damage to the leather, get another touring and be done with it.

Being a BMW mechanic and having worked in both engine bays, knowing what each vehicle will incrimentally cost over long term ownership, the cost of ownership vs powertrain difference hasn't swayed me to wish I had bought a 750iL over my 740iL. Now the newer ones with twin turbo, that's a switch I'd be willing to make...but soon enough mine with be single or twin as well, so we'll see where the HP numbers fall when it's all said and done with my car vs a new one.

No, in the very first post he mentioned be was looking at two specific cars, the e39 touring and an e38.

True, then I suggested the iL based on my thinking that straight i's just look funny on a vehicle with those proportions only to have a short rear door.

My vote is still a nice touring.

Nothing wrong with that. Seeing as the OP has had a touring in the past, that may be a good choice for him, but he has already said the utility of the seven will be enough to meet his needs, so my vote is for the 7 series.

Ya - it all comes down to flexibility. I would actually rather have a 7 series. After driving a few I decided against the iL. If I go that route the 740i sport is the better option for me as far as 7 series go.

Wagon offer more utility for me, but a large sedan will also work just fine. I mean heck - I carry my bike around all the time in my vette - no biggie there. Drumset would fit in a 7 no problem. But a touring would be useful when I need to carry my large keyboard, especially if also bringing an amp. That doesn't happen very much these days however, and normally would be able to work out to get the X5 for that. So the 7 would work, but a wagon would be pretty good too.

AS far as wagons go the one I am leaning towards is a 2002 S6 that I found in Portland. I have owned a S4 avant w manual and a 540 touring. Of the two I really liked the Audi a lot better, it just wasn't quite big enough to be a good family road trip car. The S6 addresses that, and also gives me AWD capability which makes it a good snow car. That would come in real handy in the winter when I am doing ski trips during the week and the wife still needs to use the X5. That is where the 7 would be better than the 540iT too because of back seat space for 3 is much better in the 7 so wife would be more willing to use that vs. a E39 wagon when I did need to borrow the X5.

So I could argue it both ways. I am going to drive a few 740i sports today, if I fall in love with the car that may just decide it for me.

I've always heard good things about the 4.2, and knowing what I know now about the 4.4 and with what I mentioned above, I still wonder if I'd be a BMW diehard if I had gone the Audi route when I was shopping.

OK guys - the back and forth is over. I just completed purchase of the 2000 740i sport - Anthracite / gray at the BMW dealer. 89K miles. Car is absolutely perfect - they did a really nice job reconditioning it, including major mechanical work. Luckily alternator has already been replaced too, so one less thing to worry about. Probably will need to do the radiator at some point, but it all checks out now. Some new suspension done now and a big list of little crap.

I won't be able to pick it up till Saturday, but I snapped a pic and should be able to post it later tonight!! I'm pretty jazzed about it. Super nice driving car. And I really like the 740i sport much better than the 740iL sport - that car is just too big for me. This one is a real sports sedan.