I can partly agree with your opinion on our BMW. First of all, I have owned a 1990 520i since 1998 and I have made about 50.000 km till now. It is a bit slow, but still fabulous on handling.

Inner space is good, but not sufficent. On the question of reliability, I partly agree with you. I have had no big problems until now, but still I had to replace a few things that mechanics claimed are usual for car this age and 155.000 km on clock.

On the other hand, safety is strong point, which is important to me, especially since I have a child.

Previous car was Honda Accord 2.0i model 1990. THAT was fast car (about 9.0 0-100km/h with 136 HP) with good handling (not up to BMW), but it was great inside giving luxurious, compact and welcoming space. That is downside of our current car, it looks like it's from the middle ages comparing to the Accord, especially in dull brown interior color like mine.

I bought the Accord new back in 1990 and covered about 180.000 km (I have a Toyota Corolla as well) and next to fine adjusting of valves in service (irritating, every 20,00km), changing the oil and filters regularly, one changing of the disc pads and homocinetic shoulders on both of wheels, I had no other mechanical problems.

Today I am preparing visit to an official BMW dealer for a diagnostic search, since my car often fail to start in the morning, no matter if the weather is warm or cold, and after starting for a few minutes, it works like a tractor bouncing and choking, until I put up the revs to 2000 for a dozen seconds. Later during the day, there is no problem nor during driving, just irritating mornings.

For the end of this long comment I can say that I could probably buy another BMW - E39 523i or 528i, if it is not so much more expensive than the competition (maybe a Chrysler Vision or 300M - I drove it for a test drive, it is fabulous), or some of the Jags or Lexus'. But it definitely will not be any of the Mercedes.

Thank you, enjoy your BMW ride.

Srdjan Ruzic.