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[henryd]

Be warned James, the 4.4 V8 is tricky to convert to LPG properly It is, of course, possible but they are tricky AFAIK

TBH, it looks more and more likely that I will head towards BMW when the Omega turns it's last wheel for me, but it will be an oil burner if I do That said, I'm seriously considering going down the 4WD route again when the time comes

BMW X5 weazel??

[the alarming man]

[Lazydocker]

Be warned James, the 4.4 V8 is tricky to convert to LPG properly It is, of course, possible but they are tricky AFAIK

TBH, it looks more and more likely that I will head towards BMW when the Omega turns it's last wheel for me, but it will be an oil burner if I do That said, I'm seriously considering going down the 4WD route again when the time comes

BMW X5 weazel??

That'll never happen If I get a 4WD it needs to be capable off road and not give up at the sight of a bit of wet grass on a slope

Can't see me going BM TBH... I never have liked them that much and it's just against my principles

[Del Boy]

If I had a pound for everytime that'd picture had come up I'd be a rich man by now .

No they do get a bad press for some reason, I see just as many bad drivers in different makes, but still that's the way of the world I suppose, a cock because of what car you drive 

[feeutfo]

Exceptionally tight engine management parameters I'm told. If dual fueling get used to having a dash light on of some sort. Certainly first hand experience would suggest similar. Certain aspects of the diesel fuel system run a permanaent fault code. Even in bog standard un fiddled with form.

And if buying a diesel, perform a swirl flap ectomy before you drive it anywhere.

Anything approaching 120k, change the suspension and link rods etc. It will knock if not replaced already.

I'd say the omega was more reliable and cheaper to repair tbh, when compared to e39 which also has cam cover seal issues on petrols too.

[TheBoy]

Surely some of it is down to jealousy.

Maybe in the 1980s or very, very early 90s.  Not now. They are not 'special' any more. Overpriced 'normal car'. I certainly have no desire to own one at the current prices. I come from a family of BMW lovers, so have driven my fair share, from the disappointing 525 from around 1990, through the mental Alpinas, to the quick (in a straight line) 4.8 X5.  Perhaps the best, IMHO, is my Mum's 92 318iS. Old school BMW.



My bro had a 1998 540, with that 4.4 V8 lump in. Sounded great, but actually wasn't that quick in reality. Comfortable ride, though, even in the back.

A mate sold his 740 with LPG last year. Too expensive to run. Even Miss Daisy mode, he couldn't get more than about 15mpg. That, and all the bits that were constantly breaking (7 series tend to have poor build quality).


So, jealousy? No. I am happy with who I am. It seems that BMW is little more than a status badge - a Pittbull or Doberman if you like - from people who feel the need to buy into that.  The cars are average, mass produced tat like everything else, but with a handbuilt price tag. Although, their only saving grace is RWD.

[henryd]

Be warned James, the 4.4 V8 is tricky to convert to LPG properly It is, of course, possible but they are tricky AFAIK

TBH, it looks more and more likely that I will head towards BMW when the Omega turns it's last wheel for me, but it will be an oil burner if I do That said, I'm seriously considering going down the 4WD route again when the time comes

BMW X5 weazel??

That'll never happen If I get a 4WD it needs to be capable off road and not give up at the sight of a bit of wet grass on a slope

Can't see me going BM TBH... I never have liked them that much and it's just against my principles

If its gotta be good offroad its narrowed down to either Jeep or Landrover then

[rsymes2k]

I'd definitely have a BMW over the omega, i've had plenty of both and just find as you say it's a cut above, if you like working on the engine yourself it might not be the best of cars to buy but once you've got your head round it im sure its not too bad...

[mantahatch]

I don't understand the hate towards BMWs. Surely some of it is down to jealousy.

I like them if if I could afford them, I would have one. In your position James I wouldn't hesisate to buy one as you're handy with spanners.

Mantahatch, I bet you really wouldn't 

Actually I would. There is no jealousy in it at all. bmw's are plentiful and in everyone's price range. I am currently driving a 2009 Astra 1.8 Auto that cost £5000. I could have bought a fair bmw for that price, albeit a bit older. As TB says the only saving grace is they are RWD and over the years I have had loads of fun in RWD cars.
I suppose the biggest complaint from me is some of the idiots that drive them. Admittedly they now appear to be driving audi's.  .

That said there are enough idiots in Astra's, me for one 

I suppose at the end of the day it is down to personal experience and choice. A number of years ago I said I would never own anything with a bmw badge and I have stuck to it, and see no reason to go back on what I said. If Vauxhall don't make a car I like then I will end up going down the Japaneese route. 

[MaxV6]

i was for a while tempted by a 530-40 touring...   as a way to go if i couldn't get another 3.2 omega.

then i drove one for a weekend to scotland and back.

don't want one anymore.


it does what it's supposed to do very well, drove fine.....    but i found it uncomfortable for long miles, and actually, the interior is not nearly as civilized or refined  the miggy.

given that i do occasionally,  and sometimes frequently, have to do stupidly large miles to get to a work site....  this is actually a deal breaker for me. 

driving 400 miles and arriving with back ache.....   before doing 10 hours work and driving home same day,....   NOT acceptable.

[aaronjb]

I have been very tempted by the idea of an E36 M3 recently (I know, we're talking about 5 series here) .. not quite sure how I'll survive without indicators, but everyone else seems to manage..

*hides from Del*

(I'm serious about the temptation part, though)

[YZ250]

Surely some of it is down to jealousy.

Maybe in the 1980s or very, very early 90s.  Not now. They are not 'special' any more. Overpriced 'normal car'. I certainly have no desire to own one at the current prices.

Not wishing to try and convert people, just my view on the subject as I own an Omega and a BMW. The indicators work on both of them.    I also still like the E39 as mentioned by the OP. 

Although there are many who are adamant that they will never own a BMW, a lot of the cost of higher spec bmw's is in the dash.
You have google for general searching, tv, the ability to send info to the car from a laptop or iPad and the SOS function in the telecoms unit. Music can be downloaded to the hard-drive so no need for disc's or iPod as it holds thousands of tunes.
You can set the heater to come on at a time of your choice so no need to defrost on cold mornings. The same with cooling in summer. As on many other manufacturers cars, the navigation is 'live' and at the touch of a button you can request data sent to the car. Any info on the dash can be read out to you over the car speakers, such as texts, the news or weather. If you have an accident, the cars sensors assess the severity and await a call to be made from the car. If no call is made, the call centre dials the car to check you are ok. If there is no response they call emergency services, giving them your position (thankfully not tested this yet). The SOS button dials emergency services number for you and is better than using your mobile as they can immediately pin-point the cars position rather than tracking your phone.

This all comes at a price in the build, whether you choose to use it or not.

Advantages of my 3.2 omega ---> it's relatively quick, it tows the van well and is very comfy on a long run and is well cushioned from road imperfections.
Disadvantage is obviously the fuel it consumes.

Advantages of my 330d ---> regardless of what people think, it is much quicker than my omega, has loads of useful media toys and for a three litre diesel is very economical. 50mpg from a car limited to 155mph surely can't be sniffed at.
Disadvantage is feeling every pot hole through 255x35x19's and rather harsh suspension set-up on M Sports and obviously the cost.
Oh, and being labelled a knob because I drive one. 

Sorry it was a long and boring reply. 

[Del Boy]

Good post, well said 

[Kevin Wood]

.. but all I want on a dashboard is an oil pressure light. Why would I want a car full of toys like that when I'm supposed to be concentrating on driving it?

Whilst the development cost of a funky dashboard might be high, the cost difference once you're churning out millions of them is probably negligible.

.. it does answer a few questions about why BMWs are generally driven like they are.

[YZ250]

.. but all I want on a dashboard is an oil pressure light. Why would I want a car full of toys like that when I'm supposed to be concentrating on driving it?

Whilst the development cost of a funky dashboard might be high, the cost difference once you're churning out millions of them is probably negligible.

.. it does answer a few questions about why BMWs are generally driven like they are.

  I don't think it has one of those Kevin. 

Highlight part 2:
Yeh I'll give you that one  . You may have a valid point there.