"Malt_Hound" > wrote in message
...
> Jeff,
>
> WRT the black car, what color is the interior? That is really more
> important to the temperature/comfort than the exterior. The only downside
> to a black exterior is it's tough to keep it looking nice, but the black
> leather is rough to sit in after it's been in an open parking lot in the
> mid-day sun. I know this because my 540i is black/black.
>

I have black interior now with my white car, the concern I have is the black
exterior. It's a pain in the ass to keep clean, and looks bad when dirty.





> As far as a 5'er vs 3'er, you should definitely drive one to answer your
> question for sure. Yes, the extra grunt of the 2.8 will make the
> acceleration of a 5'er similar to that of your old 325, *but* it won't
> help the handling department and that (to me) is the bigger difference
> from 3 to 5 series. The 3 series is far more nimble vs the 5, which is
> more refined, especially at higher speeds. Driving a 3 series at over
> 100mph is exciting. Driving a 5'er at 100mph plus is, ho-hum...
> controlled. Aside from passing all the other traffic at a rate of 40 mph
> you'd hardly know it. ;-)
>
> Also, a 6 cylinder 5'er can be found with a 5 speed, and if you do you may
> be able to get a much better deal, as most of them (in the US) ae fitted
> with automatics or step-tronics, depending mostly on model year. Beginning
> in MY 2000 most (all?) 5's seem to have steptronic.
>
> So, in summary, I would consider what you will be doing with the car, and
> what is the most important to you. Primarily highway, long distance
> cruising? 5 series. Blasting down the canyon roads or stop-light racing?
> 3 series.
>
> Sounds like a fun decision either way...
>
> -Fred W