Interesting about your buddy with the 535. And what I put in bold above is very well said.

 

Like the song "Whatever Lola wants, Lola gets" Certainly holds true in our household. Not sure how I always get out-voted when there's only 2 of us voting?

 

hmm... yes it would appear 2014 is the last year they sold it as a sedan in the US, oh well it's still the same car and looks identical

 

Disagree....you can't make a statement like that without the person actually seeing the car in person. The S60, however, like most recent Volvos, does have a reputation for a stiff ride....that might put some people off.

 

Exactly. You never know what you want till you try things. I like to think I prefer compact-size cars, but I definitely enjoyed driving the G80. So much so that I am still toying with the idea of owning one. Alas...

My only input would be to take your time and keep an open mind. Sounds like this will be a big investment.

 

If I had to choose, I'd get the Mercedes. I only say this because in my own experience, Mercedes-Benz seems to make cars with bits and pieces that last longer than the other Euro brands. My personal 2012 BMW 328i sedan was falling apart when I traded it in for the Lexus before 60k miles. My cousin's E-Class, however, is doing wonderfully at 180k miles and is still a head-turner at 15 years old.

I don't know anyone with a positive long term BMW ownership experience. Not one. My maintenance was done twice as often as BMW recommends and I still couldn't prevent the oil leaks, electrical issues, steering rack disintegrating, interior soft-touch coming apart, unused radio buttons cracking down the middle, and other issues. My mom is the only Audi owner I know that was happy with her car but she ended up killing it leaving the sunroof open during a thunderstorm. I know lots of Mercedes owners that buy them car after car and they seem to be able to take wear and tear a bit better than the others.

Another option is to maybe have her take a look at the brand new 330i M Sport? They are beautiful, modern, and as big as a 5-Series was 10 years ago.

 

i love my 15 year old E class not quite LS 400 quality but overall very good and very comfy seats with almost no rattles

 

Pleased to meet you, now you do. My E46 323i was the most perfectly reliable car I've ever had. The only out-of-warranty repairs it needed over 158k miles were the final stage resistor for the blower motor, and the VANOS seals. parts for both were less than $200 total. It also needed all the window regulators replaced under warranty, a common thing on all German cars of that era (including Mercedes) due to defective parts from Bosch. All-in, that car cost me $5500 over 12 years, including fluid changes, brakes, and tires.

The E90 335d that replaced it, with the exception of the atrocious emissions system, has lived up to the expectation set by its predecessor. The only non-emissions repairs it has needed over 96k miles so far has been a glow plug heater module that cost about $300 to replace. Well and some bent/broken aftermarket wheels, but that's due to Chicago's terrible roads, not BMW quality.

I would get another one, but the F30 (2012-2019) is not a real 3-series, and the latest model--which is supposed to get back to the driving dynamics that the 3 is known for--has dropped the manual transmission.

 

There is also Dodge components on the newer Maserati. Just bring up Doug Demuro's YouTube page, he does a thorough review on one. His review is enough to convince any fair minded person to run from a Maserati!

 

Buy a new Supra,Cant get anymore BMW then that.

 

LOL!!!! True!!!!

 

 

I sometimes wonder why Maserati is even in the American market.

 

Also, the driving experience is also kinda blah from what I've read. Just a status car. The others are better drivers cars too. Sad.