[rmackintosh]

I just got back from driving a Cadillac XLR with 600 miles on it.....the owner was my dad's neighbor....and was watching us set up my dad's new motorhome today to go to the races next week....he drives up in the thing I tell him "SWEET RIDE!" and he says...."Hey, go ahead and take it out! Take it for as long as you like!" (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif)

Well my wife is there with my daughter and 12 week old son, so I say to her..."....give the kids to grandma, lets GO!"

That car was NICE.......the interior was WAY nicer than I had thought it would have....very German car quality and finish.....leather seats that were firm and supportive but NOT uncomfortable like some....the suspension....VERY FIRM yet still smooth and luxury like...not great tires on it, but still a GREAT compromise for sport/luxury....the motor....Northstar....was peppy, more than I expect from a Caddy, but not Vette like either....

All in all a SWEET car! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Now if I could ONLY find $80,000 lying around..... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[rmackintosh]

The M5 has some issues alright. I hear there's a note in the owner's manual that says it is typical for a high performance engine to use about 1 quart of oil per 1000 miles. They even had a "special" oil made that was 5W50 to help with their oil consumption issues. It's something like $8 a quart and the sump holds about 7 qts I believe. Not completely sure on all the details, but I've heard of many dissatisfied M5 owners. Now the M3 OTOH, appears to be a gem of a car.

...dunno.....all I know is we had the BMW for 2 years.....had it a week and it was down 1 1/2 cylinders....took it in and they had it for a MONTH! I called and they had NO F'ING clue what was wrong! I WAS SUGGESTING THINGS TO THE SERVICE MANAGER!!!! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif)

I almost got arrested I was so verbally abusive to that dealer....the #1 dealer in the country by the way... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) ...

They fixed it by "calling the engineers in Germany" and "rebuilding the engine" (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

....2 years later my wife was out of town....so I thought "hey, I'll drive the nice car for once..." got in it and it was running down 1 1/2 cylinder...called her and she say...." I was afraid to tell you...you had a heart attack last time!" (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) So I go to A DIFFERENT dealer...begin to explain the issue to them, the guy cuts me off and says "don't worry, we will fix it...." I go "uh huh" and leave.....4 hours later they call and say it is done...I try and explain that NO WAY could it be fixed....I go in....CAR RUNS LIKE A DREAM, IT HAS NEVER RUN MORE SMOOTH, MORE POWER, ETC.....I ask the guy what the hell they did.....

He says: "Replaced the cam sensor...$12 part"

AFTER they SCRAPED me off the ceiling.....I said [MAJOR ANGER and HOSTILITY] "WHY THE HELL COULDN"T THEY DIAGNOSE THIS 2 YEARS AGO, AND WTF WAS UP WITH REBUILDING THE ENGINE..." [/MAJOR ANGER and HOSTILITY] To which he replies:

"You haven't owned a BMW before, have you Mr. Mackintosh? These cars are highly advanced and technical.....things like this go wrong all the time and are common...."

FUCKIN' CAR WAS TRADED IN FOR THE CADDY THE VERY NEXT WEEKEND!

I will never buy a BMW again....don't care if they design and build THE BEST car EVER!

(IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)