In your situation, any car that doesn't carry the BMW emblem is a good car. I understand how you feel. The E90 has its own followers. E39, E46 etc also has its own followers. No matter how many times the car gives headache to its owners, people tend to "forgive" and "forget" its weaknesses. I think you have been long enough in this forum to understand why. The driving experience has no match for its price. It is the entry level to the world of premium cars. It is also a benchmark whether its owners can slowly move up to more a more luxurious brand. This may sound very stupid but it is a known fact. Honda Accord is a very good car. Very practical and easy to maintain and very easy to sell later on. Basically, you get what you pay. But why people want to drive and own BMW? Imagine a Seiko watch and a Rolex. Both have been the official timekeeper for the Olympics, but the Seikos are a lot cheaper and easy to maintain. Accuracy wise, a Seiko watch is 10 times more accurate than a Rolex. But a Rolex owner has to service the watch every now and then. After 2 service, the money spent can buy a brand new Seiko with the lastest technology. Stupid isn't it? BMW is a work of art. It has never been perfect. But the pursuit for perfection is what drives the people into this forum. I really salute Bimmer owners. Not because they have a lot of disposable income, but the willingness to be the forefront of an excellent piece of engineering. They don't mind being the so called guinea pigs for BMW. They are like astronauts, risking their lives exploring new frontiers for the benefit of mankind. And the Japs will just follow.
