What's the best all around car you've ever driven?

E92,full bolt on,procede.I loved that car as everyday driver (miss it so much) .After three years of the ownership I gave it to my son.I prefer 535i for long distance. For driving around the town F10 is to heavy,big outside,small inside.I don't think that has more space for two passenges in the back,than E92. I also miss N54 engine.

Hindustan Motors Ambassador and now F10

me....ha ha...you have to believe I missed my Odyssey. super easy and fun to drive. On highway, ever lost to any BMW...getting 120 mph easily......well, who has the guts to drive 120mph on 880 in traffic:P

my kids missed it, too.

F10 Hands Down..

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Bimmer App

2002 Nissan maxima. 6 speed manual.

Originally Posted by bfv

Hindustan Motors Ambassador and now ....

Get outta here

Really loved your "Mein Auto"

Originally Posted by Ice350

I think the F12 650i is real close for being an all around car. It's fast, comfy, sporty and full of tech. It handles pretty good for a car its size but it is that size that keeps it from being what I call the best all around car.

I'm going to choose the Infiniti G37. It's sporty, decent power, comfy and handles better than current Bimmers. Not Bimmers of the past but better than the current crop. Plus it's more economical which helps with a car being considered an all-arounder.

Funny cause my last car is the G37. I wouldn't pick it over my F10 ever. It is great in its own right but in comparison, it loses in every category.
The G37 has a rough ride, not very comfortable(in comparison), very small back seats, non existence truck, bad interior quality(plastic everywhere, the seats cracks, rattles), not as much technology, and doesn't feel as fast too(lower torque, less useable). Did I mention it get worst mileage too?

Anyway, I believe all of us F10 owners would agree the F10 M5 is the best all arounder in the world. Top Gear think so too.

Originally Posted by DavidZ

My old E39 (530i). My F10 is more comfortable, but for the overall driving experience there's no comparison IMO.

+1, E39 is one sweet ride and package.

My 2001 740i MSport. They don't make them like that anymore.

The one I now have the F10 535

535iX wagon. Roomy, great usable power, AWD, decent gas mileage, even tows a small trailer. Best all-around car ever.

My F10. Easily.

My 1990 VW Jetta....college days.

Easy - e92 M3

The M3 is an exercise in connectivity that represents the perfect nexus of dynamic capability, purposeful aesthetics, and accommodating functionality. The M3 proudly proclaims and makes manifest - BMW The Ultimate Driving Machine - Vroomm!

Hmm, that's tough. I guess it would be easier for me to quantify it by years of ownership.

The First Era:
cars compared 81 Buick LeSabre 5.7 diesel (yes, THAT car), 85 Toyota Cressida, 89 Toyota Cressida, 89 Mazda MPV, 72 Ford Thunderbird, 88 Mercury Cougar, 90ish Chevy Blazer, Various year Chevy Celebrity wagons, Ford Ranger/S-10 pickups, 88-90ish Dodge Dakota (I drove for a store that had all these types of vehicles from the wagons on, so it is easy to get comparisons)-
For all around driving....excepting everything but when you needed to haul some cargo....the 89 Toyota Cressida. Quick, Fast, responsive, but also didn't spin out on the slightest hint of snow like the 85 Cressida did. Fairly luxurious for the time it was a terriffic car. Most definately my favorite. The 85 Cressida reminds me a lot of the E90 3 series in ride/performance, but the lack of rear and traction during Chicago/Midwest winters was the killer there. If you wanted Cargo....the 89 MPV or Blazer was the way to go.

The Second Era.
Cars compared: 89 Toyota Cressida, 97 Ford Thunderbird, 97 Mercury Cougar Anniversary edition, 99 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP coupe, 97-98 Mazda MPV, 2002 GMC Yukon
Verdict - For overall long term driving (100 miles or more/day)...97 Ford Thunderbird. The 89 Cressida was still close but was showing its age. Had the same car been available in 1997, it would have been a much harder choice. The Cougar had the old TBird SC sport seats, which are nice, but the rear window configuration puts a big blind spot to your sides. If you needed to haul cargo or tow a trailer, the Yukon was my choice.

The Current Era:
Cars Compared: 2002 Lexus LS, 2003 Lincoln LS, 2003 Ford Crown Victoria, 2003 Mercury Marauder, 2004 Lexus GS, 2006 330i, 2011 F-350, 2013 550i
Verdict - F10 While the 2004 GS430 is a NICE car, when you compare it, it falls short in performance, handling, and comfort.
If you need to haul cargo, I would recommend a Yukon or Sequoia. If you need to tow something heavy or haul something bulky...get the Ford F350. Better yet, get the F450 for the tighter turning radius, longer bed, and the ability to fit full sheets of plywood/drywall without having to put the rear gate down.

Of the three winners of the overall CAR contest..the F10 550i is the best to date.

Just checking if "ever driven" by default means "ever owned"? Most answers seems to be inline with "ever owned". Maybe most are just so lucky ( or unlucky ) that they never driven better cars than what they owned.

I drove Range Rovers, Toyotas, Jaguars and Mercedeses over the price of my F11.
I really think the most sporty car I drove was a 993 Porsche, very very sporty, but that is it.
Helas I very seldomly get to drive on a circuit.
Best car for the money I ever owned, without doubt my first VW GTI.
Best car overall, until now as an owner, the F11.

Originally Posted by smashhell

Funny cause my last car is the G37. I wouldn't pick it over my F10 ever. It is great in its own right but in comparison, it loses in every category.
The G37 has a rough ride, not very comfortable(in comparison), very small back seats, non existence truck, bad interior quality(plastic everywhere, the seats cracks, rattles), not as much technology, and doesn't feel as fast too(lower torque, less useable). Did I mention it get worst mileage too?

Anyway, I believe all of us F10 owners would agree the F10 M5 is the best all arounder in the world. Top Gear think so too.

I definitely agree the F10 is a better car than the G37. But when I consider an all-arounder, I include every aspect. The F10 can't be as sporty as the G37. Faster but not as sporty.
I'm only judging from test drives though. I felt much more comfortable tossing around the G37 than i did any modern day Bimmer. The older Bimmers, no. Current Bimmers are not as sporty in my book.

Wouldn't the answer to this be completely different based on your history, what you like and what you are after? Meaning a bit pointless if the desired result is to get a verdict?

Or should we start answering with a small bio at the beginning?

When I was in England I had the chance to drive a TVR Sagaris! Wish I could get one in the states!

My '12 S550 4Matic

Originally Posted by hufington

My '12 S550 4Matic

You don't mind the dated COMMAND system in relation to your 5?

Did you consider the 7 Series?

And what's up with your 2007 630? Never knew they brought those stateside…

Driven vs Owned?

Probably either a 997 Turbo or an Aston DB9. Completely different cars but satisfying in their own way.

However, my 550 is darn close and 50 times more convenient (at half or less the cost).

Originally Posted by dbs600

You don't mind the dated COMMAND system in relation to your 5?

Did you consider the 7 Series?

And what's up with your 2007 630? Never knew they brought those stateside…

I don't mind at all. The 630, I had when I was in Germany. The 535 is the second car and will be driven around 6-7k a year, so I don't need a 7 for that purpose.

Thanks, but I meant: did you consider a 7 instead of the S (not instead of the 5)...