Luxury Coupe...

[SgtRhoades]

Well... here is my story.

I currently have a 2007 V6 Mustang, and started thinking about a new car in 1-2 years. Originally, I had considered a Dodge Challenger as I have purchased sports cars since I was 19 (a LONG time ago!). When I showed my fiance the information about the Challenger, she questioned why I was looking into another sports car as I really don't drive one that way, and suggested that for what the Challenger would cost (about $40,000) I could buy a BMW instead.

At the time, I didn't think that BMW had a 2 door coupe and that every BMW was much more than what the Challenger would cost. After exploring the BMW website, I found out that I was wrong.

There has been no need for me to own a 4 door vehicle for well over 25 years, and I don't think that I will ever need one, so I have not considered a sedan. What I do need to consider is something that is more comfortable than a sports car. I recently had disc replacement surgery after an accident at work, and even with that, my back will never be the same. So it's time to give up the sports cars and get a luxury vehicle.

My first choice for a BMW is a 328xi coupe with some of the convenience toys added. I don't need the extra horsepower of the 335 and am trying to keep things close to $40,000 - $45,000 with options.

I hope someone here can help me with information about the comfort of the car, especially for long trips. I did take a short test drive before my accident and it was very nice. Actually, it was the most comfortable car I have ever been in!

Some of the people I work with have suggested other cars that may work for me needs, such as:

Mercedes Benz E350 coupe
Audi A5 Coupe
Lexus IS C11 (really have no need for a convertible though)
Infiniti G37

Comfort is more important than power, sport suspensions, etc.
Automatic transmission is a must, my back doesn't like shifting)

Sorry for the long post, but I thought more information would be better than just saying "Help, need advice."

Thanks!

[love2xlr8]

I am just the guy you want to hear from. Five years ago I had a lower lumbar disc removed with fusion. I still have discs above it that are giving me trouble and I have a great deal of back pain most of the time. When I bought my car my pain was not as bad as it is now but I will tell you the simple act of getting in and out of my 335i(rotating, twisting at the waist)is very uncomfortable. Remember, the coupes are a lot lower to the ground then the sedans. I have the premium package with side seat bolsters and an array of electronic lumbar controls which don't seem to do anything for my lower back pain. I have the sport suspension so the ride is firm but not harsh. If you're looking for a sporty car with a cushy ride, this is not it. However, I cannot seem to find a comfortable position to alleviate my back pain for rides longer than twenty or thirty minutes. Don't get me wrong, I love everything else about this car and I would purchase a coupe again in a heartbeat notwithstanding my pain....I just love these cars I guess and I'm willing to put up with some pain for the the thrill and fun that these cars deliver. Fortunately, I don't drive much beyond a 75 mile radius of my home. I hope this helps.

[SgtRhoades]

Thank you for the information!

I have an artificial disc between C6-C7. The impact did cause some mid & lower back pain, but my neck is the worst, even after the surgery. Seeing a neurologist next week to hopefully fix the remaining issues, like pain, headaches, & dizziness. I hope this gets resolved soon as it has been 11 months so far.

I have little problem getting in & out of my Mustang and the 328 coupe seems similar. It's just that the Mustang is not comfortable anymore after 30-60 minutes. The 328 I test drove was so much more comfortable! It was the nicest vehicle I have ever been in!

Maybe someone who has been in the 328, along with the MB E350, & the Audi A5 can provide some insight. The Infiniti seems more sport orientated and that me and a stiffer ride. Not a good thing. I drive very little right now, maybe once a week to medical appointments, and that's about it. Once this is over & I can return to work, there will be a lot more driving time.

Getting in and out is a lesser concern than being in the car for long drives, all three cars have good reviews, and they are all approximately the same price.

Thanks again for your input.

[bluewater328]

honestly, if you're looking for that comfort ride, I'd consider the MB instead. The G is stiffer than the 328, which is still a drivers car. A5 I cannot comment on. Lexus usually has soft rides, but the IS is also a tough car to get into and I didn't find the ride that cushy as their GS series or higher. Though as for getting in or out, I'd really agree that a 4-door is in your future.

just my opinion, of course.

[mryakan]

My vote goes for Mercedes too in your situation. Don't get me wrong, I still think the BMW is the best of all those cars when it comes to handling and performance, but that comes with a bit of sacrifice on the comfort side which is something you probably are not willing to bargain on. Mercedes has one of the cushiest rides and it is not a bad performer at all.
Good luck.

[SgtRhoades]

Thanks to everyone for all the information!

Maybe it's time to just go and sit in the MB, Audi, and BMW for a couple of hours each. Even without driving them, I will have a good idea about which one is more comfortable just by getting in and watching a movie on my iPad.

The comfort level has become a priority, as love2xlr8 understands. I really don't drive a sports car as one anymore, so that is why I felt no need to consider the 335. When I test drove the 328, it seemed to perform as well or better than my Mustang and did so with far more comfort.

I have leaned towards the BMW because I know several people who have them, and all of them would buy another in the future. The 328xi is also considerably less expensive than the MB E350, and in my opinion, the 328 is a simple and elegant looking car. All I have seen of the E350 and the Audi A5 are pictures and brochures, but they both are easy on the eyes as well.

Thanks again for the help! When this medical thing is over, it will be time to go for some test drives!

[omer46]

I got both a mercedes and bmw but i enjoy the mercedes for every day because of its comfort but the bmw has its sporty side

[CleanBaldy]

If you get the BMW with the sport package, you will regret it as soon as you hit one small pothole in the road. The first time I hit a bump with my 18" wheels on the sport suspension, I thought I blew my wheel up as I heard *BANG* and felt the car jolt heavily. The suspension is so stiff and tight, it's amazing how rigid the whole car is. It's a good thing, but a bad thing at the same time.

Just sitting in the seat will probably not show you which car is better. I'm sure they all have incredibly comfortable seats. I'd think you should go drive one and aim for a deeply seated manhole cover in the road to test it out. It's really the only way to know how harsh the ride will be and what it'll feel like for your back problems.

[jwoods]

I agree that the E350 would probably have the softest ride, but as you mention, it is more expensive. I think a 328xi is a viable choice, as long as you DO NOT get the sport pkg.

[ElRedOne]

You might also consider a crossover simply for the fact that the seat height is higher than the typical coupe, which could make ingress/egress easier. My wife has issues with this and now has an XC70 because entry is easy (the car's a bore). Avoid SUVs per se, as they are too high. The Legacy/Outback also worked well for her. The new X3 should be in showrooms shortly, if not already. Could be worth a look.

[mryakan]

You might also consider a crossover simply for the fact that the seat height is higher than the typical coupe, which could make ingress/egress easier. My wife has issues with this and now has an XC70 because entry is easy (the car's a bore). Avoid SUVs per se, as they are too high. The Legacy/Outback also worked well for her. The new X3 should be in showrooms shortly, if not already. Could be worth a look.
Unless they improved things with the latest X3, I would say avoid it for your case OP. It really has a harsh ride, even felt harsher than the e9x with sports suspension. That was the most criticism that vehicle got.

[CleanBaldy]

I agree that the E350 would probably have the softest ride, but as you mention, it is more expensive. I think a 328xi is a viable choice, as long as you DO NOT get the sport pkg.

I wonder if it's possible to ask the dealer to swap the sport suspension out for normal suspension, so that you can get the sport seats with more adjustments, while having a smoother ride...

I guess that would have to be a question for the dealership you buy the car at.

[mryakan]

I wonder if it's possible to ask the dealer to swap the sport suspension out for normal suspension, so that you can get the sport seats with more adjustments, while having a smoother ride...

I guess that would have to be a question for the dealership you buy the car at.
That is a costly proposition, it may be cheaper to switch the driver seat for less expense, maybe with a seat from a junked car. No dealer will do that for free. They will charge for parts+ labor and will not give anything back for the stock suspension that they take out.

[jwoods]

But I would think that the highly-bolstered sports seats wouldn't be too desireable for the OP's situation anyway. Heck I'm 39 y.o., 215 lbs, and no back problems, and I'm not too crazy about getting in/out of them (I move the seat forward/back to help), but tolerate it as a trade-off for the way it holds me in the seat during "spirited" driving.

[ElRedOne]

Unless they improved things with the latest X3, I would say avoid it for your case OP. It really has a harsh ride, even felt harsher than the e9x with sports suspension. That was the most criticism that vehicle got.

Agreed. Gen 2 is supposed to be a lot better comfort-wise, I wouldn't recommend Gen 1 either.

[Hollywood D]

For luxury and driver comfort I would look at the Benz. But then again you need to drive all of them and then decide.

[manutdx]

correct me if I am wrong ( this is what the dealer told me for my 2007) but if you get the x-drive and the sport package you do not get sport suspension because the x-drive suspension negates the sport suspension.

I'm not sure if this is just for older models (not 2010 or 2011) but thats what the dealer told me for my 2007 328xi.

Also, you're comparing the 328xi to the wrong cars...the Audi A4 and MB C250 are more comparable for pricing. I do know they aren't coupes but the cars you are speaking about are much more expensive than the 328xi.

[PwrdbyM]

I'm not sure I would call the Challenger a sports car. It is a GT the same as a BMW (coupe). I'd bet a 335 would easily get around a track faster.
The Challenger (depending on model) probably rides softer than a sport pack BMW as well. If you are looking for luxury then you are on the right track. The BMW is more of a drivers car; little harsher ride and better handling than a MB or Lexus. But the later are better cruisers.