Newbie Needs Your Help

[agc]

All,

First I would like to say hello to everyone and this is a great forum with a lot of information. Now here is my dilema.

I am looking to buy my first BMW and decided that the 5 Series was the best suited vehicle for me. I have owned older MB, Pcars and other non so exciting cars. Now I have looked at the 02 MN E class and the Lexus GS430, both of which are very nice, but my wife and I have decided that we would like to try a BMW. Now which one, I have looked and noticed that some 540 have come down in price where it is about $1k more that a 530. So my question is should I look at the 530 or 540, I don't need anything that is really fast (I have a 993TT, which I use when I feel the need for speed), but would like to have a car that has power also, that's why I decided not to get a 525. I would be using the car maybe two to three times a week for work (50 miles) in NYC/NJ traffic. I want an engine that is reliable (I6 or the V8). Which one will be more expensive to maintain and keep up. Lastly should I get a sport, does it make a big difference. I do not plan on upgrading much on the car (suspension, wheels, etc) so I figure that a sport is a better option for me. I have found several cars and was wondering which would you pick, am I better of with a CPO car

2001 540i 40k miles
2001 530i sport xenon 35k miles
2001 530i sport xenon CPO 42k miles
2001 530i CPO 36k

All are in pretty close range in price (about $27k), which would you pick or would you pick a 2001 740i 36k miles for about $30k

Thanks all
AGC

[billB]

AGC
You not giving us that much of a room to pick and choose, are you? and I tell you all these models are very tempting since it is a close call except I'll say this: while the 540 is the queen of them all; it is more demanding and cost more to maintain than her other sisters. I would go for the I6 taking into account the CPO, maintenance/parts and climbing gas prices.

Whatever you choose we wish you the best of luck.

regards
billb