[Cairo Kid]

50. And this is my first BMW. It seems that different people have different reasons for their choices. This car fits my particular needs for performance, practicality, looks, reliability as well as plenty of "e-bells and whistles"

[K-A]

Originally Posted by HighConcept

I do agree the whole 3 vs 5 debate you all participated in was a bit off topic. The defense only conformed to K-A as I felt, was insulted on a personal level...then have all 5ers stringed to an age-group generalized within that spectrum.

In retrospect, what's with the profiling and stereotype? A person in their 20s especially mid-late age isn't "mature" enough to indulge in a saloon/sedan and "should" be driving an M3? The possibility doesn't occur maybe by that age some have completed college and already within incipiency of raising a family?

And trust me...plenty of members in their 20s are motoring the M3 than 5s; they just so happen have the proclivity to lounge at the E9x or equivalent section of the forums. Anyway, whatever the age/personality discrepancies are...let's try and diminish the fanboyism a bit.

We should stop disrespecting the OP's natural intention for this thread or its: and

To me it also comes down to the 5 being a classier, far more sophisticated car. The F10 gets you your moneys worth even while sitting in traffic and enjoying its incredibly quiet and tasteful interior. The M3 is meant for something entirely different. The interior is eons behind in design an material selection, comfort isn't on par, it rides very rough over certain roads, gets worse MPG, doesn't have the city-friendly low-end torquey nature of the N55, and isn't as "all arounder" natured. The M3 is a scalpel and an incredible one.

The 5 is a great dose of youthful exuberance and understated maturity with some of the best build quality I've seen from BMW. The M3 after all is based on a 3 Series and many even young people want the extra core luxuries and higher-segment virtues offered by the 5.

I used to have a Mustang GT lowered, with a 15" sub, no mufflers, racing seats, etc. so I guess getting that out of my system is what got me buying Luxury Sedans since I was 25 and I guess that "Mustang GT" kid is now so permanently within me that it keeps me so appreciative and feeling so fortunate every time I step into a versatile Premium Sedan that looks and feels so "grownup", classy, elegant yet also looks so cool, sharp, gorgeous and dynamic/youthful at the same time (it walks so many lines rather than just one).

However I agree that those who never experienced a more brash, rough around the edges purebred "kids" or "youthful" car need to do so to get it out of their system and experience it. Starting off with a car like the 5 normalizes it and makes it harder to have appreciation for what it is because it becomes your "standard". Where do you strive to from there? If your "first times" are with more "younger people marketed" cars then you will always feel like that humbled fortunate kid who "graduated" when you step into your 5er.

[Keyser Soze]

Originally Posted by HighConcept

And you're 45? I would've never noticed that maturity from these previous posts considering how silly it is to debate such issues because from a subjective point of view, it falls purely on personality and preference. Either way, let's all try and get along because you know...you DO own a 5 series lol.

I would say that there is in fact a dose of "look down your nose smug snobbishness" to a lot of 5 vs 3 discussions on these boards, it's just layered under "flowery marketing/advertising styled prose". I'm defending the 3 series, big deal.

[cdmulders]

51. I'm mildly surprised with the average age of those providing a response but it makes sense on reflection given social media trends. I probably fit the 'old guy' stereotype as I don't do Facebook / twitter / etc, and don't even own a smartphone. Perusing this and the E89 forums are my guilty pleasures. That, and playing with my four-wheeled toys. Cheers.

[Texaz3]

Hey, 51 is a new 30. How do you like your Z4? Thinking about getting one for my wife as a gift for 15-year anniversary. PM if more appropriate.

[rhinosaur]

I bought my 535d last year when I turned 35.

[cdmulders]

Originally Posted by Texaz3

Hey, 51 is a new 30. How do you like your Z4? Thinking about getting one for my wife as a gift for 15-year anniversary. PM if more appropriate.

Short answer - the Z4 is fun, fast, and a real eye-catcher. It really complements the F10 in every way, and I think it has the same level of style and finish. It's reminiscent of a '67 Triumph GT I had many moons ago, but much, much more refined. You would not regret having both the E89 and F10 in your stable (assuming you already have an F10). As a matter of fact, the Z4 is my wife's car but I get to take it out for a run every now and then. Cheers.

[Digiview]

my first bimmer at 38

[CharleyKahleys]

19 years old, 2013 528I, "Old Soul?"

[CharleyKahleys]

First car @ 14 was a 2008 335i coup then 2011 CTS Coup, 2011 Camaro RS/SS now 2013 528I I'm 19 now,

[TheBlackGT]

Originally Posted by CharleyKahleys

First car @ 14 was a 2008 335i coup then 2011 CTS Coup, 2011 Camaro RS/SS now 2013 528I I'm 19 now,

14? Isn't that too young to drive?

[AJG1137]

Originally Posted by GLiNTCH

28 and it's my 6th car (and I didn't have my parents pay for any of them)

So, all the people on here under 30 that drive f10 5 series, what do you guys do for a living? I am genuinely curious, as I have not met a lot of people near my age (27) that are able to afford/choose to spend big on these machines. I work in private equity, and do fine for my age, but the decision to lease a f10 was still a big one.

[pillpusher84]

Originally Posted by AJG1137

So, all the people on here under 30 that drive f10 5 series, what do you guys do for a living? I am genuinely curious, as I have not met a lot of people near my age (27) that are able to afford/choose to spend big on these machines. I work in private equity, and do fine for my age, but the decision to lease a f10 was still a big one.

General Manager for 2 Homecare entities owned by the local hospital system. I always bought new, and then sold/traded for something new after another 2-3 years ... so the decision to lease was a no-brainer. Just negotiate it right and you will not regret it.

[joejones81]

I'm 31, getting my 2014 535i xdrive m-sport next week. I'm guessing folks getting the 6 series are older because it is so much more expensive i know if it wasn't i would have bought a 6 series. And there may be other factors at play, e.g., 1) the younger folks don't want to spend that much being that they maybbe planning to, buy a house, get married, or start a family OR, 2) or maybe the 50 year olds have already had a few 5 series in the past and just want to try something new to spice it up.

[Snarry]

I'm 34 and will be taking delivery of my first 5er in November -- 2014 550i xDrive MSport -- after 12 years of driving 3s. Not sure that I like the drive of the 5 as much as the 3, but with a kid on the way, I needed more space. On the positive side, the kid will never be late for a play date with the LCI motor in the 550!!

[Luminor513]

33, first BMW and enjoying every minute of it. I came from having 5 Infiniti's over the last decade, and it was simply time for something different. Glad I made the switch.

[slownfast]

you are the best and the youngest man who can drive bimmer at 14, CharleyKahley

[jackaleyess]

50 this year. Used to own a mer e280. And this is my 1st bimmer. Before that was around with lexus and toyota estima. Well, i can say bimmer give me a whole new level of driving experience.

[Aeroav8r]

46, fourth BMW, first 5 series

[kc1953]

60, but was only 59 when I bought my 2012 535i sport. I have owned at least one BMW (5 series or 7 series) continuously since I was 33. No Internet or forums to post on back then!

[Crocket]

61, My first BMW was a secondhand 325 sport which I bought when I was 27. My latest car is an LCI 5 series 520D M Sport which is my 8th BMW

[wellee]

33. 3rd BMW.