Why do these cars depreciate so much in value? An 85 325e that sold for $20,000 new has twice the resale value of an 85 735i that sold for $45,000. WHY? Because the little e30 is a BETTER CAR.

Still tempted? You would own a "luxury" car that won't have AC, won't stop short of a yacht, will handle poorly, isn't particularly powerful, and looks very dated. Fact is, there is too much body hanging over such a short wheelbase. The car's weight is too much for the suspension and brakes given. Even with a 5 spd, NO FUN.

It is the electrical stuff, the gadgets, that suck and break. Especially that horrible climate control system. BMW tried to go Cadillac, allowing you to "dial in" the desired temperature, and it just doesn't work. Sure, they have the luxury thing down now, but the first generation 7's were a mess!!!

Look, no offense to you guys on this board, but if you want luxury, get a MBZ 300E. It is more luxurious, has a splendid straight six, is quieter and outhandles a 7. And everything WORKS.

BMWs are about handling and taking the winding road home. The 7 is a whale. Maybe the worst car BMW ever marketed was the L7. What a STINKER.

I owned an 83 733i, and it was the worst BMW, and the worst car, I ever owned. I am happy with my current 325ic (for fun), 535i (daily driver) and MBZ 300E (wife's wheels).

I have owned BMW's dating back to a 79 528i, a GREAT car. Seeing those low 733i prices, I figured WHAT A DEAL, gotta get me one of those. I got a pristine beauty, under 100,000 miles, perfect paint, clean body, looked stunning. BIG MISTAKE.

It was not just a single isolated "lemon", either. My brother in law had the same AC problems with his. The climate control is a universal problem with these cars, as this board shows.

Run as fast as you can to the e28 board, and pick up a nice late 8o's 535i. The best performance sedan of the 80's without a doubt. You won't be sorry.

Imight buy someday.