I have a 96 SL320, my Signifigant other just got a 2001 BMW 528i. I love the BMW, it is such a pretty car and the wood grain is absolutely the most beutiful wood I have ever seen in a car. I have noticed that this BMW has aluminum contol arms and rack and pinion, the car handles really well for a 4-door, but our dis-appointment is in it's power. The car is pretty quick, but not as quick as my 6 cylinder and not as quick as the 6 cylinder it replaced (Pontiac GTP Supercharged). We try to consider mileage and environmental issues too. We almost got the M 540 or was it a 530? I can't remember, but it was a wierd color and we wanted silver. BMW's are nice cars, I feel pretty safe in, but there is nothing like a Mercedes. They are top of the line, and if you get a good one it will start to develop it's own personality. Maybe the 540 was just a re-badged 528 or 525? I have seen so many SL's out there that are rebadged as 600's or 320's badged as 500's, I would be embarrased when I took it in for an oil change! ha ha!

Happy Benzing!