I had a BMW 530i and I absolutely loved driving it! It was a blast to drive on twisting roads and my husband and I took several cross-country trips where we were always impressed by the Beemer's handling and relatively good gas mileage (up to 32 mpg.) But the cost of even the most simple repairs far outweighed the thrill of driving the "ultimate driving machine", and with the rising cost of the requisite premium gas, I finally got over my love affair with my BMW. (For example, an oil change was a minimum of $85, and tires cost more than $200 each...not the run flat kind either.) I was long fascinated with the Prius and rented one for a long weekend. Then my daughter bought a '12 Prius 2 which we drove from Michigan to California and I was hooked. Last fall, I bought a '12 Prius 4 and I continue to be very satisfied with it. Whereas the BMW was all about power and handling, the Prius is for me all about the Zen of driving. I am much more relaxed behind the wheel and love the mileage.
I think we had another troll post. First post is a long one asking whether they should get a 'proper' car or a Prius and then never returning. I was going to suggest the OP get a diesel BMW - that way they have the comfort, the BMW badge AND great mileage . But the op's chosen to disappear into the ether, never to return.
If you have $1M, you are smart enough to not buy a 3-series. And there are lots of better cars out there. Low end BMWs are for posers. It fools the uneducated. I personally know more than 3 people with 7 figure annual salaries that have a Prius.
Get a used BMW 335d or 335i. The suspension is improved over the 328i. And the ride is smoother and more comfortable. The price is less expensive than a Prius III. The 335d also gets about 43 mpg on the highway. If reliability and low maintenance cost is desired realize that you have to baby the European cars and have to strictly follow the maintenance guidelines to keep them in good running shape for their lifespan. They are unforgiving of lax owners. Also, you will face repairs that will cost several thousand dollars each. The BMW transmission seldom lasts longer than 150,000 miles, for example. Toyota and Lexus cars simply are less expensive to maintain when drive over 300,000 miles.
If you have the money you can buy whatever you want - including BMWs. It doesn't matter what other people think. The 3-series happens to be BMW's best car. It certainly drives better than a similarly priced Audi, Mercedes Benz, Jaguar, etc. It is the gold standard that other small sports cars try to emulate including Lexus and Infinity. There is no better sports diesel than the 335d either. If you want to be a poser, then get a Bentley.
It is true it wouldn't be as fast and would currently require a lot of planning. However, I don't drive cross country in anything, if I want to go cross country I fly. If I want to drive further that the Tesla's range, I take our families other car. But granted, let me rephrase. The driving experience of the Model S puts the driving experience of the BMW to shame as long as you are not driving more than 150-280 miles depending upon your weather.
Get away. The Lexus is nothing like a BMW to drive. You guys need the same BMW diesels we get here and you can have the best of both worlds. (and I saw that as someone who is not normally a diesel fan!)
Occasionally those BMW diesels do wear turbos and digest some swirl flaps. You may find this among some owners, if they feel comfortable to confess. LOL
