We live in a city with great public transportation so did not originally expect to own a car. If we did, we knew it would have to be small and able to be parked on the street (parking is too expensive). This made me resistant to a BMW since it is a premium brand but once I test drove this car I felt the difference and decided it was worth it since typically we use the car for multiple hour long drives with our family to visit relatives out of state. One of the first trips I took had my twin 1 year olds in their car seats in the back and we encountered an ice storm. I was not expecting this sudden change in weather and while on the highway despite the obviously slick roads I could feel the connection the car had with the road. A few cars ahead of us skidded off the road but we made it and I became a huge believer: this car was going to keep my family safe, while also being fun to drive in the summer! On top of this, our kids have grown but there is space for their 2 car seats and space between for storage. We can't squeeze a passenger in the middle seat but we usually put their bags between them so they have easy access to toys, books and snacks for the road. While I wish it were wider so we could fit a third car seat for a friend or a passenger safely between them, the feel of the drive experience is just second to none and made me fall in love with this car.

I like the car as it has a nice look and drives incredibly smooth. I like the look and the features, such as a huge sunroof going from the front to the back, heated seats, and a great radio system. However, with the cost of repairs, gas, and how often my car seems to need to be in the shop it doesn't really have the "luxury car" feel anymore. You would think when you spend more money on a vehicle you would get a better quality, but I really feel like it is a bit lower quality than some of the domestic vehicles I have owned and you end up paying more just for the "name brand".

I love this vehicle. It drives like a car, but still has an SUV shape and feel. It makes it easy to maneuver in and out of traffic. All this while still going at considerable high speeds. I enjoy the fact that with a push of a button it remembers and holds in my choice of seating position. This makes it easier when my husband drives because he changes the seating and it is usually pretty hard to get back to the right setting afterwards. Another pro to the vehicle is the panoramic sunroof. I have the versatility of letting in sun or opening it full to catch the wind. One of my major cons with this vehicle is that too often I have found certain parts fail. Our sunroof motor failed a while back and replacing or fixing it became a real costly chore. Another failure was the back window motor. It will let the window down, but not up. Another issue I have with this car is that many of the parts just seem to be cheaply made. Too much heat and pressure on the coolant compartment causes a hole and then overheating.