got "the bug", thinking about replacing my well optioned black sapphire metallic '08 M5 - stock except for chromed OEM wheels - just because.. it's my weekend car and once a year drive 4000-6000 miles trip from Tejas to the West Coast and back and a couple of 2-4 day trips somewhat locally

1st was looking for a '10 M5 - as my CPO/Maintenance program will expire in 1 1/2 years but couldn't find color/color/interior trim that I liked along with all the options that I'm used to and want

next the Porsche Panamera Turbo - a techno nifty nice car with roomy interior but didn't like the rear blind spots and the '10/'11s are too costly to justify purchase (for me).....Porsches are great cars but I don't want a "sports car" - have owned 3 in the past

then the Maserati GTS - a truly beautiful car but the trunk is way too small for me (I carry a full sized spare tire on my long trips and the Mas won't hold one) - sales people and owners on forums rave about the exhaust sound.....I personally think it's too "raspy" for my taste and shucks, if one wants loud exhausts one can always do after-market - didn't do much research on the Quatroporte (so) as it loses the GT appeal for me

ok, what about Merc AMG - yeah but just never got into the MB mindset - altho I did see an E550 white Coupe the other day that was very good looking.....but.....just don't like the grillwork with their huge logo

so what about the BMW 550i - test drove a '11 demo, hugely optioned - very impressive - just for grins I had the dealership evaluate my M5 as a trade-in.....chuckle chuckle chuckle - they'd give me less than $39000 - the salesguy's jaw dropped more than mine did

well, the conclusion is - I don't need a newer car - I love my M5 and it's more car than most I saw and drove - warrantee - who needs it ? with the money I DON'T spend on newing-up I can handle whatever problem I might have in the future

naw, I'll keep my car, thank you very much