Only the romantic would purchase a 1972 refurbished 2002 Model Beamer from a shady dealer on Rockville Pike without getting it inspected by an independent mechanic. The romance was drizzled in traffic in Washington DC when the transmission conked out in the midst of a clogged intersection - so now I use mum’s 2007 528.
What a difference(though the automatic transmission is a pleasure pooper)! It handles like a breeze and zips into the left lane of the Washington Beltway(0 to 70 mph) in less time than a comparable model from a more expensive line(Porsche, etc - though the Porsche 928 S4 owned by late dad had more sex appeal).
But, with respect to India - where do you people(bada richi-riches in Mumbai, etc) drive these cars? Seriously, my India based Tata Marina suffices for the congested traffic situation in Hyderabad!
I mean - even on the Indian highways its not safe to drive past 120 km-per-hour given the possibility of a collision with a bullock or a Naxalite.