I just ordered my 2007 530xi and I wanted to share how I arrived at this decision over various
other cars. Maybe this will help folks deciding that the BMW is THE car to get!

I started my car research a year ago knowing that about now my youngest daughter's Sentra
and my wife's 2001 Honda Prelude (type SH with 5-speed manual - nice car) would be
paid off and I could see the light at the end of the tunnel for college tuition.
Although I still have two future weddings to pay for, I decided to do something for me.

Since I'm a life member of Consumer Reports, I started with their reports on AWD cars and
reviews along with Edmunds, MSN auto, etc.; the 530xi was not even on my list!

Starting about a month ago I test drove:
Lexus GS300 AWD - tight interior, noisy, very, very disappointed.
Infiniti M35 AWD - Nice with a lot of extra gadgets
Audi A6 Quattro - OK but just not what I wanted, not as many creature comfort options as I would have liked.
Acura RL - Not as sophisticated as you might believe, the transmission was annoying.
Toyota Avalon (yes, I have one now but wanted a comparison) Too big and not AWD.

It just so happens that a BMW dealer was across the highway from the Toyota dealer - so I drove a 530xi.
I knew this was my next car just driving it in the parking lot out to the highway!

So, I went home, did all my engineer-type analysis with spreadsheets, color coded summaries
and decided that the M35 and 530xi were the top two. I test drove the M35 again and was pretty convinced
that it was a distant second, the "tuned" roar from the exhaust was way too loud for a luxury car.
A few hours later I drove the 530xi again and that was it!

Thanks to the dealers and this forum I found out that I'd have to wait a few weeks to order the car
because MY06 was finishing and MY07 was starting. It was excruciating to wait to order just so I could wait again.

So, I just ordered my 530xi, semi-loaded: Monaco Blue with Beige interior, Premium Package, Comfort Seats,
Premium Sound, Sirius Radio, HD Radio, Cold Weather Package, Fold Down Rear Seats, Rear Sunshades, and Park Distance Control.
I thought I got a fairly decent deal, $2500 below MSRP.

I passed on the HUD since I wear polarized, prescription sunglasses all the time; and on the Comfort Access.
I could have done ED but I wanted the car here ASAP.

I just got my order number as I was writing this, so the waiting and tracking begins.

Thanks to the members of this forum for all the info and advice!

Also, any advice on break-in driving and subtle things I should consider when I get the car would be much appreciated.