From Pro-Tour to Grand-Tour (my new ride)

[Payton King]

I guess that I am getting old as things appeal more to me now than they use to.

Well my daily driver (96 Tahoe) has 166,000 miles on it and is still running like a top. Everyday I get in and say...is this the day I need to put a $2500 transmission in a $6000 truck. I have been driving this thing and making the sacrifce so I can spend money on the 69. It came to an end last Thursday. I still have the Tahoe as a back-up/rainy day vehicle, but I broke down and bought one of my friend's cars. It is a 93 BMW 850ci with 70,000 miles.

This car is really outside of my confort zone as I have owned one foreign car in my life...a Jag XJ6(which I loved) I have always like the 850 and it is a pretty rare car, but that is not why I bought it. Besides being exstemely well maintained, it is one of the best all around driving cars I have ever been in. I would not call this car a sports car as it is a pig weighing in at a svelt 4000lbs, pulls about a .89 on the skid pad and does 0-60 in a mid 6. Top end is suppose to be about 180-188.

But what a great driving car. With that much weight you know it is going to ride good, but it does not feel heavy, the V12 (yes it has a V12) is a smooth as silk. It really comes into it own about 60mph on the interstate.

Is it the "Ultimate Driving Machine?" For my old ass it is real close.