Wow, Croc. I gree with everything you said! neat trick with the turn signals to abate the nannies.
Yes, I agree that BMW has lost their way. The newest front ends are hideous. It started with Chris Bangle screwing up the trunk lids. Trunk a % looked like came from a 7..Trunk on a 7 looked like off a proto-9? And they are not the "driver's car' any more. Several years ago, I went to a mfg drive/test thing and basically autocrossed a new 3. Unfortunately, I had a really nice prepped 2002 (Webers, tires, shocks, minilites, etc) for a few weeks at the time. The new car was no match for the 2002. Huge let down.
No problem with Mercedes, they have always been a reliable truck.
Even, also, sworn off VW after a terrible experience.