Orlando Sentinel's view

Approaching the gold-toned sedan I was a somewhat normal, average 30-year-old with a 9-to-5 job, a loving wife, three dogs, and a beautiful home in a lovely, middle-income neighborhood. But once I turned the key, opened the door and got settled behind the wheel, something changed.

Suddenly, it felt as though I had been transported into a new, ritzy lifestyle and a new tax bracket (Dear IRS, this was just a feeling). The BMW 735i seems to exude a feeling of wealth and success, and that feeling is conveyed almost immediately to its driver.

The comfort level and performance factors of the 735i are evident the moment you turn the key.

I must admit that I always have taken with a grain of salt the claims that BMW, Mercedes and the like are so much better than domestic automakers. In recent weeks I’ve had the opportunity to test some of the Big Three’s luxury cars, which proved quite impressive. But the 735i seemed to have something that the American luxury cars didn’t have – a more luxurious, dependable and seemingly unshakeable build quality.

ENGINE, PERFORMANCE

The BMW 735i is powered by an unassuming but powerful single overhead cam, inline six-cylinder that produces 208 horsepower at 5,700 rpm.

The 735i’s off-the-line performance (0 to 60 mph in 9.5 seconds) is respectable for a 4,000-pound car. But its acceleration on the highway is most impressive. The 735i makes passing a simple task without having to push the accelerator to the floor.

Engine noise and vibration are slight, almost unnoticeable while idling.

Gas mileage in the test vehicle (18.7miles per gallon city/22 highway) was slightly better than the EPA ratings of 15 mpg city/21 highway.

The 735i test vehicle was equipped with a four-speed automatic transmission that allowed the driver to switch to a single-gear-drive manual mode for tackling steep hills and treacherous road conditions. In the manual mode, I easily conquered a stretch of soft white sand that I couldn’t resist challenging.

In the normal/economy mode, the transmission shifted smoothly, without any unwanted movement or hesitation.

STEERING, HANDLING

The BMW 735i is equipped with ”automatic stability control,” which enhances the car’s already-steady ride and traction under slick road conditions.

The test car more than held its own on a recent jaunt to the beach. My wife and I and another couple went to New Smyrna Beach to see the sights of Bike Week.

The 735i breezed through the curves along sometimes-treacherous State Road 46 like a true champion. The 735i, noise of the Harleys we encountered along the way was muffled by the 735i’s insulation and tight seal.

On the trip home we found ourselves in the middle of a tremendous downpour. But the car held the road as if the pavement were still dry.

Braking effectiveness under dry and wet conditions was spectacular. It took little pressure to activate the brakes, which come standard with ABS.

My only complaints about the experience were the car’s windshield wipers and the defroster. The wipers left streaks of water on the glass. The defroster worked well, but the blower was excessively noisy.

FIT, FINISH, CONTROLS

When you open the 735i’s doors, you are acutely aware of the car’s fine leather appointments. The seats, steering wheel and armrests of the test car were covered with a camel-colored leather that both smelled and felt sooooo good.

The 10-way power front seats, including power-adjustable head restraints, were extremely comfortable and supportive. The driver’s seat comes with an electric-powered lumbar support that is quite effective. The BMW 735i also is equipped with a memory system (for up to three drivers) for driver’s seat, seat belt height and outside mirrors. A driver’s side air bag is standard.

The test vehicle came with optional ($250) heated front seats. I became aware of this featureo ly after inadvertently igniting the seat heater. BMW can rest assured – its seat heaters work.

BM W equipped the 735i with automatic climate control that has separate thermostats for the left and right sides. So if your passenger has a tendency to get a little warm under the collar from your driving, he can turn down the air on his side.

The 735i’s dash was quite impressive – but it may be terrifying to those who aren’t up to dealing with all that electronic gadgetry. Included on the dash is BMW’s on-board computer system, which enables you to keep track of average miles per gallon, average speed, range on remaining fuel and many other interesting tidbits.

All in all, the BMW 735i is an impressive piece of machinery – it ought to be for the price. But if you’re in the tax bracket (IRS, remember this was just a test drive) and looking for a fine luxury car, you owe it to yourself to give the 735i a serious look.