Plenty of cars do perfectly fine with bone stock bearings past 200,000, even older M cars. Trying to downplay rod bearing replacement as not a major job is peak copium.

If you had a well-made V12 like a Mercedes M120 then yes it should be as easy to maintain. You’ve just been desensitized and accustomed to overly complex engines.

Every engine from the S38B38 onwards except for the S52 has premature rod bearing wear issues due to tight clearances. And no that’s why I don’t think the S65 can be considered “reliable if maintained.” Let’s not kid ourselves, these are high maintenance cars.

Any engine that has rod bearings under “normal” maintenance is a dog. I hear the same excuse pushed by Alfa Romeo masochists, who insist their Giulia is reliable with the exception of that one time their 2-year old car left them stranded and needed a tow for “only an ECU replacement,” but was otherwise trustworthy.

E34 but that yellow doesn’t work at all, especially with stock throwing stars. E39 needs the stock Style 65 wheels.

Heat gun (hair dryer doesn’t get hot enough for really bad creases). Just don’t focus on one area too long, and periodically dab it with water so the leather doesn’t burn.

Manual only for the past 20 years. Lived in the Bay Area commuting across the bay bridge every day at one point, one of the worst commutes you can ask for. I actually like manual even in traffic, otherwise I’d be hopelessly bored in a slush box.