For computer geeks, technophobic drivers and those who love a challenge, this may be the car of choice. For others, well, apparently in a few cases BMW flew out a technician to help car reviewers learn how to operate the automobile’s myriad systems.

BMW 745i

After the car was delivered to my house, I hopped in, sat down, put the electronic computer chip key in the dashboard slot and tried to turn it. No luck. A few moments of reflection and looking around turned up a button labeled “Start.” Push it — nothing. More reflection. Put foot on brake, press start button and, voila, a beautiful BMW motor sound penetrates the silence.

Now, where is the transmission shift knob or lever? Aha, there’s a little cruise control-like thing sticking out from the steering column. Nudge it up and you are in reverse, nudge it down and there’s drive. A spring loaded button on the end finds park. Oh good, now we can go, but where is the parking brake lever or pedal? Nowhere to be seen. Ooh, there’s a little button on the dash with a familiar “P” logo. Push and presto, the electro-hydraulic park brake system releases, and we’re off.

But the fun hasn’t stopped. BMW invites potential buyers to experience “the ergonomic simplicity of iDrive.” I’m game. But trying to operate the radio and find your station while driving makes me want to park first. Same with climate control and navigation. The BMW iDrive system is controlled by a puck-like knob in the center of the console, with a screen displaying the results of your efforts. You can push, pull, press down and rotate this little mastermind to get what you need — if you know how. To get my radio station I yelled “radio” and a disembodied man’s voice responded “menu.” Taking a shot at what he meant by “menu,” I replied “eighty nine point five.” Guess what? Instantly I was listening to the Car Guys on NPR. (A word of advice: Do not, repeat, do not lose the owner’s manual. It will be worn out long before you have your BMW degree.)

Sophisticated issues aside, this is a great road car. You can fling it around like a sports car with confidence that the hydraulically activated anti-roll bar system, dynamic stability control and self-leveling rear suspension will save your bacon with a very smooth. no-panic response to all your crazy inputs. The car is intuitive. It seems to know what you are planning with the next corner.

The 4.4 liter, 32-valve, 325 hp V-8 is a charmer. Mated to a sophisticated six-speed automatic transmission it can move this 4,500 pound behemoth from zero to 60 in about six seconds and sound good doing it — if you keep the window down. The interior of this car is quiet.

Stomping on the throttle actually varies the stroke of the intake valves via an electronic system — no wires or cables here, it all is electronic. Like modern aircraft you are driving “by wire.” All of this is described by BMW thusly: “Valvetronic, with steplessly variable intake manifold, and Double-VANOS steplessly variable valve timing.” Right.

In addition to all the usual power stuff found on a luxury car, the iDrive system is standard, as are front and rear fog lights, moon roof, navigation system, power leather front seats with memory for both, digital cell phone with voice activation and traction control.

Options include self-leveling rear suspension with air springs and stepless electronic damping control at $1,900, a cold weather package at $1,100 (even has a heated steering wheel), soft close doors and automatic trunk open and close at $1,000, luxury seating package with heated and ventilated seats at $2,500, premium sound with six-disc changer in dash at $1,800, a power rear sunshade at $750, parking distance control at $700, a side and head crash protection system at $550, tire pressure monitor at $300 and star spoke wheels at $1,300.

The warranty on this car is four years or 50,000 miles, with three years or 36,000 miles of free scheduled maintenance and four years or 50,000 miles of roadside assistance.

Fuel consumption is remarkably good with the EPA estimating 18 mpg/city and 26 mpg/highway. I did a little better than 22 mpg during the city/highway test (on premium fuel).

It seems that $40,000 buys almost everything that a driver would need, or even want, these days. So when a $68,495 car comes along, or with options an $80,395 car, you might wonder what you get for the additional $40,395. Well, you get a lot of complex, marginally useful gadgets, a marginally safer car, and you get to own, sit in, and be seen in a large expensive and impressive-looking BMW. But if you’ve got the spare cash and want the best, this may be the package for you. It is a very fine automobile, truly one of the best in the world and certainly the most sophisticated.

Harloff BMW of Encinitas, Brecht BMW of Escondido, or Cunningham BMW of El Cajon will be happy to demonstrate this car for you.

Motoring since 1952, Austin Lynas has owned 54 cars and at one time raced mini-sedans in England. An aerospace engineer, he was instrumental in developing the anti-skid systems used in British military aircraft that preceded today’s ABS systems. Lynas can be reached by e-mail at osten@aol.com.