Got it, "Bavarian" is Your Favorite "B" Word! I owned exclusively e30's (at least 1 of every model of the 3's-> i, ic, ix, e's 2-Ms) as backup/daily driver for 20+ yrs, adding 50-100kmi on ea. of all of them so I feel ya; We went w/'03 e39 530i because I could still maintain it. Later You own more complicated (computer interfaces, oil pan DRAIN PLUG REMOVED, etc) they get, w/o that much 'gain' for the $250./hr labor at our factory shops as trade off. Haven't done bushings/rack, haven't needed to, still tight as a tick w/new control arms & struts all around (& rrs are a PITA on a Good Day!) My point was comparing the LC ('02, 133k mi, all orig., now) vs. E39 530i ('03, replaced ball joints, tie rod ends, all 4 struts & springs, all new cooling system, 2 x since new, 141k mi. now) is a pretty close comparison (by yr/age & mileage) & You're absolutely right, the bmw's do start feeling 'sucky' at 100k mi, or less, BUT the LC's Don't? & then again we Both Know, You Drive both Differently, instinctively. We Just Do. Your LX is also heavier than the LC's, but I could only compare what I own, to what else I own? Both have phenomenally low miles(for their age), both are garage kept, & both are still pretty close to factory original in most aerodynamic & handling aspects. YES, the LC is a Ton Heavier (at least) & even w/a V8 would get blown off the road by any of the 5 series, any yr, probably w/a misfire to boot. My point was straight out handling, and driver comfort. Straight out handling = Does it go where I point it w/o drifting or Rolling Over? For the LC, yes, as long as I'm not stupid. for the 5 series, absolutely. We're trying to put apples & oranges in the same box. Perhaps the BMW X7 would be a more apropos comparable, but I don't have (or ever want) 1 of those nightmare's either! We're going to be selling the 530i soon enough & it's worth $3k+ more than we paid for it in Late '19 w/96k on it then. I'm thinking an ES/EX 350 Lexus to take it's place? Beemers, later than the e30's are getting too tiresome for me these days; Not 'rich' enough to buy gas for all the wheels we've got already, & there's never enough garage bays for those that deserve the coverage. & Wife LOVES the FJ100, so I'm a happy camper. She doesn't drive like a 'grandma', but she's also not trying to pull wheelies either. Happy wife, happy life, & She was driving the Beemer b4 her 'upgrade'? Thankfully we didn't have to take out a Mortgage to afford either 1!I agree about seat comfort on long drives in LC vs. BMW. I too have had at least one BMW in the stable at all times for at least 6 years now. My LX is set up nice with all new rubber/control arm everywhere but still old steering rack and I can't for the life of me mistake the LX for my BMWs! Just the body motions of a 2.5 tons are on a different playing field altogether.
Perhaps a new steering rack on my LX would change the steering feel slightly but there is no play in it at the moment so not sure it will change much.
Perhaps the difference in our experience is because of the condition of your BMW's suspension? They tend to worn out by the time they hit 90k! I usually put all new suspension on my Bimmers and have never found them in any way comparable to the LC.
Here's what I have owned so far in the BMW land:
e46 325i, e46 325i 5MT, e46 325xi, E39 525iT 5MT, E53 530i, E53 530i 5MT, E60 530xi 6MT, F15 35i X-drive.