Jay Noddle insists he loves his pair of BMWs—one for city, one for crosscountry.
Story by Kara Schweiss // Photography by Bill Sitzmann
“One of BMW’s taglines used to be ‘the ultimate driving machine,'” Noddle Companies President & CEO Jay Noddle said, and he couldn’t agree more. “In the mountains, along a long stretch, they’re great to drive. They’re fun to drive.”
Noddle likes the BMW brand so much that he owns two of its vehicles, including a 2016 M5 sedan he bought new that still serves as his everyday vehicle.
“IT’S VERY COMFORTABLE, IT’S EASY TO GET IN AND OUT OF, IT HAS A BIG TRUNK, AND IT’S EASY TO DRIVE. FROM A PERFORMANCE STANDPOINT, THE CAR WILL GET UP AND GO.”
— JAY NODDLE
“It’s the longest I’ve owned a sedan. I really like it and I wouldn’t want to trade it in,” he said, explaining that he’s partial to the 2016 M5 body style, which was revised beginning with the 2017 model.
As the head of a successful commercial property development company with projects spanning the Midwest, and also as a civically engaged community leader in Omaha, Noddle spends a lot of time behind the wheel in both the metro and beyond. He said his M5 has been a practical vehicle for his daily business and personal activities, but the longtime self-proclaimed “car guy” also appreciates BMW’s image—one that blends high quality with fine aesthetics and sends a subtle message about the driver.
“It says the guy’s got a little class and style; there’s a little sophistication there,” Noddle said.
Noddle’s second BMW is a newer model—a 2020 M8 two-door convertible that has proven to be the perfect vehicle for long road trips to Florida. He particularly likes driving it when he’s in sunny Miami.
“I don’t think either of my BMWs are particularly flashy…but this is a powerful, very fine automobile,” he said, adding that he doesn’t see many M8s on the road and likes the attention his sporty coupe gets from other drivers.
Noddle had much praise for the ONYX team’s ethics and service, which back up a quality brand and product. The team made sure he thoroughly understood how to access and operate his vehicles’ technical features and functions, he explained. And the relationship between client and dealership didn’t end when the sale was finalized or even after he drove off the lot.
“It starts with the people,” Noddle said. “ONYX has great protocols and great set-up for service and education. Some of these cars have a lot of technology. They do a good job getting you started and an equally good job following up. I enjoy doing business with them and I really enjoy the cars.”
It’s very likely he’ll go back to ONYX when it’s time to purchase his next BMW, Noddle said; but he’s in no hurry, especially because he expects his vehicles to endure, like his son’s 2005 M5 that’s still going strong.
“One thing I’ve found with BMWs is that they get better with time,” Noddle said. “I enjoy cars and these are two of the best.”
Visit onyxautomotive.com for more information.
