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Comments
Fuzion ZRi or Pirelli Pzero Nero M+S.
I'd like to take a quick poll for those who have experience on either of these tires. First of all, it's my wife's so comfort(quiet) is on the top of her list. I do drive it occasionally, so performance would be second and finally longevity. Price range less than $150.
If there are other tires that I should consider, do let me know.
TIA!!
Although the car runs great and it is not a big deal, it is just kind of an annoyance and I think they have a problem with the software calculation. I see an error of 5-6 mpg greater than what I am actually getting (calculated by fuel used and miles driven).
Can anyone with a 545i run a calculation and let me know what you are seeing? Please note if you have a auto or manual.
Much appreciated.
The thigh extender is a joke. Who really needs this??? My knees barely reach the end of the seat as it is.
I have found a temporary solution. If I sit on a 3" thick lumbar support pillow, I can see out fine and, more importantly, my head and upper back fit into the seat right so it is much more comfortable. I can rest back and my head actually comes up to the headrest!!! I don't find the pillow that comfortable to sit on for long driving, it doesn't fit the seat dimensions that well, but my shoulders, back, and neck feel much better.
I have owned MB 500sl, mbE320, Jaguar XJR, and many other cars. Never have I had an issue with the seat and sitting comfortably, so I didn't really consider this on my short test drives of the car before I got it. Also, comfort seats were not available in the cars at the dealerships I went to, so I never tried them. However, I didn't realize that if I didn't get the "comfort seat" I'd be getting the uncomfortable seat.
Called BMW, they said the seats are designed for people as short as 5'1" and there was nothing they could do for me. Called the manager of the dealership, who refused to take my calls. Now I have 35 months to go on the lease. I am disappointed in the ergonomics of BMW (what ergonomics), but that's another discussion. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? Thanks.
Had you considered sitting on a wedge shaped pillow? I use one of these in my house (I have a bad back) and you place the high end towards the back and the thin edge towards your knees. This particular pillow is three inches high in back and narrows down to about a quarter inch in front. Anyway, it forces you to sit with a curve in your lower back which, at least in the case of my dining room chair, makes it a lot more comfortable. And the added three inches in the back ought to elevate you sufficiently to clearly see the HUD (I love that thing).
Pillows like this are made out of a high density foam so they give a little but don't squash down. You ought to be able to find one in any store that specializes in devices for bad backs.
It's too late now but you probably should have considered Comfort Seats which have an articulated upper back that you may have found helpful. The buggers cost $1200 so I never gave it a thought.
Always TEST DRIVE a car before you lease/purchase it.
I took delivery at the end of August. I was going to wait for a 2005, but they told me the 545's would not be available until late November and I did not want to wait -when did you pick yours up?
I would check with the dealer to find out if a lumbar support seat could be swapped for your seat - it may not be cheap.
If it is really that uncomfortable, I would check with a body shop to see if you could put shims under the seat mount to raise it - this is something I am sure the dealer would not do because it has liability issues.
I agree with div2 - if you are purchasing or leasing a 65k car, I would think you would do a little more research on the options and time for the test drive. I had been to three different BMW dealers over the coarse of my research and everyone of them had a comfort seat car.
For someone like me who is 6'3" the BMW cockpit is one of the few that is roomy enough, unlike my wifes Volvo. The thigh extenders are very usable allowing the seat to adjust from someone who is short to someone who is tall.
My wife, who is 5'7" does not have any problem with the seat adjustments. You have to realize, a BMW cockpit is not designed to have your head in the roof, you do sit lower.
The tone of your email is what prompted me to write this response. Possibly, that is why the dealer will not return your calls. I would try a new approach with the dealer to find a solution: Can a lumbar support seat be added to your car. can the seat be chimed, what aftermarket products exist.
I did test drive the car several times, but I was more worried about how rough the ride was on run-flat tires, whether I would be able to deal with idrive, and trying to decide between 530 and 545. I scoured these boards and learned all about the dirty brake dust and even read one on squeaky comfort seats.
I made some assumptions that turned out to be wrong. I figured that BMW would have the same basic luxury items in the cabin that my other cars have had (like a comfortable seat??). Only after I got the car did I come to learn that feminine ergonomics is not a BMW priority. There is no sunglass holder, no decent usable center console storage (you have to open 2 doors to get to a very small compartment). The door pocket is the only convenient place to put my sunglasses, extra keys, garage door opener, cell phone, etc. The glove box is too far away to reach even when I'm hiked up on my wedge.
Do I dare continue on this forum??? I really don't want to offend anyone with my tone or whining. I do love the way the car drives, steers, handles and brakes. That's why I got it. But the premium stereo really lacks sound quality. Too tinny. No matter how the equalizer, balance, bass and treble are adjusted. My jaguar stereo was full with great bass. The car's stereo rocked. I miss its rich full sound. Having bass tones blare at me from the BMW windshield speakers is awful. Turning down the front speakers turns off nearly all the bass.
Also, the inside lighting is way too harsh and the plastic cover looks really cheap. Turn on those overheads at night and the photophobic response is unbearable. Best to not ever have to turn any of those lights on. The small infrared light beam is pretty useless. The mercedes e320 has much more elegant dimmer lights, just enough to read something without being overbearing.
Finally, the idrive computer is too slow and cumbersome. I am already backed out of my drive and down the street before the park distance control comes on, rendering this feature useless. When I slide the button to select an option, it takes many seconds to respond. In this computer age, I am accustomed to a computer responding much faster, and think this would be important and a priority while operating a car.
I was referred by bmw general manager's assistant to service. Nobody else has this problem, I guess, they never heard of it either. They had nothing to offer to resolve the seat problem, (and I was really sweet when I explained my problem). I will look into replacing the seat, Recaro? You can bet, in 35 months, the next car seat is going to be incredible!
AT&T Wireless
Motorola V600
Sony Ericsson T616
Sony Ericsson T637
Sony Ericsson T68i (phone is discontinued) Siemens S56 (phone is discontinued)
Cingular
Motorola V600
Sony Ericsson T637
Sony Ericsson T68i (phone is discontinued) Siemens S56 (phone is discontinued)
Sprint PCS
Sony Ericsson T608
T Mobile
Motorola V600
Sony Ericsson T610
Sony Ericsson T68i (phone is discontinued)
Verizon Wireless
Motorola V710 *No
*Note: The Verizon Wireless Bluetooth phone (Motorola V710) launched in September of this year. This device is not fully supported by BMW’s Bluetooth option. The phone is expected to be compatible with BMW’s Bluetooth option before the end of this year, when Verizon implements new software.
Come on!!! Like most other European marquees, BMW is well designed to drive hard while you concentrate on the road conditions, the traffic and the sound of the car. If one wants to drive around with living room type amenities (which certainly distract from your ability to concentrate on your driving) then he/she should look to buy a van or a Japanese auto.
(But I do feel bad that jlapcat is stuck with a new 545 for another 3 years. Maybe someone will volunteer to take "the piece of junk" off her hands for the right deal??)
BMW's have always been ding ed on their interiors, although I think they did a better job on the E60. Of course, don't ever expect to get a decent cup holder.
The center console is not great. But, I actually like the two compartments to separate things. I am sure the top compartment can be removed (it has to be replaceable if it ever brakes) and this is something you could have the dealer do.
I have found the side door panel works great for sunglasses, cell phone ear piece and wallet. I do not have the Nav, so I have a holder above the ash tray which works great for the cell phone.
I would really check with a good body shop or custom shop about remounting the seat to raise it. I think this would be worth the cost and time and would be more comfortable than sitting on a wedge.
The satellite should just be a module tucked away somewhere.
Let me know what you think of the satellite. My car is wired for it. I am starting to think of it because I am not thrilled with the radio reception on this car. I guess it can be attributed to the compact antenna.
Has anyone else noticed poor reception compared to other cars that have a full size antenna?
I have had Nokia phones for a long time, but since they are not bluetooth compatible, is it worth switching to a Motorola?
I do have the nav and wasn't able to get satellite radio in the 2004 model. I was told they weren't compatible, but might become so in the future. Because of this, the cars with nav weren't prewired for satellite radio. Does anyone know if this problem has been resolved and the 2004 model can have satellite radio installed? I do use the nav quite a bit and like its projection on the head-up display. I find the radio reception to be weak and would love to get the satellite radio. Has anyone gotten an aftermarket satellite radio installed? I see them for sale at Best Buy, etc.
Also, I have fiddled with all the settings on Logic7 stereo and find Concert Hall setting to be the best, would upgrading the speakers improve the sound? This was recommended on an earlier post.
Thanks all.
"The information you have been provided is correct. Sirius is not available on your vehicle with navigation system. BMW has not plans to make both of these features on your vehicle. The navigation system cannot be retrofitted into your 5 Series."
I think they may have corrected this in 05 models, but I'm not sure. My service advisor at my dealership said that they can't have nav and sat together because there aren't enough leads to hook both up at the same time (now there's some good thinking for you huh?). About the stereo, I still don't understand why you think it doesn't have enough bass. I listen to some really bassy music from time to time (like Speakerboxx), and my fiance loves dance music and I actually had to turn down the bass settings because there was so much bass the car was practically bouncing like a low-rider (just kidding). Personal preference I guess, but I just find it odd that I had to turn down the bass and you can't get enough of it. I mean, the car has more sub-woofers than any other factor equiped car I can think of (including the ones under the seats). You can always find better speakers than the manufacturer would use though the ones in our cars are Harman Kardon which certainly ain't bad. One other thing to consider is that just because you buy new speakers doesn't mean the sound will be much better. You need to buy amplifiers as well so you have enough power to drive bigger speakers.
I am very pleased with the SAT radio. It is integrated into iDrive and works very well. Reception is excellent. It's cool driving home on the Beltway listening to the news from Dublin, Ireland or classical jazz uninterrupted by commercials. You can preset up to 12 channels on the iDrive SAT Radio section and then page through them using the steering wheel buttons.
overheating.
These cooling systems, as it turns out,
go into vapor lock at the water pump.
There can not be any air at all in the system.
If the mechanic does not purge all the air
then it will keep happening again and again.
All I wanted was my thermostat changed and
it turned into a nightmare.
consider applying 3M clear protection film at dealership prior to delivery.I had one applied to the hood, front bumper,headlights and mirrors. Excellent results. (about $500 to apply).
VJ
However, I have 4500 miles on my 545 and have a pretty nasty chip in the front of the hood.
How does the 3M film look? can you tell it is on there? Does water get trapped at the edge? How long does it last?
BPB41
3M looks good, completely transparent, can see the edge of film only when you are really close.Water does not get underneath. My dealer gave me 5 year warranty.
VXJ
There are window tint shops. Find a good one that also tints windows for the dealers. I had mine done for $150. The dealer will have one of these guys come in and charge you about $250.
I don't think it would affect your lease, but it can be removed.
I was going crazy trying to find a 5er with sport pack and 5 speed...M3/4's absolutely have the sport pack and although difficult to find with 5 speed...it was easier than the 5er.
link:
http://members.roadfly.com/epeviston/IMG_2248.JPG
it's not a E39 but, from what I can tell...the only thing you get with the 39 body is a little more headroom in the back seat. I sat in both models at dealer and the front cockpit areas were nearly identicall in size and shape.
the E39 being a bit newer...but the performance of (even the watered down US model) is outstanding.
I'm glad to be back into the game.
Thanks for all of your help!!
I was going crazy trying to find a 5er with sport pack and 5 speed...M3/4's absolutely have the sport pack and although difficult to find with 5 speed...it was easier than the 5er.
link:
http://members.roadfly.com/epeviston/IMG_2248.JPG
it's not a E39 but, from what I can tell...the only thing you get with the 39 body is a little more headroom in the back seat. I sat in both models at dealer and the front cockpit areas were nearly identicall in size and shape.
the E39 being a bit newer...but the performance of (even the watered down US model) is outstanding.
I'm glad to be back into the game.
Thanks for all of your help!!
Now, i have a new issue...everytime i accelerate, I hear a whistle sound coming from the car. Has anyone ever experienced that?
Also, I live in NJ and take my car to get repaired at Princeton BMW and I'm not happy with there service or with the dealership all together. Anyone from NJ can recommend any other dealership to go to service too?
Thanks.
I think they build their women in Germany a little bigger.
I know my Denali is set at 75lbs which seems more reasonable.
I think it is something you should bug BMW about from a liability issue. Maybe you can get them to change the sensor weight or offer a lower weight option.