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BMW 5 Series Sport Wagons
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Comments
After owning over a dozen BMW's in every shape over the last 20 years, including an '00 528iT sport, my verdict is in. Coincidently, last friday a new E60 530i ($52k) was at the dealership the day I was there to consumate a trade of my '99 M3C for a '00 540iT. There, sitting side-by-side, was my E36 with its new E46 M3 brethren and my E39 wagon with its new E60 cousin. The comparisons were stark. I have to be perfectly honest - the new 7-series is beautiful by comparison...and that is a shame. It was a sad day to realize that my loyalty to BMW may be over. I was beyond pleased to be driving away with the last of the pre-Bangle cars and will probably drive this 540iT until the wheels fall off. On that note, at 28k miles and $31k, it was a terrific bargain.
1. Just how expensive is ownership? (ie; every day wear and tear or mid/major maintenance items: oil changes, brakes, exhaust, alignments, engine diagnostics, etc.)
2. Are you taking it to the dealer or a reputable independent shop?
3. What kind of mileage is every getting for city, state, or combined?
I am getting conflicting stories throughout the net.
Thanks!
It sounds like this one is CPO from a BMW dealer? So you'd have 2 years of warranty, right?
Do you know about the reputation of this dealer service dept? Or have you researched indie BMW mechanics in your area? A lot of BMW owners take their car to a really good indie mechanic after the warranty runs out. In some cases BMW dealer service can be VERY expensive. When I owned an M6 I took it to a BMW dealer ONCE for service, then never again. In fact, you should have this car checked out by an indie BMW mechanic, regardless of the "CPO" status. (There have been occasional horror stories about CPO cars).
On the other hand, I have a 2000 528iT that I bought CPO when it was 2 years old & had 14,000 miles. I've had almost no problems (knock wood), & my dealer has been great. But, they are one of the only BMW dealers in my metro area that I could stand to deal with. They're more rural & not as pricy or arrogant as some. My 15K service was around $200 I think, with the pricey synthetic oil & new wipers all around (I didn't get the cabin air filters, just vacuumed them myself, & I'm going to order them to save $$ & put them in myself)
My mileage has ranged from a low of 17 to a high of 23, & averages around 19 mpg in mixed driving (auto trans).
Do yourself a favor & join the BMWCCA. The official mag, The Roundel, alone is worth the price. And the E39 board on Roadfly.org is worth checking out. Good luck!
They fix it and it goes again. I hear the X5 has a problem in this area.
Milage averages 20mph and I drive very fast every day. So it's fun to own, just expensive. Can't come close to a Toyota for reliablity.
Hourly rates at both dealers in KY and CO have been the same for our 528 as for my old 1994 325is coupe. Parts costs may be a bit higher on the 528, but not that I would notice. My old 325is gets well over 30 mpg on trips.
Both cars suffer a loss of power when driven in the higher altitude in Colorado. I cannot imagine spending $50,000 for a new 525i wagon and having even less horsepower and torque than I have in the 528. If you are down near sea level it may not be that bad.
My wife vetos any new BMW, even if I could afford one, on the basis of the I-drive, and I veto it on the basis of looks. We plan to keep both of our oldies for a long, long time and then buy a ford or chevy when they finally give up the ghost.
Terry Howell
There is at least one group of independent BMW mechanics that advertise in Roundel (BMW CCA) and Bimmer magazines, but I've never seen an Omaha shop listed.
Just to pass along: While at the parts counter, I bought a tube of "rubber care" (Gummi-Pflege) #82149407015. This stuff is great for creaky doors. I'm sure it would work on Lexus autos also! I'm thinking of cooking with it. Take care.
Terry Howell
Therefore, I was wondering whether anyone has experience with fitting multiple car seats into the 5 series.
Thanks for the help.
I went to a BMW dealer in SF/Bay area over the weekend to see when the new 5 series wagon will get to the US. The answer was, that the car will not be sold in this country. Something about import quotas. Also called another dealer and was told that there is no scheduled arrival time. Can anyone confirm that there will be no 5 series wagon in the US?
Thanks
Wondering if this dealer wants to sell you a used E39 wagon, X3/X5, or 3 Series wagon. They want to sell what they have on hand and will often say anything to generate a sale today.
I've had the same experience. Dealer thought by telling me they wouldn't be out this fall that I'd bite on something else but he did confirm they'd be out in the USA in Spring 2005 and I've heard that same thing from multiple sales people and multiple dealerships.
Once I told him I wouldn't mind waiting until Spring he game me the hard sell on a X3.
thanks for the info. I hope you are right. When I called a dealer a few months back I got the same answer, only that they promised the cars for this fall.
I am not sure the salesperson was trying to switch me to anything else. He said nothing was coming and he did not suggest another BMW. His answers was that for a luxury wagon I would have to go across the street to the MBZ dealer. So unless there were some major mind-games at work, there was not switching effort and I walked right of the lot without him pitching any other cars or any other comments.
Similarly, when I called the other dealer, he did not try to suggest another car. He said he was actually trying to get some used wagons in to cover demand. I know that is another way to get you to buy a new car, but he knew that I did not have a BMW wagon. So again, don't think they are trying to get me to buy another car.
In general, all the dealers I have dealt with in the Silicon Valley area that deal in German luxury cars (BMW or MBZ) have been quite good. Test drove at MBZ and walked right out afterwards, did not have to leave phone number, copy of license or anything else. Did not try to convince me to buy the car after driving it and there were no calls the next day. There was no "what do I need to do to get you into this car today" at any dealer. This was quite different when we were living in the LA area, but here they seem to sell enough cars without trying to force one on you.
This car is my first BMW purchase, and hopefully not the last, but we will see how reliable and expensive or inexpensive to own this car it. I love driving it, though! It is Titanium Silver with grey leather, and has the premium and cold weather packages. I am going out right now to install the 6CD changer I just got from eurobuyers, thanks to info I received from this board!
One last question - this car has Conti TouringContact CH95 tires on it that appear to be almost new. I have read very mixed reviews as to how these handle winter driving. Is there any consensus on this tire, and what alternatives to it do I have for all-weather driving? This car is more for family use and less for high-speed or performance driving, but driving enjoyment is desirable!
- Use summer tires in spring, summer, and fall.
- Use winter (snow) tires in winter.
All-season tires are a mediocre compromise. They don't do anything really, really well.
This is esp. true for RWD cars. Using the right tires will bring out the best in the car.
Yes, using a taller, narrower tire in winter is recommended, as are a set of cheap steel rims.
Just came back from Pittsburg, PA. Tons of hills. Steep hills. Bet tires there can make all the difference. Compare that to much of NE, IA, IL, etc. We can be very flat. Winter is different for those in hills versus those on flat or flatter ground. (I live in the Loess Hills. So we are a lot more hilly than the surrounding area.)
So, I will mull this all over, and will likely try it out this winter to see how it goes. I have a good friend in the Rockford area with a 528 that loves it in the winter with stock tires, and he is used to driving a 4WD Cherokee!
Terry
Just drove the X3 (with a stick, which was wonderful), and a x5, but I'd like to try the new wagon.
Anyone know when this will be available stateside,
particularly with AWD & a stick?
Does not look like the wagon (in any version) will be coming our way any time soon. Talked to several dealers and contacted BMW USA and always go the same answer. "We don't know when it will be here". BMW USA just gave me a generic "stay tuned" answer, so I guess I could wait for email updates on this.
Saw this car on trips to Europe and Japan. Looks great. I just cannot believe that they export cars to Japan before the US. Seems odd that one of their biggest markets comes last.
We actually started looking at Volvos, since we want to buy before the end of the year and I don't think the sports wagon will be here by then.
Thanks Alec, Toronto Canada
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What improvements in the newer 525iT would offset this significant decrease in power?
Thanks.
Not so much the HP, the 2.5 in the 01 is lacking torque. The engine makes the car barely adequate in the driving experience. We have a family of four and sometimes fill the cargo space. The engine struggles during rapid acceleration and climbing any sort of hills. While the big V8 is really unnecessary (but a hell of a lot of fun!) the small 6 was a major disappointment.
If you can find a 99 or 00 528iT with low miles, get that over a 01-05 525iT.
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The 2006 model is rated at 58 cu ft. despite the larger overall dimensions.
What's up??
I'm considering buying a 2003 525iT from an online post so I can't actually see the car. I have a tall dog motivating the switch from an '01 passat sedan to a wagon. Can someone with a 525iT possibly tell me how tall the cargo area is ... I need it to be at least 3ft tall or the dog won't be able to stand/sit in back while riding.
Thanks!
somewhat low, he/she won't be able to see out. Most dogs -one would
think- will tend to lie down once 'settled'. I have added a two-piece plywood
(edged with plastic a la picture frame) floor panel. Something like this
would protect the material.
Good luck to your dog.
Daan
Thanks for the help about octane levels and after market warrenties
Many will disagree with me, but as added insurance, pay the extra few $$ and get the high-test.
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