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BMW 5 Series Sport Wagons
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Comments
jim
How do you like the car after 1-month?
Jim
1) about $8000
2) no stick shift on the 540iT
Jim
I hear it's do out very soon...there's a picture on the BMW website, but no pricing info.
Thanks for any help
Car&Driver did a quick 2 page write up in the Nov 99 issue. If I recall correctly, they were guessing that BMW was waiting until their new 3.0L inline 6 would be ready.
So, sort of different stories floating around. BTW, a fellow BMW CCA member was telling me the new 3-wagon had a larger cargo area than its predecessor (not imported to the US)... in particular, the rear opening was close to 2" wider.
I'm currently driving a 95 525iT, and I like it a lot. The new 3-wagon has me interested, so I'll probably test drive one whenever they make it over here.
Dave
Last suggestion: get the Xenon HID headlights. You wont regret it.
Good luck
Jim
Sorry
Jim
Weclome and You will LOVE this car
Jim
Thanks Chee
However, in dry conditions, it way outperforms my old sedan. The 97 sedan had numerous electrical problems, radio, heater, locks, brakes, etc. The wagon had but one problem so far, the radio kept blinking rapidly. And, there are numerous squeaks and rattles from the back mostly from the roll-up cover.
As I was one of the first to purchase a new wagon and waited 6 weeks, they gave me a good discount (plus I owned a 97 5-sedan.) The dealer recommended that I not buy the Xenon lights if I was purchasing the car because they are very expensive to replace; they said that if I leased it then, they'ld recommend the Xenon lights. It's a great car to drive and it's versatile, but I think it's overpriced compared to others. I wouldn't do it again.
Have the 95's stood up well, what are their quirks? My 77 320i has died and I need something bigger, due to a new baby. I would love to stay with bimmers, but I don't want to get in over my head with repairs. I drove a 94 540i and loved the feel and power, but I'd hate to think of the fuel costs, therefore the 5 25/28 seems better. I'll be testing one soon. I's like some feedback on the reliability before I fall in love with one.
Thanks.
Even so, I bought a 99 wagon. So far the only problems have been where the radio lights blink rapidly and the alternator went after 8,000 miles. When I commented about the problems with my other BMW, the service rep.'s first words were, oh, was it a 97? That says it all.
Thanks again and happy motoring.
cdndriver
had no problems, after a year 7000 mile
took in for a free oil change. I brought
since had a Lincoln Navigator and couldn't
wait till got rid of, very impractical for
me. Thought might still need to haul stuff
around so looked at wagons but wagons to
me have image as varmint haulers. So will
probably trade sooner than thought. Posting
to report 99 model being virtually trouble
free so far - knock on wood. Model is 528
premium pkg, moonroof, cd, homelink, heated
seats, slide load floor.
www.bimmer.org/5series/messages
12,000 miles so far and I can still outcorner most cars on the road:)
Good luck in you purchase.
Good Luck
Jim
'00 528T
They will not retrofit old garage door units to conform with the in car system due to liability issues concerning safety beams and auto reversing mechanisms now mandatory but heretofore unavailable.
The 540T is quick, confortable, practical and stylish (my wife doesn't agree on that last point). My dog loves it, of course. The few drawbacks are: mileage is not great, maybe 15 in the city and 21 on the highway with a smallish tank. The xenon lights consistently piss off oncoming drivers and I have not had this problem in any other car with xenon lights (like the Mercedes).
That is my total list of gripes. The build quality on the 5 series automobiles is the best. No rattles, no mechanical problems. I have owned three and I have never had to service anything except the oil.
I am already on record as a 540T lover. This is one fast wagon. The 525/528 is nice, but the 540 is intoxicating. I live in San Francisco and there are a lot of guys with hopped up Japanese economy cars driving around like they are kings of the road. I love pulling up next to them and pulling away effortlessly in my station wagon. It would be even better if I removed the "540" emblem from the back of my car so they would have no idea why I was so fast.
OK, so I still behave like I am 18 even though I am 48.
Thanks, Randy
How's your shopping?
I just bought an A6 4.2 sedan and totally agree you with about the V8 engines on the BM and Audi. I test drove the 540 wagon but the acceleration is not as strong as I expect. On the other hand, the Audi fared quite well. At the end, I chose the Audi because of its Quattro system. Nevertheless, I consider the 5 series wagon the best looking station wagon on earth. Hey,I even think it is more attractive than its sedan counter-part.
Shoes,
I like your idea of removing the emblem. People will have no idea what hit them. As a matter of fact, I just removed the A6 4.2 emblem from my car. Now only "Edmunds"ers could tell that my car is not the 2.8 base model.
---Another 18 years old at heart
I've selling my '92 525 wagon @130km. I've owned Volvo wagons(2)240 & 740 turbo Volvo prior; BMW
rides like a magic carpet in comparison and more
aggressive looks !
I'm looking at a '97 850R Volvo wagon with 60m tuned with ID computer @ + 280 horse,18"rims & wheels,etc. that the original owners maintained in flawless show room condition -for $22K.
Now on any given day '99-00 540 wagon's run 40K<56K. My wish list is to have the 540!
But my price/performance objective seems more reasonably to buy the 850R.
Any salesman out their ?
That car doesn't do anything wrong...I can't get enough of it. My partner drives a 98 528 sedan with about 97K on it...he likes the ride of his car better than the stiffer ride of the sport suspension on the 540. I think he's nuts.
My only complaint about my 540 wagon is cargo space. It is one of the smallest wagons in its class for cargo space...and the load floor is useless. We're about ready to trade the 528 and will likely get an MB E320 wagon for the extra room and the relaxed ride that my partner prefers. I'll drive my 540 into the ground.
The dealer didn't believe me, until I drove it in for him to see. They first tried something that didn't work. Then, they ordered a new display panel. It would then blink only intermittently and I was told to bring it back again, but have lived with it. Now all of a sudden, it's blinking constantly like it's sending secret messages to the Chinese gov't.
Has anyone else experienced this?
I have linked this discussion into that folder, but it will always reside here in Sedans.
Looking forward to meeting everyone!
KarenS
Host
Owner's Clubs
I've sent that question to BMW and BMW Germany.
They don't answer the question but submit a commercial.
Thanks
2000 BMW 528 Wagon with 17,500. New never titled, loaner/demo... dealer asking $39,900.
Which wagon is the better value in long haul?
Have been leasing and account tells us that due to tax law revisions it would now be more beneficial to buy rather than lease....plus we'd build up some equity.
Comments and suggestions welcome.
Just a guess. (If I were a service technician, I'd have tried to find this loose wire or faulty control signal before replacing an expensive panel. But don't get me started on the diagnosis expertise in the auto repair industry...)