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That said, I enjoy listening to music of all types while I drive. The car I'm in today has only audio options. Otherwise, it's a rubber floor mat special.
The fact that BMW offers a-la-carte options (including a manual transmission) is why I continue to follow this and the 3 board.
Reliability issues continue to concern the miniscule shred of us who actually buy cars and keep them a long time, however.
Much as I like driving these cars with a stick shift, the new six-speed autos are quite comparable, performance-wise, and I've become a little more concerned about getting killed at trade time for having a stick (just bear in mind that something like only 15% of drivers can handle one, and that really cuts down the potential resale audience for these expensive cars.) I know, I know, I'm buying the car for me, not the next guy, but it makes the car somehow feel "ill-liquid". And maybe I'm just getting lazier.
I'm long on record saying don't spring for the Sport package, since I think these cars are sporty enough without it. But I'm in the midwest where I'm not interested in bi-annual wheel/tire changes, and our roads are crappy, so stiffer suspension/tires are not so great. But it's not exactly like the sport package is free, either, and ride quality is, uhhh, stiffer.
Xenons and fold-down rear seats both worthwhile. So is Cold Weather, but that's in the midwest. PP gives you some things (leather, sunroof) you might get anyway. Navigation is a lot of fun, but I think you get gouged to have it. HUD seems unnecessary, but if you've got the $$ burning a hole in your pocket...
While some like Active Steering, plenty of testers seem satisfied without it, many reports that it diminishes "feel", and it is not offered on the M5, which must say something.
I think you're right to skip the "comfort" features, and almost $2k for a better sound system is money I'd put right back in the money market fund, but I admit I'm no audiophile. I skipped the rear air bags, I rarely have rear seat passengers, and I question whether this would be important at resale time.
All in all, I think you're on the right track, although as somebody observed, a "stripped" 5-series is a damn fine car that offers 90%+ of the driving experience of one that's been optioned-out. In this spirit, I think it makes sense to show some restraint with the options on any car, lest you add $10,000 to the price of a car that inherently is worth about the same as one without all those options.
I also had a Carrera loaner for five days. It had the optioned Bose system. It also sucks. The optioned system I kind of liked was the McIntosh on the Subies. However the tweeters were so-o in your face, but they were very adjustable as was the entire system.
Will try to get to the systems on the new 5s this weekend. Been wanting to drive the 6 and 7 anyway.
I also tried the upgraded Bose sound system on the 2006 330i and found it was no big deal either.
To be fair, you probably have to put in the time to set the equalizers just right which neither dealer obviously did.
In regards to rear side airbags, I am still on the fence with this option. I am trying to find some definitive source as to their safety benefits. But, I know BMW has you sign a liability waiver if they are installed and activated, so maybe there are some dangers with them.
Active Steering is something I considered, but as of right now, I am not opting for it. Opinions run in both directions on this issue. But, the 530 and 525 I test drove were not equipped with active steering, and the steering felt great. You make a good point about the M5 not having active steering.
Premium Audio, wow, it is a $1800 upgrade price. I just did not hear an $1800 difference with my ears. Maybe, it is just me. But, I agree with you. The $1800 can be used elsewhere.
The sport package, well I live in California, and I love the look of the sport package, and the Active Roll Stabilization of the Sport package.
You are also right about the price of options. They can ZOOM up fast. So, I am trying to be smart about what I choose. Thus, I am asking for opinions from BMW people such as yourself, and doing research. Thanks again
FWIW, the Nakamichi system in my wife's '98 Lexus even sounded better than the ML systems. This pleases me no end, as she is no longer talking about a new car.
Dealer? I’m not following you. Who needs them to set the sound system? I spend more than enough time with it. My routine is to first set the speaker balance and fade, then go to the equalizer, or simple treble and bass in the case of the basic systems. Then I plug in some differential calculus, quantum physics equations, light the rocket fuse and voila music! The LS has bass, midrange and treble controls. It really is quite simple, especially with that delightful touch screen. But it’s all in the quality of the speakers. Didn’t like them. They’re raking in the bucks with that system. I am quite happy with the basic low-rent setup in my 530. BMW did a good job with it. I hope it is still good in the newer models.
;-)
I have found that the upgraded sound systems are substantially better than the base-level systems. And, I cannot dtermine their value, but I know their costs.
The upgrade on my wife's 2005 X3 was MSRP $675 and the differences are huge. My last 27 Audis all had the upgraded sound systems, but on my most recent A6, there were no non-premium system cars to compare, they ALL had premium sound.
I liked the Infiniti M35x's system and the Acura's system (both "premium and upgrades") over the Audi system. Those companies that elect to partner with Bose have 3 versions (at least) that they can opt -- Infiniti went with the best of Bose (and you may think this statement is proof that their systems are crap, generally I would agree that the phrase "no highs, no lows, must be Bose" is apt -- but NOT in this case.)
The BMW X's or at least the X3 may use something totally different, beats me -- I can just tell you that the basic sound system in this BMW is "fair" -- probably fine for AM mono radio and marginal for AM stereo.
One of my former business associates bought his BMW solely for the upgraded sound system he could get (and it was over a $1500 upgrade.) He, at the time, liked the SAAB offering better as a car but went with the BMW because of the "great bass" the upgraded system offered.
It takes all kinds.
Servotronic as a technology is a great improvement over non-servotronic steering and it is worth additional cost; you, can determine if this technology is part of BMW's normal steering or not, I don't know.
If it is not, then whatever option offers it IS worth it.
Rear park sensors are worthwhile especially at their price point.
But, with full disclosure: I am in favor of most technology package-type offerings. And, I usually find most comfort offerings add complexity but not comfort.
Conversely, I find that most sport options improve almost everything.
Our X3 has the sport package, my new Audi has the upgraded wheels and tires but the normal suspension -- my only regret.
Personal pref rules.
1. Got rid of the annoying "High Battery Drain" message that a number of us got used to seeing every morning! Now I hope that it was not really a battery drain problem that is simply being ignored :-)
2. RDS on the radio works fine now, even with Navigation, premium CD changer, etc. I really had no idea what RDS was until now -- shows the call signs, station name, and in some cases even the song or program title and song lyrics (or am I misreading the lyrics?).
3. Before the update two "@" symbols were showing up on my Bluetooth phone list after each and ever entry (e.g., John Smith@@ are gone now (at least I haven't seen them yet!).
I also had them put in an AUX audio input in the glovebox for my iPod. Not ideal, because the tracks don't show up on the iDrive display, but it will have to do for now until they bring out full iPod integration for the new 5 series.
Also has anyone had any problems with IDRIVE freezing up when going to your phone book to make a phone call? If so is there any way to restart the IDRIVE? Or do you just have to turn off the car?
Finally I screwed up and didn't get the premium sound but has anyone noticed that their radio doesn't get all that great reception?
Any info would be greatly appreciated....
1. Extended Warranty
2. "Dent Protection" (I think they repair 7 dents within five years or something like that)
3. Tire Replacement
4. Lo-Jack
I'm not sure I'd be interested in getting any of these. Aren't they just a waste of money?
Any info would be great....
The saphire black is absolutely stunning when its clean - but it is almost always dirty the next day after a wash. Silver Gray Metallic is gorgeous and stays clean for quite a while. The question you have to ask yourself is:
Is your car parked in a garage at home and at work?
If so go with the black saphire, otherwise I definately recommend either the Silver Gray Metallic or even the Titanium Silver - both colors stay clean for a while and look impeccable after a wash.
My wife drives the saphire black BMW and it is garaged in both places. FYI - after a while swirl marks really suck!
The Gray Titanium Metallic is not that easy to keep clean in my opinion as the lighter metallic colors.
Hope this helps!
I wonder if it is BMW that attracts folks who like Black, Gray, Silver and all the shades that seem to lack any primary color or if it is the customers who drive the inventory?
I have seen beautiful White BMW 5's with the Auburn leather. There is a pearl effect green that I have seen equipped with light gray leather seats. Of course there are red ones and blue ones too.
Yet the one or two of these colorful versions are usually floating on a sea of black, titanium, silver, or even a pleasant but still drab combo of gun metal gray and bronze "flecks" out in the lot.
And, boy, BMW must've got a deal on black leather and black vinyl -- no wonder even BMW fans and editors often proclaim BMW's great driving and performing cars as "stoic" in terms of their interiors.
Now, you may hate or love Bangle's styling influence -- this is NOT what I am talking about. I am talking about the color combinations.
Aside from the cosmetic virtues or lack thereof, black interiors do contribute to a sense of confinement -- a black interior shrinks the size (the psychological size) of a car's passenger compartment. Further, black interiors show dust so easily, the inevitable wear lines of any fine leather make a black interior age years sooner than a lighter dyed leather.
I have not done any scientific study of cars, at all; and, certainly I do not have the sales stats pertaining to my BMW dealer's sales by color, etc.
It just looks, to me, when I pull into the lot at the largest BMW dealer in the state of Ohio, that someone turned the color control off -- heck even the building looks like it was made for black and white TV.
Oh, BTW, my wife's 2005 X3 is BLACK -- but she did get the terracotta leather, at least.
And, if metallic paint is more profitable (I assume it is), don't bother with the pearl effect black upcharge -- for once you get more than 10 feet away from the car even you will have a hard time noticing the effect.
I didn't believe that would be the case until there were two, otherwise identical, Black Bimmers parked in the dealer's lot side by side (on a sunny day). Only when I got up close and personal, really personal could I discern a $500 difference between BMW's excellent Gloss and Pearl effect Black paint.
Hey, in all seriousness, get the color you want, even if it is dark, darker, darkest -- it is your money after all.
At least pause and consider white, green, blue or red for a moment or two. If nothing else you will have a BMW that won't get lost in the lot when it is in for service.
And, since you asked (for input) -- a black interior with black shiny wood seems destined to depress even the most optimistic folks once in a while.
I don't know about that. The first thing my daughter said when she slid into the back of my 530i with the black interior was how open it feels. And as far as black leather showing dirt, it certainly does not show grime the way light colors do. Nor does the carpet show stains the way light colors do. My soon-to-be (but not soon enough) ex-husband's car has beige leather and carpet and it's awful. It didn't take very long to get that way, either.
Black cars (inside or outside) can be -- often are -- very attractive. Dark colors tend to show dirt quickly. That is not a slam against them -- heck I have had cars of all colors and usually I enjoy the color for the duration of my ownership period.
I have never had a bright red car -- I have had burgundy pearl and although it is dark-er, it generally did remain relatively clean looking for a few days at a time.
With respect to interiors or color combinations in general, again it is your money, no problem what you get that is.
I had the Ecru (read beige) "cricket" leather interior in my last Audi -- at over 45K miles I got rid of the car and the seats, while NOT new, were in very good shape. The driver's seat could be cleaned with a damp cloth with a little bit of leather cleaner. I wiped the seats perhaps 3 times per year to maintain the "nearly new" look.
Some folks may find an all black interior "open" -- some folks love black interiors. I am not suggesting they are bad or evil or even will for certain require high maintenance (although my black dashboard requires at least a monthly wipe with a damp cloth to get rid of the visible dust.) Black interiors are also certainly not technically smaller than lighter colored interiors.
Dark browns, dark grays and black interiors are psychologically smaller -- for most people. When the color black is used for walls, floors and ceilings in commercial buildings, for instance, the purpose is often to make a large area seem more intimate, less expansive.
These are generalizations.
Try this -- if you have an all black interior and have a sun roof, open the roof so at least the glass is exposed. The car seems more open instantly. Conversely, pull the privacy shield closed on a sun roof so equipped and in a car with either a black or a light interior, the effect is to make the interior "feel" smaller.
This is neither a positive or a negative -- unless you think it is.
The request was for some suggestions and input -- delivered. Spend your money on the color you want both inside and out.
I still wonder why these German cars offer so many colors (in their native land) but so limited (at least on the lot) here in America.
I hope our proclivity to order or buy or whatever black, gray and silver derivatives is not due to some feeling of depression or lack of creativity.
It can be a colorful world.
Of course I do draw the line at that color Audi offers called Imola Yellow Pearl. Where are my shades? :shades:
A-ha! I was wondering why you were skulking around the X3 thread. Tell me more about your choice please, perhaps over there where we won’t get out hands slapped for digression. I’ve had my eye on it for a while because I think it’s the best handling SUV around by far, but I can’t seem to want to go for the extra bucks for a workhorse as it will dig into the sports-car fund. Wear it well!
Cold Weather package is a best buy if you live north of the 40th parallel. Here in Portland, it is so nice to have the warm seats and heated steering wheel. Even good for Northern California, though it would be of only marginal value for SoCal (I have lived in both places for many years)
Leather: Instead of premium package, as the other add-ons in the premium package are silly (like automatic dimming mirror and built-in garage door opener)
Comfort Seats: Much more comfortable than sports seats, but probably makes more sense if you delete the sports package.
Xenons: Nice for winding roads that are not well lit up in the hills.
Skip the Sport package (regular is sporty enough and has a better ride) unless you really want to the rough ride, Definitely skip the NAV & HUD(way too much money for toys).
Well, let's say the SP pkg has a "well-controlled" ride I love the taut handling that is just a bit better than the non-SP, but that is just me talking...
I also like the auto-dimming mirror and homelink buttons for the garage door, exterior lights, etc. Agree that the Comfort Seats are wonderful - will probably order on my next 5er.
I am glad I went for a test drive last night. The 2006 is now a strong contender on my list!
Thanks!
It has virtually every option except automatic.
None of the mechanical, electronic or cosmetic bits have been any problem. At ~10,000 miles we had all 3 wiper blades replaced for free under the BMW maint plan.
I have test driven the 530xi twice (unfortunately both times with an automatic.) One of the test drives was in a car that had been ordered and had been cancelled. The sales rep, said "I apologize for this car is has a $1200 option that we call "Discomfort" seats -- they add adjustments and motors, but we've never been able to get comfortable in them, and we have had only regrets from customers who buy them."
The car, otherwise was very competent in every way, but it seemed a little "underpowered."
I say this since I had expectations that I would feel the 530xi would be more urgent than my Audi A6 3.2.
It wasn't.
This, however, is NOT a bad thing. Since its quickness is improved with the 6spd manual.
The engine was "like butta" -- soooo smooth.
Very nice car indeed.
IMHO the comfort seats are NOT more comfortable -- indeed they do not hold you in as well as the standard seats.
I am 6' and 185 pounds.
Test each before you plunk your money down.
Reliability based on our German car experience is a red herring -- these cars, like most, feel bullet proof.
Now, I have an '06 530xi. I have had this car since June and so far no problems with it. Now I am living in NC and so we have not had any snow yet this year. I love the Comfort Seats, the Navigation and HUD.
Jeff Wilson