Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
Interesting mod with the clutch to improve throttle response.
"allows me to stick the "DINAN" on the back of the car"
That sticker should be good for a couple of tenths on your ET right there!
Sounds like a neat ride, lots of performance without going hard-core M. What color? Something stealthy, or Arrest-Me-Red?
http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr081607.html
It is a nice sedate metallic black, usually dusty enough to be stealthy. lol
The Dinan exhaust has a really nice sound to it, deeper, and yes throatier... I remember saying to the Dinan folks that the biggest problem they would have is that many people would not consider it loud enough! IMO it sounds best in low speed, low RPM situations, like a 2nd gear roll from a yield or stop sign. It only really barks when you stick your foot in it like when passing in 4th.
The mods I've done to this car were all intended to enhance, rather than to drastically change/improve. I like the fact that it starts every time, that it has AC that works, that it idles quietly etc. I've stayed away from the suspension so far because i don't want to screw it up. Besides, to be blunt, the stock suspension is already way more capable than I am willing to find out.
The next mods should have been the first - I plan slamming it about 3 inches, for that glued to the pavement look, and going to 12x20's on the rear, running 355/20/20s - And pigs will fly! LOLOL
Is peak power boosted at the expense of mid-range?
Usually not, based on the cars I've driven and their dyno results. Conforti began re-mapping the part-throttle curves when Dinan was still just modifying WOT parameters- or as Jim puts it:
"Not only do we re-map part-throttle fuel and spark, we also re-map other areas of chips other tuners don't touch - such as acceleration enrichment, transition fueling (how the car responds to rapid change in pedal, and VANOS control as needed to optimize the vehicle for operation on premium fuel (91+ octane)."
Note that the newer naturally aspirated Bimmers(mostly 2004+) leave little additional HP on the table.
Are you saying that optimizing for one fuel grade is the source of the extra hp?
Partially. Dinan and Conforti both assume that you will only use the highest grade of pump gas available and that you will keep the car properly tuned(correct spark plugs, clean air and fuel filters, etc.). Putting it another way, they remove a bit of the safety cushion that BMW built in to compensate for less than optimal maintenance and care.
Actually, with knock sensors on modern engines, I thought they were capable of optimizing performance for fuel grade. Why aren't the original ECM maps designed to offer this performance if mileage doesn't suffer (or is improved)?
See above. Also, the factory ignition map may provide for a maximum ignition advance of say, 25 degrees. The engine may actually be able to handle several degees more advance when running 91 AKI fuel. The re-map will increase the advance and rely on the detonation sensors in a worst case scenario. Why doesn't BMW build them this way from the factory? Beats me. On the M42 engines fitted with the DISA dual resonance intake system there is a hiccup at @4500 rpm when the DISA valve switches to the high rpm intake tracts. Conforti's chip eliminates the surge entirely, while adding 11 hp at 5500 rpm and 19 lb. ft of torque at only 2500 rpm. Dinan and Conforti also freely admit that some BMWs don't respond to chipping or re-mapping. Of course, in other cases there's even more power to be found by modifying the intake, exhaust, injector capacity, etc. A classic example is the Conforti Euro Intake kit for the 1995 M3. The combination of a CAI, a Euro HFM, and a dedicated chip yields 32 hp. In contrast, my Mazdaspeed3 will pick up 20+ hp by merely adding a MS CAI. Go figure.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
http://www.thecarconnection.com/Auto_News/Daily_Auto_News/Amanti_Safer_Than_5-Se- ries.S173.A13250.html?srccd=cn20070817
It is inexcusable that a car of this caliber should receive only a marginal rating in side impact testing.
Perhaps BMW should spend less time on foolishness like i-Drive and more time and effort on improving the structural rigidity and crashworthiness of their 5 series. Simply appalling.
So, why the disconnect? The best explanation that I've heard is that BMW engineers engineer their cars to be safe in many, many scenarios, tests be damned. Sometimes the IIHS tests coincide with their analysis of what is safe, and the car gets a good score on that test, some times the tests don't.
I liken this situation in a weird way to the whole Hybrid debacle, Hybrids it seems were developed to exploit the flawed EPA mileage testing, and as such these cars were released to the market with obscenely exaggerated mileage numbers, numbers that the cars cannot hope to achieve in real world driving. Meanwhile, cars like the BMWs that I have driven have had absolutely no problem exceeding their EPA ratings, even at extra legal speeds.
Long story short, I'll gladly take my chances in a BMW, even in a side impact collision.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Read real life testimonials in BMW Magazine, Roundel Magazine (official magazine of the BMWCCA), and Posts & pictures on Bimmerfest. BMW isn't building flimsy cars!
My wife's '07 X3 3.0si is a little cheaper to insure than her former 7 year old Mazda Protege.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
The one they tested was the new model.
Shipo's point about there being some types of collisions where a car does better/worse is surely correct. It's just impossible to make objective comparisons among cars given the vagaries and anecdotal nature of real world collisions. Watch the video presentation on the IIHS site http://www.iihs.org/news/default.html (Aug 16 news release) and decide for yourself on whether the scenario that their engineers developed to simulate being T-boned in the drivers door relates to a situation one might possibly encounter.
Unfortunately all cars are a bit flimsy when they get hit in this location. Just take a look at the penetration that happens for any of them with a 30 mph impact. It appears that the side airbag in the 5 didn't protect the driver as well as it did in the other cars. Seems like a problem that their excellent engineers could solve.
BMW has already announced that they will offer a diesel powered vehicle in 2008. My sources tell me that the oil burner will initially be available in the X3 or X5. My first choice would be a 335d Touring with the M-Sport package.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Best Regards,
Shipo
Did anyone else notice that the tests were done with a small female dummy? Wonder what they would be like with a 5'10" 180 pound male.
is location the only factor or are there other things to look for when hooking up with a dealer for all service needs? i live in the los angeles area, with three BMW dealers within a reasonable distance, Pacific (Glendale), Beverly Hills, and one in Studio City/Universal City.
thanks.
~Did anyone else notice that the tests were done with a small female dummy? Wonder ~what they would be like with a 5'10" 180 pound male.
Good point about the changes. My guess is that the larger occupant--having more inertia and being closer to the action--would fare worse.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
i do have the 545i with the sport package - and i have to say i love it. the ride, handling and balance is awesome, and the power is the icing on the cake that pushes it over the top. it feels very stable at all speeds and in all situations, i wish there was a track around i could really open it up in, alas...but just driving on the freeways and around town it has really performed. on freeways at speed, a slight tap and it jumps around or down the road quite handily - and you know there is more available if needed.
i was actually looking for a 530i, as i wasn't angling for a v8 in a sedan, but came across this one (cpo, loaded and with low miles) and they gave me a great deal on it. and epa mileage estimates for the 530 and 545 were basically the same for the 2004 models. where's the downside? ok, depending on how heavy your foot is, the 545 has the potential to use more gas. but the fun factor and knowing that extra hp is there if needed (or wanted) is worth the small savings in mpg for me. and i did drive several 530i's in my search and they were fine and i am sure i would have enjoyed that car if i found one at the time.
and i did drive a non-sport package 530i, it felt a little less responsive in some ways, but it was not a long drive so my comparison is limited.
but to take a quote from a movie that opened up and delved into the intellectual aspirations of all of mankind and the human condition, "this one goes to eleven......"
i am over 40, if that's of any help.
no, i didn't drive a 3, as we already had a 3 that we traded in, because with two kids and my wife, i wanted something a bit bigger, etc. but not ready for the 7.
best,
zoelman
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Where did you buy your CPO? To me, being able to get a BMW loaner rather than just any rental is worth traveling for.
Would you happen to have a link that doesn't require me to purchase a subscription or provide an account number?
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Please remember for future reference:
Beemer= BMW Motorcycle
Bimmer= BMW Automobile
I really like the style of the 7 and the last time I test drove the 2 back to back, it did give more of a big car lux feel.
IMO, you shouldn't buy a BMW for "a big car lux feel"; that's a Lexus specialty. I've spent a little seat time in the 7 Series, and it drives smaller than it actually is- but it's still a bit too much of a boat to suit me. If I was forced to drive a 7er, my only choice would be the B7, which is an honest driver's car. If I had to choose between a 550i and a 750i, I'd take a 550i with a manual and Sport Package over any permutation of the 7. Well, I still might take the B7.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Here are the details
Silver
Leatherette
16,500 miles
Xenon lights
Heated fronts seats
The asking price is 44,999.oo
I have a 2001 Lexus ES300 with 86,000 miles
which they will give me 9,000.00 for, with a pay off of 4,000.oo
I brought them down to 41,528.00 (not including taxes or fees)(which they say they won't go any further down)
By the way it's a CPO.
I think I have a good deal?! Please help, does anyone agree with my husband?
Any recomendations on how low this car can go for? :
Thank you
You need to post this question in the "Real World Trade-In Values" topic over on the "Smart Shoppers" board. I'm biased- you couldn't pay me to drive a Lexus. In my opinion, when you trade any Lexus(save the IS) for a BMW it's a wonderful deal...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
Just curious. Thanks!
Just curious. Thanks!
Check your settings. Apparently you have a timer set.
My 04 530i was purchased new in Feb 04. I recently started experiencing the musty smell and when I took the car in for the 30k maint I asked the service mgr how to cure...he suggested the $80 treatment you got. (I didn't do it, and from your post I think I made the right decision.) He further stated that it happens in all cars, Mercs, Saab, Jag,Caddy, on and on and is due to the bacteria/mold attracted by the vent system. He gave me the "cheap fix"....get a can of Lysol and spray into the vent intake. I did that and it seemed to work...for now. Gee, you can even get a "Fresh Linen Scent"!
BTW...love my 530i...just waiting for the 4yr 50k warranty expiration before heading back to dealer to get an 08 535.
Enjoy your ride.
And last, has anyone tried the new auto sport transmission?
Is there any difference besides the addition paddle shifters? The salesman said that it was a completely new transmission and said it was fantastic.
Thanks
Is there any difference besides the addition paddle shifters? The salesman said that it was a completely new transmission and said it was fantastic.
I had the same automatic in a 335i convertible I drove for a couple of weeks. It's the best automatic I've ever driven. Quick shifts up and down, with rev-matching on downshifts. Unfortunately, the transmission will still veto your wishes at times and upshift or downshift even in full manual mode. Still, if you must have a slushbox you can't do much better.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
"Steptronic" is merely BMW's generic name for their automatic transmissions which offer manual control(Porsche's is called "Tiptronic"). The automatic in the 335i and 535i is the ZF 6HP 19 TU six-speed transmission, which is ZF's second generation six speed automatic. It boasts faster shift speed and has been beefed up to handle the increased torque of the 3.0 liter twin turbo N54. The primary reasons I prefer it over other automatics are the shift speeds as well as the rev-matching downshifts. Like I said, if you have to get stuck with a slushbox, it's not too bad.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
My '08 doesn't chime at all..