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Comments
Hnn
I often wondered how BMW could improve the exterior styling of the current 5. If this is it, they didn't. Albeit I am a loyal BMW fan, I find the new E-class to be much better looking. Mercedes is going in the right direction, BMW is regressing, IMO. Heck, I'd much rather have a current 540i with RB steering than the new one with rack and pinion (beat you to it, riez!).
The Z5 looks pretty good though.
It's been my understanding that you actually get better fuel economy by accelerating quickly and maintaining higher cruise speed. (according to Car & Driver) I've also been told by a dealer that shifting to a higher gear early and applying more gas to get the car up to speed uses more fuel than getting up to speed using lower gears.
RE: RB vs RP
My understanding on this is that RB is better suited for heavier cars or trucks. The "kick back" from a inherantly more sensitive (and more linear) system like RP can be harsh on a truck/SUV or similarly heavy vehicle. I also assumed that RP can't handle too much weight. Having said that, new car-based SUVs are now being equipped with RP (probably fortified). Of course, these new vehicles are built with no offroading or heavy payload in mind.
RE: IRS
I owned the '90 Max with IRS. And driven a newer rental Max with the "patented" beam rear axle. Without question, the beam was a practical compromise. Nissan did a fine job of making the non-IRS work as good as it does but it can't replace a "finely tuned" IRS as found in BMWs. The non-IRS rears its ugly head on high-speed corners with uneven surfaces. But having said that, non-IRS alone won't stop me from buying the Max.
BMW has always rated MPG higher on stick shift than automatic. Can you use the same shifting method as described in your post to acchieve similar MPG rating as stick shift using steptronic transmission.
If not why? Thanks.
Bobsky, I am surprised to hear the electrical problems with the 5 series. I drove the 2001 540i for almost a year (before I traded it three weeks ago due to a bad accident) and I had NO problem at all. My friend had an older 540i (1999) and still did not have any problem with electrical... My two weeks old 2002 530i had no problem so far.
Hnn
I actually emailed Motorola about using a standard StarTAC with the BMW phone kit. They said the BMW phone has special programming that allows it to support all the features of the car.
Thus, there is no way to get a standard StarTAC to work.
I plan on reading this whole 5-Series thread. I am thinking of getting a 5-Series (or 3-Series) in a year or so (When the wifes Toyota van is paid - I can afford another car now but want to wait and get something NICE!). I will probably buy used and spend around 30K. I am going to do extensive research by Web and driving to dealers (new and 'superstores of import' type of thing) and checking personal ads. I know a lot about them as far as model years, motors, options, specs and the like. Just have never driven one, but I will before long. What can anyone tell me of who to definitely check out and who to definitely stay away from?
Perception is often reality.
It's a great car. A lot of poseurs drive it. . .for all the wrong reasons.
Used to live in Alberta & B.C., but am now a desert rat in AZ. Really prefer the cold weather & pleasant weather when the days are long rather than short, but my job's here, so so am I.
Enjoy the car, as I'm sure you will. My issue with BMW was created back in the 80's when it seemed more people bought them to be seen in them than bought them to really drive, though the same could be said of most luxury brands. Trouble is, owning a BMW and not excercising it is truly a waste, in my (never) humble opinion. You kind of expect that mindset from the Lexus & Mercedes crowd. Somehow BMW became a necessary accessory of the 80's yuppies, so that's my perception problem, which may or may not reflect reality.
I drive a Lincoln LS with a manual.
Some of my friends have purchased BMWs at Select Auto and Advantage Auto in VA.
You can see samples on their inventory at the following web sites.
www.selectautoimports.net/
www.preownedbmws.com
I have a 530 that I purchased new from Passport BMW and I got a pretty good deal. They have a good selection of used BMWs as well.
Happy hunting
First, the new E60 model will most likely debut in the Frankfurt Auto Show in September 2003, and arrive in the US in early 2004 (that is, 2 years from now). Hence, I wouldn't expect great deals on the current style until the end of 2003.
As for its appearance, all "photos" I've seen have all been heavily photochopped or purely speculative. It's too early to tell what it'll look like.
Thanks
Hope this helped.
Best Regards,
Shipo
I had an Audi years ago where you just pushed a button under the dash to reset the EGR service light. (Guess BMW figured that was too easy!)
What kind of rear speaker issue that you had? My 2002 530i speaker on the driver side vibrated and made some strange noises occasonally (like it is torn!!??). I will bring it back to the dealer for check out soon. Hnn
I elected to get a different car in November. But I had priced out a 530i 5-speed, SP, PP, Xenon and Premium Sound for right at $41,600 (including destination, but not taxes and tags). MSRP was about $47,300 and US invoice was about $43,100. The trip was additional too, but I have lots of frequent flier miles. I think prices may have gone up slightly since I dropped the deal in November.
The trick is finding a dealer that will discount the ED price. Not easy in the DC area, until I showed them evidence of several PA and NJ dealers that would.
In all cases, check the door post.
Take care.
Joe W.
Also, can someone give me an opinion on steel wheels? Can you get wheel covers that look like the allow wheels or would the car not look as good?
In Europe,many fives are still sold with wheel covers. It should be easy to order some over the internet. They'll be twice the price of generic Pep Boys,but your Bimmer will have a unique,"insiders"look. It will be obvious to those who know and care that you've gone to the trouble to mount snows. So they can't look like alloys,but they will look pretty cool,IMO.
As for futureproofing, it's hard to say. If you'll buy a new 5 series, there's a good chance it'll fit, but no guarantee. Aside from the bolt pattern (which I think is the same in all BMW's), you have to consider wheel/tire width (which does vary), diameter (varies as well), and the offset (also varies).
I understand your concern, but if you wear out the tires, you're really only risking the cost of the wheels, which, for $400 or so, is relatively cheap insurance for safer, more competent winter handling, even if it is only for the next 3 or 4 winters.
You will give up some performance capabilities with all-season tires, but in your case I would leave the summer OEM tires on and use the SUV on the infrequent bad weather days. (The Yokohama AVS dB's run about $160 each at Tirerack).
Alternatively, you could book a cheap offseason fare (kind of late for that now with leadtime required for ED), turn the car over for shipping as soon as you pick it up, and fly back a day or two later. It's a waste of a wonderful opportunity (witness ED travelogues here and on 3 series board), but it does allow you to pocket almost all the savings.
Thanks for any other additional info.