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Comments
I think you'd have more luck there.
Does anyone know if the current 5-Series uses a window grid antenna or the old power antenna rod?
I'm looking for a luxury car that still uses the power antenna rod. I have a window grid antenna and reception is nowhere near as good at the rod in my previous auto.
thanks,
Thanks in advance for any insights ... I'm a BMW rookie (or at least, a wanabee!).
My suggestion, go for a test drive and test the radio reception during the drive.
Best Regards,
Shipo
But to answer your question, yes, BMW uses a window grid (they probably wanted to avoid any unnecessary antenna appendages), but FM reception is fairly good (AM blows, but then again it seems to blow on every radio--car or otherwise--I ever try).
You're welcome!
Take care.
Joe W.
What I found out is that I have to pay over $1,100 for a "in dash single CD player" at any BMW dealer. Plus tax. Plus labor(labor at BMW is $90/hour, same as brain surgery!) The price is beyond ridicule, in my opinion, but I don't see any other solution..
I went to "The Good Guys" and other places like that, and they told me is nothing after market compatible for my car.
The only solution is to get a CD changer in the trunk for over $750(!), and I don't want the thing in the back! I want it in the dash!
What can I do? Did somebody know a solution for this? I got the feeling that I'm not the only one unhappy to spend over $1,100 for a $150 CD player, or to lisen to radio/books on tape...
Thank you in advance for any kind of help.
razteo
I play the radio when I need to hear a traffic report. I've been known to listen to a CD or two once in awhile on a long trip across NY state. But ...
I like to imagine that the BMW engineers sort of feel like me, that the radio is a necessary and unpleasant intrusion on the wind and -- did I mention the engine. Especially with a BMW, I wonder if there is any music as sweet. Maybe, sure, but who cares in second gear?
My thought, and I'm not being sarcastic, is that people who think so much of sound should actually do like the kids on the strip; get an econocar and fill it full of wonderful speakers. Maybe a Lexus or a Lexus wannabe, something cushy that doesn't really care about second gear, or the wind, or the sound of the engine.
It's time for my treatment now.
Take care.
Joe W.
in the Bimmer. I have the standard 10 speaker set up and I am thoroughly content with
it. It's the best sound system I've had in any car . My home system is probably superior
but I don't hear the difference. I'm more interested in the wonderful growl of the engine
and the sounds coming at you as you slice through space at 70 or 80 mph. Don't need to travel any faster than that either. Am thoroughly satisfied with Steptronic also, manual
would be great but wifey can't negotiate a stick shift. Love, love this car( 530IA, step,
xenons,fold down seats, alloys, sport and luxury pkg, and the wonderful Anthracite
color and black leather). Couldn't possibly enjoy any car any more than this one. Gotta
go now for an exhilarating ride down the coast. Best regards.
FWIW, I chose Toledo Blue, and I'm very happy with it (especially with the Sand leather and Vavona wood interior).
I liked both colors a lot the first day. In fact, the word "regal" quickly came to mind when I first saw the Sterling Gray. The Steel Blue looked like a bold medium blue.
On the sunny day, the Steel Blue appeared almost purple from some angles (like those pearl-colored Revo sunglasses). As for the Sterling Gray, on the sunny day, every single speck of dust and road dirt (parked right next to a major street) showed very clearly. Almost as though the car was one of the two shades of black. I was very disappointed. The sales manager did say that the best color combination with the Sterling Gray was "without question" the sand interior.
The car that really impressed me on the sunny day was the Water Blue. Different enough in color so as not to be easily confused with the ubiquitous Titanium/Silver but also light enough in color not to show all the dust and dirt. A true character all of its own!
Are there any Water Blue owners/leasers out there that could comment? Any remorse or is everyone still pleased? Also, gray interior?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts and good luck jim52!
Chris
530ia w/ PP, Step, DSP, Xenon's, Cold & Heated Wheel
You know what? I asked all over, at all dealers around me, and they charge $515 +tax for the unit, and another $400 for "core", or something similar, is no way to get it witout that $400 tax!
Please let me know how to contact that Pacific BMW.
Thanks a lot. razteo
http://www.pacificbmw.com/
http://www.circlebmw.com/
As far as installation goes, like I said try posting on the bimmer.org forums, and someone will probably point you in the right direction.
I could mention more, but why? (Just had to express myself!)
As for the invoice price, you add up base plus options and tag on mark-up on top of that( I paid 1700 over invoice for 530IA with SP,PP,CP). Additionally, they will also add advertising fee(200-400) as a separate cost on top of the mark up, make sure that they provide you with itemized costs that add up to the total quoted price. This way they cannot try to sneak in any hidden items that can surprise you later on. Just make sure you do your homework before you go in so you know what the invoice price is for your car. Good luck with your purchase.
Did they add the 200-400 to your 1700 over invoice price or did you really get it for 1300-1500 over the "marked up invoice"? The dealer I spoke with considers the advertising fee as part of the invoice and seems to want to negotiate from there. Is that common? If so, should I still target 1500-2000 over or 1200 to 1700 over?
I didn't mean to suggest your favorite color is now cliche. Rather, the "ubiquity" observation comes from noticing that every car in my 5-series brochure is Titanium Silver. There's obviously a very good reason they picked it, and I'm glad you love it. I'm looking forward to turning a few heads myself, starting in late May!
Just go to some dealers to see the various combinations, check out the paint and seat samples in the books & brochures, etc. Have fun finding what you like and works for you.
I had a power antenna rod on my last auto and it never broke down for 7+ years before I sold the car. So having a window antenna to help the consumer isn't a good reason. Its more like cost cutting in my opinion.
Telling me that the engine sounds better and I probably won't care about the radio just confirms that the reception must be at best barely acceptable.
I like listening to a good sounding engine as well as the next guy. I have a weekend car that I use for that, but on regular traffic commutes its different.
So far it seems all newer models from Brand X is using a window antenna.
193etc. Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that the reception was inadequate. No matter the reception, I'd rather listen to the revs, and my implication was that perhaps that was what the BMW engineers had in mind.
Take care.
Joe W.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
On the other hand, I have to lower my window when my garage door opener battery is low. It would otherwise have to transmit through the tint. Not the case with the radio antenna.
When you start negotiating, pretend that you know nothing about the adv fee and offer the dealer $1500 and if he accepts the offer then ask about adv fee(which you already know it is $200), he will then say $200 and you end up with your targeted price. Or if you want to play tough you can get up and walk but be prepared to sit back down it you think that he won't play since you know that is what you plan to pay anyway. If your dealer is honest(this is an oxymoron) he can show the real invoice for your car with VIN which includes adv fee amount in it.
On the other hand, some dealers will not negotiate with you this way. They will only use the sticker price as a starting point, that way they feel that they are in control because you are not supposed to know the invoice price. Like I said as long as you know what you are willing to pay for the car based on invoice plus mark-up and adv fee, you should not have any problem dealing with them this way at all.
When I bought my car, the mark-up was $1700 and $200 on top for adv fee which amounted to $2900 less than the sticker price. I personally hate the process for buying a car, especially, the negotiation step. The key here is you have to be realistic and do your homework before you start looking. If you are an educated buyer, you will know what you are willing to pay for a car that you want before you walk into a dealership. Some dealer will try to rip you off as much as they can with no shame.
I live in VA near DC, in VA all dealers will charge you up to $400-500 for what is called "processing fee" allowed but not mandated by law for processing the paper work, to me it is "rip off" fees. In MD, the maximum amount allowed is $25. All I am trying to say here is unless you know what you are doing they will prey on you. Just keep in mind, everything is negotiable but you have to be realistic and reasonable. You should stay away from any dealer that does not treat you with respect.
As for servicing, you can take your car to any dealership but loaner car will depend on each dealer. Some will let you have a loaner car only if you bought a car from them.
Again, good luck and keep us posted. Sorry for the long posting, I am not working today, that's why I have more time for doing this.
I service mine at the same dealer I purchased, and so far have been very satisfied.
The concern is the manner in which you'll apply it. It's conceivably a do-it-yourself job (which I did), but I suspect if you shelled out the $250 or so for an experienced shop to do it the results would be cleaner and more professional. It's just that applying the material around curves and edges takes some practice to get right and prevent air bubbles and wrinkles.
If you're interested in going forth and doing it yourself, I'd be happy to give out some pointers based on my experience.
Numerous magazines and publications--including the latest Roundel magazine (published by BMWCCA, through well-placed sources)--indicate the new model will appear at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September 2003, debut in Europe shortly thereafter, in North America early 2004.
For it to arrive here by next winter, far more details and pictures would inevitably have leaked out by now.