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Noticed you are in Houston. Did not see a e-mail address so let me pass this to you. I searched several dealers in TX, San Antonio, Dallas, Ft Worth, and Arlington. NONE of them would budge on a 528 when I was shopping a few months ago. I did come across a dealer in Beaumont who was willing to work with me on the 528 but not sure if she will work on a 530 this early in the game. You may want to try them.
I love everything about the car except it does not have a cd player or cd changer. If I order one through the dealer, it'll cost me big dough!! Does anybody know if I go to stereo shops and install a cd changer there, am I risking to void the warranty on the car?? I will probably save 60% $ if I go outside for a cd changer.
Also, dealer told me it will take 15000 miles before service/oil change. Any feedback if that sound reasonable??
Congrats on your new 528. Where do you live? It sounds like the one BMW delivered to me in error last month that I refused delivery of. Color and interior etc... I am waiting for 530 to arrive now.
CD player - I don't believe it will void any warranty BUT I have heard from many people that many after market changers will NOT work on the BMW due to BMW specific designs. Best Buy informed me that only BMW designed changers would work on the pre-wired connections. I would STRONGLY suggest that you do the following: 1. Contact PacificBMW at http://www.pacificbmw.com/parts/specials/e39_special_frame.htm and find the in trunk unit they have for sell for $373 + install kit about $15.00. 2. Visit the www.bimmer.org web site and search the 5 series E39 archives for cd player posts. There are MANY! I would not trust another after market store to butcher your car for a changeer. The in trunk unit available is easy to install yourself and already designed to work on the 5 series.
Oil changes - Again, MANY posts in bimmer.org web site. I got tired of reading them all. Bottom line is that the dealer follows the car computer for their included maintenance. Some will change at normal intervals 3-5K miles etc... Personal choice.
Beautiful car, new bimmer owner, don't know how I'll get through the 2 month wait!!!
I know the waiting feeling. I have to wait 4 months for mine. I originally ordered my 528 last June and waited and waited... Tracked its progress and travel across the ocean... Finally, it arrived! Wrong color, interior and options!!!!! Now I am waiting for my 530 to arrive. I finially broke down and told the kids I ordered it because I was ready to explode after holding out on them for the first 1 1/2 months. Couldn't wait any longer to tell them. Now we ALL wait in anticipation. Good luck on yours.
We are looking at a 530i for my wife so we are trying to get a good deal.
Oil change interval is one year or whenever the service lights indicate one is due. We own a 00 M-roadster and took ours in for it's oil change after the one year time frame. We have 4700 trouble free miles.
"bernard1" - Thanks for your input. I did get a deal similar to what you were saying - $1500 over cost on my 528i. For me, 00' 528i and 01' 530i are both GREAT cars to drive. Since I can get a good deal on a new 528i, therefore I just go for it instead of paying MSRP on the 530i.
Thought about new 528's, about the same money +/- a bit, but saw a black/black 540 on the pre-owned lot at Advantage in Houston. Yes, I got screwed on the price, but it was the ONLY 540 new or used that I'd seen after checking three BMW (2 in Houston and one in Pensacola) dealers.
Highs: Previous owner left K40 in the bumpers. FAST! Comfy as it can get. FAST! Neat right-side mirror reverse thing. FAST! Beautiful. FAST! Handles like it's glued to the pavement. Pretty darn quick. Safest luxury sedan (Source: Boca Raton magazine, Sep/Oct 00). Did I mention it's FAST?
Lows: $52,000 (new MSRP, b4 lux) car without a CD player???? Will be clicking that Pacific BMW parts shop link real soon. No automatic door locks. $149 for a spare key??? Cruise on/off button on dash. 131 MPH speed governor (yes, I've bounced off of it).
Questions: Anyone know if the Nakamichi glovebox changer can be run in parallel with a trunk unit? Is the Naka unit install a D-I-Y job like the trunk, or will a dealer have to futz with it?
What are the major service intervals? 30K/60K/90K?
It came with Yokahamas that have about 20K left, given my driving habits. Any advice from long-term owners on replacement performance rubber?
Gentlemen, I have never been able to keep a car longer than 18 months or so. The only reason I'd ever get rid of Darth Vader (hehe) is for a newer one with a stick. From me, that's stratospheric praise. Enjoy yours, all. If you are still thinking about one, STOP. Go out and get your 5 series NOW.
I believe it is me you are referring to regarding the $3,600 discount. jccssc is correct above. The ONLY reason I received such a good discount is because the dealer screwed up my original 528 order and was making up for it. You certainly WILL NOT find another dealer who will do the same under normal circumstances. I have heard of some folks on the www.bimmer.org (E39) site claim they received discounts from dealers on the East & West coasts. I don't believe there have been any better discounts than what you have already found. Some areas will not discount at all based on location.
Keep in mind when you are negotiating the 528, that the 530 is actually $500 cheaper than the 528 opt for opt since BMW include their $1,000 moon roof into the premium packages with no price increase. The base price increased $500 so it is about $500 cheaper overall for what I THINK is a better vehicle. (design, engine, etc..)
I just added the rear sun screen (Opt 416) to my order since I can't add meaningful tint to the car. Any comments from anyone who has or seen it?
Am I happy? No. Too many problems with car and dealer.
It's interesting to note the complete difference in tone between the postings on the BMW discussion sites, as here, compared with those on the Saab sites. The latter are contantly inundated with problems, calls for help and complaints, often not at all trivial.
I guess that speaks for itself, but I just wondered whether there were any BMW owners out there who are actually regretting buying theirs...
Jonah, you speak heresy! Trading your Ultimate Driving Machine for one of those front-wheel Swede-mobiles??? ::writhing in pain:: And how did it rate more power? If power was the issue, go up to a 540, believe me it's worth it.
Out of curiosity, how much is a 540 from where you speak? In the UK one of these will cost me the sterling equivalent of US 64,314 dollars at today's exchange rate...
Re: BMW initials -- they do stand for Bayerische Motoren Werke. The English translation is Bavarian Motor Works.
Thanks for the sun shade info. I am looking forward to it. I thought I recongized the German definition. I figured I supply the english version for the request.
Well, here in the States you can get a 540-6speed (which includes the Sport package) for about 57K USD, inclusive of luxury and gas-guzzler taxes, but not local sales tax. When you start adding on Nav, PDC, DSP, phone, etc. it can get into the low/mid-sixties very quickly.
The above assumes that the dealer is not gouging above MSRP due to scarcity of six speed cars.
Those numbers being out of my league, I went with a 3 year old 540 with an automatic. Could not find a manual. From dealer, it ran 37K, which was 3-4K higher than a private party sale, but try to find a private party with a 540 to sell.
Regards,
MGD
John
Sorry to hear about your experience. I know how you feel. I bought a new GM vehicle and was told by the dealer to contact GM and a lawyer. So I did. Very frustrating. It sounds like you bought a 2 year old car with 40K miles on it. That's a lot of miles for a 2 year old car. Sounds like the previous owner drove the hell out of it. I would blame the "superstore" more than BMW. Chances are the previous owner new that it was a lemon and dumped it on the superstore just as you indicated you want to unload it. Unfortunately, you did not purchase a car of this caliber as a "certified" vehicle. The same could have happened to you with a used Lexus, MB or any other vehicle from a "superstore". Good luck on your Lexus. I would suggest that you buy a certified Lexus should you not purchase a new one.
For reference, paid about 38k w/ sticker shown at 46k. Has premium package, leather,moonroof, side sunscreens, etc. Price included cd player,but had to wait a couple of weeks for it to come in and be installed. Dealer customer service seems to be outstanding, very organized. You are assigned a service rep when you make the appointment and he/she stays w/ you during the whole process. Loaner cars or shuttle service is standard fare. What more can you say about that.
This car is a highway runner. Although no dragster off the line , the faster its goes, the more stable it feels. That's my kind of car. The wagon provides the flexibility we needed w/o needing to buy a mini-van to haul lots of people or one of those unsafe utes. (I figure any vehicle that will roll because of a blowout is not safe). Check consumer report auto issue,you will see the iihs offset crash test was good for the 5-series.
The best gas mileage we have seen on straight highway cruising at the normal 70-75 mph is 29 mpg (it is flat in Texas,ya'll). The worst is about 16-18 around town. Typically,we are seeing about 26 on freeway. I assume these figures are the best we will see. Hopefully,we won't see the dealer too much. However, w/ the 3 yr no-cost maintenance, I'm not too worried.
Didn't get the Sport seats. I don't think I'll be driving in a manner consistent with their design (yeah, I say that before I get the car!). Got a general question for anyone ordering a new 530 with Sport Package. I've been told by the dealer that the Sport Package requires purchase of the moonroof (supposedly an option on Sport Pkage) at full MSRP. Anyone have a similar experience?
Yes, my brochure says the moonroof is only included in the premium packages - premium and sport premium package.
My car status changed to orderd for production. Should be completed in 18 days:)
You will need to add the moonroof if you want one. You indicated that you did not get the sports seats but you want the sports package (not the prem sports pckge?) I can honestly say I have never seen one without a moonroof. You may want to consider it for resale?? Have you considered the regular premium package?? It includes the moonroof and is the same cost as last year. That is what I purchased because I was not interested in the sports package. Something to think about. You don't want to be stuck with it because you did not opt for a moonroof.
I like to think of myself as pretty good with a quip, but I got absolutely nailed years ago by the conductor of a streetcar. I had located the right line to go to the BMW works in Munich. When the conductor asked where I wanted to go, I replied "Bayerische Mistwagen Werke." Without missing a beat, he said (in German), "B-M-W. That's three letters. 80 pfennig please." Trying to figure out how three letters could give rise to an 80 pf. fare stopped me right in my tracks, to the considerable merriment of the other passengers. That's the kind of thing that makes Bavaria such fun.
Contact Pacific BMW www.pacificbmw.com Find their specials page under parts and select the 5 series (E39) and find the cd changer. It is $373 and additional $15 for the install kit. Best deal I have come across yet.
1. Some folks are receiving some discounts. I suggest you check some of the archive files on www.bimmer.org (5 series E39) You may find some folks who have received a discount. Make sure you shop around.
2. A $2,000 market value mark up??? BS!! Go find yourself another dealer. A airline ticket to LA or some other place in CA is much cheaper than that.
3. 5 speed taking longer?? AGAIN BS!!!! Never heard of any such thing. That is a standard configuration! Again, go find yourself another dealer This one is blowing smoke!
4.Caroder.com etc... They will not have access to these vehicles for some time. The BMW dealers WILL have first dibbs on them. And they are VERY limited on their allocations. Don't hold your breath for that order. BTW - Carorder.com is out of operation effective 18 Aug 00. Check their web site.
5. Shop around. There are some dealers offering discounts. Keep looking. I am expecting my 530 in a few weeks here in OH.
Good Luck!
I am thinking that that is not that bad considering that it is almost 2 years old = about12K a year. It looks in good shape and not dents and dings, what should the price be? I was quoted 49,9K Is this good. I'm not sure on BMWs, as I am coming out of an MB. The reason is that I want to get a sporty manual car. Unfortunatly I cant afford to import the manual MB's
Robert
TIA
do the job right. They came highly recommended and so far have earned those recommendations.
The dealers are just ridiculously expensive. They're also very busy(I couldn't get in the parking lot at one dealer's repair shop) which means they have little incentive to price-cut. you're also probably talking to someone who isn't a mechanic at a dealership. The guy at "BMW" knows what you're talking about when you have a problem.
Unfortunately, your big mistake was buying from any dealer at all. You have to pay thousands in sales tax(think how many repairs you can do with the $2-3 thousand you pay in tax), and their "inspections" are never worth much. It's just a selling tool unless they include a warranty with it. Next time, find a BMW that was "babied" from an original owner, with clear title, all service records/stamps, etc. You can also have your dealer punch in the vin and tell you what HAS gone wrong with the vehicle in the past(if it was fixed under warranty there) There are also a few used BMW's with transferable after market warranties available from private sellers who purchased them. Ours is with Western Diversified and they have paid two small claims with no hassles whatsoever (slightly oozing valve cover gasket that I only fixed because of the warranty, and one rear window malfunctioned (broken clip))
I find the sports seats a nice compromise between comfort and support. They are much more comfortable than my previous M3 yet still maintain the firmness needed for spirited driving. Lumbar support is indeed lackluster.
I have not had similar problems with my a/c, but do not find the auto operation as smooth as a Lexus or Acura.
The cupholders are hated by all.
The 4.4L V8 is widely regarded as one of the best and far from underpowered. Aftermarket items can boost HP and there is always the M5....
I can honestly say that that is the first time i have ever heard anyone say the 540 was underpowered! PLEASE!! What are looking for? Rocket engine?? Just exactly how fast do YOU NEED to go 0-60?? Guess you need to get one of these new 400-500+ Hp cars coming out.
Seats, I too do not care for the sports seats simply because of my size. I chose the standard seats with lumbar on my 530.
A/C - no comment until I receive my 530 I guess.
Cup holders - Everyone complains about them. Like they say, I guess thats why Germans don't worry about cup holders on the autobahn.
I have no idea about after market items as you mention. But you may find some help at the www.bimmer.org (5 series (E39)) web site. There are often similar type questions there. This Edmund’s board has been very quiet lately.
what do people recommend for snows??
Q45 new 49240 used 23060 resale 47%
528 new 39470 used 27925 resale 71%
740 new 62970 used 34725 resale 55%
LS400 new 54500 used 30225 resale 55%
A6 new 34475 used 16280 resale 47%
Contl new 39800 used 15275 resale 38%
E320 new 47745 used 32600 resale 68%
STS new 49745 used 23050 resale 46%
Do these numbers seem right?
Why is Lexus so bad? Your extra $15000 turned into $2000.
Why buy a used 528 when they cost so much?