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To the guy stationed in Germany thinking of getting one of ther last E39 M5s, if you've got the cash then go for it. The E60 V10 powered M5 is still a year and a half away and you could be driving an amazing car for all that time.
Someone made a remark about the new engines not producing enough power and that they'd sacrifice active steering for more horses, have you cheecked out Mercedes? BMWs horsepower numbers are long rumored to have been understated and they always select proper gearing for great acceleration. You can't judge these cars by numbers alone.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
1) The sides of the E60 look almost exactly like the new Camry, especially the line under the doors up to the C-pillar (a 'swoosh' look).
2) The front and rear lights look like the ones on the new Lexus ES300.
3) The back end looks more like a prototype than a finished design. And those very low turn signal lights on the back bumper are going to be very expensive to replace when someone barely taps the back end.
4) The old cockpit-like interior of the E39 is much more user-friendly than the new E60 interior. Plus, it looks like BMW has still not changed that cheap looking beige leather to a more pleasing hue.
5)Despite a supposed compete re-design, BMW made a mistake by keeping their old 6 cylinder engines in the 525 and 530 models. With even Nissan offering 250 HP in their entry-level six cylinders, BMW missed the boat by not upgrading these engines to be more competitive. And even though the 8-cylinder to be offered should be outstanding, BMW will probably follow their usual steep price premium for 8 cylinders by charging another $15,000.
In summary, unless the E60 looks drastically different in person, I'm going to hold out for a good deal on a used E39 540 or M5.
http://www.nebbin.cjb.net/files/cog.html
thanks in advance
Hope this helps...JL
http://www.cardomain.com/id/nyc530i
Question: Your rims are not the "traditional" or usual Sport Rims I see. Did you change them or am I wrong?
Regards...JL
srfast, I'm curious why you didn't opt for the 18 inch wheels. I'm considering moving to 18" on
mine. Do you see any downside to ride, or
handling?
I hear the parts and maintenance on these cars are outrageous! I've never had a German car and currently own a 1999 Acura 3.0 CL and have not had ANY problems with this car and paid about $250 for a 30k mile service.
need4speed1: Don't confuse "warranty" and "full maintenance." Warranty covers factory defects and the usual maintenance items, i. e. brakes, oil change, etc. are not covered. If the warranty runs out, you can have it extended by BMW for a fee if your car is CPO or buy an extended warranty from a third party. If your full maintenance runs out, it will be out of pocket expense. For those type of items, find a local shop and deal with them.
Hope this helps..JL
Just returned from Munich after a week driving through Germany and France, and I just can't recommend the car, or the ED experience, highly enough.
For those agonizing about the sport package, I have to agree with previous posts that it's a must-add. The ride is still very comfortable, and unless you'd rather feel like you're riding in an airliner than over the road, you won't be disappointed -- even when you're driving on pedestrian-only cobblestone roads, not that one would. But the handling, and in particular the sense of assurance in the turns and at high speed with the SP is just outstanding.
As for ED, while I did save some money, the experience was the much more valuable part. I won't soon forget sweeping down the autobahn at 130 mph (miles 1201+ only, of course) surrounded by all that picture-postcard Alpine scenery.
So, thanks again for all the information and perspective. And for anyone who's on the fence about either the E39 or ED, I say go for it!
A typical oil change runs anywhere from $70-130, depending on the dealer. It's a job you can do on your own, or at least have a decent mechanic (i.e. not Pep Boys) perform, for slightly less (buy the BMW-specific synthetic oil from your dealer, since it's relatively cheap). But, these non-dealers cannot usually reset the engine computer unless they have a resetting tool (which you can buy as well).
For other maintenance items, I recommend you buy parts from discount volume dealers (e.g. Pacific BMW) and have an local mechanic experienced with BMW's perform the work. You'll save 20-30% on parts, and a similar figure on labor.
I think the 60k mile service usually runs around $600-800, if memory serves, assuming only the common denominator components are inspected and replaced.
Overall, I wouldn't expect Acura levels of trouble-free operation, but certainly the 5-series is above average in terms of overall reliability.
Reiz will probably continue to maintain that the economics of ED are arguable, but the visceral experience of running the A8 between Stuttgart & Karlsruhe at 110 mph in an Audi (& I'm sure a BMW) cannot be bought for any amount of money.
Plus which, for most people, less money is spent.
The car I own has forsaken manual transmissions, so in a few years I will look long and hard at a 5-series ED.
For me, the "smart" money is on CPO. Let the first guy eat the depreciation. I paid about $36,000 for a 540i6 that had an MSRP around $59,000. My wife saved about $8,000 off MSRP for a 1-year old 323ia with 18,000 miles. She gets rest of free maintenance and warranty. We love 'em both. And we didn't have to spend a penny going to Europe nor any time planning the trip. Plus no gas guzzler tax for my 540i6. And TTL less.
ED can't save you as much as CPO.
I leave ED issues in the hands of professionals like Bob Dole.
Hope this helps...JL
I'm not questioning your math, but rather the shortcomings it represents. If we were just looking for a good deal on transportation, we'd all be driving Tauruses. Why do we justify the added expense of the 5-series? Sure, performance and luxury--measured in numbers and amenities--have something to do with it. But so do hard-to-measure things like quality, presence, balanced handling, divine steering, etc.
So, when considering ED, the fact that BMW actually knocks any money off the MSRP (unlike Porsche or most other manufacturers) is merely icing on the cake.
Reiz: You have incredible faith in the BMW product. You have to to be able to plunk down $36K on a used car. Your rationale makes sense about letting someone else take the depreciation. If you want to buy new, then ED is a great way to go. Even if the time and expenses don't warrant it (and they might), the pleasre seems well worth it.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
As for European roads, seems like too many of the articles I've read over the past years talk about all the traffic, inclement weather rain/snow, and a ton of cops! Recent issue of one of the major monthly auto mags talked about how bad Austria is as one gigantic speed trap!
Absolutely, the electronics in our engines is such that it keeps the ignition and cam timing at that perfect "Ragged Edge" between peak efficiency and detonation. With lower octane fuels, the engine management is obliged to back off the engine settings in an effort to keep the engine in one piece (or as many pieces as BMW intended).
A few years back I read a post by a guy who did the same thing as you did, except that he had a 328i. He executed a considerable number mileage runs with the cruise control set on the highway, and many other tanks of gas for "Mixed" driving. What he found was that not only did the higher octane fuels deliver higher mileage, he also found out that the higher mileage delivered by Premium fuels was more than enough to offset the extra cost of the fuel.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Like snagiel I am in my late 20s and am very proficient with technology. I love gadgets but the idrive is a bit too much. I give the opportunity that the idrive is so far advance that people aren't accustomed to it yet or just needs more tweaking. I do know that I don't want to spend all the time refreshing how to use overly complicated technology every weekend. I also find the on board computer confusing and hasn't been too useful.
I also own a Lexus LS with many gadgets which I find all the gadgets easy to use including the NAV. After toying with the BMW NAV in the showroom I decided against buying the BMW with NAV as I find it a generation or two behind its top competitors. As with many other BMW buyers, I bought my 5er for its great looks, power, handling, and connection to the road.
So far, it has been a perfect car except for three things. BMW lacks top notch technology in terms those luxury gadgets (unless you count the idrive which is too complicated), efficient storage space, and those infamous cupholders.
Mark
Yes, assuming similar atmospheric pressure and relative humidity.
Best Regards,
Shipo
That said, I am leery of mid-grade (or, obviously, standard-grade) gasoline with this car. Far from fuel economy concerns would be the fact that BMW requires 91+ octane gas, and the fact that using lower octane fuels--while possible--retards engine timing and lowers output. Of all the ways to save money in the world, this strikes me as one of the oddest.
Thank you
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
My $0.02: Why not just get a Bluetooth phone? Sure--you have to wear a small earpiece, but you can keep your phone in your briefcase or in the trunk. It's hard to imagine something less conspicuous.
I have a SonyEricsson T68i and it works seamlessly, with one touch dialing from the headset including voice recognition. While I'm waiting for US implementation of the BMW Bluetooth kit for my '01 530i, it's hard to justify the additional cost for the marginal improvement in convenience (though it's so cool I'll be tempted)
2.I usually drive with my sunroof in the tilt position during the day which causes the solid sliding cover to partially recede out of view. This weekend while I was washing my car I noticed a fine grayish line across the cloth cover from dust/dirt? at the same point where the cover recedes. Any ideas as to how to clean this mark? Perhaps a mild detergent/water mixture?
Thanks for any responses and ideas.
Regardless, I believe the engine computer in these cars is configured to maximize performance with 91-octane. Any higher won't do harm, but it won't buy you anything either. It's interesting, since here (Atlanta) we don't usually have 91: It's 87, 89, or 93.
As for your stain, I would start with just a damp cloth, and if that fails then try the mild detergent. Carpet cleaner may help as well.
Since being a new BMW owner, what is the history of naming the makes of the car... what I mean is how and why do they call it the E39, E34, E60, and so forth? What is the logic/rationale? Why not call it the E39 officially on the badges of the car? Does the Europeans call it the 530 or E39? hmmmm.....
And to answer sirtiger's question about naming designation. BMW is not the only one has internal names for body styles and models. GM for instance had the C5, which is the Corvette and I believe the Camaro and Firebird were J cars. These designations are originally slated for internal use I believe so that the manufacturer can differeniate between one model and another. Most times these cars are given these designations before they are even given names. With BMW it is a little different because of how they name their cars. But for other manufacturers, they come up with the names long after the care is modeled. Anyone please correct me if I am wrong.
Mark
Is there anyway I can get the original option list with the VIN?
Is there anyway I can get the original option list with the VIN?
Mark
The 90 octane ethanol is normally one to three pennies cheaper per gallon than 87 octane regular.
I've never run 90 octane ethanol in my 540i6. As prices rise, I'm sometimes tempted but I also go for 91 octane Amoco Ultimate (the supposedly super premium "clear" gas).
Anyone here run ethanol in any of their BMWs? I do the same for fuel in my wife's '00 323ia.
Another suggestion: when you see a well-cared-for BMW (or any other premium German make, for that matter) that looks old enough to be out of warranty, approach the owner & ask him/her where he/she goes for service. Most folks will be happy to help a newcomer, & you can't beat word-of-mouth.
You've probably noticed that BMWs are very popular in this area - there are 3 dealers within a 20 mile radius - so you shouldn't have much trouble finding a good independent mechanic.