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Bluetooth cannot coexist with the BMW Assist system on current production cars, but will be supported on 09/2004 and later built cars.
Hope this helps....JL
i got similar information. i contacted bmw of north america. They told me that bluetooth technology will be available in cars this fall, and current cars can be retrofitted. (she did not know the cost of that). Currently cpt9000 phones will work , however they don't seem to work with sprint service.
About the sound system, Logic 7 is lexicon technology that is owned by harman kardon, it is able to create surround sound simulation from 2 channel output. Sounds great. I went to the dealer and compared the two. At low listening levels, it is difficult to discern between the two, but as it gets louder, there is a clear difference with reverb and loss of clarity heard in the standard system. Since I like my music on the louder side, I think it may be worth the upgrade.
thanks again
But isn't that what compromises are all about? The M3 is a hard-edged near-luxury racer that has been called the best GT ever. The mission of the M5 and M3 are completely different, although they both have the same high-end and approx. the same 0-60. Just like the EVO/Sti all these cars go about their business in a unique fashion. It's up the buyer to decide on the qualities and qualifications of their purchase. Not to mention the new M5 Concept, which is out, if one can believe the hoopla is promising to set a new standard. But then so is Audi.
Well it depends what you want. If you do your driving on a race track, the M3 might be the way to go. But in regular driving I would take the torque of the S4 over the M3. Then there are the practical considerations like 4 doors. My sense is that the S4 meets more people's needs than the M3, though there is the issue that Audi tends to be less reliable than BMW.
People usually think snow when considering AWD. Of course nothing compares to AWD in snow, not even close. But what I like equally is its ability in rain. I turn into a completely different driver in rain and can't stand that feeling of hydroplaning and the unpredictability of wet roads. AWD drive cars are supremely more confident here.
That said, I'd give up the bad-weather utility of AWD and still take the M5 feels more connected to the road and corners in my opinion (although AWD has much better traction in corners). Then, any sport-driving time lost due to inclement weather would be compensated with the absence-makes-the-heart-grow-fonder deal. Think of how much better that sun feels after two straight weeks of rain. Yep, these southern Cal people just don't KNOW what they're missing with our abstinence-laden NE winters!
;-)
Also, what would a responable offer for this vehicle be?
Thanks for the feed back.
Best Regards,
Shipo
There are lots of opinions floating around with regard to AWD and hydroplaning. I certainly can't find anything that is definitive and scientific. So I'm left with my own empirical observations. I could go into detail about what I think is happening in a variety of situations but this would go on forever. Bottom line is that I find much more control on wet roads with the Subaru and others report the same with AWD cars.
When testing a car with AWD it is next to impossible to get a real feel for its capabilities in rain. However, what I can suggest for a test drive is this. When it's wet out, find a spot that has a turn into a fairly steep hill. From a stop, take a RWD car and accelerate aggressively, but not overly-aggressively into the turn and hill. Your rear wheels will be spinning and fishtailing. Then take the AWD drive test car to the same spot, do the same and notice the difference. (Ideally, the comparison should be between cars with similar torque, weight, and the same tires.)
By the way, hydroplaning with cars is defined as a tire losing complete contact with the road and riding the water. Let's not forget that on wet roads there are many types of situations that can provide infinite degrees of decreasing contact pressure until a tire or tires hydroplane. I would also qualify this as hydroplaning or at least undergoing the hydroplaning effect, or approaching hydroplaning.
As a side note...I was next to a 2004 Lincoln Aviator (remember...a midsize SUV) with the sticker still attached and MSRP was a whopping $54K. I was shocked. I am not trying to degrade the Aviator, but $54K+ for a midsize Lincoln?!?!
I'm not sure why they do it, but they do. Town Cars and LS's that go for $10K off sticker are not all that uncommon. I'm not so sure about the trucks, but it wouldn't surprise me if they were similar. I guess it helps maintain an artificial "exclusive" image to those who don't pay much attention.
As an aside, when I bought my 540it I got a good deal on it. One of the reasons I bought is was I thought I could easily get my money out of it. But while I did get a good deal, the combination of going out of warranty and perhaps the new BMW model means the car dropped around 25-30% in value in a year (but only around 10-15% from what I paid, $30,500 for a 2000 with under 30,000 miles on purchase 10 months ago).
1. Any changes in standard/optional equipment. Over time, most cars, including E39 5 Series, added standard equipment.
2. Changes in per unit production costs based on amortization/depreciation of plant & equipment and development costs, as well as changes to per unit production over time as they "learn" how to build the car for less and get better deals from suppliers. The per unit production cost of E39 5 Series declined throughout the production run. The initial cars are the most expensive for the company to manufacturer. Per unit costs fall over time.
3. Exchange rate changes: When the E39 was introduced in CY1996 as a MY1997, Germany still used Deutsche Mark (though the EU was going thru an adjustment period prior to the Euro's introduction). During the E39 production run, the DM went away and was replaced by the Euro. The Euro started out at about 1 Euro=$1.17. Euro fell to about $.88. In past 2 years it has risen 50%, so it is now closer to $1.25.
The 540ia Sport added the numerically higher (3.15:1) final drive. This improved acceleration compared to the other automatics (with the 2.82:1 final drive) but also reduced fuel economy. The 540ia Sport suffered from gas guzzler tax like the 540i6.
A big plus for Sport Pkg is the Sport Seats! Sometimes owners opted for the optional Comfort Seats. Sport Pkg cars come with bigger, high performance (summer/3-season) tires and revised suspension components.
Regardless of car, any 5 Series will benefit from the Sport Pkg. Only way to go!
Volvo s60R has 300 HP and great styling, pretty good handling.
May decide to get a used 530 next Jan.
thanks for all of the great posts on the BMW site
One of these days I expect AWD to get a lot of PR. When this happens it should take off. It's safer and has better performance for every day driving.
The only hit against it is a marginal difference in acceleration and extra weight. I point to the slightly lower acceleration time between the Porsches C2 and C4S. Yet the AWD C4S is very desirable among enthusiasts and has the highest resale value among Porsches and every car on the face of the earth.
I expect to see more AWD sedans in the future. Aside from the all-weather advantages, cornering under power with AWD is unbeatable. I don't think BMW has hitchhiked onto it because it doesn't fit their techie agenda and they have their irons in too many fires as it is. Glad to see MB and others option it.
Is that S4 beckoning?
I seriously doubt the overweight S4 would surpass the RWD M3 in handling on a dry track.
Just my opinion, but formed from discussions with others that have far more engineering expertise than me.
For what it's worth, he noted there has never been an "M" model that has sold for more than a $15-20k premium over the non-M version. In the case of the M3, it's more like $10-12k comparably equiped.
He further suggested that if BMW intends to go for the over $100k market, it will be with another "unique" M model like the former M1 or not as well received Z8, NOT with an M5 or M6.
No guarantee of accuracy here, but back a few years ago he had estimated the price of the M3 before it was officially set by BMW within $500 and he more recently estimated the price of the M6 within $1,000 ($69,000) when others were suggesting upwards of $85,000.
M6 - $85-90K, 550HP
Best Regards,
Shipo
If all goes according to Hoyle, that would put production of the 5 series re-design around mid '06.
http://www.bomengen.com/gm/sts/STS_1_web.jpg
http://www.bomengen.com/gm/sts/STS_2_web.jpg
http://www.bomengen.com/gm/sts/STS_4_web.jpg
http://www.bomengen.com/gm/sts/STS_3_web.jpg
http://www.bomengen.com/gm/sts/STS_6_web.jpg
Maybe I'm just too conservative (at least where cars are concerned) but other than the folks that styled the W211 E-Class, it seems to me that ALL of the designers of ALL of the new cars in the Sport/Lux Sedan market are trying way too hard and, as a result, missing the mark by a very wide margin.
Best Regards,
Shipo
glad that I have my 530I E39 and that I'll hold on to it for a few more years. There's a neighbor of mine that has had for 3 years a beautiful Audi A6 with a nice dark color. This morning as I drove by I noticed a brand new E60 in black. My first thought was ... shoulda
kept the Audi.. a much better looking car !
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
http://www.essex1.com/people/cates/lincoln2.html
http://www.ami8.com/picturebook/index.php
The STS appears to be an improvement and much better looking than the 545, especially on the inside. It looks like a luxury car on the inside, as opposed to a cockpit. The 21st century ultra modern furniture look of the 5 series doesn't look to inviting in my book. As for the outside of the current 5, I don't think we need to beat that dead horse any further. Without the big rims the new 5 is an odd looking car to say the least.
Whatever the haters may say, Cadillac and BMW are stepping to the forefront of luxury design, for better or worse.
-Humming and bumming
As always,
I am ...
the ATOMICPunk!
Tire wear issue is tied mainly to design of suspension. Camber/castor issues. BMW has a pretty aggressive suspension set up. Hard on tires.
Always make sure your car is properly aligned. You might do a 4-wheel alignment every 10-15K. But even then the tires, esp. the rears, tend to wear more on the inside.
BTW the only reason you can compare a Honda with a BMW is because Honda copied the BMW cues. The most sincere form of flattery.......
As far as tires go, I have been pleased enough with the Pilot Primacy (on my 530i with sport) to have ordered a new set for the front. The rears have just 1000 miles. I got some noise from the originals at about 27K, but it was not annoying. With about 30K on all four, it was time for a new set. I figure I got my money's worth.