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Worry more about the paint job..
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Please respond
Thanks
Please respond
Thanks
Also, if you don’t mind, please describe the symptoms you are experiencing in more detail. I can’t help but wonder if there is a defect or if you just don’t like the characteristics of the steering. But again, I wouldn’t mess with this and would get it straight into service and insist on testing another car to compare.
1) Interior is very nice with superb seating. Materials quality is inching ever so close to BMW.
2) Ride was firmer than previous Acuras I have owned and quite similar to my 530 with normal suspension.
3) Power was more than a 530 for sure but felt a little longer to respond probably because of heavier weight in spite of more torque.
4) I could feel the power in the front wheels through the steering wheel. Not torque steer at all but it gave the steering a little lighter weight than the 530. The 4-wheel drive was unobtrusive in normal driving but I did not push it in my test drive.
5) The takeup on abrupt bumps seemed to be less forgiving than on the BMW.
6) On very rough surfaces I feel the BMW wins.
7) Throttle off response is not as smooth as the BMW. Now this might go away as the car breaks in.
8) Brakes feel on par.
9) Seating position is excellent with nice cockpit feel as the BMW.
10)Engine sounds are a bit louder and more guttural than a BMW. I still think a BMW six is a winner.
11)If you have to have all the toys - an Acura might be $3-5K less than a 530, so there is a BMW premium.
I did enjoy getting back in the 530 though...
A lot to say for a design that is 8 years before the RL.
However, it occurs to me that perhaps you are experiencing the effects of the Sport Package suspension and tires (I'm assuming you tested an '04, rather than an '05 that may of had Active Steering apart from the Sport Package). Certain tires, frequently performance tires, may exhibit the phenomenom known as "tram-lining", i.e., a tendency for the tires to follow certain imperfections in the road (such as ruts), and transmit this back to the driver. I've experienced this myself in the 3-series we used to own, and it can sort of feel like the car is "pulling you off the road".
As far as "extremely bumpy on rough roads", the sport suspension will inevitably result in a somewhat harsher ride on rough roads (after all, the suspension is stiffer, by design). So depending on what else you may have tried, as SP-equipped 5 might feel like you've described.
While I've been shouted down on this before, try a non-SP 5-series, which I think is still plenty sporty, but has less performance-oriented, all-season tires, and more compliant suspension.
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2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Fuzion ZRi or Pirelli Pzero Nero M+S.
I'd like to take a quick poll for those who have experience on either of these tires. First of all, it's my wife's so comfort(quiet) is on the top of her list. I do drive it occasionally, so performance would be second and finally longevity. Price range less than $150.
If there are other tires that I should consider, do let me know.
TIA!!
Thanks
This from Autoweek:
“BMW decided the extra gear required of the active system would diminish road feel. We’re not sure what that says about all the 5 and 6 Series cars on the road, or BMW’s respect for their drivers.”
They're not sure but I am. It says active steering is poorly conceived and frivolous. How they ever put it with the sport package is unbelievable. Actually, it is believable, it’s called squeeze as much money as possible from customer.
Here Cassidy, try this. They look Photoshopped but it’s a starting point. Not sure how photogenic HUD is even the pics on BMW’s site look Photoshopped:
http://www.autospies.com/article/index.asp?articleId=3243
I am considering upgrading to a Clarion system with satellite radio (25 watts / ch, .05% THD). The installer (highly recommended in this area and not a Best Buy or Circuit City) states it should be much better than my current system (he also recommends leaving my stock speakers in place). Total cost of about $1000. Has anyone upgraded the stock system and how much of a difference does it make?
However, from my general audio experience, the sound of a system is most significantly affected by the speakers, so I question whether a system upgrade, using existing speakers, will make as much difference when playing CD's (which you also say don't seem clear.) Using stock speakers seems to make sense from an ease of installation standpoint, but you may not end up with the across-the-board improvements you seem to be seeking.
Thanks.
VJ
Possibly color coded, and the kind that stick by adhesive?
I park in a tight spot & opening & closing the doors might damage the doors to the 530i.
-Paul
Hope this helps....JL
Considering that it will have the same engine as the 530i and is apparently the same size inside as the E39, that may be my first BMW.
I was going to get a 530i, but think it is not a good value especially with the average 225bhp engine. Of course, your 545i is in a different league not only in performance but in value as well.
I think the 2006 330i will cannibalize the 5 series. I hope that BMW will make the 530i more powerful than the 330i...
The 3.0 model will get 258 HP.. I think that will be plenty for either one.
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I went for another teset drive in a 530i, with SP, PP but Auto. This is the first opportunity I had to drive it with the Sport suspension and 18 inchers and I have to tell you it really makes the car a lot more fun.
The auto is not what I want but I have a real good impression of the car and it was really, really nice. If I do go with a 530i it will be manual, SP, and the Harman Kardon system.
I have to say, the car masks its power extremely well, if you did not know, you would think it has at least 250bhp.
Decisions, decisions...
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-Paul
Hope this helps....JL
I have kind of soured on the manual tranny in LA traffic. Also spilling lots of coffee with cheap cupholders, feel ripped off with dead sounding stereo and find nav system really hard to use.
Will I regret this?
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Hope this helps....JL
Tried this & it didn't work.
Has anybody else ever heard this, or am I doing something wrong?
I am considering the navigation system option on a 530. Does anyone have any information about it? Are they touch screen? Recent generation? Voice activated? The BMW site does not give much information.
Thanks
It's not touch screen and, although it does have some voice command features, they are limited. For example, you cannot call it up and pronounce an address from your address book and have it start directing you.
And to enter an address, you have to use the hated iDrive controller to step through the alphabet one letter at a time. So, if you wanted to enter 'Zanzibar Street', you'd have to turn the controller through 26 letters to get to 'Z' then back 25 times to get to 'A' and so on.
In the Acura, you can hit the voice command button and say, "Nearest Chinese restaurant" and the screen will immediately flash you a list of Chinese restaurants sorted by distance. Touch the one one you want and the system starts directing you. Nothing like this on the BMW.
But the thing does work and will get you where you are going. It has a pleasant slightly English acceted voice (I've named mine 'U-Turn Lavern') that talks you through all the turns. If you have HUD (I love that thing), it shows the driving directions on the driver's window.
Bottom line: If you want great NAV and good handling, get an Acura or Lexus. If you want stellar handling and silky smooth power and workman-like navigation, get a BMW.
sc
or think I-drive!
-Paul