BMW 5-Series Sedans

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  • 35673567 Member Posts: 6
    BMW recommends Castrol
  • 35673567 Member Posts: 6
    According to JD, I thought BMW came in at # 3 this year.
  • 35673567 Member Posts: 6
    BMW hands down is better than Audi. No comparison, BMW is the best automaker!
  • bdkinnhbdkinnh Member Posts: 292
    Could someone please be so kind as to tell me exactly how the parking sensors work, from the drivers/user interface point of view?

    In the Audi A8, the rear sensors are activated whenever you put the car into reverse. If you want the front sensors activated, you press a button on the dashboard. When you go over a certain speed, they are deactivated.

    Is it the same way in the BMW? Are the rear sensors automatic, or do you have to activate them with a button presss or (*shudder*) the iDrive system?

    Thanks!
  • srfastsrfast Member Posts: 138
    The BMW's Parking Distance Control (PDC) system is activated automatically whenever REVERSE gear is selected. Both the front and rear sensors are active when the system is engaged. The system automatically deactivates when the vehicle moves forward approx. 160 ft or exceeds 20 MPH. The PDC system can also be activated/deactivated manually via a dash mounted PDC switch. Most models have front and rear sensors, but the 3 series has only rear sensors. BTW, the tone of the front and rear distance "beep" is different.

    Hope this helps...JL
  • bdkinnhbdkinnh Member Posts: 292
    That does help - thank you.
  • juniorbmwjuniorbmw Member Posts: 29
    BMW 5 series listed as one of the most unreliable luxury cars; though they are referring to the 2004 model. Hope the 2005 & 2006 models have improved.

    Here's the story link: Forbes’ Unreliable Luxury Cars
  • kdshapirokdshapiro Member Posts: 5,751
    It's a good thing BMWs don't know how to read, or else they might have to due for libel. :P
  • abmwguyabmwguy Member Posts: 15
    06 530i

    When I leave the office in the evening I turn on my air conditioner using the automatic mode. When I park my car in the garage after my drive home I turn the air conditioner off with the "off bottom" and get an orange light showing the system is off. When I start the car the next morning the air condition comes on automatically. The same is true if I use the vent system.

    Is there a way to set the controls so when I turn the air conditioner or vents off they stay off until I want to turn them on.

    Thank you
  • jlbljlbl Member Posts: 1,333
    Have you checked whether A/C system is set to 'auto' in the dash? If so, I guess the system is automatically switching the AC in in the morning if the car temperature is higher than that preset by means of the two appropriate dash buttons.

    Regards

    PS: Sorry, I should have better posted this post in the 'BMW 5-Series Owners: Problems & Solutions' forum, but I did not realize the question was posted there too until five minutes after I posted my answer here. Now I am editing this post to include this PS.
  • mtjohnmtjohn Member Posts: 34
    Can't help but notice that this thread "BMW-5 Series Sedans" has slowed down considerably since the introduction of the e60. Maybe it's just me, but I don't feel the poetry and passion this discussion once provided to BMW-lovers. It seems so much more pedestrian with the e39 folks lamenting the introduction of the new design and the e60 folks defending their choices. Either way, I don't feel the driving experience and excitement that (IMO) only BMWs can provide. As a 2001 e39 530iA SP owner, I am as thrilled to jump in my ride today as the day I bought it. The 49,000 miles I've driven (some very hard) have further connected me to the soul that runs through the BMW marque.
    -J
  • bdkinnhbdkinnh Member Posts: 292
    Have you driven the e60 yet?
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 267,625
    Shipo is now driving a Grand Caravan.. :surprise:

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  • shiposhipo Member Posts: 9,148
    Ouch! That hurt... ;-)

    I've gotta tell you though, I wax nostalgic every time I see an E39, especially a 530i in SP guise.

    Best Regards,
    Shipo
  • rrusso1rrusso1 Member Posts: 23
    I have been experimenting with the air conditioner on my 05 530i and it appears the only way to partially solve the problem is to move the fan to its lowest setting prior to shutting the engine when you park. This will take the air conditioner out of the auto mode and stop it from going full blast when you start the car in the morning. The air conditioner will still start In the morning (if the temperature in the car is above your temperature setting) when you start the car, but it will be at a very low fan speed rather than the higher speed that the auto setting would generate. Then when you are ready you can hit the auto setting or manually raise the fan speed to a level you are comfortable with. I presume you know that through the I Drive you have a choice of 3 fan speeds if you are if you using the auto mode. I hope this helps.
  • markcincinnatimarkcincinnati Member Posts: 5,343
    I shared my wife's and my recent experience as "Car and Driver" and "Road and Track" editors for a day. And, I must say, I am still peeved that C&D and R&T didn't tell us that the whole thing was "sponsored" by Cadillac.

    And, the unfairness of the cars configured surely would not go unchecked in either magazine -- either the readers or the second opinions or some other check would kick in.

    But, the BMW 530i was the next to the last best car in a field of four:

    Cadillac STS V6

    Cadillac CTS V6

    Lexus ES330

    and

    BMW 530i.

    The BMW's were all "base" insofar as tires, wheels, suspension and steering were concerned.

    Technically, all cars were 2005's -- but the "official" looking charts on the walls of the editor's tents claimed the BMW had 18" wheels, nope. But the Cadillac STS against which we were comparing the BMW did.

    The Cadillac had the optional sport package -- the BMW didn't even have Servotronic steering. Only the Lexus cornered worse than the BMW, in fact.

    I can't prove it, but it is as if the BMW was under tired, under powered, overly soft on the suspension and had one spark plug missing. The BMW walked in the acceleration trials -- the others, including the Lexus sprinted, by comparison.

    Since these tests were in a very very large parking lot that had a track laid out with orange cones, I was able, after nearly 3 hours of "testing" these "comparable" cars and coming to the unexpected conclusion that the Cadillac's ruled (I fully expected the BMW 5 to be king for the day), to try the course in my very own brand new Audi A6 3.2 with the 18" wheel tire package on it. The Audi, somewhat to my surprise bettered even the Cadillac STS, previously the day's best.

    Now, the Cadillac was the 255HP version, with sport. The BMW was the 225 HP version with no sport and tiny wheels and tires (17" skinny dudes.)

    My Audi was 255HP and has the 245 x 40 x 18" high performance tires and a 6spd auto compared to the other guys 5 speed autos (remember they lied to us and claimed the BMW was the new 530 with the 255HP and the 6speed steptronic.) And, under the circumstances my Audi was the only AWD car there and despite the usual disadvantage that Audi has over the BMW, had it been in the running, that day, all of the "set up" provided to give the Cadillac's the advantage would have been nullified.

    Since I have still NOT driven the 5 with the 255HP engine, I can only imagine that it would blow the Cadillac's away and quite possibly outgun the Audi, too -- at least in several measures.

    But, from the perspective of a person with a great deal of respect for both Audi and BMW, I once again must conclude that the Audi and the BMW (and I am imagining the comparison to the 530xi, not the RWD version) are very similar cars, with more in common than not.

    My wife's new X3 has opened the doors for a test drive of a new 530xi -- the heck of it is, there apparently are NONE of these babies in stock with manual transmissions.

    What is the world coming to? :shades:
  • mtjohnmtjohn Member Posts: 34
    I've driven in the e60 and spent quite awhile checking one out at the dealership but, no, I haven't actually driven one. From what I have read the new design still provides the hallmark BMW driving experience (and is even enhanced in some cases). I don't want to reignite the e39 v e60 debate but, call me old-fashioned, I like the previous design inside and out better (i-drive notwithstanding). I just feel yesteryear's e39 provides a superior fusion of form and function.
    My comment about "where's the passion" is not an indictment on the e60, I just find it interesting that this thread slowed way down over the last year or so. Would it have anyway without a new model introduction? Maybe.
    Point well taken re: Shipo turning in his Black Beauty. Hope the new owner appreciates the highly polished type 42 rims.
  • rich545rich545 Member Posts: 386
    Honestly, the fact that this message board has slowed down is more an indication of how absolutely boring the debate between E39 loyalists and E60 supporters than a lack of passion about the driving experience of the E60. The two sides just can't find common ground so what's the point? Go to E60.net if you want to see people that are passionate about the car. One thing I will say in defense of the E60, it handles better and is faster than the E39 so function is clearly better. Form is what the debate is really about. Now that the E60 is almost in it's third model year the debate is a little stale. That's all you're seeing here IMHO. I honestly think that the only thing bad about the E60 is that it polarized BMW owners so much. Very little middle ground between those that love it and hate it.
  • bdkinnhbdkinnh Member Posts: 292
    I don't want to reignite the e39 v e60 debate

    Followed by...

    I just feel yesteryear's e39 provides a superior fusion of form and function.

    :)

    To be honest, I agree with you - I like the exterior and interior of the e39 more - but I've seen a lot of people bash the e60 that haven't even seen one in real life, which is why I asked.

    I like the previous design inside and out better (i-drive notwithstanding)

    Did I read this right - you like the iDrive? I was really close to getting a 530xi and I took one (actually a 530i) for an hour. Using the iDrive I accidently turned on the radio, and it took me five minutes to figure out how to turn it off.

    I'm sure once you've gone through the manual and played with it for a while it's fine (and I'm a gadget freak), but it was still a little annoying.

    But I don't want to reignite the iDrive debate.... ;)
  • cmybimmergocmybimmergo Member Posts: 265
    "I've gotta tell you though, I wax nostalgic every time I see an E39, especially a 530i in SP guise."

    I suppose this is where I'm supposed to say I told you so...but that would be mean (and that's not my style).
  • jlbljlbl Member Posts: 1,333
    I fully agree with you, rich545.

    Since I joined this Forum, I have refrained myself many times from passionately posting here—and in the Luxury Performance Sedans Forum, by the way—on the great experience I have when driving my E60 5 Series on occasion of week-ends, long journeys, or even to work. I think however this experience just extends what others feel/felt with the E39 5 Series.

    I refrain from posting those feelings because I sense on such occasions that most of the answers to my post would be endless attacks to iDrive, E60 styling or the reliability of the car (or in the LPS Forum, just to BMW's and Bimmers in general).

    However, what about the handling precision, driving pleasure and ride comfort of a 5-Series car? And the safe feeling of sensing DTC and DSC at work on occasion of a sharp corner or a rude steering wheel maneuver? (I cannot recommend to switch out those aids for dayly driving) Can we share these and others good—or bad—experiences?

    That said, I must state I found this and the other BMW-related forums at Edmunds useful and pleasant in most occasions.

    Regards,
    José
  • hihomikehihomike Member Posts: 111
    For the sake of "relieving" myself of pent-up frustration over the many posts in this forum about the E39 vs. the E60, I decided to take a few moments to express my inner feelings on this and other subjects.

    I'm in the automobile sales business and have driven many E39's and found them totally satisfying in terms of handling, power, styling, etc. When the new E60 came out, I went out and drove one and found a totally different vehicle in terms of handling and performance - the drive was not as harsh, the luxury and interior space far superior to the E39, and the styling appealing, but in a different manner than the appeal I still have for the E39. It was a 2004 530i that I drove and I was impressed.

    About 3 months ago, I needed a new vehicle that was comfortable, handled well, had great fuel economy, and was powerful enough to handle getting on the interstates. I went out and drove a 2006 530i with the new 255 hp version engine, and fell totall for it. I now own that vehicle.

    I still drive the pre-owned E39's when we have one in stock, but in terms of what I look for in a luxury performance vehicle, the E60 is exactly what the doctor ordered for this consumer.

    Don't get me wrong, the appeal I still have for the E39 is there, but I also have that same strong feeling about the E60. Who says you can't love two cars - I sure do, and will continue to do so. Why fight over something that no longer is attainable - the E39. Get on with life and enjoy the E60 - even with the I-drive, which I have become completely at ease with after just a few months, it has what I needed.

    So don't "bash" something because you don't like the style, go out and drive one with the equipment you like, and then make a decision. You can't buy a new E39, so either give up on BMW, or begin the transition.
  • sdg380sdg380 Member Posts: 109
    Just my 2¢ on this, but I have to agree with above comments, I think E60 owners are just as "passionate" as owners of previous 5-series models, and why not? In the grand scheme of the automotive universe, there are very few cars that stack up as well as a 5 in driving dynamics and performance. Sure, I think Audi's and M-B's are very fine cars, as are any number of offerings from Japan or elsewhere in Europe, or even Cadillac, but a BMW still has that certain combination of sport and luxury that is hard to top. And what alternative to an E60 do you have if you want to buy a >new< 5-series? Sure, a nice used E39 makes a very fine ride, but if you can afford to buy new, why not buy the latest technology?

    I like my '02 530, and will probably keep it for awhile since I'm not putting on much mileage, and it is a pleasure to drive. But if I was in the market, an E60 would most certainly be on my short list of replacements, notwithstanding any issues on interior or exterior styling, iDrive, or hp ratings. Seems like there may have been a few reliability teething issues, but sounds like those are being resolved, but my point is, what is the alternative that provides more of the "passion"? And to those who have found something else that does, I say"more power", in my view it just says there are lots of nice ride out there.
  • designmandesignman Member Posts: 2,129
    It&#146;s called the future. You have to voice your opinions and vote with your wallet or else BMW won&#146;t listen. You guys do what you want and I hope it works out for you. Me? I look at it like those countdown signs they have in the Irish pubs, you know, the ones that say only 237 days, 17 hours, 53 minutes, 7 seconds until St. Patty&#146;s Day. I&#146;m going to make one that says:

    Only 4 years, 241 days, 14 hours, 16 minutes, 3 seconds until we see the next generation 5-series (or whatever it is!) Even shorter for the 7.

    BMW needs to get back on mission and there are more than enough of us who know it. Furthermore, I believe BMW knows it and will reel in all this BS the next time around.

    Is the issue stale? Nah. Just throw it in the toaster oven and it tastes just as good, like leftover pizza a day later. (Yes, toaster oven. Nuked pizza is the pits.)

    BTW, I&#146;ll take 50 grand and spend it on an E39 M5 any day over a new E60.

    Alright, now let&#146;s get creative and see what we can up with around here in spite of the great schism. There&#146;s a lot of time left on that St. Patty&#146;s Day clock.

    ;-)
  • freddybbfreddybb Member Posts: 95
    I very much agree with hihomike. I am a first time BMW owner, and about to pick up my new 530xi tomorrow. I LOVE the new styling (I think it looks like an animal about to leap, a lot like Jaguars of old), LOVE the more spacious interior, LOVE the non-oppressive spartan interior, and cannot wait to drive MANUAL again in a stick car. The ONLY thing that will ruin my experience will be poor quality and reliability but I have high hopes on this front too.

    I am not a BMW fanatic, I am not prejudiced against Japanese cars (in fact, I very happily owned Toyotas, Volvos and Benzes previously) but I am terribly excited about my new BMW. I cannot really explain it well except in purely emotional terms -- just the sight of my new 530xi gets my pulse racing in a way no other car makes me feel. So there -- how's that for passion from a newbie to BMW?!

    BTW, I did test drive the M35x and while I felt that it was a great car, it just did not reach the level that the 5 did in excitement and joy of ownership (I have written in more detail about this already).
  • rich545rich545 Member Posts: 386
    1) How do you know you'll like the next generation 5 or 7 anymore than the current generation? There is certainly a possibility that you'll never like BMW's again.

    2) YOU and some others feel BMW is off-mission. There are plenty of people that do not share YOUR opinion, and think that BMW is doing just fine.
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Do you think we need a separate discussion for the E60 and let this one remain dedicated to the E39?

    Personally, I find this an interesting debate but at least one member has requested the discussions be separated. I thought I'd get some more opinions on that.
  • hpowdershpowders Member Posts: 4,331
    I will be picking up my new 2005 545i on Monday. I have driven an E39(2003 530i) and quite frankly was disappointed with the steering. My 2002 325i was much better in that regard.
    I guess I will be able to determine from real life experience which of the 5 series models I prefer.
    Can't wait to be enveloped by that comfort seat. Oh yeah!
  • markcincinnatimarkcincinnati Member Posts: 5,343
    Although the BMW that occupies one of the three bays in my garage is a 2005 X3, I enjoy reading the give and take on the E60 E39 models.

    I am most keenly interested in the 530xi since it is unique in that it truly is an LPS car that can be had with a manual transmission.

    Talk about passion, I am so passionate I cannot fathom anyone getting one of these great cars without the stick shift.

    But I know that most folks, even when buying BMW's, have all but given up on buying sticks.

    I say, let this debate and others go on.

    We don't need to [yet] separate the xi's from the i's either, IMHO.
  • rich545rich545 Member Posts: 386
    I don't think we need a separate discussion for the E60. It is, after all, the current "5 Series Sedan" so if anything I would think that the E39 should have a separate forum as it is no longer in production. Having said that though, I see nothing wrong with having one forum serve both. I have, however, seen forums dedicated to the pre-2006 3 series so if owners of the E39 want something like that it makes sense since it could focus entirely on their concerns. But I think we should consider that if we have different forums for every generation of the 3, 5, 7, Z4, X3, and X5 we could end up with a lot of forums. After all, if people that own the E39 don't like reading about the E60 they certainly don't have to, and vise-versa. I think it's a little odd that anyone would have THAT much of a problem with the E60 (or any other car for that matter), but to each their own. I read the forum about 5 Series problems and I just skip over the messages about the E39 as they don't apply to my car. Everyone could certainly do the same here.
  • mtjohnmtjohn Member Posts: 34
    I instigated this by trying to start a separate topic. Here is what I wrote prior to Pat/Host locking it as "read only":
    "With so many e39s on the road, and with such a radical new direction with the e60, I would love to hear from people who have bought the BMW 5 series prior to the 2004 (e60) model year. I'm in the radio business and this would be sort of an "Oldies" format. I plan on keeping my 2001 530ia well into the future and would like to hear from others who feel the same way. What experiences, good or bad have you had as you pile on the miles? Right now, my bimmer feels good as new with close to 50K mi. This discussion is not intended to disenfranchise e60 owners, I just think that the differences in the two vehicles require a separate discussion. I can't relate to i-drive software issues and devices that "help" me steer the car."
    It's not that I have a "problem" with the e60, it's just that I think the two cars are different enough to warrant separate discussions. What's the big deal having one more topic? We can always argue in the "Good, Bad, Ugly" or jump into each others thread.
    -J
  • rich545rich545 Member Posts: 386
    That's fair enough to me, but all I was saying is that, as you suggested, the E39 should have its own tread if we're going that way because it doesn't make sense the other way around. It has nothing to do with how anyone feels about either car. The E60 is the current 5-Series Sedan so it doesn't make sense for it to have a separate tread just for it. I realize you weren't arguing that, and what I'm saying is directed at pat. One thing though, the E39 DOES have "devices that help you steer the car." It's called power steering. The E60 just takes that a bit further (or takes it in the wrong direction depending on your point of view).
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    The thing is that the over 10,500 posts here are about the vehicles prior to the E60. So if we are going to separate them, the only thing that makes sense is to make a new discussion for it.

    I agree that we can't have separate discussions for every nuance of the series.

    The reason we have separate discussions for the 3-Series has to do with logistical issues with the Future Vehicles board that weren't policy when the E60 hit the streets - we can go in that direction if folks want, which is what I'm trying to determine. :)
  • mtjohnmtjohn Member Posts: 34
    The only reason I like Pat's (host) suggestion to create an e60 topic is that there is so much e39 history, tips, suggestions and--dare I say-- passion in the current 5-series thread. There's years of really great stuff that might be missed by newcomers. I've checked out many other forums on the internet and nothing comes close to the thoughtful, civil dialogue on Edmunds (and yes, I did check out e60.net). And the 5-series topic is one of the best on the entire Edmunds site.
    -J
  • rich545rich545 Member Posts: 386
    You guys don't have the ability to rename threads on Edmunds (from a technical standpoint I mean)? All I'm saying is that if you go the route you're talking about you'll have to have new treads everytime BMW redesigns the 5 or any other model. In my opinion, threads should just evolve when cars are redesigned. Since the ownership group of the E39 will continue to get smaller and smaller as time goes on, and E60 discussions will eventually have as many posts doesn't it make more sense to have the broader forum "5-Series Sedans" represent the current model rather than a non-production model?
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Discussions can be renamed, yes. The proposal, I suppose, is to rename this one "BMW 5-Series 2003 and earlier" and establish a new on called "BMW 5-Series 2004+" similar to the way the 3-Series discussions have been divided.

    (Do I have the years right for the change from e39 to e60?)
  • cmr530icmr530i Member Posts: 278
    I really enjoy reading posts about the E39, which I own, as well as the E60 in the same forum without having to click in and out of threads. I get to keep up with news on both models in one place. I vote to keep things as is.
  • cmybimmergocmybimmergo Member Posts: 265
    I completely agree. It ain't broke, so please don't fix it.
  • kdshapirokdshapiro Member Posts: 5,751
    I would think there still needs a place to talk about E39 v E60, although the idea of a separate E39 forum does have merit.
  • jlbljlbl Member Posts: 1,333
    Pat, I agree with cmr530i, cmybimmergo and others, which are asking to go on on sharing in this forum the passion given by the 5 Series as a whole. My E60 is my first "5". I have however learnt and enjoyed a lot from most posters coming from users of E39's in this forum. After all, the 5 Series is a continuum, or at least I feel my E60 is part of such a continuum. Let's allow to share the full experience!

    Though I believe the following belongs to all of the 5-Series manual models, one of the many things I love of my E60 is how well the pedals are placed to do easily 'Heel and Toe' to brake, shift and accelerate with quickness and precision. I was used to do the maneuver in smaller sporty cars, but I had never imagined that this big sedan&#151;which, apparently, looks more luxurious than sporty&#151;would be so prone to negotiate corners and gear shifting. This and the driving precision and electronically domesticated traction allow a very quick and pleasant 'paso de curva' (corner way trough?).

    Oh, it must be said, my wife and I use to drive like that in winding roads but within legal (wow, sometimes paralegal) speed limits: it is not necessary to drive like a rocket to get at least some of the experience offered by a sporty car, and this is the case of our E60. So pleasant it is that we usually prefer to drive the E60 rather than the other car of the family, a 2004 Mini Cooper. Passion for it? Yes indeed.

    Regards,
    José
  • freddybbfreddybb Member Posts: 95
    I picked up my brand new 530xi last weekend, only to have to take it back to the shop where it has been for the past three days! I was so excited to get this car, but this experience has numbed my excitement and left me afraid about what reliability problems are to come.
    Apparently there is some kind of electrical malfunction that is causing the iDrive screen to be so dim that it cannot be seen, and the "High Battery Drain" warning message comes on intermittently. Has anybody else experienced this problem? The dealership does not seem to know what is going on and is working with BMW to resolve it.
    They first gave me a Neon to drive, but are switching me to an X3 -- but all is want is for the 5 to be fixed.
    Beautiful car, but I wish it worked out of the gate. Now I have friends sticking posters on my office window at work saying "My other car is a new BMW, but at least my Neon gets me to work!" -- how cruel they can be :-)

    Oh well, all the waiting and then this -- I hope I get it back soon.
  • mtjohnmtjohn Member Posts: 34
    I saw a 530ixT (wagon) on the Golden Gate Bridge today on the way home from work. It was a dark pewter color and actually looked pretty nice. I think it is the best Bangle design next to the Z4. I much prefer the current 5 series wagon to the sedan. Almost willing to forgive the Dame Edna eyes (almost). Take away the headlight treatment and it's a good looking ride. Still can't warm up to the sedans or interiors of the new 5. The well-coiffed blond woman driving looked happy.
  • abmwguyabmwguy Member Posts: 15
    I had the same problem and my car was at the dealer for two weeks.

    They replaced the IBS.....they found fault 2DED in the DME.

    Not sure what all those are but it is now working.
  • djocksdjocks Member Posts: 124
    1. For the 525i owners (especially 6-speed M) do you feel the lack of power and wish you had gotten the 530i? Or with the new HP in the 06's is it still a rewarding drive?

    2. For all 5-series owners in the northeast. Do all of you change to snows in the winter, or did some of you brave it with the non-sport package all season tires? And how did you do.

    3. Finally, do the 06's have the aux input like the 3-series for i-pods and or mp3 players?

    Thanks.
    djocks
  • juniorbmwjuniorbmw Member Posts: 29
    Responding to question #2, as I'm from the Northeast, last winter ('03) was my first driving '05 530i & it performed horribly.

    For the most expensive car that I've purchased, it performed worst than the cheaper cars in the snow & ice. Have done some research on this forum & internet & found out that purchasing Blizzak tires will be the best thing to do, so I've resolved to purchasing a set of 4 Blizzak tires in Nov '05 & that should solve the problem of winter time driving.
  • djocksdjocks Member Posts: 124
    Thanks for the info. I am returning a 330i off lease and am thing of going up to a 5-series. I have always put snows on it and have never had a problem, but mine had the sport pckg. I was hoping to avoid the need to change the tires but i guess there is no way around it.
    djocks
  • rich545rich545 Member Posts: 386
    For #2 I'm in a suburb of Chicago, but the weather is similar to the northeast (though less snow). I put snow tires on last year and my 545 handled great. I was actaully surprised. The tirerack.com Blizzaks are a great suggestion. Only cost about $1100 for tires and wheels, and the wheels actually look good. For #3 I have heard that 06's do have an aux input, but I would confirm that with a dealership. Hell, I'd ask them to see it because you know how they can say things like, "I'm sure it does" then you get the car home and it doesn't.
  • hpowdershpowders Member Posts: 4,331
    Hey Rich545. What kind of gas mileage are you getting?
    I got 18.6 on my first fill-up. Some highway. Mostly local.
  • freddybbfreddybb Member Posts: 95
    I finally got the car back today. They replaced the iDrive screen, and it was in the shop for four days! Oh well, I still LOVE the car and am beginning to enjoy it again.

    A few questions regarding the 2006 530xi (and all 5 series, I think):

    - If I pair a Bluetooth Verizon Wireless phone with the car (either the V710 or new E815) then is the PHONE address book accessible thru the CAR controls? A buddy of mine has the firm belief that Verizon has disabled the feature in the phone that lets you upload your address book into another system (like the car) for use through the car's controls. Does anybody have any experience with this?

    - Where would you plug in an iPod as an auxiliary audio source? I am pretty sure that the 5 series does NOT have the full iPod integration available on the 3 and some others, but I think you can at least plug it in as an audio source and use the iPod controls to change tracks, etc.

    - Does anybody have the instructions for pairing a bluetooth phone with the 2006 530xi? I presume it is the same for all 5 series. The manual says to look up a different set of instructions which are not in the packet in the car.

    Thanks a lot.
  • rich545rich545 Member Posts: 386
    I would guess pretty much what they say it should get on the BMW website. 18/26. It's hard to tell exactly because I don't think the on-board computer is very accurate.
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