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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!
Hope this helps...JL
Here's the story link: Forbes’ Unreliable Luxury Cars
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
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.
-J
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I've gotta tell you though, I wax nostalgic every time I see an E39, especially a 530i in SP guise.
Best Regards,
Shipo
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:
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.
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....
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).
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
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.
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.
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’ll take 50 grand and spend it on an E39 M5 any day over a new E60.
Alright, now let’s get creative and see what we can up with around here in spite of the great schism. There’s a lot of time left on that St. Patty’s Day clock.
;-)
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).
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.
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.
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!
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.
"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
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.
-J
(Do I have the years right for the change from e39 to e60?)
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—which, apparently, looks more luxurious than sporty—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
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.
They replaced the IBS.....they found fault 2DED in the DME.
Not sure what all those are but it is now working.
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
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.
djocks
I got 18.6 on my first fill-up. Some highway. Mostly local.
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.