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Comments
I am in the market for 530i, i know the price is very high in bay area. when i serached this board, i found people got the cars from Cutter Motors in Santa Barbara, my question is below.
1. i am living bay area, how to deal with a salesman who is in Santa Barbara, i need to directly go there? by phone? internet?
2, how to pick up the car? go there again or by truck deliver. i need pay deposit or not.
3. could you tell me the sale name who i can contact?
4. if i buy the 530i here, do you mind tell me how much off MSRP for East Bay dealer.
anyway, i would like to buy the car from Santa Barbara, but i don't know how to process it.
Thanks again.
lmbmw
You may also want to consider giving Steve Diamond (www.eurobuyers.com) a call; if you're willing to drive a few hours' worth to another dealer, he can get you a very good rate from a well-respected dealer. Of the people who've tried the service, everyone seems to love it.
Good luck.
comfort seats - I got them on mine, along with active seat option (butt massage) because I drive a few hundred mile trips every month or so and wanted to be comfortable. I liked the sport seats very much, the way it hugs your body, but not sure if it would have been comfortable after 4-5 hours. Just my feeling, but I heard of a guy who wanted to trade his sport seats with someone else for comfort seats because of back pain.
Navigation - I got them, ONLY because I am living in Germany for the next 3 years, and it is great in Europe. Had I been in the states, no way, but it worked very well here when I test drove it. Plus my wife is a bad navigator and I did not want to remind her every time we take a trip.
Upgrade stereo-the base stereo was awful to us. We upgraded to DSP, but may end up replacing the sub woofer with the M Audio upgrade subs from M5. It is a simple swap for cars with DSP.
Sports pkg.-I would not have the car without it. It is not because I try to make every turn with perfect apex, but the overall feeling of the car. It feels more planted, and stable in every situation. I test drove one with a 18 inch wheels over a cobble stone street and it was still quite comfortable and absorbed bumps well.
Winter tires-this is purely for safety. Can't say it is fair to talk about the handling with the winter tires on. shipo is quite knowledgeable on this subject (it was a heated discussion on 3 series board a week or 2 ago) but based on the temperature and the amount of snow you experience, you may or may not want to get the winters, but rather stay with all seasons. I am thinking of getting H-rated snows since some of the driving involves Autobahn, and will also get a pair of chains for drive to the Alps, just in case. A German TV showed comparison between cars with chains on snow tires and without on a few inches of powder. On a slight down hill tight-180 turn, RAV4 or a FWD minivan could not make the turn even at around 20 miles.
Our 530i is due here this week and has the following:
Sports pkg
Premium pkg
Cold pkg
Comfort seat w/ Active seat
Sunshade (if you have children, a must)
Nav, Xenon, PDC, CD changer
So everything on the list except the folddown rear seat. At this price range, this is a mostly a "want" than a "need" to us. Based on a need, a Camry or Maxima would have served just as well, with more room.
I don't remember seeing the updated numbers anywhere, but 1% is a good approximation. If you go to a good dealer (Athens BMW, in my case), they'll share the invoice prices with you because those aren't the same "weapon" they used to be.
I agree with bogeyfree66 about the sport package. I had a '99 328 w/sport package before my '01 525 w/out.
The 328 was fantasic in dry conditions, brilliant in wet and deadly in snow/ice. Those fat tires and stiff sidewalls are better than skis for sliding around on ice and snow. (Everyone can spare me the "they're not meant for winter driving" speech).
Another thing to keep in mind is that low-profile tires/alloys and potholes don't mix. In the 328 we hit some unavoidable potholes in DC and subsequently sent three of the alloys off to be repaired. They were just little dings, but enough of a bend to feel it in the steering wheel.
I think the bottom line is this. In a BMW, the sport package is a good option, IF your driving style warrants it AND you resign yourself to buying a set of -1 snow tires. The traction control will be useless (I don't care how good a driver you are) if you have sport tires in snow.
Unless you are fairly luck, the Sport package will cost you more money in the end.
http:\\www.eurobuyers.com
Thanks again
2. Has anyone gotten the BMW Financial Services Credit Card? Signed up for the rebate program? Used the rebate program? I've gotten some printed info on it, but it doesn't give details on the rebate percentage and how much you can earn over time or apply at one time. Mentions a $50 annual fee to get rebate. Anyone who has it gotten the fee waived or reduced?
Also, if you have Drivers Edge card - starting this year you can also redeem your rebates on car maintenance - if you take it in to the dealer for service/repairs, you can redeem your rebates towards that as well.
I have serious doubts about "usefulness" of the BMW FS Credit Card. No card issuer waives annual fees for "reward" cards if they already exist, and the BMW deal doesn't seem to be particularly rewarding. Considering that you will plunk down $200 in annual fees over 4 years just to get the rewards - I think 2% deal with Citibank is a much better deal(that's for you, riez).
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Anyone know a website for tech problems like this?
Dan
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Cars without the Sports Package ship with all-season tires, which give fair traction in light snow (just as they would on any other RWD car). The Sports Package includes summer tires that give up snow traction for excellent dry performance. Drives in heavy snow areas would need a pair of snow or all-season tires or risk enhancing BMW's image of poor bad weather traction.
Performance tires on an SUV would render it as helpless in snow, so make these weather-related decisions more on the tire supplied as opposed to the type of car.
John I would love to get the car with 18 inch tires but it does not come like that here. Tell me how can I get an M audio upgrade I have not seen it anywhere?
Now for some genera questions what dealers do you recommend in NYC or NJ? and have anyone had experience with multiple security deposits in NYC and NJ? I like this idea it will help me lower my payments considerably.
When I come back from my long vacation I'm going to test drive both the 530iA and 540iA and see what happens.
I read on a prior post about European delivery I called BMW customer service and I was told that you get a 7% discount for the program.
Thanks for the bulb help, guys. I have to get a new set of bulbs from the dealer. I've replaced a few of them since my local Auto parts place only had a few. I bet it might be the resistance in the aftermarket bulbs or corrosion.
brucec32@bellsouth.net
540 uses a Recirculating Ball setup
What does the M5 use? I thought it would be R&P, but have heard otherwise.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
1/99 issue of Automobile, test of then new M5: "STEERING: Recirculating-ball, variable-power assist". But don't worry. There is nothing wrong with RB vs R&P. As the March 2000 issue of C&D reported: "... a quicker steering ratio... Although the M5's steering feels slightly vague at first, we all quickly grew fond of it. This car became the favorite of the three drivers when the going got fast and challenging." Or read the March 2001 test in Motor Trend: "it proved the fastest (and easiest to drive) through our 600-ft slalom."
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
In Germany, you can pretty much have whatever wheels you want. The one I drove had a 18 inch style 42 wheels (sports pkg wheels on 530) and they looked very nice. It was tempting, but with the price of tires at that size and the increased possibility of bent rims, I decided against it.
Is there a cleaner for cleaning brake pad dust accumulated on the wheels? Especially, the kind that you can spray on and rinse with water. It seems to me that I have to clean them weekly, how do you guys keep them clean without too much hassel?
BMW feels that a rack and pinion setup is superior to the recirculating ball, because it gives better road feel, less on center play, etc..
The new 7 series uses rack and pinion, and I'm sure the new 5 series will follow
fwiw
Rob
1. I know SP could not run in snow weather, but I am living in CA, I just RARELY drive in snow condition such as go to sierra mountain. Is Sport Package OK or not ?
2. I heard even in the rain season, the SP's tires won't work well, is it true? because it is rain season in winter in CA.
3. I got information also, the sport tires need replace very often, usually, how long time or how many mileage we need change whole set tires? how much it cost?
i am appreciated for you help.
The 320 and 323i used rack & pinion steering.
The 520 and 528 used worm & roller steering.
The 728 used recirculating ball steering.
Here's their description of 728's RB steering, which got a highest 5 Star rating: "when you're moving at more normal speeds, it becomes pleasantly light and the low gearing becomes masked by the car's overall responsiveness.... The steering also has an unusual degree of feel by power-assisted standards, for you can detect through a lightening of the steering when the front wheels lose adhesion on a slippery patch."
Here's what they said about the 520's W&R steering: "Its non-assisted worm and roller steering is heavy when parking, but light and responsive on the move...."
Here's what they said about the 320's R&P steering: "The steering is precise and highly responsive, and only becomes mildly heavy at parking speeds."
Internet Auto Guide on the 528 and 540: "Both versions react crisply to steering inputs, with a tiny subjective edge in feel going to the 528i, which has rack and pinion steering instead of the recirculating-ball setup found in the 540i."
Racecar (UK) on the 540: "...the recirculating ball power-steering in the 535i/540i is less tactile than the rack and pinion system used in the six-cylinder 5-Series cars."
Autofinder (Ireland) on the X5: "The X5 was the first V8-engined BMW with rack and pinion steering rather than recirculating ball, showing how serious they were about sporty on-road feel."
In reality any 5-series model sport or non-sport is an awesome vehicle. Any way you option your 5er, you can't go wrong.
1) Snow: First, while I haven't driven my new 530i in the white stuff (live in Atlanta), the sport package needlessly gets a bad rap. BMW makes it clear the sport package tires are for summer (performance) driving, so many people assume the standard "all-seasons" are good in snow, when in fact they're just an overall compromise (do you wear the same pair of shoes year-round?). People who live in snowy areas should get snow/ice/winter tires regardless of sport package or not for maximum traction and safety.
2) Rain: The sport tires are more than good in rain--they're excellent. For the past week, it's been pouring every day here in Atlanta. My 530i hasn't slipped or engaged DSC once, and has exhibited excellent resistance to hydroplanning on very wet highways even at 70+ mph.
3) Tire wear: Depending on your driving style (and the roads you take), sport package tires will last between 20k and 30k miles (assuming you keep them on continuously--would be longer if you rotated with winter tires). Yes, it'll cost you a few hundred every 18-24 months, but I (and most enthusiasts) think it's a fair price to pay for the awesome performance the sport package.
There are some significant differences between 525i/528i/530i and 540i. Weight. Fore/aft center of gravity. Tire sizes. Some portions of 540i front suspension are heavier tubular steel versus aluminum, etc.
2/97 Motor Trend '97 ICOY issue wherein 5 Series won, discussing both 528i and 540i: "Despite a bit of low-speed on-center deadness, once rolling EACH SYSTEM provides good driver feedback."
12/95 Road & Track: "the 540i will continue with recirculating-ball steering because BMW says it offers 'a more luxurious' feel."
3/98 Motor Trend Comparison Test of 540i6 vs. Lexus GS400, Jag XJR, MB E430 Sport, and Cadillac STS. 540i6 got the only "A+" in the Report Card for "Steering". GS400 next best with a "B+" and E430 a "B". XJR a "C+". STS a "C". Guess what, 540i6 was the ONLY car with RB steering! The others each had R&P!!!
Over on the Nissan Maxima forum just two weeks ago (post #3841, I think), you berated the Maxima not using fully independent rear suspension. You attacked it from a purely technical standpoint, and disregarded the "proof in the pudding" real world examples of how a Maxima SE will match or outhandle just about any other front wheel drive sedan made. Now that the tables are turned and you happen to own a 540i, we should forget the technical superiority of rack and pinion and just look at results?
I'm confused. Which way do you want it?
P.S. Please don't confuse my comments as a slap against the 540i. It is an exceptional car and I would gladly trade you my Maxima SE for your 540i, as long as I can keep my S2000!! But I am one of those who happens to like the steering feel of the 530i slightly better. Had I elected to replace my Maxima, I would have gone with the 530i sport, in spite of the fact that the 540i was my original choice. And I am pretty sure that even BMW would admit to being able to use rack and pinion technology to produce better "results" than recirculating ball steering. Never mind that their recirculating ball results are better than just about everybody else's rack and pinion results.
PPS - Be careful about quoting articles that compliment the 540i steering feedback as "more luxurious" or "lighter". That's not what I think most of us here want. I'm sure most of us would happily flex our muscles some relative to parking a car in order to get a tighter, more responsive feel at higher speeds.