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Comments
Lexus: Like driving a sewing machine. Super quality above all else, but questionable styling and actually, an interior I found quite boring. Way too isolated - eerily silent, like driving a coffin - a really powerful coffin, but a coffin none-the-less. Throw in the weird exterior styling and interior styling that isn't to my taste, and it's off the list.
Audi A6 4.2: Beautiful automobile with great room and great features. Attractively priced for the amount of content and the exclusivity. Steering was too light, though, and it felt like it wanted to wallow a bit too much. I have two friends, and my dad, who drive 2.7t's - my Dad on my recommendation. (Anything to keep him away from the Acura RL!). They are happy but I'm looking for more refinement than the 2.7t offers.
BMW 540iA: Drove a non-sport model, 1998. It was all I could do to find a dealer who would let me drive one. They are sold as soon as they hit the lot. I had driven one belonging to an employee but it is brand new and not even past the 1200 mile break-in. She was stoic but petrified, so I needed a thorough drive. The dealer she used allowed me two extensive drives through perfect Northern California roads. I settled into the vehicle quickly and really understood the slogan "The Ultimate Driving Machine". You can say I fell for the hype. This care IS smaller than the Audi, no doubt. But it is very driver oriented, and from that perspective it is second to none that I've driven. The dealer sent me out in a 2000 6 speed just to try the sport suspension. In Bay Area traffic I want nothing to do with a stick, but the sport suspension only enhanced the driving experience. Not to mention the superior sport steering wheel. I found the driving position, throttle response, and braking to be excellent. Both cars were equally docile in traffic, and I quickly adjusted to the ergonomics. I didn't check out the cup holders but I figure I can live with that.
I'm not expecting any break on the price as I expect to spec out my car and order it. A couple dealers quoted 9-12 months (!) to receive a specced out 540. This dealer is tops in the area and can deliver in about 4 months. Since I have leased my last 8 cars or so, and am buying this one, I expect to get every little option that I want and can possible afford. I expect to live with the vehicle for 10 years or more. That factor is leaning me towards the BMW, coupled with the fact that most of the time I drive it alone, so I only have to think about my satisfaction. Having passengered in many 5's through the years, somehow I suspect that my passengers won't mind...
Thanks, Vasgar
M
I was recently quoted a price of $45720.00 for a 2001 530i,sport/premium package,convenience package,xenon lights and a business CD player in anthracite metallic. This is from the South Florida area.
I contacted eurobuyers.com for further pricing. The gentleman on the website was kind enough to furnish me with info concerning dealer invoice prices. With his figures.....the vehicle should be priced around $42,235 (approx.2100.00 over invoice).
Does this price seem reasonable or is my original dealer bid more on target??
Any information would be greatly appreciated....
Good luck to all BMW enthusiasts!!!!
Has anyone ever used eurobuyers.com to purchase a vehicle??
I am having a tough time to decide.
All your help is appreciated.
See posts 177 through 183 for pertinent discussion. BTW, I ended up agreeing to 2K over invoice for 530i, premium, CD, xenon, cold weather, steptronic. Expect to take delivery in a couple weeks.
You think you're having a tough time deciding?? Actualy, the 525 is the only car I'm not really considering. In my case, total price is not the primary concern, but the driving experience and overall "value" is.
I respectfully hold a different personal opinion than "merckx". I think as you move up the 5-series line, you pretty much get what you pay for in additional value. The 530 is quite a bit quicker than the 525 (and only weighs about 45 lbs more). Compared with the Mercedes E320, E430 or E55, I have found every comparable 5 series to be much more of a driver's car. If you can, I suggest a test drive a 530 with the sport package back to back with the 525 (and E320 for that matter). Granted, you will need to budget a bit more for replacement tires, but I think it's worth it.
Good luck.
Any input would be appreciated.
thanks
thanks
thanks,
George
Once you are in, there is a place to click on order tracking. I think it has 6 possible stages: ordered, in production, waiting for transport (aka sitting outside the factory), in transit (on the boat), at the processing center (port) or at the dealer.
Not sure how timely it is, but still a good way to see if the car has been built).
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Just curious, since I was told by my dealer I could order a 540ia or 6-speed and get european delivery in 8+/- weeks, why do you have to wait until June? Also, at this point, I've decided to wait for the 2002 model year. Supposedly they start production in September and my dealer speculates there is a 50/50 chance the 2002 model will have the upgraded 4.6 liter 340+ hp engine going into the new 7-series. Not only is considerably more powerful, it may be more efficient and not require gas guzzler tax. I have yet to be able to "officially" confirm any of this. Since you have ordered a 2001 model for June delivery, perhaps you know more??? Did you consider waiting for a 2002 model an additional 4-5 months after your projected June delivery?
Thanks for any additional info you might have.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
As for the 2002 model, I have heard rumors of a 2002 545 with a bigger engine but as near as I can tell it's only rumor and very unlikely to happen. You might try looking at the message board at www.bimmer.org there is a lot of info flow and most of the people posting seem to be very, very serious about owning BMW. I would also add that since the 540 is getting a major revamp in late 2003 to be sold as a 2004 model, it seems, to me, that BMW would not change engines in 2002.
As for the driving experience, I am very biased towards manual transmissions. I have owned a 528i 5-speed and I have driven a 2000 M5 and 1999 540i 6-speed on many occassions - and in every kind of situation - highway, stop and go city, and on uncluttered back roads. Comments I've read or heard about "notchy" clutch engagement and "difficult to modulate" were absolutely not apparant to me.
On the other hand - and no offense intended to anyone with an auto - the steptronic transmission is a farce for anyone who realy wants to "drive" the car. My partner with the 540iA "shifted" his own gears about once every three months when someone else was in the car to show them how it worked. The car was quicker leaving it in full auto mode. Without a clutch to modulate engagement, you've given up 90% of the true driving control you get with a manual. He actually believed that shifting the steptronic on winding roads produced some undesireable results relative to handling/control, but I never personally tried it.
For the record, I'm 44 and have never owned any car with an aoutomatic transmission. I'm by no means an aggressive driver, but I am a "driver". Fortunately, my 105 lb. wife also believes in manual transmissions (carts our kids around in a 5-speed Isuzu Trooper). I personally cannot imagine getting one of the finest performance sedans in the world and stripping it of some of its potential with a "steptronic". For me it would be like having Frank Lloyd Wright design your house but requiring him to use vinyl siding. But, like I said, I'm biased. And, I would acknowledge that the 540iA is still probably the finest "automatic" sport sedan at any price.
Best wishes.
P.S. I'm glad that the M5 doesn't give any choice. Nor does the E55. That really says it all for BMW and Mercedes and why I choose the former.
I bought mine from a dealer in Westchester NY - I would rate them OK - compared to previous buying experiences. They lied to me about the delivery date (I should have asked for my order number when I bought the car - what was 8 weeks is now 12 weeks) and when I first wanted a test drive of the 530 - they said come back on Saturday (this was on a Wednesday) , and when I returned no car to test drive.
Honesty is not their strength - but a pleasant bunch of people.
Also wondering about the sports seats vs the standard seats. Any comments?
Thanks.
PS Does anyone know why the single CD unit is called the "Business CD Player"?
a BMW 5 series is worth the extra money over a Lexus GS series. I have not driven either yet but I have started to look at prices. (I am strongly considering the GS300 or the 530. I will also test drive the Audi A6) I know some would make the argument that the 525 compares to the GS300 and the 530 compares to the GS430 but if you look at the hp output that does not make sense. Anyway I don't plan to race the car but when I want to pass someone or merge into traffic I want the power to be there. Either car, not sure of the 525 @ 184hp, meet that need.
The GS series seems to be a better value. More standard features, some small like garage door opener and some big like luxury interior features, lower cost for maintenance, lower purchase cost. I have heard about the driver experience that I hope to experience next month when I test drive these cars. I like both cars appearance. I can afford either car but I don't want to make someone else rich just to say I have either car.
I have a Acura Legend now.
Is there anyone else out there who was torn between these cars?
If none of this makes any sense to you at all, by all means go with the Lexus.
Depending on options, and how hard you can negotiate, the price will be about the same, so it comes down to which car better fits your needs.
The 525 is not a slouch by the way. It may be a little slower off the line, but it is still relatively quick, and has great mid and high range power. Passing trucks or cruising at 90 are a breeze.
Actually, if you get the 330, add a few hundred to the tab for a really good radar detector, or put a lawyer on retainer.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
The 530i is no comparison to the Lexus 300. Completely different cars. The Lexus exterior is enough to put anyone to sleep without even driving the car. Stick with the ultimate driving machine!! bogvly.....Who needs the x-tra car cellphone?? I'm sure you carry a portable. Save the $$ for a CD changer. I'm considering this deal in West Palm Beach.....$44,920 with sports/premium and convienience package,business CD, but NO Xenon lights. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated......
One plus for the BMW is that I always wanted a BMW and it looks a little more sporty (w/sport package) than the Lexus.
Once I start test driving these cars next month and experience the dreaded financial negotiation that will be the tie breaker.
Anyone with recommendations of a dealer in the DC, VA, or MD area?
I have heard a lot of negitive things about the closest dealer to me in Rockville, Md. (don't want to mention any names)
If you're willing to come down to NC, both dealers here in the Triangle (Raleigh - Durham-Chapel Hill) will do 2K over invoice for any configuration of 525 or 530 you specify. You will have to press a bit, but they will sell for that price. I expect to take delivery of almost loaded 530iA in about two weeks.
That 540iA drives beautifully with a comfortable but firm ride, and surprisingly low wind/road/engine noise. Interior is a little cheap & sharply-angled in my viewpoint. Control buttons are too many, small, & anonymous. Fast, powerful, & enjoys drinking lots of gas ( terrible in San Jose here -$1.95/gal premium).
Even though I'm driving a 93 LS400, I think the ride of 540iA is excellent, although firm. Personally I suggested him to buy a 98-00 LS400 with a 290hp VVTi engine & VSC. But I think 540iA is also good after riding with it several times. He enjoys aggressive driving but 97 540iA comes without VSC (spinning once already).
Reliability is unkown to us (Mike got rid of a lemon 2000 Audi A4 1.8T for this 97 540iA recently). Based on my friends' experience (99 323iA, 01 325iA, etc.), BMW is improving regarding this (so far so good for their Bimmers). But my 93 LS400 is so excellent that I wonder when I can get a new car to have it replaced.
Surprisingly 97 540iA is a little floaty to us, especially when you slash the gas pedal to jump forward on highway (not recommeded), and it will float slowly up and down during strong pickup. Need put some bricks in trunk? He miss A4's agility a little bit.
We think a used 97-00 540iA is a better choice over brand new 530iA or 525iA. (And I think off-lease used 98-00 LS400s are super bargains -reliability, performance, & ride all included.) Power of 525iA is comparable with V6 Accord, Maxima, and Camry, why go for it? Personally I won't buy a car for 'prestige' or '"feeling" of handling, style, blah, blah, blah'. Must got something real & practical on my car buying.
One day Mike asked me why cars should be so reliable. He said his other friend hates LS400 because LS400 is too reliable (that guy is a mechanic). Mike asked me what's my criteria to have a car replaced for a newer one. My answers:
1. The car ages over a threshold you or your family cannot live with, not because it's broken and cannot function, or cash eating. (Ambiguous like life, I know.)
2. New features which are practical & vital enough over features in the current car. (Like VSC, HID, Brake Assist, curtain airbags, etc. NOT like wood/leather steering wheel, etc.)
Purely subjective.
Must stop and go to work.
--Is $1800 over invoice ($2700 under MSRP) a good deal for this car?
--Can I negotiate my Residual more -- dealer says he's locked into 59% on a 36 month, 15K mile deal. True, or BS?
--Can I negotiate my money factor more -- dealer says .0028, or 6.72%, is the best he can do. True, or BS?
--Edmunds says BMW has no dealer holdbacks. True or not?
Thanks to anyone with current info on the above negotiating points.
Best,
Terry
Thanks for the info. I am very willing to travel down to NC for savings. I will keep them in mind.
Thanks
I have had very good experiences with Mike Mills at Tischer BMW in Silver Spring, MD. Never a problem with their service department and have always been fair on price.
Residuals rates are usually not negotiable, as they are many times artificially set by the manufacturer to lower lease payments. In fact, a banks residual rate will most times be muchlower than BMW's and at times, more realistic. Only way to raise it would be to take less miles if you can(a 10K lease will probably add 4-5%)
The residual and money factor rates are set by BMWfs and every dealer has them in a updated printout. The rate you quoted is not that bad, as regular bank rates are 8.5-9.5%.
I just bought BMW 530 2 000$ over the invoice. The best offer I got from Lexus was 3000$ over invoice.
It is very subjective. just loved the way 530 drives. Also I am originally from Europe and BMW is more appealing to me.
Good luck
Miloslav