Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
BMW 530xi - 2006
This discussion has been closed.
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
As I mentioned in my other post, I didn't have a trade-in.
Also, even if it is higher, is ground clearance an issue when trekking through the white stuff? Would an X3 or X5 be a more appropriate choice if snow performance is a consideration for getting an x-drive bimmer? Afterall, what good is AWD if the front end is acting like a snow plow!
Any and all comments would be much appreciated!
I would imagine that if you're talking about 8-12 inch snows, the X3 or X5 might be a better choice, but I think it would be just fine for anything less than that. I live near Chicago and can only recall a couple of 6-8 inch snows in the past few years and for the most part, my wifes front-drive Hyundai did a passable job in them.
Just curious if you also considered the 330xi. Even though styling is subjective, I find the 330 very attractive, and I still have trouble looking past the trunk treatment on the 5. That trunk line that merges into the tail light gives the 5 a droopy-butt look. Otherwise the car looks very masculine. :P
You would also save some serious change with the 330, compared to the 530.
What I would like to know: the salesperson said the car is Ipod compatible. Just need a hook-up. Why is it I can't find this model mentioned on the BMW website.
Glad to join your forum. I am Nancy in Minnesota--mother of two, doctor and BMW enthusiast, even though I drove a Lexus for 10 years. Time to get wild again.
btw, i have a 3 (looking for a 5 for the wife) and my ipod didn't sound so good with the analog aux because you're amplifying an amplified signal which creates distortion. i then went and bought a dension ice>link plus which acts as a cd changer emulator. you'll love this because the artist and song is displayed on the stereo and you can control the volume, next song, etc from the steering wheel.
Why the switch from Japanese back to German? You seem to be one of the few that has come back.
Speaking for myself (and probably my wife somewhat), the Japanese cars are very nice and some of them are "almost German" -- but they seem to lack a certain driving involvement that rewards the German car driver (generally speaking.)
We have had 28 Audis, 2 BMW's and 3 VW's over the past 30 years -- although we have test driven many cars from all over and I almost slipped earlier this year with an Infiniti M35X.
We have had virtually ONLY AWD cars since 1984 and I can't imagine a 2WD car ever again.
To repeat: welcome. :shades:
This happens instantly and without regard to the speed or "attitude" the car is in when the hapless driver extracts the key from its designated slot.
Oh yea, the horn starts honking and the BMW assist feature immediately calls 9-11 and reports the car has been stolen. I think the battery fries itself and the radio self destructs too.
OK, none of this really happens -- although, as I recall the system does "inform you" that the key is missing via a warning light with a graphic of a key.
These keyless start functions on German cars seem over priced and less friendly than on the Japanese cars, du jour.
My own experience with an Audi A6 is that in 4 months I have had to have the Engine Start/Stop button replaced three times (making the car have a grand total of 4 switches since I bought it.)
No wonder they cost so much if Audi's supplier is also the vendor to BMW.
So I guess the key only needs to be inserted to start the car, not to keep the car running.
BTW, you're referring to your current A6, a 4-month-old car that has had the start button replaced 3 times?!
And isn't it conceivable that an absent-minded person, or simply someone who's used to a conventional key system, could forget to push the button to turn off the car, and simply take the key out and exit, with the engine still running?
I drove a Lexus SC400 for 10 years and finally got rid of it for the BMW. I loved the Lexus but it was never what I really considered a "sporty" car. I have always liked sports cars and I got the Lexus because at the time it was such a new up and coming brand and the sport coupe was really unlike anything on the road (at least where I lived). It was nice, but when it came time to get a new one the first thing I did was return to Lexus and try out their GS with AWD. Well, it felt like I was still driving the SC. I wanted MORE!! Plus the Lexus salespeople didn't seem to be very interested in selling me a car. Oh well....I went to the BMW dealer next...end of story. Oh, I was going to look at the Infiniti M35 but couldn't quite bring myself to do it. Curious about your comment. Anyway, I emailed the Lexus salesman after he emailed me to try to get my business back and I basically told him I wanted to feel some exhilaration and power when I drove a car..I have had enough of the squishy Lexus feel. He agreed that Lexus had a ways to go in that regard but that that is their prime focus now. We'll see. I am actually doing a 3- year corp lease so at the end of 3 years I can reassess things. Thanks so much for the welcome!!
What? The "gadget freak" is stymied?! :surprise: :P
When you approach the car, with the key fob in your pocket, the door (or doors depending on how YOU programmed it) opens and you get in, put your foot on the brake and press and release the Start Engine button.
Nothing needs to be inserted anywhere.
The key is a switchblade key and can also be used conventionally in that there is a keyhole right next to the steering wheel -- you would never even need to use the pushbutton start if you didn't want to.
The A6, a 2005 3.2, that I have has over 6,000 miles on it (I got it in June). It is, literally on its fourth switch. This one will not make it to Thanksgiving I'm thinking.
There is no way to tell that the switch is going out -- it works one day and stops the next.
The new switch takes 10 minutes to install and the dealer says Audi is aware of the issue and that is why they keep several in stock at all times.
I certainly HOPE that BMW doesn't use such short-lived switches.
And, putting the key into a hole and then pressing a button seems retro compared with Infiniti, Lexus and even Audi (short life span notwithstanding.)
I like the ability to not have to dink around with the key when it is in my pocket -- but I just wish the system was more durable. Virtually everything else about the current crop of German cars seems to be a huge improvement over what has been the case in even the recent past few years.
I would get pushbutton start again -- IF IF IF it cost a bit less and would last, oh say at least 50,000 miles!
:shades:
BMW's been using the push-buttons since their 2002 7-Series and I haven't heard any general complaints about them.....
You can't take the key out unless the car's off.... Once the car's off, you need to push the key fob in and then it releases and pops out slightly.
If BMW's is as reliable as my Audi's good luck -- four months and four pushbutton starters and still counting, I'll bet.
Mine is working fine, but half the time I still use the key since I hate the key fob's bulk especially when wearing anything but baggy pants.
Takes all kinds -- seems like these keyless start systems are great fun but I am yet to find their practical side. My wife -- who has a BMW -- makes fun of me with the keyless start, says she wouldn't take it if it were free.
Takes all kinds.
$750 for the Audi version is an outrage unless you factor in that you get not one, not two but four switches for the price of one! Lame-o, :lemon: for the time being. :shades:
If you pay $500 for Comfort Access, then you leave the fob in your pocket... and just push start...
regards,
kyfdx
Host-Prices Paid Forums
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
BMW has used the push-button start buttons since 2001 (02 model year). It started in their 7-Series and has now trickled down.... I haven't heard of people having problems with them, and even if they used to, I'm sure they would have worked the bugs out by now.
The light engine design, however, is heavily dependent on the use of magnesium. The block is made up of an aluminum inner core and a magnesium outer shell. Special precautions are taken to avoid the corrosive effects of water on magnesium and dissimilar metals. Special bolts, for example, will be used to attach engine accessories to the magnesium block.
Am considering the purchase of a new 530i, but this new engine technology has me concerned about long-term reliability. Going with the current 2005 530i with the aluminum engine would be a safe bet, but +30hp and increased mpg of the 2006 is hard to ignore. What are your thoughts?
Martin T.
Also, I sent in a "Priority Customer Email" to BMW Customer Service via the BMW Owner's Circle SIX WEEKS AGO with this same question. Six weeks later, BMW is STILL researching the answer to this ridiculously simple question: "Does my new BMW play MP3 CDs or not?". Apparently BMW has to "research" whether a car that they built supports a feature that the manual says it supports!!
Here is the exact verbatim text from CustomerService@bmwusa.com:
Thank you for your reply. I apologize for your frustration and for the delay. I know this seems like a simple question, but actually has, in fact required some research. Please rest assured that when a definitive answer is available, it will be provided to you immediately.
Sincerely,
Customer Relations and Services
Representative
The Audi with all the toys has 82 buttons, switches, knobs, levers and stuff to touch, move, etc to control various functions. This is WITH the ease of use of the MMI, etc etc, etc.
My Audi has voice command. I cannot imagine MMI without it and be ye a lover or hater of idrive or MMI these systems are here to stay. Additional functionality and complexity and controls will surely follow -- without voice command and control, I cannot even imagine the frustration and even perhaps danger these systems could impart.
When I first started using my voice command, I didn't want to use it when other people were in the car -- now I realize just how fantastic and SAFER it is to say "dial 513.555.1212" completely without looking and touching anything. Moreover, with Sirius, a CD changer and AM and FM at my voice command, I am less of a hazard on the highways.
Now I long for voice control of almost everything that requires my glance or attention away from the business of driving the car.
Hopefully the Germans will reach the level of voice control that I am led to believe the Japanese have attained.
These cars are great -- but to fully and safely enjoy them, they must be equipped with voice command.
And, for pity's sake if you are lucky enough to have a new 530xi with a manual transmission (why would you ever get one with anything else?), well then you would be crazy to have one without voice command.
We Audi A6 owners are so jealous of you BMW 530xi drivers -- we were forced to accept tiptronic transmissions which are nearly as bad as steptronics (but since you can avoid the step-lag-tronics, we simply avert our eyes and proclaim, "we're not worthy.") I got my A6 3.2 before the 530xi was available -- damn.
Now that we have the 3 and 5 BMWs with iDrive, what are the odds that the 7 will (eventually) follow?
Of course with almost every Mercedes offered with AWD and every Audi with it and 4 Bimmers, it would seem that Audi needs to make their next priority improving the balance of their cars. I recall reading somewhere that some of the Audis (recently) were 60 40 F/R balance. BMWs IMHO often get the performance/handling nod more for that one quality than any other -- they are very well balanced.
I had an A8 and there is, to this day, NOTHING that sounds as sweet as an Audi V8 at full cry.
See you over on the Audi board. :shades:
We are actually going to move this discussion to its permanent home on the Sedans board in a day or so.
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Need help navigating? kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
Share your vehicle reviews
I assume you meant xDrive, right? IMO, I doubt the 7-series will get an AWD model anytime soon....
Should I use BMW rims with what brand of tire??
With the accolades heaped upon both the A8 and the S class Mercedes (all avail with AWD), one would imagine BMW would want to add this to the option list.
News flash -- BMW will soon offer its cars (well, some of them anyway) with superchargers. After all those years of essentially being anti-blown-engines, this is shall we say an "interesting" developement. Maybe Audi will put turbos on its larger than 4 cylinder engines again, soon, too.
I would love to drive the Audi (or the BMW) 6's with a little artificial aspiration. They would easily go to 300 HP and probably a like torque number too (at low RPM's.)