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Comments
As far as the steering wheel, the M badge is on the center, but towards the bottom. It is pretty well embedded into the leather/plastic, don't think you could add this very easily. I really like this steering wheel, it seems smaller than the one I saw at the dealer.
Congratulations on your purchase. You'll like it. It took a little getting used to for me. I had a '97 iL previous, and this is a completely different car. Much firmer.
Let me know if you find out how to get the TV turned on, I'll do the same
My 740iL is supposed to be ready in a few weeks time and I am going to be stuck with the lower residual also. Can you tell me what part of the country you are in and what kind of deal you are getting. I have indicated the deal I am getting in one of my previous posts.
I am from central California. My dealer told me I could not lock in a lease deal until the car arrived at the dealer. So the deal may change again.
wondering if anybody knows if the 540 rims and tires will fit the 740il.
Also, I was reading some of the comments with regard to the TV. Does it work only when parked? can I get it to work while driving? and if so, how.
Thanks
mirror inside the car is auto-dimming. Does anyone
out there know if the same is true for the driver's side outside mirror ?
Thanks.
http://www.geocities.com/koping/navsvcmode.html
If anyone else as uncovered any 'hidden menu's' please let me know.
How to Access the Service Menu:
Hit the menu button, use the round knob and push the set option. Keep the menu pushed for about 10 seconds. You'll get to the service menu.
http://www.geocities.com/koping/navsvcmode.html
If anyone else as uncovered any 'hidden menu's' please let me know.
How to Access the Service Menu:
Hit the menu button, use the round knob and push the set option. Keep the menu pushed for about 10 seconds. You'll get to the service menu.
P.S. for the above question on auto-dimming mirrors - unfortunately, the dirver side mirror does not dim. It's kind of weird - you look in your rear view mirror and there is no glare, but your side mirror picks it up.
Just my $.02
TIA
Yes you can negotiate the 7 series. I got mine for $2K over invoice, I've heard of people doing even better. It was on eof the reasons I got the car -- just a little more expensive than the MBZ mid-tier E430 with the sport package. If you like driving, I highly recommend the sport package (negative is you get hit with gas guzzler tax though!). As opposed to the MBZ sport packge which is basically just wheels, this one includes a lot of more significant upgrade -- engine, suspension, interior, etc.
** Serious offers only please **
Here is a link with detailed description of the phone. The phone also has the optional 3watt booster.
Thanks
BMW CPT6000 VR Portable Telephonehttp://www.bmwusa.com/start.cfm
It's a rather simple problem, but it's still unfortunate. After about 40,000 miles, the engine will start to lose compression until it can no longer be started. This is due to a reaction between United States gasoline and the material that the engine block was made out of (mainly Nikasil, but there are a few Alusil blocks out there, too). Nikasil is a special type of alloy that has been impregnated with Silicon.
Fortunately, BMW came up with a free fix, in which they will replace the engine block with a new Alusil one free of charge.
The key to buying one of these cars is to CHECK and VERIFY the engine block codes, to see whether or not you've got a problematic block on your hands. The complete list of numbers is availabe at: http://www.koalamotorsport.com. However, if the previous owner is competent with automobiles, he may have already had the block replaced, which saves you from the headache of going to get a new one. Most owners will be straighforward concerning whether or not the block has been replaced, but I've found a few that will NOT disclose that information.
Hope this helps. Thanks, Whit
1. Is there any difference (other than the length and the price) between the two 740 models? They appear to be outfitted exactly the same on the BMW web site.
2. What does the "i" stand for in BMW model names?
3. Is there going to be a major model change next year with the 740's?
There will be a major model change soon - although depends on who you talk to, you will get conflicting answers - earliest is Summer 2001, latest Summer 2003
BTW, I couldn't get the Dinan upgrades on my 740i Sport (to be delivered in March). Dealer claimed: 1) it would void the warranty (they had a case where BMW refused warranty coverage on a Dinan-equipped 840 with a blown engine); 2)since I lease my car, it is the property of BMW Financial and BMWF doesn't want aftermarket performance stuff on their cars.
Chris
The real question you have to answer is are you a car person or just trying to make a statement by driving a nice car. The BMW is for people who love automobiles. It has great road feel and just enough quirkiness to give it personality. It is, deliberately, not as silken smooth as the Lexus or MB -- it has a certain edginess and demands to be driven. BMW calls their approach to auto engineering "active safety." They put a car in your hands that you can "drive" out of a problem.
The Lexus is often described as a "car for people who really don't like cars." There is nothing wrong with a Lexus but it really has no personality to speak of either. It's kind of like a Hickey Freeman suit, very well done, nice looking but not a Brioni. It is a very nice, competent, boring car.
The new MB, IMHO, is plain ugly and I wouldn't own one (I came, I saw, I left). Some find it lovely however. Go figure.
You can't go wrong with any of them.
Any help? advice? experience? i would greatly appreciate it.Thanks
* Dinan upgrades -- the air intake or exhaust upgrade arent ready yet, but you can get the chip upgrade (actually its a software download, not a chip). Doesn't void warranty. However, my experience is its not worth the $$.
* Sport package -- well worth the $$ IMHO. Makes the car into a different animal. The look is great, the acceleration diff is very noticeable, and the brakes are awesome. The back seat room is just fine thank you, had 3 large adults in it recently with no problem. One negative about it --if you live in the Northeast, its terrible in snow. Low profile, fat tires with no tread depth. Just barely made it home yesterday...perhaps I should get snow tires...
* There is no monthly charge for the navigation system, completely free (someone may have answered this already)
* Front seat room - I am 6' tall and no problem whatsoever with closeness to the accelerator, with room to spare. The sport seats have a ton of adjustments you can play with. Try it out again.
Just my two cents...
-Drew
M
The repairs on a 750 can be astronomical and the V-12 engine is not bullet proof (like the six). If the warranty doesn't cover a repair, you could be in for a very unpleasant surprise.
For example, does the warranty only cover only "moving parts"? Guess what, if that is the case it won't cover a blown or warped head (repair cost maybe $16K) or a cracked block or cylinder. I found this out the hard way with the Porsche.
If the warranty is from BMW, it may not be a bad purchase. If it is from someone else, run for the hills or at least retain a good lawyer (that's what I had to do).
First, I haven't driven the 5 series recently, so its tough to compare. I think the big difference is size and weight. On relative terms the 7-sport is quite agile, but it is a noticeably bigger car. Interestingly, I think the 7-sport is more sporty than the Mercedes E430 which I drove. The MBZ is a real nice ride, but less sense of the road.
Regarding the harshness of the ride, there is a difference (probably more due to the lower profile tires than the suspension), but personally I find it fine. If you hit a pot hole, the car doesn't bang or anything (like my the Mustang I used to do), but you do find yourself avoiding blemishes in the road.
M
Thanks.
What pricing have people been able to get? I read elsewhere people were going as low as $2000 over invoice. The dealer I spoke with today refered to "Raw" invoice. Anyone else hear that term?
Joe
Unlike the 6 cylinder iron-block cars, you're correct to be concerned about purchasing any high-mileage (80k+) BMW with a V-configured engine and/or automatic transmission. If you research back through this thread, visit the BMWLemon site, pull up the NHTSA vehicle recall site, and discuss ownership experiences with owners who have driven their cars in circumstances similar to those you anticipate, you will note several trends:
Aluminum engine problems problems have been common among higher mileage V-configured engines due to BMW's use of a special aluminium alloy block with a type of silicon treatment applied to the interior of the cylinders rather than the use of steel liners as is the case for Ferrari, Lincoln, Mercedes, Chevrolet, Porsche, etc. This construction technique was developed by Alcoa and first marketed to General Motors for test application in the early 70's Chevrolet Vega. The advantage offered is a substantial reduction in manufacturing cost. The disadavantages are manifold, as evidenced by the abandonment of this technique by most manufacturers that tried it. Mercedes dumped this engine construction technique three years ago; General Motors long before that. The disadvantages include substantially increased rebuild costs, shorter compression retention, particularly if oil changes occur at greater frequencies that at about 3/4k miles and/or if the engine is subject to the higher thermal and mechanical stress loads associated with towing (Note the feeble tow capability of the V-8 / V-12 BMWs, in spite of their substantial torque). Internal block corrosion (when higher-than-minimal sulphur level fuel is used) has occurred with sufficient frequency that, according to a work colleague who experienced this, as well as other problems, BMW has offered extended warranty repairs to customers who scream with sufficient volumn.
Another costly drivetrain problem that lurks within the post warranty ownership experience is the automatic transmission used in the 540 and 7 series cars. Unlike the 6 cylinder cars which use an excellent and durable autobox manufactured by GM in France, the V-engined BMWs use a troublesome unit purchased from ZF. While ZF makes some terrific manual boxes, their autoboxes are fragile. Check out the NHTSA recall page for a description of BMW's recall of cars using this nasty unit. During the warranty period, the only downside to having the entire transmission replaced is inconvenience. Post-warranty, as you are considering, the cost of expensive drivetrain component replacement should be incorporated into your present value analysis.
When I advised a couple of my german colleagues that I was contemplating purchasing a smaller 4 door sedan for my wife and that the 528 was under serious consideration, they commented that the that BMWs are considered by many in Germany to be "German Fiats" because, like many of the higher-end Fiat products (Lancia, Ferrari, Alfa) they have pleasing road behavior at European highway speeds, construction short-cuts that are not apparent on the showroom floor, and a reputation for higher frequency and cost maintenance after mileage exceeds the typical warranty period. Accordingly, their advice corresponds to my own conclusions: BMWs are refined and satisfactory vehicles during the warranty period, but can pose significant post-warranty maintenance and financial challenges.
Therefore, you may wish to consider restricting your used vehicle BMW choices to cars available with warranties through the company's used car promotion program. That way you can benefit from BMWs fairly high depreciation values (not rates, but actual dollar amounts) while being able to drive the car you prefer with appropriate warranty protection.
I don't care for the command module or the GPS but there is no choice. I expect that I will get used to it after a while and probably even enjoy being able to through away the road atlas (LOL).
Interstingly, the car looks much more compact than the iL even though there is only 6" of difference in lenth. I suspect that it has something to do with the lowering of the body and the side mouldings. It really looks much more like an "M" than a large sedan.
I think that I am going to be a very happy camper. The wife's 528 arrives in two weeks; I'll pass on driving it.
My friend drove a 1983 BMW 5 series for years here in Phoenix and the A/C was horrible.
Anyone on this board drive a new BMW 7 series or a new Merc S class in Arizona, Texas, or Florida during the really hot summer months?
Joe
photos of the new BMW 7-Series E65 http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Downs/9323/new7.htm
Temporarily page: http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Downs/9323/new7temp.htm
As for A/C, I have a friend who claims his BMW A/C works fine in the Texas summer. He says the bigger issue is the color of the car. He used to have a black Merc that he could never cool down, but now his BMW is white. Something to think about in your purchase. My car is almost always garaged, so I don't think the color will effect my A/C performance that much.
M