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My dealer also speculated that, inasmuch as the new 5-series will be a bit larger (and possibly heavier) than the current model, the M5 may keep the old style for an extra year or two to retain its sportiness.
hubba, hubba.
dave
You should be able to get a new 2001 or 2002 for $1500 + lux tax over invoice in many areas. Unless you live in an area with no discounts, I'd buy new and get the colors and options that you want unless you could get them to drop the price. Also consider that financing on a used car will usually cost more.
It would seem to me that unless you could save something more substantial, i.e. like 10-15%, you would be better off buying a new 2002 model in a couple of months. If they are willing to take something in the $35k range, then you have a tough decision.
road so I stopped in without a reservation. They said it was pretty full and to come
back the next day. Instead I went home and registered via internet for the following
day. Naturally, they did not have my reservation when I got there, but is was not
crowded and I was able to enter. Lines were short and after about an hour, I was able
to get out of one car and directly into another for some real back to back
comparisons. I drove all of the cars, none of the trucks. Even doubled up on the BMW
540 and Catera.
I was most interested in the 540 vs STS. I have an STS and always considered the
540 for my next car. Still confused, STS is stronger acceleration, 540 is better
stopping, and I cant distinguish a winner for cornering. The Jag was not that
impressive (under steer). This track was pretty open and allowed some good speeds.
Entry level. Lincoln LS is the clear winner for me. I should have run this one again to
confirm my initial feeling. Catera was OK, the Merc Benz C320 was OK. This track
was tight, required large steering wheel spins.
Large Sedans, DTS is better acceleration, MB was bland performer. I was warned for
driving too fast here with the DTS so I could not treat the Lexus equally.
Because of the light crowds, I was able to run the timed track 4 times. Times kept
getting better with familiarity, but I missed the hat by less than a half second in the
end. Once again, this was a tight track with lots of steering wheel action. Every drive I
did, I used "drive", never played with any shifting. I wanted to know how these auto
transmissions reacted. Some of them where slow to respond out of a turn and you
had to hit the gas early to get the punch when you wanted it. All in all, the timed
course, and entry class course were not representative of my driving at all. I am never
interested in the fastest U-turn vehicle. On winding roads, the steering wheel rarely
goes more than half way around. These parking lot autocrosses are designed for
go-carts!!
However, I am very glad I stumbled on this event, I would have been kicking myself all
year if I found out it was right by my house and I missed it. Now, even more than ever,
I want to participate in one of the Petty NASCAR driving schools.
Too bad GM didn't discover you a couple of years ago, Oldsmobile would still be alive today.
Nice try with the joke.
The STS was quicker out of the sharp turns. The 540 stopped better entering the sharp turns. These turns were not representative of my wants and needs. Basically equivalent to a u-turn on a 3 lane highway. Yes, the rear wheel drive felt fun in this maneuver but I noticed no real difference in the result. There were some S turns at speed and neither suffered excessive roll or stood out above the other. The turns were not long enough to tweak anything along the way.
Just one drivers experience. Where do I fall relative to the whole gamut of drivers, dont know, just not the fastest or the slowest.
My 528i lease is up, the dealer has a blk/blk 01 530i with 5000miles sells as brand new. Sport premium and convenience pkg, xenon, in-dash cd and steptronic. For 43,000 in So Cal. MSRP 46970.
Good deal or just OK?? I want to do somthing since its the end of the month for them.
1884.83 drive off. 719/mth x 36.
Dan
I just bought a '01 525 with the premium, convenience, xenon, DC, and Step. Could someone tell me if there is any way to dim the rear view mirror? My window sticker says it has auto dimming. I thought the brochure said it was not available on the 525. I assumed there would be a flip lever to adjust it, but no dice. Just the red alarm protrusion.
Sorry if this has been covered before, I am not able to search the site right now.
Best,
Mikell
I just bought a '01 525 with the premium, convenience, xenon, CD, and Step. Could someone tell me if there is any way to dim the rear view mirror? My window sticker says it has auto dimming. I thought the brochure said it was not available on the 525. I assumed there would be a flip lever to adjust it, but no dice. Just the red alarm protrusion.
Sorry if this has been covered before, I am not able to search the site right now.
Best,
Mikell
695 and 1400 out of pocket so think you can do much better on 530 with 5000 miles on it
BMW financial is able to knock off $2000 off the res. Therefore I could buy it for $28300 in So Cal. We only have 30500 miles on it.One last pmt to go. Is it worth buying?
My wife says she thinks the 528 is slow now that we have a 2001 325 to compare it with!
Dan
Much better value, plus it is a much better car in day to day driving. Plus it just looks sweet. Oh BTW I am 21, so in reality my next car purchase is between a CTS and 530i, not 540 and STS, but it sure is nice to dream....
You have to treat the cars differently, though. With the RWD 540, in a turn, you can use the throttle to balance any oversteer very easily. That will let a 540 get through a turn much more quickly, it will feel better, and you will come out of the turn tighter and faster.
You also need to let the engine rev higher, as BMW's engine, which is a bit smaller than the caddy one, makes more of it's power higher up. It's ok--high RPM activity will not hurt this well-balanced motor.
The BMW also stops faster, particularly so after numerous fast stops, when the STS brakes will fade. If you ae really getting speed up on the straights, and braking hard and fast, this will give the 540 another edge, because you will be able to brake later than in the STS, saving more time.
dave
Since you claim to be only 21, let me give you some fatherly advice from a old man over twice your age. Before you conclude that the STS is a better value than a 540, or that any Caddy is a better value than any BMW, or that any GM is a better value than almost any German or Japanese counterpart... check your friendly used car section for five year old versions of each. You might be pleasantly surprised to find that you could probably buy both a "CTS" and an "STS" for about the price of one 3-series. Tell you anything???
Seriously, either you're counting every third birthday and are really 63, or there is a much bigger generation gap below me than I realized.
What it tells me is that in the used market, I can buy a newer cadi.
Now, lets take some older, real market data and compare with current Edmunds private party used prices - at face value
spring 1998
96 sts - 28000 acutal purchase
95 530 - 30000 light shopping price, assume 29000 actual purchase
95 540 - 33000 light shopping price, assume 32000 actual purchase
current
96 sts - 13, loss of 5000/year
95 530 - 16, loss of 4700/year
95 540 - 18, loss of 4700/year
My sts probably lost 7-8k /year before I bought it. My current/future dilema is the later model 540s are sold at a very high premium and resales are real high, to get to the under 30k target, I will currently be looking at a 1997 540 and 1999 sts, I lost ground 1 year with the bmw. The 740 is a better used value. BMW is certainly working the supply/demand curve well.
Believe your window sticker. You've got the auto-dimming mirror, & there is no flip-over lever.
Some of the rest of you (& you know who you are) -
You had a chance to talk an STS buyer into a 5-series & you blew it. How can you possibly think that he'll set foot in a BMW store after you've all but told him that he's an idiot? If his next car's not a Cadillac, it'll be an E-class or an A6. Way to go, guys.
I admit it - I'm just a lowly 3-series driver - but I can recognize bad manners when I see 'em.
jimbres: No bad manners, just don't agree with bajabill. No such thing as a "lowly 3-series driver". They are great vehicles. The redesign a couple of years ago was very well done. I have seen several postings regarding the purchase decision of the 330 vs. 528. I have not studied the cost difference, but I think they are fairly close in price and not that much difference in interior space.
hnnguyen: I don't get it, I thought this was a forum to express opinions. I don't see more than 3 or 4 opinions on the subject-don't consider that being "beat to death". I see you have a 540, any feedback on likes/dislikes, since you have had it awhile? What options and is it auto or manual. I have had mine for 3 months and am still amazed everyday at the performance.
Also, I'm curious if anyone has attempted to implement any kind of after market cupholders to improve what has to be one of the worst features on the car. Don't get me wrong, even though the cupholders are horrible, and I do experience the AC problem, I wouldn't trade this car for anything.
Anyone else out there with my color combo receiving several compliments on the color?? . . . Aspen Silver/Black
Any input would be appreciated.
Good thing you got the sport package, you will need it in the mountains, but only going downhill. As a previous 300zx owner, I expected a better exhibition of class.
I certainly hope to be blessed with life long enough to join AARP, gather a little wisdom and you too may realize and understand that joy. But you are on your way, hard to get into too much trouble with an underpowed car.
Why did BMW add a 3rd (or 4th) car to the 5 line. I thought the 528/540 was sufficient, especially with the M5. And then the 528 --> 530 would only have improved the line, why bring back the too-low end again. Do they have to get rid of a few engines or something to justify the development cost.
BTW, pop into the coup section for the "What is this BMW thing" discussion. Much better place for the attitude.
Thanks
jimbres, My next car decision may be made in spite of comments herein, not because of. I was not impressed with the MB S430 but have always looked long and hard when a SL500 goes by. If you have never driven one, try the STS, but watch out for the torque steer. I enjoy driving and welcome every opportunity to try a different car. If one does not fit my needs and wants, so be it. At least the decision was from my feel, and not someone else's urging.
And, to all OTHER 525 owners, my sincere apologies. I do hope you enjoy your good decision and safe motoring.
Thanks.
Pat
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Sedans Message Board
Peace
Then as we got more into working out an agreement, it came out that the rear doors had been "damaged in transit". Then, after I asked to take it to a body shop to have it checked out, it turned out that the seller actually had a lawsuit going against BMW because the paint was so bad on one of the doors, etc. (I didn't notice this in a brief test drive/inspection). He then warned me against ever buying a BMW "program car".
This is not the first time I have gotten this advice......I am starting to wonder what happens to the Bmw's that are "damaged in transit"......or otherwise initially screwed up in some way after manufacture. Do you think maybe they are given to BMWNA execs. to drive......then later sold at auction & show up as CPO cars?
Any advice/info would be appreciated!