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Comments
Best Regards,
Shipo
I actually did run out of gas in my 1995 Passat GLX one time. I had my two year old with me and by the time I strollered him up to the closest station, and then strollered him back to the car with a gas can, I saw that he was covered in ticks. Yikes! I threw his little butt in the car and pulled no less than twenty ticks off of him (I found several on me as well). Ever since then I've really tried not to run out of gas. :P
Best Regards,
Shipo
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
Best Regards,
Shipo
Our current E46 330 has been down to single digits, with no ill effects.
I've always heard you shouldn't run your tank near empty, as many cars use fuel to cool the fuel pump. No idea if that's how BMWs work, though.
regards,
kyfdx
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I believe that is the case with BMWs as well. Regarding the incident I related above, I didn't really have an option as there was no way I was going to get off the turnpike at oh-dark-thirty in a rural area hoping to find an open gas station. I simply soldiered on to the next service area and got gas.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Before owning my Prelude, I leased a 2000 Saab 9-3 (36 months/36K miles). It had one of those DTE computers like the BMWs have. When I went to turn the car in, I hit a LOT of traffic and started sweating that I was going to run out of gas beofre I got to the dealership. I stopped and put $1 worth of gas in the car (back when gas was $1.50 per gallon). When I pulled into the dealership, the DTE said 0 and the odometer rolled to 36,000 miles. When signing the odometer statement, the salesman said he's never seen a car with exactly 36,000 miles (from a 36K lease). After he asked me about the mileage, he jokingly asked me if there was any gas in the car
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
bang, then the blower fan started making a loud clicking
sound. With the fan at low speeds the clicking sound
is very low, but after 4 or 5 bars it is very loud like
the fan blades are hitting something. Any ideas
as to what could have happened?
Something has come adrift and/or a foreign object is stuck in the blower housing
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
IMHO, the BMW is a better value, offers a world class sporty drive, which if you like, can't be beat (if road feel and steering feedback are important to you, BMW wins for all of their cars).
In summary, I think the bmw 5 is a car that you could take to a track or a driving school and would really enjoy. I just couldn't picture taking an MB E Class to the same. Not that you couldn't, but to me that's not what the E Class is about.
Interestingly enough, the latest issue of Roundel mentions that the new M3's 4.0 V-8 is actually 20 lbs. lighter than the 3.2 I-6 in the E46 M3.
Wasn't the block for the I6 in the M3 made out of a big'ol hunk of iron?
Best Regards,
Shipo
Indeed, apparently for strength and compactness.
Three years ago I wanted the S Class as I felt it was the best looking and riding car out there. Reliability, lack of expected tech features and a lease that was about 400 per month sent me to Lexus for the LS. Great car but boring and numb. Regarding the 535, for fun I researched an old review on the M5 here on Edmunds and they said it was basically the best car money could buy at that time. Looking at most of the performance specs, the new 535 is equal or better in most categories and for a lot less $. The last gen M5 was around 75K back then. Oh and the mileage is much improved on the 535 vs the old M5. Interesting uh?
I am a former Lexus owner and because I admire the brand, will probably buy another in the future. BUT, owning my last Lexus, the SC430 made me extremely bored with the car. It felt both heavy and numb at the same time, not a good combination. I became disillusioned to the point that I went back to German cars and my third BMW was just ordered this past week, a 535. This will replace my 3 Series lease which expires in late Aug.
Thanks for your wishes. On the car I got steptronic, premium pkg., premium logic 7 HK stereo, comfort access and Sirius sat. radio. After this exterior and interior freshening, more of a change is due either as the 2009 or 2010 model. This will be just in time for this car's (24 mo. ) lease expiration.
After having the sport's pkg. (S.P.) on a 540, I've been happier without it on my current 3 Series. I found the sport seats hard & more confining and the ride is softer on the non-sport. Also, I'm not crazy about the summer tires which wear quite readily. Most BMW-philes say to never get a BMW without the S.P. The S.P. is great but just doesn't work as well for me.
Thanks
Lease was 24 mo., 18,000 mi. per year with tax, license + fees first payment, then $930/mo. Admittedly, this was not the best posssible lease out there but my mileage and 24 mos. (I get bored of cars if I keep longer) cost me. Also, if a better deal comes within the next 90 days, I will get it.
The Lexus is a pleasure to ride in.
The BMW is a pleasure to drive.
I have also found the standard BMW suspension to be sufficiently sporty, and more versatile for our crummy Midwest roads, and think it is worth considering. I'm also looking forward to the new body style (very low miles on my E39), but would also consider an E-class, so everyone's comments in this regard are of particular interest.
The rap on Lexus reminds me of the recent Consumer Reports (which back in 2001 called the E39 "the best car they ever tested") in which they gave the new Lexus ES top marks overall, but stated that it "wasn't even remotely fun to drive"--ouch!
http://ca.autos.yahoo.com/s/01062007/31/link-finance-news-bmw-group-reports-8-7-percent-increase-sales.html?p=1
http://home.att.net/~fdmeloan/5_Series_Sales.pdf
There were more 535xi sold than 528xi in the first two months (April and May 2007) since they hit the market.
What is more interesting to me is, historically, the bigger (or more powerful) engine xi's have outsold the smaller ones. The 530xi outsold the 525xi according to the sales reports.
I am beginning to wonder if I shouldn't be considering the 535xi myself for reasons such as resale value due to demand, etc. The 528xi has better fuel economy and less performance but costs less. Perhaps a 528xi is sufficient for an entry level BMW guy like me coming from Mercedes and Lexus
Any comments or advice?
The 3.0 litre engine in the 528xi is pretty nice. If you don't drive the 535xi, you'll probably never miss it.
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macdad
I drove the 528i and 535i last Saturday and found that the 528i is sporty enough for me. The 535i is definitely quicker. Unfortunately the dealership did not have any xi's in stock. They had over a dozen 528i's and only one 535i. They are expecting a 535xi soon.
I hope the added weight on the 528xi doesn't make a noticeable difference in performance compared to the 528i I drove last weekend.
Before the test drive, I favored the 535xi because of the spec. After the test drive, I was leaning more towards the 528xi because I am not (or have not developed) a sporty driving style, and the 528i felt sufficient
I could be persuaded to consider a 535xi if there are obvious reasons for doing so. I'll give myself one more week to research and read what others say, and then I'll place an order.
Thanks again for your input.
If you truly have no intention of pushing the car, get the 528ix. If you think you might be kicking yourself in 6 months, well...
Either is a great car, in any case. I'd rather drive an underpowered bmw than a overpowered lexus.
So, can I assume the 535xi is also "less sporty" than the 535i although the 535xi is 0.1 second faster than the 535i from 0 to 60mph? (with automatic transmission)
Not to make any Lexus fans out there jealous, but I have yet to drop a dime into my car for maintenance outside of my summer tires. Doesn't mean I don't take it in - just have had a bullet-proof car and performed all required maintenance. Originally leased in 2003, then CPO'ed and purchased in Jan '06 since I knew more engine in the 5er was on the way. Drove the 535 and loved it, but may just hold on until the next series change in 2009 or so.
I'm looking into the iPOD adapter and docking station for the center console ashtray from DICE and will call it a day with this terrific machine.
Funny, I actually have fantasies of buying a clean 2003 530i SP 5-Speed and putting in the twin-turbo I6 and 6-Speed from the 535i. For my needs, wants and desires, it simply couldn't get better than that. ;-)
Best Regards,
Shipo
By and large, yes. The AWD will help a little 0-60, and perhaps powering out ot turns, but in general the RWD cars are a little sportier and more fun to drive than the AWD versions.
Are you sure you want AWD? Putting on snow tires is a better option in many ways, in my opinion. You get RWD sportiness, better fuel economy, and snow tires help you turn and stop in snow/ice; AWD just helps you accelerate in incliment conditions.
Yes, I see it as a compromise, a "swiss army knife" approach
I don't want to have to change in and out of snow tires if I don't have to because it doesn't snow all that much here (relatively speaking). But when it snows heavily, I have a better chance of "surviving" - less chance of getting stuck in snow. I am sure AWD will be better in wet pavement too.
I owned 2 FWD's (Acura), 2 RWD's (Mercedes) and 1 AWD (Lexus), and it looks like AWD is a trend in luxury cars.
Like I said, I like gadgets, so if I can have the most fun-to-drive car (BMW) with AWD (safety and good traction in bad weather), then I will very happy.
This will be my first BMW, and I am looking forward to it
I'm ordering a 535 because for 5 grand more, I will be driving a luxury sports sedan, rather than a luxury sedan.
The 528ix is 2 seconds slower to 60 than the 535ix. That is a big difference. 60mph = 88 fps, so the 535 would be at least a 150 feet further down the road in a 0-60 drag. (I don't know enough math to really pin it down, as I realize that when the 535 hits 60, the 528 won't be near that at all, and when the 528 hits 60, the 535 would be well ahead of that speed.)
http://www.answers.com/topic/turn-signal#wp-_note-26
or
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automotive_lighting#Turn_signal_colour
OK, I personally prefer amber rear turn signal light because I agree, it is "easily discernible".
I never understood the reason for using red turn signal light. I was very disappointed when Honda started using red years ago, followed by Acura. To my surprise, BMW followed with red on their new 3 and 5-series in the USA, but apparently stayed with amber in Europe. Does anyone know why?
Apparently I am not alone in the disappointment http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2438
The 535xi is also 243 pounds heavier than the 535i, and total final drive is slighty taller in the first two gears. I doubt whether it is really .1 second faster to 60 and would like to see this verified with tests.
If you don't crave the extra power in the 535 I wouldn't hesitate to get the 528. It's similar to the E39 530 and that was the cat's meow not long ago. I would also have concerns about the newness of the twin turbo 6 in addition to potential issues over the long haul. $5K extra is a lot to pay for something you don't want. Gotta want it and appreciate it, not just feel good about the acceleration numbers.
Lastly, I am in central Texas. Anyone have experience with pricing in Austin/Waco/Houston/San Antonio/DFW etc?