Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
Options
Comments
and save money over new. A great choice.
Colt.
Colt.
Best Regards,
Shipo
I suggest you head down to your local pharmacy, buy one for $20, and stuff it in your spare wheel well in the trunk.
It looks like our cars are siblings; mine just went from “Scheduled for Production” to “Awaiting Transport” today as well. As an aside, what was the production date of your 328i? Mine was produced in 12/1998, could it be that both of our cars have been siblings?
As for transit time, I suspect that if you figure 5-Weeks, you will not be too far off. Best case scenario, the car gets transport to the port within a couple of days, gets “On Water” shortly thereafter, and clears the VPC in Jersey City and onto a truck with minimal delay, you could see your car in as little as three weeks.
Good luck.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Good theory on gas tank on the right side of the car,it makes sense to me.
is Xenon light standard for 99 540ia? and is Premium Sound included in the sports package?
What was the cost of Sports package plus Steptronic then?
Thanks
I finally got out of the house this Saturday and went for some test drives. I think I have narrowed it down to an A6 3.0 or a BMW 525/30. I really like the BMW. I drove both a manual and auto 525.
When I got home to read the brouchures, I was disappointed about the lack of features in the 525. You can't even get auto headlights on a $43K car????? I know that may sound petty, but for the past 6 years my Ford truck has provided me with this luxury and I have grown accustom.
Bottom line is that the Audi is more affordable, especially with current finance deals, but I think the BMW puts a wider smile on my face.
We didn't get to the negotiations, but on a car stickering for $42,300, he said "I can't get to $41K, but I can get below $42K". According to this site, the invoice price is $38.75K. I have read about people frequently getting pricing at $1500 over invoice. This brings it to $40,250, well below the range the salesman was flirting with.
Can anyone recommend a dealer/salesman in the DFW area? I am willing to pay fair value for the car, but I am not so in love with it as to be taken advantage of.
Sorry for the long post.............
I took delivery of my 328i on 30-Jan-1999. WOW, are we on the same cycle or what?
"Any thoughts on what your next car will be?" Hmmm, well, not yet, a lot can change in three years. ;-)
Boxster,
The Xenon headlights are standard equipment on the 540iA. The Premium Sound is NOT part of Sport Package, so to add both you will need to pay an extra $5,300 ($2,800 Sport Package, plus $1,300 Gas Guzzler Tax, plus $1,200 Premium Sound).
Best Regards,
Shipo
does it mean in 1999, buying a brand new 540ia w/ steptronic and sports package, you have to pay $4100 more than the non-sports 540ia?
before the steptronic was added in 1999, what was the cost of sports package for 97 and 98 models? the sports package always included sports seats, sports suspension, 17" wheel and tires, am I right?
Thanks again!
1. European delivery
bonuses = a short vacation and an opportunity to drive on excellent autobahns with intelligent drivers on the road.
2. Go for CPO
As for the sport package equipment, I think you're right but I'm not sure. If Shipo's not sure, you can ask on the forums at bimmer.org...someone there will know.
Anyway, if you don't get any other dealer recommendations here, you might want to ask around at bimmer.org. Otherwise, you may consider European Delivery, or contact Steve Diamond at http://www.eurobuyers.com. For a couple hundred bucks, he'll find you a dealer willing to sell for a great deal (I'd imagine $1500 over invoice tops). The only downside is you may have to go to a nearby state to get it, but people who've used the service unanimously praise the whole process.
Good luck.
If you have the 540iA without a sport package, you pay no gas guzzler tax:)
The sport package for 2000(oldest model year for which I have hard data) consists of: steptronic automatic transmission with high-stall-speed torque converter, performance final drive ratio(3.15:1 vs. std. 2.81:1), sport suspension, 17 in. wheels/tires with differentiated front/rear sizes, high gloss shadowline exterior trim, 3-spoke sport steering wheel--I'm prety sure this was a new option in 2000, and sport seats.
hope this helps you guys out!
Rob
For those looking in DC, we hated arlington BMW they practically ignored us and we had to wait quite a while. BMW of Fairfax was nicer and more attentive but less than great. We took a test drive with literally a quart of gas in the tank. Yes these things happen, but the salesman didn't even offer to put in a gallon, so we could test it out.
Can't wait the 6-8 weeks for delivery.
About the Xenon lights, some say that's standard for 2000 models but option for 99 models,
what do you think?
Couple people here concur:)
Rob
Which is it? When will the new 5 series be introduced? will the 2003 5 series be the same body style as currently?
I guess there might be no 2003 BMW 5 at all
It doesn't apply to the base 540iA because the final drive ratio is taller in the base, meaning less acceleration in the name of economy:)
Rob
Pulled out a Consumer Guide Auto 2000, published January 2000. It says "For 2000, rain sensing windshield wipers and Xenon headlamps are standard instead of optional for the 540i". These were optional items in MY 1999 for 540i. And their price list at time shows the then gas guzzler tax in MY 2000 as $1,300 for 540i6 and 540iA with Sport Package; $2,100 for M5.
At least 22.5 $0
At least 21.5 but less than 22.5 $1,000
At least 20.5 but less than 21.5 $1,300
At least 19.5 but less than 20.5 $1,700
At least 18.5 but less than 19.5 $2,100
At least 17.5 but less than 18.5 $2,600
At least 16.5 but less than 17.5 $3,000
At least 15.5 but less than 16.5 $3,700
At least 14.5 but less than 15.5 $4,500
At least 13.5 but less than 14.5 $5,400
At least 12.5 but less than 13.5 $6,400
Less than 12.5 $7,700.
"Fuel economy" is based upon 55% EPA City + 45% EPA Highway ratings (e.g. my Honda S2000 would be 55%* 20 mpg + 45%* 26 mpg = 22.7. Whew, that was close to an extra $1,000!)
Under “US Code Collection”
Title 26, Subtitle D, Chapter 32, Subchapter A, Part 1, Section 6061 to 4064
Imposition of Tax:
There is hereby imposed on the sale by the manufacturer of each automobile a tax determined in accordance with the following table:
Tax Amount – Fuel Mileage* Range
$0,000 – At least 22.5 mpg
$1,000 – Between 21.5 and 22.499 mpg
$1,300 – Between 20.5 and 21.499 mpg
$1,700 – Between 19.5 and 20.499 mpg
$2,100 – Between 18.5 and 19.499 mpg
$2,600 – Between 17.5 and 18.499 mpg
$3,000 – Between 16.5 and 17.499 mpg
$3,700 – Between 15.5 and 16.499 mpg
$4,500 – Between 14.5 and 15.499 mpg
$5,400 – Between 13.5 and 14.499 mpg
$6,400 – Between 12.5 and 13.499 mpg
$7,700 – Less than 12.5 mpg
* Fuel Mileage as defined by the EPA is calculated as (City MPG * .55) + (Highway MPG * .45)
So the mileage calculations for the three versions of the 540i work out to:
18 City -- 24 Highway -- 20.7 Combined / 540iA
15 City -- 21 Highway -- 17.7 Combined / 540iA Sport Package
15 City -- 23 Highway -- 18.6 Combined / 540i 6-Speed
Hmmm, so, why does the 540iA not pay $1,300 in Gas Guzzler Tax? I cannot answer that. Furthermore, why do the 540iA SP and the 540i 6-Speed not pay $2,600 and $2,100 respectively in Gas Guzzler taxes? I do not know that either.
What I do know; for model year 2002, to buy (or lease) the standard 540iA, one must pay no Gas Guzzler tax; meanwhile, to buy (or lease) either the 540iA with Sport Package, or the 540i 6-Speed, one MUST pay a $1,300 (no more, no less) Gas Guzzler tax.
If any of you out there know why there is a discrepancy between the Tax Code as written and the Tax as implemented, I would love to know the reason.
Best Regards,
Shipo
$1300 is the guzzler tax, I guess I'm a little dyslexic today! lol
Rob
(1/ ( ( .495 / CityMPG ) + ( .351 / HighwayMPG ) ) ) + .15
So the (New) mileage calculations for the three versions of the 540i work out to:
18 City -- 24 Highway -- 23.89 Combined / 540iA
15 City -- 21 Highway -- 20.26 Combined / 540iA Sport Package
15 City -- 23 Highway -- 20.87 Combined / 540i 6-Speed
Ok, that explains why the 540iA does not pay and Gas Guzzler Tax, it also explains why the 540i 6-Speed pays $1,300 in Gas Guzzler Taxes, however, why does the 540iA equipped with the Sport Package not pay $1,700 in Gas Guzzler Taxes?
Once again, if any of you out there know why this discrepancy exists between the Tax Code as written and the Tax as implemented, I would love to know the reason.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Brest Regards,
Shipo
The options I ordered were leather seats, xenon headlights, manual (no automatic), sport package and HK sound system. According to Edmunds, the invoice (with destination charge) is $41,665 and the MSRP is $45,545. My price was $44,000 or about $2,300 above invoice. This is above the "$1,500-over-invoice" number I have seen on this site, but I was able to get this deal at my local dealer (Braman in Miami, FL) in two short and straightforward visits. Do you think I got a reasonable deal or did I overpay?
Also, what is the consensus on the HK sound system. To be honest, they did not have one in the dealership so I don't know how it sounds. I did hear the standard system and was disappointed with the noticeable distortion at even medium volume levels. Is the convenience and quality of the HK system worth $1,200 or should I pass on this option and upgrade in the aftermarket? If so, what is recommended in the aftermarket?
Finally, should I have waited for the 2003 model, which I was told is coming in a couple of months?
Thanks for your thoughts.
Rob
Best Regards,
Shipo
I'm very pleased with the premium stereo, but plenty others have complained it's not worth the price. My advice, as usual, is to go listen to both and decide for yourself. You may want to go to another dealer and suggest you're thinking about buying, and have a listen while you're at it. After market solutions exist aplenty, but they often get more expensive than the premium's $1200 price, and the car's proprietary electronics and interfaces do not lend themselves to easy upgrades. You may want to comb the archives at bimmer.org for opinions, and/or the articles at www.bmwtips.org for some DIY jobs some have tackled.
About your deal: $1500 over is a fairly good deal, but certainly geographical differences exist. In southern Florida, I wouldn't be surprised if $2500 over invoice is the norm (which is what I paid in Atlanta, by the way).
And the 2003 model--which will include no major changes--will appear around late October or so.
Congratulations on the new car.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD, 2025 Toyota Camry SE AWD
Using the 530i as a basis for comparison, the EPA has rated the 5-Speed 530i as having 16.14% better mileage than the otherwise identical car with an automatic transmission. Meanwhile, the EPA has done the reverse and rated the 540iA as having 14.47% better mileage than the 540i 6-Speed. What gives?
To attempt to answer that question, I did a little research, and as you will see, I am still in a quandary. Consider the following specs:
Car/Pkg – Top Gear – Diff – Tire Dia – RPMs @ 60MPH (top gear)
540iA PP – 0.80:1 – 2.81:1 – 25.7 in. – 1764
540iA SP – 0.80:1 – 3.15:1 – 25.6 in. – 1985
540iM SP – 0.83:1 – 2.81:1 – 24.9 in. – 1889
Now, admittedly, the standard 540iA turns 125 fewer RPMs at 60 MPH than does a 540i 6-Speed, however, at this engine speed, the difference is virtually irrelevant, it is the rolling resistance, wind resistance and drive train efficiency that really determine fuel economy. That said, there is virtually no difference between the various 5ers as far as wind resistance goes, the tires on the 540i 6-Speed are about an inch wider than the ones installed on the 540iA, so rolling resistance is not much of an issue either, that leaves us with the drive train. Given that the engine on both cars is the same, as is the rear-end final drive ratio, the EPA is essentially telling us that the 6-Speed manual transmission is substantially less efficient than the Automatic gearbox. Am I the only one who is having a problem swallowing that?
My guess is that our friends here that drive 540i 6-Speed cars are experiencing fuel economy that is significantly better than the EPA calculations (assuming that our friends with said 540i 6-Speed cars can keep their foot out of the loud end of the go pedal ;-)), especially when cruising down the highway with the cruise control set.
Any comments?
Best Regards,
Shipo
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD, 2025 Toyota Camry SE AWD
Best Regards,
Shipo
Thanks to all!!!
Colt
Keep in mind that the EPA has designed their own test and makes statistical adjustments. Don't think they really do do real world tests of actual cars out on a road in the open.
#53 of 53 Zymol by jerry333 Mar 12, 2002 (06:16 pm)
I am getting ready (next couple of months) to wax my 2001 525i for the first time. I have seen ads about Zymol cleaners and waxes and wonder if anyone has tried them. I note they are pricey, but if they do an above average job I would not mind paying the price.
Any thoughts?