Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
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
"Rag, as usual" refers to the fact that in several years of watching, my friend and I never saw a really desirable car (SL, Corvette, XKE, 911, etc ) that was driven by a woman, or had a female passenger, where said female personage was not totally desirable as well.
Now, y’all must understand, we were in our late teens then (mid 1970s), and being PC was not exactly high on our personal agendas, quite simply, we were on the lookout for beautiful cars and beautiful women (not necessarily in that order ;-)), and I must say, while I saw a few gorgeous women driving less than killer cars, I NEVER saw a really choice car being driven by a woman that was, ummm, errr, a notch or two below “Fashion Model” status.
All of this leads to the comment “Rag, as usual”, which in the 1990s could have been altered to be, “Rag, as usual, NOT!”
My how times have changed, after writing this, I feel like I have fully consumed BOTH of my feet. ;-)
Best Regards,
Shipo
Is there a way to undo this without going to those chips that change other aspects of the car's engine?
TIA,
Patelli
That said, if you really want to remove the limit, I believe that Dinan (among other tuners) sells a new chip for the OBC that will remove the limit.
Best Regards,
Shipo
I always wonder about the liability excuse, because the after-market chip companies seem to stay in business just fine and they have a heck of a lot less capital and should be financially pressed if there really are any liability issues.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Eat your hearts out.
OTOH, I only do a road trip once a year now, rather than monthly as I did in my sales days.
So, IMHO, if you want to go faster here in the States, buy a small plane.
Best Regards,
Shipo
True Cost to Own (TCO): Revealing the Hidden Costs of Car Ownership
http://www.edmunds.com/advice/specialreports/articles/59897/article.html
kirstie_h
Roving Host
Edmunds.com
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Need help navigating? kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
Share your vehicle reviews
Willing to bet you that those lower speed-rated tires on the non-Sport 525i and 530i do save BMW some cash.
And for the Sport-equipped 525i and 530i, keeping them at 128 mph does help BMW justify, even if only in a small way, the price differential between them and the 540i6 and 540iA Sport models. I wouldn't pay $55,000 if my car couldn't go a heck of a lot quicker and faster than a $35-45,000 model sharing same platform. But maybe that is just me?
Perhaps the engine ECU (which governs top speed) isn't aware of whether the model is a sport model or not, and therefore can't enforce it differently regardless (the exception being with the 540i6sp, since they're all sport models).
As for the perceived speed "value," are you being serious? For a couple hundred dollars any 530 owner (not sure if the 525 has the power) can have their speed-limiter removed and run right up to about 155 before massive air resistance prevents any further acceleration. You really think that 155-limiter on the 540i (we're talking about a single line of software on the ECU here) is a "value-added" asset compared to the 525/530?
And BMW also controls whether they'll resist warranty claims if you install a chip that removes the speed limiter. Guessin' BMW's lawyers might be inclined to say that any engine or transmission problems could be linked to that significant alteration, esp. if they see you have driven the car at speeds in excess of 128 mph after having the limiter removed or altered.
How much does Dinan charge for the chip and the labor? Don't they provide their own supplemental warranty? As long as you go thru them and the BMW dealers associated with them?
-Bob D.
Best Regards,
Shipo
I'll be following your trail a bit (ED pickup June 24, Paris dropoff in early July, pickup from Mike at Park Ave. after that) so I appreciate your comments.
BTW, where is the Paris dropoff on Fock Ave? The address does not give a street number. Is it near the Arc de Triomphe or do you know a cross street?
-Bob D.
Other than power and the availability of a few options, I don't think you lose anything by going with a 525i.
To the best of my knowledge, the residual percentages are identical between the 525i and the 530i.
The build quality is identical between the 525i and the 530i, they both come off the same production line, and until the drive train goes in, and the model designation is stuck to the back, there is no difference between the two I6 engined models.
Given that the 525i is still faster than the vast majority of cars on the road, I would say that its power is adequate for most drivers, and then some.
If the 525i is something you are interested in, go and drive it, I suspect that you will be glad that you did.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Good luck. ;-)
Best Regards,
Shipo
On your ED trip, what did you do to remain within the break-in guidelines when driving on the autobahn? I'm interested in ED delivery on my next 5er, but not at the expense of exceeding the suggested break-in period. I don't think I would be able to resist a 130 or 140 m.p.h. jaunt on the autobahn even if it wasn't for a sustained period.
Note that the 530 actually gets better gas mileage than the 525 with the 5-sp, but it may take a while to make up the price difference.
Personally, I ordered the 530 but "skimped" otherwise (PP, Xenon, rear airbag, & rear shade but no premium sound nor sport package). With ED and a reasonable markup, This kept the price to just over $40k, and I get a "530" on the back.
-Bob D.
Also, while on the Autobahn in Switzerland, I hit 105 mph a couple of times trying to get out of the way of faster moving traffic coming up on me from behind, however, 105 does not take you over the 4,500 limit.
That said, when I crossed the magic 1,200 mile limit, I stood on it and took it all of the way to the limiter, which is 132.5 (indicated) on my car.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Best Regards,
Shipo
Even if you wanted to go faster than 130, your limiter would stop you cold. Your indicated speed ay say 130-something, but BMW speedos are somewhat optimistic, to the tune of 5% or so.
That said, at least on the A5 that I use to get to Switzerland and back, as well as several other SW German divided roads the "not" 130 kph sign is often in evidence, as one leaves a speed-restricted area. Traffic willing, knock yourself out.
By the way, NEVER PASS ON THE RIGHT. I wasn't born knowing that, but it's serious law in the Fatherland.
I see that shipo has already beaten me to it. I am not sure what speed the 540 would be turning, as mine is 530. I assume it is 540 you are referring to with the 6 spd?
A good road for the ED'ers to let it out is A95 from Garmish to Munich. If you happen to come back to Munich after your travel and have gone past 1200, it is a great place to let it out. Minima traffic, at least twice I was on it, and about 40 minutes of unlimited section. On top of that Garmish has some beautiful sceneries and great drive through the mountains.
As for the RPMs of a 540i 6-Speed, according to my calculations here is what the following 5ers turn at 100 MPH:
3,508 -- 525iA
4,315 -- 525i
3,427 -- 530iA
4,014 -- 530i
3,080 -- 540iA
3,452 -- 540iA SP
3,195 -- 540i 6-Speed
I hope this helps.
Best Regards,
Shipo
3,508 -- 525iA
4,315 -- 525i
3,427 -- 530iA
4,014 -- 530i
3,080 -- 540iA
3,452 -- 540iA SP
3,195 -- 540i 6-Speed
3,581 -- M5
Best Regards,
Shipo
I am taking the family to Munich, Salzburg, and Fussen for a week before heading to the Black Forest and Paris for a second week plus. I am looking forward to scenic drives in a new 530. I'll need to balance my interests (BMW factory tour, Bier Gartens, driving, etc.) with the family's (Munich Olympic Site, Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg, Eiffel Tower), but I am hoping we all will be happy.
-Bob D.
Model.. Gear Ratio x Final Drive = Overall Ratio
540iA.. 0.80 x 2.81 = 2.248
540iASp 0.80 x 3.15 = 2.520
540i6.. 0.83 x 2.81 = 2.332
M5..... 0.83 x 3.15 = 2.615
The C of d for each is =.31. (All are for 2002s.)
I'm just wondering if there would be a 115 RPM difference between the non-Sport 540iA and the 540i6.
My question is: What is the best way to go now, in terms of buying a BMW? I want to get a BMW that will give me a good resale value in two years, so I can move up to the new 5 series. So, should I save some money over new, and buy a 2000 or 2001 3 Series, 5 Series? Or, should I buy a new 3 Series, or 5 Series, which would give the most value from the needs I have listed. Thanks for any comments or suggestions.
Have a great time, I am already thinking about driving down there again.
Since you decided to call my bluff ;-), I decided to make my calculations a little more accurate. So without further ado, here are the new numbers:
New# -- Old# -- Car
4,231 -- 4,315 -- 525i
3,439 -- 3,508 -- 525iA
4,315 -- 4,315 -- 525i SP
3,508 -- 3,508 -- 525iA SP
3,936 -- 4,014 -- 530i
3,360 -- 3,427 -- 530iA
4,014 -- 4,014 -- 530i SP
3,427 -- 3,427 -- 530iA SP
3,020 -- 3,080 -- 540iA
3,473 -- 3,452 -- 540iA SP
3,214 -- 3,195 -- 540i 6-Speed
3,516 -- 3,581 -- M5
Woobah,
Another possibility is to go for a two year lease on either a CPO or a new car, then, when the E60 is out and ready to rock, you simply cut your best deal on the E60, turn in the lease car, and you are good to go.
FWIW, I know folks are pretty consistently recommending that first year models are to be avoided, and in the case of the E39, that was certainly good advice, however, the 1999 E46 328i sitting in my garage that I don't officially have any more, was a first year model, and it only suffered two burned out taillight bulbs. Not too bad in my book.
Best Regards,
Shipo
I wholeheartedly agree about avoiding first year cars, esp. very complex ones like a 5 or 7 Series, or MB E or S Class.
shipo... I'll let you know the 540i6 100 mph RPM number when I come back from my trip to Omaha this afternoon. It's a tough assignment but someone should do it and I'm up for the task!
We decided to make 2-3 night stands and tour from there instead of changing hotels every night. I hope this helps.
-Bob D.
50 mph = 1,475 RPMs
65 mph = 1,900 RPMs
75 mph = 2,200 RPMs
85 mph = 2,500 RPMs
100 mph = 3,000 RPMs
Note: All windows up, no A/C or ventilation in use, and cruise control on.
My calculations were for a car running Michelin Pilot Sport tires in the size of 255/40 YR17, with a calculated "Revs Per Mile" of 827.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Front: P235/45ZR17 93W
Rear.: P255/40ZR17 94W
Negotiating huge traffic jams on the Friday afternoon before Bastille day, we were lucky to get there not long before they closed. We had to put the car in a parking space, where we were told it would sit until the following Monday or Tuesday. The spaces are narrow, a scary prospect if your car will sit there several days. When I picked it up stateside, however, there was no damage at all. Also, the first-aid kit, warning triangle, and Bavarian tourist plates were still with the car. Good luck.
-Bob D.
Your itinerary closely parallels ours -- Munich, Salzburg, Fussen, Paris, etc. Speaking of biergardens, try the one in the Englischer Garten in Munich, by the Chinese Tower. Friendly, good food, and even an ompah band playing in the tower.
3,215 RPMs @ 100 MPH -- 540i 6-Speed w/Michelin Pilot Sport tires
3,211 RPMs @ 100 MPH -- 540i 6-Speed w/Yokohama AVS dB tires
So, according to the numbers, we are about 200 RPMs off, any theorys as to why?
Best Regards,
Shipo
I wanted to see some of the Champagne district, but maybe I should leave Reims early enough to drop the luggage and family off at our hotel in the opera district and take the car back myself. By that time, I may need an extra suitcase to handle the shopping of my wife and 2 girls.
I am at the Marriott in Munich near the Englischer Garten and will check it out.
-Bob D.
Did you take into account the compression of the tire against the road and therefore smaller diameter? This should increase the number of tire revolutions per mile.
-murray
Of course, there is variability between cars even in same marque & model! Maybe my engine is more powerful than the average 540i6's? A guy can hope, can't he???
Here is more data, but this time from my wife's '00 323iA non-Sport (PP):
50 mph = 1,750 RPMs
60 mph = 2,100 RPMs
65 mph = 2,250 RPMs
75 mph = 2,575 RPMs
80 mph = 2,775 RPMs
100 mph = 3,550 RPMs
This was with windows closed, A/C off, and cruise control on. I also had 210 pounds of small children on board but only a 1/4 tank of gasoline.