Are you a current Michigan-based car shopper? A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/2 for details.
Hi all, first time poster here. I am a '92 Q45 driver who is considering buying a '98-'01 540iA of 540i6. I live in Calif. in an area of no snowfall. However, 3 or 4 times each winter I drive on mountainous areas where there is snow. The CHP has checkpoints where they require all cars to put on tire chains, "no exceptions.
Questions:
1) I understand that the sport pkg. with 17" wheels performs poorly in snow. If I switch to 16" wheels for the winter, will the wheel well accomodate tire chains or cables?
2) At the risk of sounding like a heretic to you BMW cognoscente, may I ask what the advantages/disadvantages/harm/performance issues would be to running 16" wheels year round on a 540 with sport suspension? I would like to avoid changing wheels for 3 or 4 weekends per year.
Take shot if you must, but please include some answers. Thanks.
Here are a few pictures I found, if you haven't already seen them. Sorry if they take a little while to load. I think the first picture is what the car will most likely resemble. However, the last two most closely resemble the Edmund's spy photo, and those are usually pretty close. They're all kind of, "sevenish".
Have been checking out the new design since the pictures started showing up on various publications and have come to the conclusion that I might be able to have the new 5 er grow on me over considerable time. The question in my mind is do I really want to let it grow on me? I had wanted a bimmer for years but the car lacked something in looks/design UNTIL I gazed upon the 2001 530I and realized this was IT. I have not been disappointed and I check it out everyday and still love the look and the drive. If it takes as long to find a new car that has IT, this may have been my last car !! Perish the thought!
I was catching up on previous posts and read 6 month update- by pen101 and to my amazement , I was struck by the ideas and thoughts on this post. I could have very well written just about everything on this post. I, too, have pretty much the same likes and dislikes of my 530IA and they pretty much mirror what most new owners are going to experience in the early months of ownership. Kudos to Pen 101. Kudos to all who post here, the experience is invaluable.
I got back late last night from 2.5 weeks in Europe including 1.5 weeks with my new 530 (declining to drive much in Paris).
I drove 1100 miles on the Autobahn, alpine roads in Bavaria and Austria, some nice windy streches in the Black Forest, and Munich and Paris traffic jams.
I will relate more later, but the car was a pleasure. For now, I wanted to provide some info on the break-in period.
While picking up in Munich, I asked about the break-in period, knowing the recommended 4500 rpm / 100 mph limits for 1200 miles. The person handling my delivery said the break-in period was 4500 rpm for 650 miles and then 5500 rpm for another 200 miles (i.e. 850). I asked about the 100 mph limit, and he said that they list that number since they do not sell many manuals in the US. As long as I kept to 4500 rpm, I was fine, given that I had a 5-speed. He said I should be able to go 110 mph.
I am not sure if this meant that the break-in limit would be different for automatic transmissions or that they just list 100 mph since auto. drivers may not pay attention to the tachometer.
For about 325 miles, I stayed under 101 mph. Later, I did take it up to a reported speed of 116 mph at 4400 rpm. Expecting the usual over-reporting (I'll test against a GPS when I get a chance), this could be 110-112 mph actual, about what the delivery person stated.
I did not push over 110 mph (reported) much, but having the range of 100-110 to use was nice when on the unlimited portions of the Autobahn. It helps getting around slower cars and trucks while not getting pushed by cars doing 115+.
More later on going from 100 to 20 (quickly, out of necessity), passing on Black Forest highways, and other experiences later, but I had a 23-hour travel day yesterday and am jet-lagged for now.
I picked up my 530i today, 49 days after placing the order. The only bummer was the lousy weather, which figuratively and literally rained on my parade all day. Only put on ~50 miles as a result, but wow -- I'm sure I'm gonna love this car. The difference between my recently-departed 323i non-sport and a new 530i sport is profound, to say the least.
The next challenge? To observe restraint during the break-in period. I'm intrigued by the modified limits you were told about, Bluewater Bob. 850 miles of keeping the revs <4.5K/5.5K would be a whole lot easier to cope with than the published guidelines. It sounds like you got this feedback from a presumably knowledgeable BMW resource. I guess I'll call my dealership and see what they have to say, although I'm inclined to trust a BMW employee based in the Fatherland more than my local sales guy. I'm really anxious to let 'er rip, but as I plan on keeping this car for a long time (purchased not leased), I want to do right by the engine and not push it too hard too soon.
I'll provide some first impressions after I get a few hundred miles under my belt, but for now, I'm actually looking forward to driving to work in the morning!
Regards,
musher2 [Ox Grn w/ Stone Grn/Blk, 5 sp, SP/PP/CWP/Xenons/DSP/fold downs/sunscreen]
PS After reading some negative comments about Continental tires several hundred posts ago, I was relieved to see my car arrive with Michelin Pilot Primacy's. Does anyone have a strong impression about the performance aspects of these tires?
keviny22... Does the Financial Times story say to whom BMW is giving the incentives? Dealers or buyers? And does it indicate if the incentives are direct cash to dealers, direct rebates to customers, financing incentives (subsidized intereste rate), or leasing incentives (subsidized leases)?
I too have the Pilot Primacy tires on my car, so, here is my $.02.
Grip: In my 328i (non-SP), which had Michelin MXV4 Plus tires, I was constantly seeing the DSC light flash during my normal every day driving. On my 530i SP, I rarely see said light, even when the roads are wet. Granted comparing non-SP tires to SP tires is not even remotely fair, however, for every day driving, the Primacys have lots of grip.
Noise: If anything, the Primacys are as quiet as the MXV4s.
“Tramlining”: One of the complaints I have heard about other SP tires is how they tend to follow the grooves, seams and other irregularities in the road surface. The Primacys do not exhibit that characteristic, I find myself wondering if the asymmetrical tread pattern is responsible for this.
While I am unlikely to ever track this car or have any other way to push these tires to their limits on a regular basis, and as such, have no way of determining how good they are relative to the Contenintals or Dunlops, I do find them far more capable than I need for daily driving, and very civilized at the same time. ;-)
While I'm waiting to purchase a new 5-something (to take advantage of the BMWCCA rebate, build up a down payment, and pray my company pulls itself back up), I'd like to know what BMW-related books you find interesting and helpful.
Hi everybody, Picked up my slate green (stone grn/black interior) 530i stick-shift (PP, lumbar, xenon, prem sound, sunshade) two days back. Have driven it around 100 miles. The very first impression was awesome power, quite big a car, much more solid and safe feeling (compared to my current integra).
Congrats Bluewater and musher2 for ur new car and thanks for sharing the info about breakin.
Hoping to do some good amount of driving on the weekend. Will keep the group posted.
Hi, 3 weeks ago, I bought a 1998, 528i. Last week, the driver seat and the steering wheel adjustment stopped functioning. The fuse was blown. I changed it. It was blown again. Took it to the dealer. He figured that things are ok until you sit on the seat and the fuse blows up.
He wants to charge me 3-4 hours (about $350)for taking the seat apart, and then, he will check if the problem can be fixed (with changing parts), or he would need to change a some wiring harness(about $200). I told the dealer not to fix it for now.
Initially on seeing the pictures I wasn't sure if I liked it better than the current Z3, but it is now growing on me. I still think I would have preferred the twin-kidney grill attached to the hood rather than split as it is now. I was checking it to see if there would be any clues to the new 5'er design.
I'd like to hear you comment a bit more on the difference between the 323 and the 530. I know all the equipment stuff, but how about feel, power, handling, driving dynamcis, etc. I know Shipo did the 328 to 530 upgrade and remember some of his thoughts, but I'm looking for more opinions (Shipo, I always welcome your additional thoughts as well). I may make the same trade up some day. I really like the tossability of my 3 series with sport package and I'm concerned the 530 will be much more sedate and familyish. I don't want to give up the aggressive handling abilities. Enjoy the new ride!
First off, let me say that I really liked my 323i, including it's handling, power, etc. I didn't initiate the 'divorce' because I found it lacking in any significant way. Rather, a couple of admittedly minor things got me thinking about upgrading to a 5, namely limited back seat space (such that I felt compelled to pull the driver's seat forward a couple of inches to accommodate even average sized passengers sitting behind me), and even more nit-picky was my desire to get away from black seats (summers have been pretty hot in the midwest lately and I wear shorts a lot).
So, while I was very content with the handling aspects of my 323i, as the saying goes, you can't miss what you never had. I didn't have the presence of mind (nor the funds, at the time) to get the sports package when I ordered the '3' two years ago. As it was my first BMW (and my first sporty car in some time), I was pretty impressed with how it handled. Even the smaller 2.5L engine had enough 'oomph' to keep me happy.
That said, even though I have only driven the 530i for ~200 miles over two days, I am almost speechless about the impact of the sport pkg. I sought out some winding, hilly (and mostly unused) roads this afternoon and had an almost religious experience. The car and I were so connected via the steering wheel (and the clutch and the accelerator) that it seemed like I could almost "will" the 5er through the turns. There's nothing sedate or familyish about it at all, although in my case, the increase in weight between the 323i and 530i is probably more than offset by the bigger engine in the '5'. A more reasonable evaluation of the weight difference would be made by comparing a 325vs525 or a 330vs530, which I haven't done.
Since you have a 323i with the sports pkg, you may not find a similarly-equipped 5er to be as profoundly different as I have. I'd suggest that you take a 5er out for a test spin to see for yourself, but perhaps you shouldn't...unless you're prepared to disrupt your budget with an unplanned purchase! I know I had to take a deep breath as I wrote out the check for the 530i yesterday (I always buy cars for cash). It cost almost as much as my first house did 20 years ago. But no regrets though -- I'm happy to spend the money, and I just wanna get back out on the road! ;-)
Thanks for the info regarding the sports pkg tires debate and the Michelins. I have Conti's on my E34 5 series and absolutely love them but they are not z-rated tires. Can you request tires on a car that is being built by the factory?
Secondly, I know that many of you are located in locations that do not require the switch to snow tires during the winter months.. But, for those of you who make change the tires, what snow tire/wheel combination do you suggest for the 530i with sport wheels? I do not want to make this a big expenditure but will probably shy away from putting 15" steel wheels during the winter.
As I am about to move to New Hampshire in a couple of weeks, I am about to pop for my first set of winter tires, ever. I am leaning toward a TireRack package which includes four 16x7 "Mille Miglia Cello" wheels with a 225/55HR16 Michelin Pilot Alpin mounted on each. Total cost for this package (including shipping) is going to be about $981. It seems to me that I have seen actual "Winter Packages" from TireRack for a few hundred less, however, that link is currently missing from their web site, maybe I will wait until this fall and see if they start the package thing again.
Thanks for the response. You're right, I've been hesitant to take a 5 for a test drive for fear of writing another check for close to $20,000, plus my (2 year old) car in trade. Like you, I buy my cars. With the market the way it is, that is tough to justify right now.
I, too, have to pull the drivers seat forward to put an adult in the back seat. Diving a stick, it becomes extremely uncomfortable (and a bit unsafe) with the seat moved forward. Does the current 5 series really give much more room? In a showroom, I've adjusted the drivers seat of a 5 exactly as I think I would drive it and then jump in behind. Still was too tight (I'm about 6' 2" but leg inseam is just 34 inches). I know some has been written here about this topic, but it seems odd that a $45,000 sedan doesn't have a bigger back seat. I assume the new 5 will certainly address that issue. Anyone else have comments? Is the back really bigger than I think?
Oddly enough, even though the E39 officially has only 0.1” of overall extra legroom when compared to the E46, it seems like a lot more than that. Maybe it is because there is generally more room in the 5er which allows you to adjust the seat further forward than on the 3er. Whatever the reason, my kids do not complain about the lack of legroom/foot room like they did with my previous 328i.
As for why the E39 does not have “more legroom for a $45,000 sedan”, well, technically the E39 is a contemporary of the E36 version of the 3 Series, that said, when these two BMW models are compared, the 5-Series has quite a bit more legroom than the 3-Series. FWIW, it is my understanding that the new E60 5-Series will have at least a couple of extra inches of cabin length, thus asserting its legroom superiority over the 3-Series once again. ;-)
BMW CCA rewards program requires a copy of the buying/lease agreement and the odometer statement. Can someone tell me if a copy of odometer statement is enough or does BMW NA require the original. Thanks in advance for your responses.
I've been perplexed about the same thing, Shipo. When I was considering an upgrade to a '5', I looked at the dimensions page of the 3- and 5-series brochures and found the same nominal difference, but the reality is that there are at least two, maybe three, more inches available to rear seat passengers in my 530i than there was in my 323i. I'm pretty certain the distance between the driver's seat and the firewall is virtually the same, as I like the top of my left foot to touch the firewall firmly when the clutch is depressed.
The easiest explanation is an error in the printed specs in one or both manuals, I suppose, but the bottom line is -- my kids are much happier sitting in the back of the 5er, and I won't be pulling my seat up any more.
bmw323i, I'm 6'1" with a 33" inseam, so I probably don't have my seat as far back as you do, which may account for why I'm finding the 530i's rear leg room to be more workable than you do.
I'm not sure, but I think when manufacturers "officially" measure rear seat legroom, it's with the front driver's seat set all the way back. Given that some front seats have much more rearward travel than others, this distorts the real world legroom, given the same driver up front.
I take my own measurements by positioning the drivers seat for me, then getting in the back seat and measuring how much room is in front of my knees. By my measurements, the 5 has about 2" more legroom than the 3 series for my preferred driving position.
I also take my own measurements of hip and shoulder room in the rear seat. With two daughters who will probably be in booster seats for a couple of more years, the width of the rear seat is key if you want to have anything or anybody fit between them. And I have found that some cars have more encroachment into this valuable space by the door armrests than others.
And, just to show I have my priorities right, I carted my golf clubs around when shopping for a roadster last fall. The S2000 swallowed them in the trunk with room to spare, the Z3 did not. Guess which one I bought?
I suggest taking a tape measure (and golf clubs) to the dealer with you when shopping.
Well. I can speak to this as I've had a 325ic, a 328ic and now have a 528, all with manual transmissions. I am also 6 3".
The convertibles have almost no back seats as you all most likely know. The sedan has a little more, but it's only for little folks.
When I'm driving, it is best to have a shorter person behind my seat for their comfort. I have had to bring my seat a little forward for taller back seat riders.
By the way, I have a 34" inseam and don't actually have the seat all the way back like I had to on the 3 series.
So, in summary. The 5 has more room in front and rear. Is it a caddie? No. Can 5 sit in the car. Yes.
Thanks to all for the responses on back seat room. My 3 series is the first car I have EVER driven (I have driven hundreds - including rentals)in which I do not automatically put the front seat all the way back to drive. I still feel that I have to pull the drivers seat forward if anyone sits behind me though. As Shipo points out, the new 5 series will likely increase knee room by a couple of inches.
Hey, did anyone get high beam xenons with their new 5? I know I ordered them but I don't think I got 'em. I don't drive much in the dark during the summertime so I didn't notice it until the other day that the highs are yellow. What's up with that? Anybody know?
The 5-Series is not currently available with Bi-Xenons here in the USA, as such, there is no way your dealership was able to order them for you. Rumor has it that one of the changes for North America for the 2003 vintage 5er will be the conversion to the Bi-Xenon setup.
If you really want to convince yourself, simply turn your hi-beams on, walk to the front of your car and check to see how many lights are on. If you have two lights on, you have Bi-Xenons (unlikely), if you have four on, you have the conventional Xenon installation, which uses the Xenon bulbs for the low beams and halogen bulbs for the hi-beams. Another way you can tell; check to see how much you paid for them, the standard Xenon setup lists for $500 while the Bi-Xenon option will most likely cost $700.
Just purchased a 1994 530i, 5spd with 122k miles on it (from Atlanta). Yes, new Alusil engine at 50k. It is in great shape (much better than the 60k - 80k mile cars that I saw in Boston area) - and I hope to keep it that way - but also hoping to avoid the high $$$ prices at a dealerships. THANKS!
Sorry about my absence over the past couple weeks; I just got back from my honeymoon. It was awesome, yada yada yada.
For the first four days before our cruise, we were in Puerto Rico. To save money on shuttle costs, we rented a car. For $39 a day, Avis lent me a Chevrolet Cavalier with 12k miles on the odometer. It was laughably bad. And I don't even mean for a snobby BMW driver. It was plain bad. It was loud, underpowered (115 hp), creaky, uncomfortable, wallowy on the highway, and had awful brakes, tires, seats, and interior finish. I honestly don't think it did anything particularly well (even its fuel economy was barely better than my 530's).
Suffice it to say, driving my 530 this morning nearly brought tears to my eyes. Is it fair to compare a $46k car with a $15k one? No, but it's a compelling reminder about why and how we justify the expenses of owning automotive nirvana.
I presently have a 2000 MB E320. While loving its good looks and handling, I'm totally disgusted with all the repairs and back and forth trips to the dealership. Have any of you people out there ever had a MB and switched to BMW (5 series)?? If so, how would you compare the two.
I'm planning to order a 2003 530i, and since pricing isn't out yet, I'm wondering how to go about negotiating the best price with dealers. I had planned to fax an offer to multiple dealers (I'm in the SF Bay Area, but have friends/family in S. Cal, Sacramento, Portland, and Phoenix, so I would happily travel to any of those places if it means getting a significanlty better deal). I figured I would list all my desired options and make an offer based on invoice price plus a margin (probably starting at $1000 over invoice and hoping to get in the range of $1500 to $1800 over invoice). But I can't do that until 2003 prices are available. Should I just say that I'll offer X dollars over 2003 invoice, whatever that is? Should I wait until the 2003 prices are out? Any idea when that will be? Any other suggestions on how to negotiate a good deal would be appreciated.
Of the myriad booklets that came with my 530i last week. there's one simply titled "Technology". It provides this perplexing description of how bi-xenons work (you'll see what I mean by perplexing in a moment):
"Vehicles featuring bi-xenon technology expand upon the basic concept's benefits by providing xenon lighting for the low beams as well. The underlying innovation is the bi-xenon headlight's ability to employ gaseous-discharge technology to generate low-beam as well as high-beam illumination.
This technology relies on a mechanical shield plate, or shutter: - This shutter physically obstructs a portion of the overall light beam emitted by the arc. - When the driver selects the high beams the shutter retracts, allowing the headlights to project the complete, unobstructed light beam."
Hmm, this description makes it sound like high-beam xenons are the standard application, and that bi-xenon's extend the technology to low beams. Methinks they have that backwards. Given that we poor "mono-xenon" owners have low beam xenons only, I suspect our system lacks the shutter mentioned above, utilizing instead one "unobstructed" light beam that's aimed at the appropriate height for low beams via the auto-leveling feature.
For those that are interested, here's the rest of the technology description for xenons (the fractured syntax comes direct from the publication -- it's not a typo):
"Instead of a conventional filament, the xenon unit relies on a luminous arc to generate an intense beam of light. This luminous arc is produced by a high-energy electrical discharge between two electrodes. The arc, which, in turn, generates a luminous glow in a mixture of noble gases contained within a quartz capsule (sic). Following the initial ignition process a lower voltage is then employed to maintain the arc."
As fond of low-beam xenons as I've become, I truly regret that bi-xenons weren't available on my '02 model. I would have gladly ponied up a few hundred more to have them. Oh well, when I replace this car in 6 - 8 years, I suppose that bi-xenons (or the next new, new thing in lighting technology) will be standard.
On Shipo's advice I applied Klasse All-in-One and Klasse High Glosse Sealant Glaze to my 2002 530i(purchased in Oct.). Looks terrific and didn't take too long. I also received Sonus High Gloss Acrylic Spritx which I will use occasionally to maintain the polished look after subsequent washes. I guess this means I never I to use carnauba wax again. I also received the catalog from www.properautocar.com-has alot of goodies. Thanks Shipo et al.
My 530i with SP has less than 3000 miles, from time to time I notice that when I apply the brake the car pulls to the left (never pull to the right). I am not sure if it is the tires or I have a brake problem. I alway keep the tire's pressure according to the specs. Before I take the car in, does anyone know what I should check first? I know sometime it could be a simple thing.
tlmmhowell... You should get a copy of BMW's "Original BMW Accessories" Catalog. Unfortunately, all I can find is a removable & foldable front windshield sunshade with BMW logo ($47.50, Part #82 11 1 469 896 for the E39) and a "rear roller blind" system for E36 3 Series 318ti.
I have no idea if someone with enough time and money could somehow have a dealer install the optional BMW factory original E39 retractable rear sunshade system. You could ask.
If a car pulls on a fairly consistent basis, tire pressure, wheel balance, or allignment are usually to blame. But if it's only exhibited during braking, I'd be concerned that, for whatever reason, one of the calipers is squeezing disproportionately hard. Of course, you say it only happens occasionally, which leads me to believe it's not the brakes, but the road itself. Was your previous car smaller (i.e. had thinner wheels/tires)? If you have the sport package, the front tires are fairly wide (235's), and will pull into road grooves and dips especially as you slow down and the car's forward momentum vanishes.
So, try to note the road surface when you feel this pull next time. Go to a large, flat parking lot when it's relatively empty, and try braking from different speeds and with different brake pressure and see what happens in such a "controlled" environment.
Shipo- Thanks for the advice regarding the snow tires/wheels combination. In my mind, I was actually thinking about the same design as the Cello's you suggested so I might make that transition after I get my car.
Since you did the E.D., is it possible to request the tires on your car? It sounds like many people favor the Michelins over the Contis or the Dunlops... Thanks
As far as I can tell, you would have a much higher likelyhood of being able to successfully request a specific type from your local dealership for a domestic delivery vs. an ED car. The reason I say this is that a dealership might be willing to do a tireswap between two cars on the lot if the tires you want are on another vehicle. In Germany, I would think that would be highly unlikely.
FWIW, back in 1982 I bought one of the original Audi Quattros (the old fast-back coupe version), and my dealership was more than willing to swap tires for me, as it turned out, my car came in with the tires I wanted. ;-)
Check this message I saved a long time ago. Perhaps it will help you.
Message Title: Re: Boston Independent Mechanic Posted by: JC1 on 2001-11-21 at 10:27:48 (posted from: Host: igw31e.fmr.com IP: 192.223.207.84)
Message:
Don't know about the South Shore, but, in the city I use Mighty Motors in Cambridge, Jim Albright is the tech advisor for the Boston BMWCCA - and is very good.
On my BMW 530i with DSP the sound system has been sounding pool lately. I have the car since Dec 01. The bass on the car even when set all the way to the max is not powerful and sounds too dull. I had the amplifier replaced but no change. FM Radio sound very metallic and scratchy. The CD sound is better but is does not have the deep bass I would expect. Anyone have any idea what needs to be done to the car. The dealer has not clue.
I just put an order for a leased 2003 530iA. Was able to negotiate $1500 off of MSRP...lease should come to less than 700/mo including taxes. Options: Premium/cold weather package, xenons, lumbar, heated wheel. Hope I got a good deal.
I doubt that you will find this item in the accessory catalog. I know that at least one guy in roadfly.com has done this on his car, at least the rear power shade. All you really need are the parts numbers for various pieces and time or money have someone do it.
bi-xenon after having used xenon, I don't even bother with the fog lights and the high beam on my car. Regular xenon's provide great coverage and the fog and the high beam with xenons does not make any difference. And that is driving at 100+ on the autobahn regularly. Perhaps I will change my mind when I see one for myself, but hard to imagine how much more useful bi-xenon will be. Or if it can be used at all without really driving other people nuts, if it will be so bright. It is bad enough that some people drive around with their high beams on as if that is how it should be.
Comments
http://www.edmunds.com/future/2004/bmw/5series/4drsedan/photo_1.html
Questions:
1) I understand that the sport pkg. with 17" wheels performs poorly in snow. If I switch to 16" wheels for the winter, will the wheel well accomodate tire chains or cables?
2) At the risk of sounding like a heretic to you BMW cognoscente, may I ask what the advantages/disadvantages/harm/performance issues would be to running 16" wheels year round on a 540 with sport suspension? I would like to avoid changing wheels for 3 or 4 weekends per year.
Take shot if you must, but please include some answers. Thanks.
1
2
3
4
up on various publications and have come to the conclusion that I might be
able to have the new 5 er grow on me over considerable time. The question
in my mind is do I really want to let it grow on me? I had wanted a bimmer for
years but the car lacked something in looks/design UNTIL I gazed upon the
2001 530I and realized this was IT. I have not been disappointed and I check
it out everyday and still love the look and the drive. If it takes as long to find
a new car that has IT, this may have been my last car !! Perish the thought!
and to my amazement , I was struck by the ideas and thoughts on this
post. I could have very well written just about everything on this post.
I, too, have pretty much the same likes and dislikes of my 530IA and they
pretty much mirror what most new owners are going to experience in
the early months of ownership. Kudos to Pen 101. Kudos to all who post
here, the experience is invaluable.
http://forums.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e46m3/forum.php?postid=415583&page=1
BTW what is the opinion of the members here of the new Z4. BWM has pictures of the new Z4 on their website.
I drove 1100 miles on the Autobahn, alpine roads in Bavaria and Austria, some nice windy streches in the Black Forest, and Munich and Paris traffic jams.
I will relate more later, but the car was a pleasure. For now, I wanted to provide some info on the break-in period.
While picking up in Munich, I asked about the break-in period, knowing the recommended 4500 rpm / 100 mph limits for 1200 miles. The person handling my delivery said the break-in period was 4500 rpm for 650 miles and then 5500 rpm for another 200 miles (i.e. 850). I asked about the 100 mph limit, and he said that they list that number since they do not sell many manuals in the US. As long as I kept to 4500 rpm, I was fine, given that I had a 5-speed. He said I should be able to go 110 mph.
I am not sure if this meant that the break-in limit would be different for automatic transmissions or that they just list 100 mph since auto. drivers may not pay attention to the tachometer.
For about 325 miles, I stayed under 101 mph. Later, I did take it up to a reported speed of 116 mph at 4400 rpm. Expecting the usual over-reporting (I'll test against a GPS when I get a chance), this could be 110-112 mph actual, about what the delivery person stated.
I did not push over 110 mph (reported) much, but having the range of 100-110 to use was nice when on the unlimited portions of the Autobahn. It helps getting around slower cars and trucks while not getting pushed by cars doing 115+.
More later on going from 100 to 20 (quickly, out of necessity), passing on Black Forest highways, and other experiences later, but I had a 23-hour travel day yesterday and am jet-lagged for now.
-Bob
That's unheard of for a brand new vehicle. BMW has lost their touch.
The next challenge? To observe restraint during the break-in period. I'm intrigued by the modified limits you were told about, Bluewater Bob. 850 miles of keeping the revs <4.5K/5.5K would be a whole lot easier to cope with than the published guidelines. It sounds like you got this feedback from a presumably knowledgeable BMW resource. I guess I'll call my dealership and see what they have to say, although I'm inclined to trust a BMW employee based in the Fatherland more than my local sales guy. I'm really anxious to let 'er rip, but as I plan on keeping this car for a long time (purchased not leased), I want to do right by the engine and not push it too hard too soon.
I'll provide some first impressions after I get a few hundred miles under my belt, but for now, I'm actually looking forward to driving to work in the morning!
Regards,
musher2
[Ox Grn w/ Stone Grn/Blk, 5 sp, SP/PP/CWP/Xenons/DSP/fold downs/sunscreen]
PS After reading some negative comments about Continental tires several hundred posts ago, I was relieved to see my car arrive with Michelin Pilot Primacy's. Does anyone have a strong impression about the performance aspects of these tires?
Grip: In my 328i (non-SP), which had Michelin MXV4 Plus tires, I was constantly seeing the DSC light flash during my normal every day driving. On my 530i SP, I rarely see said light, even when the roads are wet. Granted comparing non-SP tires to SP tires is not even remotely fair, however, for every day driving, the Primacys have lots of grip.
Noise: If anything, the Primacys are as quiet as the MXV4s.
“Tramlining”: One of the complaints I have heard about other SP tires is how they tend to follow the grooves, seams and other irregularities in the road surface. The Primacys do not exhibit that characteristic, I find myself wondering if the asymmetrical tread pattern is responsible for this.
While I am unlikely to ever track this car or have any other way to push these tires to their limits on a regular basis, and as such, have no way of determining how good they are relative to the Contenintals or Dunlops, I do find them far more capable than I need for daily driving, and very civilized at the same time. ;-)
Best Regards,
Shipo
Eruditely yours,
PoorRichard
Picked up my slate green (stone grn/black interior) 530i stick-shift (PP, lumbar, xenon, prem sound, sunshade) two days back. Have driven it around 100 miles. The very first impression was awesome power, quite big a car, much more solid and safe feeling (compared to my current integra).
Congrats Bluewater and musher2 for ur new car and thanks for sharing the info about breakin.
Hoping to do some good amount of driving on the weekend. Will keep the group posted.
thanks.
3 weeks ago, I bought a 1998, 528i.
Last week, the driver seat and the steering wheel adjustment stopped functioning. The fuse was blown. I changed it. It was blown again. Took it to the dealer. He figured that things are ok until you sit on the seat and the fuse blows up.
He wants to charge me 3-4 hours (about $350)for taking the seat apart, and then, he will check if the problem can be fixed (with changing parts), or he would need to change a some wiring harness(about $200).
I told the dealer not to fix it for now.
Anyone had this problem?
Any suggestions?
thanks
Gus.
So, while I was very content with the handling aspects of my 323i, as the saying goes, you can't miss what you never had. I didn't have the presence of mind (nor the funds, at the time) to get the sports package when I ordered the '3' two years ago. As it was my first BMW (and my first sporty car in some time), I was pretty impressed with how it handled. Even the smaller 2.5L engine had enough 'oomph' to keep me happy.
That said, even though I have only driven the 530i for ~200 miles over two days, I am almost speechless about the impact of the sport pkg. I sought out some winding, hilly (and mostly unused) roads this afternoon and had an almost religious experience. The car and I were so connected via the steering wheel (and the clutch and the accelerator) that it seemed like I could almost "will" the 5er through the turns. There's nothing sedate or familyish about it at all, although in my case, the increase in weight between the 323i and 530i is probably more than offset by the bigger engine in the '5'. A more reasonable evaluation of the weight difference would be made by comparing a 325vs525 or a 330vs530, which I haven't done.
Since you have a 323i with the sports pkg, you may not find a similarly-equipped 5er to be as profoundly different as I have. I'd suggest that you take a 5er out for a test spin to see for yourself, but perhaps you shouldn't...unless you're prepared to disrupt your budget with an unplanned purchase! I know I had to take a deep breath as I wrote out the check for the 530i yesterday (I always buy cars for cash). It cost almost as much as my first house did 20 years ago. But no regrets though -- I'm happy to spend the money, and I just wanna get back out on the road! ;-)
Secondly, I know that many of you are located in locations that do not require the switch to snow tires during the winter months.. But, for those of you who make change the tires, what snow tire/wheel combination do you suggest for the 530i with sport wheels? I do not want to make this a big expenditure but will probably shy away from putting 15" steel wheels during the winter.
Thanks!
Best Regards,
Shipo
I, too, have to pull the drivers seat forward to put an adult in the back seat. Diving a stick, it becomes extremely uncomfortable (and a bit unsafe) with the seat moved forward. Does the current 5 series really give much more room? In a showroom, I've adjusted the drivers seat of a 5 exactly as I think I would drive it and then jump in behind. Still was too tight (I'm about 6' 2" but leg inseam is just 34 inches). I know some has been written here about this topic, but it seems odd that a $45,000 sedan doesn't have a bigger back seat. I assume the new 5 will certainly address that issue. Anyone else have comments? Is the back really bigger than I think?
As for why the E39 does not have “more legroom for a $45,000 sedan”, well, technically the E39 is a contemporary of the E36 version of the 3 Series, that said, when these two BMW models are compared, the 5-Series has quite a bit more legroom than the 3-Series. FWIW, it is my understanding that the new E60 5-Series will have at least a couple of extra inches of cabin length, thus asserting its legroom superiority over the 3-Series once again. ;-)
Best Regards,
Shipo
Cheers. -Musafir
The easiest explanation is an error in the printed specs in one or both manuals, I suppose, but the bottom line is -- my kids are much happier sitting in the back of the 5er, and I won't be pulling my seat up any more.
bmw323i, I'm 6'1" with a 33" inseam, so I probably don't have my seat as far back as you do, which may account for why I'm finding the 530i's rear leg room to be more workable than you do.
I take my own measurements by positioning the drivers seat for me, then getting in the back seat and measuring how much room is in front of my knees. By my measurements, the 5 has about 2" more legroom than the 3 series for my preferred driving position.
I also take my own measurements of hip and shoulder room in the rear seat. With two daughters who will probably be in booster seats for a couple of more years, the width of the rear seat is key if you want to have anything or anybody fit between them. And I have found that some cars have more encroachment into this valuable space by the door armrests than others.
And, just to show I have my priorities right, I carted my golf clubs around when shopping for a roadster last fall. The S2000 swallowed them in the trunk with room to spare, the Z3 did not. Guess which one I bought?
I suggest taking a tape measure (and golf clubs) to the dealer with you when shopping.
The convertibles have almost no back seats as you all most likely know. The sedan has a little more, but it's only for little folks.
When I'm driving, it is best to have a shorter person behind my seat for their comfort. I have had to bring my seat a little forward for taller back seat riders.
By the way, I have a 34" inseam and don't actually have the seat all the way back like I had to on the 3 series.
So, in summary. The 5 has more room in front and rear. Is it a caddie? No. Can 5 sit in the car. Yes.
If you really want to convince yourself, simply turn your hi-beams on, walk to the front of your car and check to see how many lights are on. If you have two lights on, you have Bi-Xenons (unlikely), if you have four on, you have the conventional Xenon installation, which uses the Xenon bulbs for the low beams and halogen bulbs for the hi-beams. Another way you can tell; check to see how much you paid for them, the standard Xenon setup lists for $500 while the Bi-Xenon option will most likely cost $700.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Conventional view that bi-xenons = four xenon lamps is incorrect. See the following post:
http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e39/forum.php?postid=839033&page=9
Best Regards,
Shipo
For the first four days before our cruise, we were in Puerto Rico. To save money on shuttle costs, we rented a car. For $39 a day, Avis lent me a Chevrolet Cavalier with 12k miles on the odometer. It was laughably bad. And I don't even mean for a snobby BMW driver. It was plain bad. It was loud, underpowered (115 hp), creaky, uncomfortable, wallowy on the highway, and had awful brakes, tires, seats, and interior finish. I honestly don't think it did anything particularly well (even its fuel economy was barely better than my 530's).
Suffice it to say, driving my 530 this morning nearly brought tears to my eyes. Is it fair to compare a $46k car with a $15k one? No, but it's a compelling reminder about why and how we justify the expenses of owning automotive nirvana.
I'm interested to see what the pricing for the 2003 E39 is with the dollar weakening against the euro. I haven't seen any pricing yet, anyone?
Have any of you people out there ever had a MB and switched to BMW (5 series)??
If so, how would you compare the two.
"Vehicles featuring bi-xenon technology expand upon the basic concept's benefits by providing xenon lighting for the low beams as well. The underlying innovation is the bi-xenon headlight's ability to employ gaseous-discharge technology to generate low-beam as well as high-beam illumination.
This technology relies on a mechanical shield plate, or shutter:
- This shutter physically obstructs a portion of the overall light beam emitted by the arc.
- When the driver selects the high beams the shutter retracts, allowing the headlights to project the complete, unobstructed light beam."
Hmm, this description makes it sound like high-beam xenons are the standard application, and that bi-xenon's extend the technology to low beams. Methinks they have that backwards. Given that we poor "mono-xenon" owners have low beam xenons only, I suspect our system lacks the shutter mentioned above, utilizing instead one "unobstructed" light beam that's aimed at the appropriate height for low beams via the auto-leveling feature.
For those that are interested, here's the rest of the technology description for xenons (the fractured syntax comes direct from the publication -- it's not a typo):
"Instead of a conventional filament, the xenon unit relies on a luminous arc to generate an intense beam of light. This luminous arc is produced by a high-energy electrical discharge between two electrodes. The arc, which, in turn, generates a luminous glow in a mixture of noble gases contained within a quartz capsule (sic). Following the initial ignition process a lower voltage is then employed to maintain the arc."
As fond of low-beam xenons as I've become, I truly regret that bi-xenons weren't available on my '02 model. I would have gladly ponied up a few hundred more to have them. Oh well, when I replace this car in 6 - 8 years, I suppose that bi-xenons (or the next new, new thing in lighting technology) will be standard.
Looks terrific and didn't take too long. I also received Sonus High Gloss Acrylic Spritx which I will use occasionally to maintain the polished look after subsequent washes.
I guess this means I never I to use carnauba wax again.
I also received the catalog from www.properautocar.com-has alot of goodies.
Thanks Shipo et al.
I have no idea if someone with enough time and money could somehow have a dealer install the optional BMW factory original E39 retractable rear sunshade system. You could ask.
So, try to note the road surface when you feel this pull next time. Go to a large, flat parking lot when it's relatively empty, and try braking from different speeds and with different brake pressure and see what happens in such a "controlled" environment.
Thanks for the advice regarding the snow tires/wheels combination. In my mind, I was actually thinking about the same design as the Cello's you suggested so I might make that transition after I get my car.
Since you did the E.D., is it possible to request the tires on your car? It sounds like many people favor the Michelins over the Contis or the Dunlops...
Thanks
FWIW, back in 1982 I bought one of the original Audi Quattros (the old fast-back coupe version), and my dealership was more than willing to swap tires for me, as it turned out, my car came in with the tires I wanted. ;-)
Best Regards,
Shipo
Message Title: Re: Boston Independent Mechanic
Posted by: JC1 on 2001-11-21 at 10:27:48
(posted from: Host: igw31e.fmr.com IP: 192.223.207.84)
Message:
Don't know about the South Shore, but, in the city I use Mighty Motors in Cambridge, Jim Albright is the tech advisor for the Boston BMWCCA - and is very good.
JC1
Boston
Anyone have any idea what needs to be done to the car. The dealer has not clue.
Yuval.
I doubt that you will find this item in the accessory catalog. I know that at least one guy in roadfly.com has done this on his car, at least the rear power shade. All you really need are the parts numbers for various pieces and time or money have someone do it.
bi-xenon
after having used xenon, I don't even bother with the fog lights and the high beam on my car. Regular xenon's provide great coverage and the fog and the high beam with xenons does not make any difference. And that is driving at 100+ on the autobahn regularly. Perhaps I will change my mind when I see one for myself, but hard to imagine how much more useful bi-xenon will be. Or if it can be used at all without really driving other people nuts, if it will be so bright. It is bad enough that some people drive around with their high beams on as if that is how it should be.