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The horsepower wars are going a little crazy and the results are likely to be less than desireable. The current M5 has more power than 99% of drivers can fully handle. Hell, the 540i 6-speed has more than about 97% could handle. I sure as hell hope BMW doesn't go in the wrong direction just to keep up with AMG's recent craziness. The reason I bought an M5 over an E55 wasn't related to power. It was related to handling, dynamics and a lot of other subjective factors (not to mention a 6-speed). Now AMG is supposedly putting close to 500 hp in their latest E55 offering. IMO, they are fixing what isn't broken and not fixing what is. The new E55 is going to be an overweight rocket. Period.
Second, the M5 is not an M3. It is a four/five passenger sedan. Let's not forget that. While 4000 lbs sounds like a lot on paper, may I remind you that the Ferrari 475 does indeed weigh 3,800+ lbs and seats two. The M5 was not designed to compete with a 3,000 lb. 360 Modena. So, while I don't want to see the M5 add weight to both make and support more horsepower, I'm not sure I want BMW try to lighten it up with a super/turbo engine. I have over 9k miles in less than 5 months on my M5, heading to 20k per year for at least the next 3-4 years. I am very skeptical of how some of the supercharged engines will hold up, as a friend of mine has already had problems with his AMG SLK32 at 25k miles. It's not falling apart, but it's not running as smoothly as it did new.
P.S. The rack and pinion steering on the 530i sport is still my personal favorite, but the M5 (and 540i) still beat anything in their class produced by Mercedes, Audi or the other wannabes.
I know this seems bizarre but between my
BMW brochure and the website I'm having a hard time figuring out the Oxford Green Metallic,
it looks like a medium green but then the swatch
appears to be closer to black. I would go to local BMW dealers but there aren't any of the greens to look at.
Thanks
LA Caroline
And I agree about the horsepower wars. There were three of us (each about 180 pounds) in that M5 on the track, and it just catapulted from one corner to another. The power was incredible. Why you would need more than that, I have no idea. But as these cars are laden with more creature comforts and safety devices, they get heavier and heavier. And it's much easier to obtain, say, another 50 horsepower for the M5 than to shed 500 pounds (each a 12.5% improvement in power-to-weight). I, for one, would be far more impressed if the next M5 maintained its 400 horsepower rating but managed to weigh in at 3500 pounds. But, of course, that won't happen, so the power games continue.
(The supercharger comment was a hasty one, but just because MB has issues with a certain type doesn't mean they're inherently unreliable.)
The best website rendering of the color, oddly enough, can be found at tirerack.com.
I'm not surprised you're having trouble finding an Ox Green 5er to look at, as most dealers don't have many 5's in stock of ANY color, let alone this one. I finally found an Ox Green 330i, so don't limit your search to the 5-series and you may find one to look at.
FWIW, my car almost never looks black to me, except at night with minimal incandescent lighting. It almost always looks like a deep, rich shade of green, and a number of people have commented on it favorably. I picked the color because (1) I've always liked dark green and (2) I like car colors that you don't see every day. Not to besmirch traditional Bimmer colors like Titanium Silver, but personally, I don't want to see identical versions of my car going down the highway every day, and with Ox Green, I don't.
Finally, if you do settle on Ox Green, check it out with the Stone Green/Black interior combination. The brochure would have you believe that's an option only with the lighter Slate Green exterior, but that's not true. The dealer input the Stn Gr/Blk interior along with the Ox Green ext when he placed my order, and the factory didn't balk at all. Very nice combination, methinks.
I have pictures located at http://community.webshots.com/user/skimblz_.
Pictures are from a variety of angles, so hopefully you can get an idea of what the color is like. In my opinion, the new Oxford Green (Color code 430 on the 3er) is a lot greener than the older version, with a bit less of a blue hue to it.
I personally have the Natural Brown leather and wood trim and love that green/brown combination.
-Paul
Thx,
JH
Like Musher2 said, I am gravitating towards a unique color because white, black and silver seem to be standard issue in SoCal.
My only concern was that it was very close to black, since I prefer a lighter color.
Thanks again!
LA Caroline
http://home.earthlink.net/~bmw530ia/ . It's a great color and very deceptive depending on the light. It appears as anything from black to a dark green and in bright sunlight even a little lighter. Since there are quite a few silver and black ones on the road, it's nice to have something a little different.
Thanks to so many of you who have been a wealth of good advice. I now have my 2003 530i on order for ED. Delivery date is 10/28/02. Looks like weather will be pretty cold (at least by Northern California standards), though hopefully not too frigid or snowy. Anyone been there around that time of year? Any suggestions on where to stay in Munich? My priorities are (a) not too expensive, (b) must have own bathroom, (c) good location for walking to sites, restaurants, etc. I'll probably be there for two nights before I get the car (on a Monday). Thanks!
I know what you mean. Part of my decision was to get a color not everybody has, like the silvers, blues, and blacks. I've always been a deep green fan, and wanted something that would stand out. At night, it can appear black, as many other cars in that color type can, but at night, who cares. But in the sun or during the day (clouds? what are clouds?), it is most definitely a green.
Where in california are ya?
It doesn't hide dirt very well, but does so much better than my black Honda.
of green, it makes a big difference compared to
the lame swatches and BMW website variances.
I have yet to see the slate green metallic so I am leaning towards ordering the Oxford green,
looks nice, I just had a dark green Infinti before and it was hard to keep clean( closer to
black than green)
I'm in Los Angeles area (hence the LA Caroline, you didn't think Louisiana did you?)
(:
LA Caroline
Thanks.
I am looking to purchase a pre-owned 528i or 540i (current generation) and definitely want a manual transmission and the DSC. Which model years will have the DSC in these cars? I'm hoping someone can give me a straight answer since the dealers don't seem to know either.
-Paul
In my quest for 2002 530i prices I found several dealerships that would take invoice or just slightly above BUT the colors extremely limited, black and silvers, nothing else.
I concentrated my search in greater LA, SFV, and my homebase Santa Clarita. (Paul you're a bit further inland!)
After a month of searching and angst, I am going with a 2003.
LA Caroline
1997 528i 87k miles, prem. pkg, cd chngr
$16250
or
1998 528i 115k miles, prem pkg, cd chngr
$14700
Which do I go with, the lower miles and higher price or lower price and higher miles?
So you just placed your order and 10/28 is the
delivery date? Is it taking about 2 months?
Also, are there NEW colors available for
2003 525 ? Do dealers have the new prices
and new catalogs?
La Caroline:
How much over invoice did you pay? If you
can tell us? At which dealership?
Thanks!!
I like that area. I bought mine in Bakersfield and had a great experience, despite an error at the factory (forgot the PP).
Despite going with a 2003, I think you'll be very happy. If the changes for the 5 series are anything like the 5, you should be getting a little longer warranty along with a few extras for that increase.
After a few days driving, you'll care less about the difference.
-Paul
If I could've found a 2002 530i in something besides black, white or silver, I would've gone that route, I had it narrowed down to two SoCal dealers for best prices and service. Valencia BMW (and no not because it's in my backyard, I hit up most of the LA dealerships) and Pacific BMW in Glendale.
I still have to order my 530i and I'm looking at a mid-November delivery at earliest. (time is not an issue so I don't mind waiting)
LA Caroline
As far as hotel recommendations in Munich, we stayed at the Country Inn by Carlson on Frankfurter Ring. It is 50ft from the U-Bahn station. There are not too many food places within walking distance, but the U-Bahn makes up for that (Marienplatz is only 5-10min away). The main BMW dealership is right across the road. I believe that we paid 80.Euro per night (Munich is expensive). The hotel is American style, but it has a great breakfast every morning included in the price. The desk staff were very helpful and friendly. I recommend it highly.
Please help with your comments.
You could spend about 37 grand and get a nicely equipped new 525 from ED and avoid potential problems with that lemon. I paid 35 grand (without premium package and have no regrets) for a new 2002 525iA via european delivery
Seems like a no brainer to me, just got to be patient in the european delivery process and have fun in Europe
Good Luck
That said, I haven't looked into the market of year-old 525's, so I'm not sure how great a deal this is. You may want to look at some other dealers in the area to get a more thorough idea of year-old CPO models.
LA CAROLINE:
I saw the wholesale prices at EuroBuyers.
Has ve you or anyone used it?
1) DO they work with ANY local dealer in area?
where would be the car delivered? Who do I pay etc?
2) Do they work with "some commission" OVER Wholesale prices?
3) what is their "commission OVER Wholesale?
Thanks,
I think there are several possibilities: 1) Since one tire has less miles on it the road noise is bound to occur. So there is nothing I can do but replace the other three 2) The tire is unidirectional and was placed incorrectly. I don't know if this is a valid possibility. If it is how would I diagnose it? 3) The noise is secondary to something they did during the repair. Unfortunately, I have moved out of state since the repair and the only BMW dealer nearby isn't very helpful.
The ride is unchanged, still very smooth. However it basically sounds like a truck tire.
Any ideas or opinions?
Any help would be appreciated. Not being able to drive my new car is killing me. And worrying that this might be a serious problem is making it worse. I know the dealer is supposed to take care of it, but I dread the prospect of a bunch of fingerpointing and numerous trips to the dealership to get it resolved.
-- Is there a decent BMW dealer you can recommend in the San Jose-San Francisco area? The nearest one to me is Allison BMW and Stevens Creek BMW
-- Is the 530i without the sport package that much of a smoother more comfortable ride than with the sport? Or is it hardly noticeable so the sport is well worth extra $$$?
thanks for all the valuable info I've picked up here on the BMWs.
On the down side, you are more likely to experience dented and scraped wheels with the lower profile sport tires and the tires are more expensive and don't last as long. For me, the fact that I would have to change tires in the winter clinched it. The sport tires are dangerous when it snows. So, I bought the non-sport.
But I disagree with Igross regarding the snow tire issue. First, does it even snow much in the San Jose-San Fran area? I live in the midwest where it snows a lot. Second, all cars should ride on dedicated snow tires in areas where it really does snow. As latest issue of Bimmer magazine (11/02) puts it:
"All-season tires are 98% marketing and 2% science, in our opinion. We haven't seen one yet that can hold its own in real snow. In fact, they should call them 'no-season' tires, because in trying to do everything, they tend to excel at nothing ... But if you need snow tires, you need snow tires."
And think of it this way, using dedicated snow tires during winter not only gives you maximum traction for safest operation, but saves miles and thus life on your expensive summer high-performance tires.
In about 14,000 miles in my 540i6 and 16,000 miles in her 323iA, haven't noticed any difference in dented or scraped wheels. (Her non-Sport brake pads actually seem to kick up a lot more dust, making her wheels look dirty most of the time.)
As regards tire life, how you drive can make a big difference. But also remember how important tires are to driving. Impact braking, handling, acceleration, ride, etc. So is changing them a bit more often a problem? Why drive 40,000 miles or more on old tires just to save a buck or two? Heck, if you can afford the BMW, you can afford new tires every now and then.
Overall analysis: live a little, go for the gusto, grab life by the horns, get the Sport Package!
Eurobuyers charges a flat fee to arrange for ED of BMW, based on a network of BMW dealers depending on where you live.
I don't know what the commission is for the dealer, but Eurobuyers handles arrangements working in tandem with the selected dealer.
LA Caroline
My dilema - hesitant to buy a new design its first year, yet concerned about the possible problems that may come about as my car enters its fifth year.
Would appreciate input from other 540 owners about reliability in the 5th and possibly 6th year of ownership and suggestions. I even considered a 330 Ci "bridge" car, but my wife already owns a 325 and I don't want two of a kind and it is hard to give up the 540 attributes for a 330 (which is quite good, but different)
Many thanks.
Thinking the '98s were the first with "free" maintenance. Hoping that means all '98 and newer 5s at least get well maintained the first 3/36.
If you've taken good care of yours and she hasn't had any major problems, unlikely anything too bad will pop up in the next couple years. Is yours an automatic? Roundel and Bimmer magazines both routinely report that AT reliability can be problematic in the 80,000-120,000 mile range.
I would NOT but the first year of the new E60 or E65. The new 745i and future 545i are getting more and more complex. Prudent to wait till at least the second year if you are going to buy and own for some time.
You should check out Consumer Reports reliability ratings for the '97 E39 5 Series, the first year in USA and compare to later years. Reliability has steadily increased. You might consider trading in yours for a CPO '00 or '01 540i as a "stopgap" measure.
[Saw a nice black on black '02 525i at Markel BMW, Omaha, Nebraska, yesterday while family did the Labor Day outing. MSRP around $42,500 but has Sport Pkg, Prem Pkg, and Cold Weather Pkg. Is a 5-speed manual. Surprised to see such a configuration on his sales lot. Most of what he orders for his own inventory is just PP with automatic.]
At any rate, at such a deep discount, these cars have probably been around for a while. I doubt either one is a CPO, so buying a comprehensive extended warranty plan should be considered, since maintenance will be develishly expensive relative to the purchase price, even on routine maintenance items. You might want to consider a cheaper, more reliable alternative like a (used) Accord.