BMW 5-Series Sedans

athorpe · March 2003

SNagiel, Shipo, Riez - thanks for the comments...I'm basically just getting resigned to the fact that getting the 2004 anytime soon is going to cost a lot. Instead of just doing the sensible thing and leasing a 2003 for a few years, I'll probably go ahead with the 2004, maybe ED (+ light medication) to dull the sting of MSRP.

shipo · March 2003

DaBimmer,

Yeah, the DVD system with the "Surround Sound" is the kicker (that and the extra "Moving About" room). My son cannot wait to play Top Gun on the system when we get the new van. ;-) Me, how about Rear Window, Stalag 17 or even Witness for the Prosecution. Yup, when seen from that angle, the 525iT (heated steering wheel (a BIG issue with Mrs. Shipo) and 5-Speed not withstanding) kind of loses a little appeal under that kind of comparison. :-(

AThorpe,

Now that we really are on the cusp of the new car, and now that BMW has softened some of the worst of the "Banglized" lines of the initial shots of I saw of the E60, I can see how it would be real hard to make a decision. From my perspective, I am extremely glad that I got the 2002 530i, and have no desire to see it go, even after its three year lease is up. That said, I would be hard pressed to turn down a chance to drive the new E60 with the blown I6 that has been speculated about. Time will tell. ;-)

Best Regards,
Shipo

snagiel · March 2003

The only ways to minimize brake dust that I know of are 1) get one of those "brake shields" or whatever they're called, or 2) get low-dust brake pads. Either choice has its disadvantages: Those shield look goofy (completely hiding your brakes), but they also rob them of vital airflow and hence promote brake fade and can even warp your rotors over time. As for low-dust pads, I've heard that they generally offer less impressive braking feel and/or power than stock, which isn't a trade-off most people are willing to make.

So, basically, you live with the dust, which is relentless. It takes me longer wash the wheels and tires than it does the rest of the car, which sucks because two days later the car looks fine but the front wheels are already coated with fresh dust.

pap5 · March 2003

Eurobuyers.com advertises it as available for $70.

FWIW, it isn't always removed at the POE when an ED car enters the U.S. When we left our 530i with the shipper in Paris, we had not a cu. in. of luggage space to spare, so we left it in the car and took our chances. It arrived at the dealer intact, as did the breakdown triangle and the Bavarian tags.

dabimmer · March 2003

Congrats on your new 540 - Great choice. Slate Green is a very good color and you won't see a dozen of them on your next ride.Mine is a dark color, which I like but I had considered your color in '01 when I purchased.

srfast · March 2003

I will be replacing my 2003 530i OEM brake pads with Axxis (formerly Repco) Deluxe Plus pads next week. We've done a lot of research and my brake specialist believes these are the best pads for my driving style: Equal or better performance of OEM pads with 80% less dust.

Hope this helps...JL

pap5 · March 2003

I recall there has been discussion as to whether any of the harder, low-dust pads might not be compatible with BMW brakes, e.g. warp the rotors due to higher temperatures. Is your brake specialist also a BMW specialist? In any event, we'd be interested in your periodic evaluation of the new pads.

srfast · March 2003

owns an 2001 540i/6spd. I've used Axxis/Repco pads on my E36 with no problems. Here is more info: http://www.zeckhausen.com/axxis_pads.htm

I will keep everyone posted....JL

My 530i Pics & Details

george94 · March 2003

Does anyone know how accurate the information is? Any experience with it?

shipo · March 2003

Ummm, the information is reasonably accurate, however, the latency is way too high, call your dealer for the latest info.

Best Regards,
Shipo

sharris · March 2003

I have a 2003 530 in Slate Green and I get tons of complements on the color. My girlfriend says that we get a lot of stares from people on the street when we drive by (and yes, we do believe it is because of the car, not because we look funny!). So it may not be a common color, but I'm guessing it will be a hit with your friends. Enjoy!

sharris · March 2003

I seem to have a bit of a rattle coming from the front passenger side of the car. This is a 2003 530 with less than 2,000 miles. It is not too loud and happens only occasionally, but any rattle at this point in my car's lifetime is quite annoying. It MAY be from the glove box; one day when my girlfriend was with me, I had her push up on the glove box and that did seem to cure the rattle, but we only tried this "test" for a short duration so I'm not 100% certain that the glove box is the source of the rattle. Any known trouble spots in this area, and/or any suggestions on how to better isolate the rattle's source?

I did some archival searches and so found one noise source: the seat belt fastener (on the left side of the passenger seat). By moving it back so that it is held snugly between the passenger seat and the center console, it can't vibrate at all during travel. This did eliminate one rattle I was hearing, but the lesser rattle remains. TIA for your help/suggestions.

nyccarguy · March 2003

2ndMB: Congrats on your new 540i!

Reiz: Did you actually suggest someone do ED? You feeling ok? I nthink it is great that you are such a firm believer and supporter of BMW's CPO program that you're willing to consider a CPO car that's not even due out until later this year 3 years down the road:)

athorpe: You'd definitely better get ready for MSRP (and they'll probably try for MSRP plus depending on where you are), so go to costco and stock up on a 5 gallon tub of vasoline. ED is definitely a great way to go, even if the dealer doesn't budge off ED MSRP, it is still something. While shipo (and others will tell you) that BMWs are extremly reliable cars in their 1st years of production (and I'm not saying they're not), it seems that iDrive (BMW) and COMMAND (MB) have had their share of problems upon their respective introductions in the 7 series and S Class. Given that BMW is supposedly introducing a 2nd generation IDrive in the E60 5 series, I'd maybe wait a year (but that's just me) for prices to go down and for some of the bugs to be worked out of the car.

I'm starting to like "bangleization." I hated the 745 when I saw pictures of it and now I really love the design. The Z4 (to me) is a really sharp looking car and much better looking than the Z3 that preceeded it. I'm skeptical of all the E60 photos I see, but think in the end I'll end up liking it more than the current E39 (which I love, especially w/ SP).

I'm sure this is the exception rather than the norm, but I see more M5s on the road around here than 540is (plural). When the E39 first came out I saw lots of 540i Sports (with those really mean looking wheels with the exposed bolts around the edge of the rim), but now I don't see too many 540is (plural) on the road).

cbgb1975 · March 2003

Snagiel, pap5, jl ...thanks for comments....JL we'll be interested in update, should be smooth since you've had this done with e36...as for cleaning wheels, the nooks and crannies are difficult to clean completely...can anyone comment as to whether one of those little hand steamers would damage the wheel coating over time?...this seems like an easy way to do a thorough job.

srfast · March 2003

would better. Spray the wheels with a high quality wheel cleaner and allow it to dissolve the dirty/brake dust and then use the high pressure washer to rinse.

Hope this helps...JL

riez · March 2003

nyccarguy... Actually, I have been a bit under the weather lately. But I've never always said ED is bad, only just that it isn't always the best. Each person's situation unique. I'm becoming a firm believer in buying low mileage 1-2 year old cars. Let someone else eat the first 20-30 percent depreciation and then get the remainder of the original warranty plus CPO coverage. I think that beats ED! But that is taking into account my circumstances.

2ndmb · March 2003

I agree with riez, the CPO 540i that I just bought is as new as used can get with a better than new warranty with only 8k miles. I also have an 01 Boxster S I bought with 3300 miles last year and it can't be told from new. I probably saved 20k from the new purchase price and I couldn't be happier. Not for everyone, it was a difficult decision to buy a used car for over $40k!

nyccarguy · March 2003

It definitely is a big risk to take. $40K+ is a lot of money to plunk down on a used car. I would personally go for a car that I could have the colors/options that I want. I'd be perfectly satisfied with a 530i for a price in the mid- $40K range. Can I say I'll always buy new? No. If in a few years down the road I'm looking to buy a 330Ci and I see the perfect CPO M3 or Z4 3.0i for only a little more, then I'll go with it.

It is also a very sensible one if you go wih the argument that someone else is willing to take the depreciation hit. I have a friend who purchased an '01 330Ci with 4500 miles on it (in '01) for something like $32K. He's been driving the car for over 2 years and a dealer offered him $27K for the car.

nyccarguy · March 2003

OUCH dude! That hurts! I'm really sorry. I find it interesting that they left the air bags. Goood luck with insurance. I hope they'll total the car for you and you can fetch an '03 530i while they're still out there.

sean2g · March 2003

Whats the difference between leather and leatherette? Is the leatherette just inserts?

snagiel · March 2003

You can call it "faux leather" if you prefer, but either way, it doesn't come from cows.

ryoken · March 2003

It's a fancy marketting term that sounds better than "vinyl."

cmr530i · March 2003

While I prefer the feel, look and styling of the leather in my 530, the leatherette is acceptable as an interior material. My brother's 525 has the leatherette and over the three years of his lease it still looks new. He's been pleased with its durability and ease of care. It has a "tighter" upholstered feeling than the leather, but is smooth and soft to the touch. It has also been able to withstand the energy of his two year old.

Depending on one's needs and tastes, leatherette can be a decent choice.

sel3 · March 2003

I thought installing the XPEL system would protect me from this problem, but as luck would have it, the rock hit about 1/4 of an inch behind the XPEL hood protective film.

I was cruising at 95-100MPH on the autobahn, so the impact is significant.

Anyone have any helpful tips to repair the only flaw on my new car!

I am off to the dealer for some touch-up paint on Monday.

The first chip on a new car, especially a new BMW is such a bummer!

jtuoti · March 2003

I've got a line on a 2001 530i that has premium sound and supposedly the sport suspension option. However, it has the 4 spoke steering wheel, and not the 3 spoke M steering wheel. Plus the rims are 16" instead of 17". I ask the experts here to help - if a 2001 530i has the sport option, then didn't it have to come with the 3 spoke steering wheel and 17" rims? TIA

lewisk2 · March 2003

...a bit. I am a newbie here and was just lurking when I saw your post. While I am by no means any expert on Beemers (my first one) I just (last week) bought a 2001 530i used also. It has the "Sport" package and it DOES come with the "M" type three spoke steering wheel and the 17" tires. Someone may be better able to answer your question than me, but it sounds very much like a salesman just trying to make a sale, and telling you whatever it takes to ko it. Whatever, best of luck as I love this ride!

srfast · March 2003

If you are looking for a car with the factory SP, walk away from this one. The SP has a three spoke M Sport steering wheel and "sport" seats - high side bolsters and adjustable thigh support. The 17" wheels are standard also, but could have been replaced with a different size.

Hope this helps...JL

jb_shin · March 2003

I feel your pain. I just came back from a vacation in Geneva (had to see the autoshow at least once) and about halfway home, had a rock hit my windshield and received a nice crack.

nycarguy,
you mentioned Z-4, wait until you see the AC-Schnitzer modified Z-4. I am not too crazy of the styling (stock), but the ACS car looks REAL good.

jtuoti · March 2003

appreciate your help very much. I hate when people misrepresent cars. Caveat emptor - let the buyer beware.

lgross · March 2003

My experience is that a DYI job using the touchup bottles does not produce good results. If there is a dent, have it worked on by a paintless dent removal company. My BMW dealer just did three small ones on my 2002 530i for $ 225. There was no paint damage and it looks as good as new. If you have paint damage, you might look into paint pens. One can be found at http://www.autosharppen.com. There are others.

sel3 · March 2003

Igross,

Thank you for sharing my pain and the tip concerning the Paint Pen. The Autosharppen site was very impressive and up to date with the latest paint codes. I ordered a pen. It is more than the dealer touch-up kit, but according to the information on the web site, the pen is a superior product.

Thanks again

pap5 · March 2003

lewisk2 and srfast are correct that a 530i with SP comes from the factory with the 3-spoke M steering wheel and 17" alloys (17 x 8 cross spoke bolted II wheels with 235/45-17 tires). As you continue your search, however, be aware that the sport seats with adjustable thigh support did not become part of the 530i SP until MY 2002. In 2001, they were available only as a standalone option. Therefore, it is quite possible to come across a 2001 530i SP with only the standard seats.

mod62 · March 2003

Two annoyances that are bothering me to the point of bring the car in to be looked at.

1. This is a clinging sound emanating from my front passenger side wheel area that I noticed while driving with the windows down about a week ago and has continued. It occurs when I go over a bump on the aforementioned side. During the winter I cracked the front tire mudguard(I do not know what it is is really called. I do not believe this is causing the sound but all info will help.

2. The car vibrates when I hit 60 mph and increases until I hit 70 and then it is constant. The vibration is through the steering wheel and the gas peddle. I keep scratching my head on this one because it does not happen all the time.

Please let me know your thoughts.

Thanks

div2 · March 2003

My wife's 1997 528i had a similar vibration which started at @50 mph. The dealer diagnosed the problem as being a defective driveshaft and replaced it under the CPO warranty.

blueox2 · March 2003

Habitat 1 in post #5849 (March 8, 2003) of this discussion spoke knowledgably of ED invoice prices (including specific options). Does anyone know where on the net I can get this information? I am strongly considering ED of a 530i, 5spd, SP, PP, prem sound, fold-down seats, CWP but want to be well-armed with the European invoice price when I approach my local dealer. Thank you all for help.

nyccarguy · March 2003

go to www.eurobuyers.com and download the PDF. You'll need acrobat reader to open it.

snagiel · March 2003

The others above are correct. Clearly this car doesn't have the Sport Package. But it's conceivable it has the sport suspension, since you can order those parts separately and install them onto a non-sport 530i. I've heard of a few folks who've ordered the standard model and later had regrets, and have either bought aftermarket shocks/springs/sway bars or the BMW sport package hardware (which you can sometimes obtain for very cheap or even free if you happen to locate someone who'se upgrading to a more aggressive setup from their sport package).

snagiel · March 2003

I recently ordered the same paint pen for a few very small paint chips (and one rather large scratch). I've tested it on only a single chip, and although the end result is certainly better than the naked chip before it, applying it wasn't easy (probably because the chip was so small), and the color didn't seem to match exactly. (I've called their 800 number, and they've offered to send me a new one in case the blend I got was somehow wrong, which I may do. I'll follow-up.)

snagiel · March 2003

The infamous 5-series vibration is nothing new, but I've heard almost as many explanations for it as I have people complaining about it. I think one of the more common reasons is when the soft tires, especially the Conti's on the sport package, develop flat spots after some period of dormancy. Upon warming up and rounding out, the effects wears off.

Other causes can include tire pressure, alignment, wheel balance, and probably a half dozen other things I can't think of right now. This car's steering linkages provide excellent feedback, and one inherrent disadvantage in that precise transmission is that imperfections manifest themselves as steering wheel vibrations at certain speeds.

jtuoti · March 2003

thanks for the comments. Re: not having the sport seats, that's one of the things I really like about the sport package. I didn't know it didn't come with the SP in 2001...great to know.

snagiel - I suppose the only way to tell if it has the sport suspension is to take it to BMW, eh? This is a 2001 530ia with 30,000 miles, leather, prem. sound and 6 disc changer and wood trim. No nav. I can get it for $32,500 but think I'll pass because I'd like to have the lower rear-end gears and higher stall convertor that the SP brings to the table.

If anyone's interested, it's here in Phoenix...Jon

habitat1 · March 2003

I am not aware that the sport package on the 530ia changes the gear ratio. I know it doesn't on the 5-speed manual. I may be wrong, but I thought that gear ratios were only changed on the 540ia equiped with an optional sport package.

FWIW, as someone who will likely be replacing their sedan with a 530i sport, I also value the sport seats, steering wheel and other amenities that come with the package. I've been spoiled by great Recaro-style seats in a previous Supra and current S2000, and those that come with the 5-series sport package are the next best thing.

shipo · March 2003

"...but think I'll pass because I'd like to have the lower rear-end gears and higher stall convertor [sic] that the SP brings to the table."

Ummm, did I miss something? I have always been under the impression that the 540iA was the only 5er that had a different rear end with the SP. To the best of my knowlege, the 530iA and the 530iA SP have exactly the same transmission and rear end. Anyone?

Best Regards,
Shipo

riez · March 2003

According to the tech specs in the MY 2003 full- color/full-size BMW 5 Series sedan brochure:

Looking at 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, (6th), & Final Drive ratios...

540i6: 4.23, 2.53, 1.67, 1.23, 1.00, 0.83, & 2.81
540ia: 3.57, 2.20, 1.51, 1.00, 0.80, & 2.81
540ia Sport: same as 540ia but with 3.15 final

530i5: 4.21, 2.49, 1.66, 1.24, 1.00, & 2.93
530ia: 3.42, 2.22, 1.60, 1.00, 0.75, & 3.46

525i5: 4.23, 2.52, 1.66, 1.22, 1.00, & 3.15
525ia: Same as 530ia

For the automatics, the 525i/530i share same final while the the 540ia Sport changes the final drive from the 540ia non-Sport. For the manuals, each uses a separate final drive.

pap5 · March 2003

Below is a copy of a message I just posted on the Paint and Body Maintenance & Repair board. Any advice?

I'm new to this discussion, so please forgive me if I'm asking something that's been covered 100 times already. I just discovered some SOB scratched the driver's door of my '01 BMW 530i. It wasn't accidental -- he/she made multiple passes. It's hard to tell what instrument was used -- the scratches are wide but not too deep, with no primer or metal showing. The color is topaz, a rich, medium metallic blue. Any suggestions for eliminating or minimizing the damage? Thanks for any advice.

pap5 · March 2003

I'm not aware of any differences in torque converter or other Steptronic settings between the 530i with or without SP. There is aftermarket software, e.g. a download available from Dinan, that can change such settings as shift pressure, but I think they're all the same from the factory.

snagiel · March 2003

Sorry to hear; I know how infuriating it can be to witness some punk's negligence, let alone malicious vandalism.

You may try the cheap route: AutoSharp pen, or BMW touch-up paint and clear coat, along with the Langka paint smoothing lotion/tool. But, if the damage is extensive enough, most likely only a professional body shop will be able to bring the door back to its original form. Since I recently got an estimate for damage on a door (albeit for less damage than you describe), I'm guessing the estimate there would be for around $500.

jeffry · March 2003

Whata drag--nice car & others too hostile to work to get their own....

In CA there is a franchise called The Paint Pro, another The Dent Pro. Both do an excellent job fixing minor scratches or dings. Perhaps they're in your area too. They've done stuff for me for about $125 for a couple door dings or another time for chips & minor scratches all over. They may be in your area. Your's may be too severe or prominent to fix that way & Snagiel's advice to go to a paint shop necessary to do. Good luck

mod62 · March 2003

Thanks for your input. I will bringing in the car next Tuesday and hopefully find out what the deal is. Of course, they gave me the standard line that they can only fix it if they can replicate the problem.
FYI, I have my snow tires on the car and the problem has only revealed itself over the last two weeks. The snows went on in December. Also, tire presure is good.

I will bring up all of your suggestions.

One other thing: I was trying to kill two birds with one visit. I asked if I could get my first service although I have two green lights remaining. They will not do it until one year or one green light. I know the lights decrease depending on a number of factors. I drive aggressively and have 11,000 miles since end of October. Any chance I will hit one bar by next week. It has been on two for a while. What else is standard with the first service?

Thanks

kdshapiro · March 2003

Have you tried a little paint on the dash.

snowman6 · March 2003

I'm trying to decide between the 2003 525i and the 530i and am concerned that the 525 doesn't have enough under the hood. Any 525i owners willing to comment on engine performance and if they are satisfied??

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