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Comments
Thanks
Dan
I have a new 525 with a steptronic, depending on which reports you read, the 525 is 1/2 to one second slower that the 530 from 0 to 60. Both share the same top end speeds.
I purchased my car in Europe, the salesman has been selling BMWs and Volvos for 25 years. He convinced me that based on my driving style and the fact the car is going to be used in the US and not Europe, that I could save nearly $6K by getting 525 without the sports package. I believe his motives were pure since the car was custom ordered from the factory, and based on his advice he made less commission on the deal.
The salesman stated that 525 has enough power for most people, after driving the car, I would have to agree. He was also totally against the sports package. I was really surprised by this, but he stated that it is 90% cosmetic and 10% performance enhancement and does not improve the resale value of the vehicle. The M-tronic enhancements are designed for better handling at high-speed driving (over 100 MPH), he asked me how many times I will drive that fast in the US.
Good Luck!
For what it's worth, the jump from a 525i to a 530i does give you the most bang for the buck, compared to jumping from a 530i to 540i or (as I did) a 540i to M5. And the 530i actually manages nominally better gas mileage, since the larger engine is better matched to the vehicle weight. But only you can decide if any additional "bang" is worth the $3,500 +/- difference.
On the other hand, I respectfully, but wholeheartedly, disagree with the suggestion that the "sport package" is a 90% cosmetic option. If I were on a limited budget, it is the ONLY option I would take. Handling and steering precision is improved at ALL speeds and the car even tracks better in a straight line on the highway. There is an additional cost to the sport package in terms of (slightly) more frequent tire replacement, but that is nominal on a $40k car.
Don't get me wrong, a 5-series without a sports package is a comparable or better handling car compared with Lexus and Mercedes. But a 5-series with a sports package is the absolute class leader in steering and handling. I would take a 525i with a sport package over a 530i without, in a heartbeat.
Too often, dealers are obviously trying to sell you whatever they've got on their lots, and will say everything they think you want to hear to help clear their inventory. I suppose this case is different, but I suppose it reinforces the fact that, when it comes to making judgement calls about packages and options, in general I would place greater importance in (a) auto journalists (most of whom laud the sport package), (b) discussion forums like this, and, of course, (c) the differences you feel.
I don't want to contribute to buyer's remorse, since for many people the standard setup is indeed fine. But I agree wholeheartedly that the sport package is the most important one, and unlike some carmaker, it is certainly not 90% cosmetic, nor does it hinder resale value.
Yes the SP does also in fact include "Cosmetic" features such as much better seats, a steering wheel that is far more pleasing to grip (the wheel in my 328i was the same as the non/SP 5er), and the leather/wood combo knob for the shifter seems less likely to slip out of your hand on a hot/humid day (assuming A/C off, and window and roof open). I would have to agree with most other folks, if one can afford only one package, get the SP. Any salesman telling customers that the SP is "90% cosmetic" is simply "Blowing Sunshine up the customers' skirt", IMHO. ;-)
Best Regards,
Shipo
1.An outright liar
or
2.Hopelessly ignorant regarding his product knowledge.
If you are on a limited budget and can only afford very few options, The first on my list would be the SPORTS package. The E-39 with this package really transforms the car into (in my opinion) the BEST handling midsized sedan out there. I don't think anything in this class can compare.
Again, just my personal opinion.
The Sports package is a must for me.
Spyderred,
They seem to be add ons which cost a lot. Will they interfere with my xenons headlights or just an addition to my current ones? Do they have a separate switch to turn on or only on when parking lights are on like the fog lights? I know its more cosmetic to have one but they are very attractive on the 5ers.
Any insights will be greatly appreciated.
Hope this helps...JL
Hope this helps...JL
Mmmmm... let's see my 2001 E-39 has steptronic tranny, xenons, self dimming mirror,
leather, wood adornments, split seats, rain sensor, absolutely wonderful 3.0 in-line 6(a silky smooth power plant) and last but by no means last-- the sport suspension. If I had to make a choice for only one of the above (besides the engine, which i would have to keep) my ONLY other must have is .... the sport suspension !! Just my $2 worth( my time is valuable).
To be fair to the salesman, he deals mostly with first-time BMW buyers, you could say most are average drivers that are coming out of very average automobiles. With that in mind, his comments could be relevant.
Based on the board's comments, there are some real BMW experts that really understand the cars and the SP.
As for me, I had the opportunity to purchase a custom ordered 525 or 530 at $7600 to 8000 below US MRSP, plus avoid US customs and state sales tax bring the total savings close to $10,000. The PP was more important to me than the SP, but I am a first-time BMW owner that is just happy to be driving a world-class automobile.
Thank you for your feedback, at least we can agree that BMWs are great cars that are fun to drive.
Join us tonight, 6-7pm PT/9-10pm ET for another
round of automotive trivia and member-to-member chat.
Test your skills (or multiple choice guessing ability)
against other Town Hall members.
http://www.edmunds.com/townhall/chat/townhallchat.html
Hope to see you there!
You should check out the recent and past annual car issues for Consumer Reports. Some great information on reliability data. You might also check Intellichoice.
Always a good idea to have an independent mechanic check it out. One familiar with BMWs.
Make sure to get service records. Talk to past owner. See what maintenance was done and what you might need in near future. Keep in mind that the BMW Schedule 1 and 2 services aren't cheap. (You should hope they did one of these recently.)
If not CPO, will the dealer provide some short-term warranty? Even if only for 30-90 days?
On 11/30/01 bought my '98 540i6 at about 52,000 miles. CPO from a BMW dealer. She now has 73,000 miles. Troublefree from anything major. Some minor things (e.g., headlights burned out, kids broke rear cupholder, needed to get the instrument cluster computer readout screen replaced--though this likely would've cost a bit if not for the car being CPO). My tires are wearing and there is some road noise, but I'm too cheap to replace at this time.
Best Regards,
Shipo
- You'll replace tires more often, and they'll be slightly more expensive (since they're larger and are pricier performance tires). Regarding Shipo's point, he's right, but relying on the standard all-season tires has its disadvantages as well both for performance handling and for winter traction.
- The ride is slightly more harsh. Some appreciate this firmness and direct feel, but others prefer a more Lexus-like disconnect from the road. So you should test drive both (on roads you normally travel on) to judge for yourself. It also depends on whether you live in, say, Detroit or Palm Springs: Not all roads are the same.
- You'll probably use more gas and oil, since you'll look for every excuse you can find to drive more often. Not that this is necessarily a "con."
Tehe, some would say that any extra expence is cheaper than a pshrink. ;-)
Best Regards,
Shipo
Happy Motoring,
Jack
BMW Nav systems are way behind Acura or Lexus.
My '00 540 has CD based navigation system.
Browsing through BMW nav takes few days to
get used to. There is NO touch screen
capability (unlike Acura).
As for coverage, I live in SF Bay area.
No problem there. I'd imagine that DVD based
system may have more map data. One big difference
btw CD and DVD is that the later covers whole
USA. CD is only regional (in my case, CA and NV).
Best way is to try it out during test drive.
I am a big fan of Nav systems. It makes driving
to new places a lot more fun. Get it!
I.I.
As far as types of NAVs go, I would not want a touch screen. I like the Nissan/Renault set up with joystick like controls. The BMW setup just take some time to get used to and it is not as fast as the others.
I want to get either a 2000 or 2001 540iT wagon with the sport package.
Can anyone let me know if there is reason to prefer one year over the other, if mileage is about the same? Any maintenance nightmares I should be aware of before I take the plunge?
Thanks very much
There is no doubt that a 5-series, expecially with sport package, offers better handling and driving dynamics than the E - class. But, IMHO, the E-Wagon offers more of what I would be looking for in a wagon. We have two kids and when it comes to replacing our SUV the E320 wagon will get a close look. I'll reserve the 5-series for the sport sedan version, where it has no peers.
After some research, the Deluxe Plus pads were selected because they suit my current driving style - aggressive, but not a "racer." I've acquired a purpose built race car for SCCA competiton so my street driving style has mellowed a bit. Besides excellent stopping properties, the Deluxe Plus pads are rated low dust and rotor friendly.
BMW Stock Pads:
I used these pads for the first 900 miles of ownership. Good stopping properties but EXCESSIVE dusting. The front wheels were coated with a moderate amount of dust each time the car was driven. The rear wheels were only "lightly" coated. Wheels were cleaned almost each weekend.
Axxis Deluxe Plus Pads:
500+ city and highway miles after properly bedding pads. Braking ability is equal to or better than BMW OEM pads. Front wheel dust: minimal. Approx. the same amount of dust coating rear wheels using OEM pads after 50 miles. Rear wheels: hardly noticeable. Note: the dust observations are after 500+ miles WITHOUT cleaning the wheels.
2nd Opinion:
I showed my car to a 2002 540i/6 owner and his comment: "I get more brake dust on my wheels driving to work (20 mile commute) than you have after 500 miles."
My opinion:
If you want to rid your BMW/E39 of brake dust, get a set of Axxis pads. The only question should be: Which pad is right for me ?
Axxis Pad Comparison Link:
http://www.zeckhausen.com/axxis_pads.htm
Dave Z. (Zeckhausen Racing) stocks Axxis pads.
Hope this helps....JL
Best Regards,
Shipo
Hope this helps...JL
I think the Lexus GS is an attractive car with very good fit and finish. If you like a softer, luxury ride, it's a great alternative to Mercedes. As for driving dynamics, the 5-series is in a league of it's own, IMO.
TIA....JL