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Comments
I will take a look at the sites you have suggested for the CD changer.
would love to hear your input on your great car.
Thanks in advance.
Along the way (2 years) you all have been extremely helpful and I mean that. I look forward to joining the BMW Club and pinging you all as questions arise.
Shipo, Snaigel, Reiz, and all the rest - THANKS!
Beers on me when we meet!
Today it is raining a bit, and I need to go back to Chicago for a meeting - I may take my Maxima until my heart slows down.
Best Regards,
Shipo
First, since I have the G35 Coupe, I don't think any comparison to the 5-series is appropriate. The closest competitor--in size, price, and mission--is the 330Ci (which I test drove and evaluated pretty thoroughly). The 330 earned marks for its high quality (if somewhat drab) interior, its ultra-smooth drivetrain, linear braking, great steering, and all-around great balance, feedback, and feel.
The G35, in turn, shined with its 280hp/270lb-ft powerplant, short-throw shifter, great seats, powerful (Brembo) brakes, awesome exterior styling, and, perhaps most importantly, immense "fun-to-drive" factor.
Overall, the G35 offered slighly more performance, but the 330 offered slighly more refinement and control. BMW purists would be drawn to the latter, and bring up things like heritage, prestige, motorsports, BMWCCA, etc.
But, of course, there's one last pragmatic issue: price. With the relatively low volume of the G35 Coupe, they're being sold at (or darn close to) MSRP. Even still, my fully-loaded (including Nav) G35 came to $37.6k. A comparable '04 330Ci would invoice at $41k and sticker around $45k. So we're talking roughly a $5k spread, which isn't trivial in my book.
So, I went the G35. I love the car, plain and simple. The only awkward thing so far is, this car drawn attention, big time. I suppose a red Ferrari spyder driven by an attractive blonde might generate more head-turns, but not much.
Do I miss my 530? Of course. Do I compare the two? Not really. I understand the nature of wanting to find the "perfect car," but auto enthusiasts should spend more time celebrating the excellent choices before them, as opposed to battling incessantly over which car is best.
Cheers.
regards,
kyfdx
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CPO is essentially designed to promote resale value of BMWs. And it helps dealers sell used cars at good (read: higher) prices. This benefits both BMW AG/NA and dealers. People will pay more up front if they know resale down road is high. And people will buy used cars and pay more for them if there is a good warranty on them.
riez: I understand that this is BMW's program. But I would think that a dealer could decide whether to "CPO" a particular car or not. If a BMW dealer gets a used BMW as a trade in and has a buyer for it "as is", I don't know that he "required" to "CPO" the car. If it were me, I would want the additional warranty. The dealer could easily say that the car does not meet the CPO requirements to get around whatever agreements there are.
Mark
The salesman says he prefers Black Sapphire since it doesn't show the dirt as much as Jet Black.
I have this picture in my mind of a black on black BMW and I want to make sure that the Sapphire will look black. It is hard to make a comparison on the lot since both are pretty dirty.
Please post your satisfaction with either color and whether Black Sapphire really does hide dirt better. All opinions appreciated!
Thanks,
Robert
Best Regards,
Shipo
P.S.
If you want to see my ride, click on the following:
http://photos.yahoo.com/shipo
Then you can check out the various photos that I have posted. ;-)
http://www.cardomain.com/id/nyc530i
Hope this helps....JL
Hope this helps...JL
Thank you again
RW
What "guts"? There's no guts required to drive a 5-series manual - 400 hp M5 included. They are among the smoothest shifting, nicest feeling manual transmissions out there. If I ever came home with a 5-series sedan with an automatic transmission, my 5'1" 105 lb wife would divorce me. And she has not guts (or gut) whatsovever.
Seriously, if you prefer an automatic, go for it. But if you are inclined to consider rowing your own, try it before you decide. The 5-series really rewards the do it yourselfers.
I better start reading the manual!
While many here on the board have had success with BMW's CPO cars, how much off of the asking price do you usually get? The reason I ask is that I always see CPO BMWs listed in the paper for very close to their original value. X5s, 530s, & 3ers all hold their value well as we all know. I know that CPO makes the used car more expensive and worth more (due to the warranty), but, but how willing are the dealers dealing on say the perfect used BMW? Is is supply and demand or what?
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
dzuba and crete Congratulations on your new 5's! Enjoy in good health!
I did my negotiating over e-mail and telephone. When I bought mine, the dealer ended up dropping his initial asking price by $1,000 and I ended up getting the initial trade amount I asked for.
If you buy, will you trade a car in? That complicates the sale and price analysis.
The dealer is the one who knows if a particular car meets the critiera for certification, and they could offer a price differential on an uncertified car if they knew that it could be certified. Doing that on a regular basis might violate the "rules" for CPO cars.
On another note, the dealer in Greenville, SC has a Silver 530i, 5 speed w/ NO options. MSRP of $41,795. Last of the breed, at 525 prices.
Happy motoring,
Jack
Does installation of roof spoiler and M5 deck spoiler require drilling?
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Is this a good deal? Also, can I buy extended warranty from BMW if I buy the car from a Merc dealership?
If you want an extended warranty thru BMW, then you'd have to buy a CPO car from a BMW dealer.
Have you checked out BMW NA's web site, the CPO locator? You should. Might be interesting to see what you find near you.
tx
.g
A bit strange to say the least.
The owners manual says "Both mirrors are defrosted automatically when the key is in position 2". That would imply that they're heated all the time because position 2 is "Run". Difficult to imagine that's true because wouldn't the heating elements would burn out really quickly?
Maybe the heating control is linked to the outside temp sensor or maybe to the rear defogger. Another possibility is that the heating is set on a timer so that they come on for a set time after the ignition is switched on, but that wouldn't make much sense either because heating wouldn't be needed most of the year. Aarrgg!! My head hurts.
Anyone know the answer? Thanks in advance
I will keep you posted on the outcome.
...g
I will keep you posted on the outcome.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Based on what I paid, I'd say the price is close, but a bit on the high side (given the absence of the SP, CD+changer, and no CPO). Good luck.
Best Regards,
Shipo
I have not had time to read all the manuals yet and join the clubs - but I will, so here is my first goofy question.
Brake dust - soap and water, or is there a better method? Is there some special spray that loosens up the dust?
Thanks
PS - I was considering saving my 98 Maxima GLE for the rainy/snowy/crappy days and the high mileage trips - but after drivng my 530 for a week - I may sell it and drive the H out of the 530. That is what they are meant for right? Between the extremes - I would rather drive it, replace the tires when needed, then pamper it.
So in three years I may either keep or sell my 02 530, and it will have 80-90K miles on it!!
I have hard time believing that 50K car has no display telling you this. Am I missing something?