Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
Sorry if this is too much of a digression relative to your question. I just can't get past the $52k+/- price on a 2004 530i when I was considering a new 2003 for roughly $10,000 less through ED (or a 2003 540i for $50k after the incentives). Perhaps the sticker shock of the E60 will wear off at some point, but right now, it looks like a huge increase for a car that doesn't appeal to me as much as it's predecessor.
Hope this helps....JL
IMO, a significant reason for the success of the previous 5 series and the 530i in particular was a combination of performance, attractive aesthetics, limited gimmickry, and relatively competitive pricing. With the new 530i, presumably the performance has been maintained (although I am NOT a fan of run flat tires), the aesthetics are questionable at best, the gimmickry is unnecessary and adds to potential bugs and premature obsolescence, and the pricing competitiveness has been significantly eroded.
I myself would have never bought the previous 525i (or earlier 528i) as it was just too underpowered for a "sport" sedan. However, the prospect of getting a well equiped but low gimmick 530i 5-speed for around $42k through ED was compelling, given that an "average" Japanese FWD near luxury sedan is in the $30's and the current E-class pushes or exceeds $50k.
We can debate whether or not the design of the new 5-series is an evolution or a Bangleization. However, the fundamentals of why the previous 530i was of interest to this particular buyer have definitely not improved and perhaps declined. Nominal size increase aside, nothing merits a price increase relative to the factors that are important to me.
If Mercedes had their act together and decided to import the E270 CDI 6-speed sport that is available in Europe for roughly the US equivalent of $39,000, I think the new 525i (and even 530i) would be severely challenged. The E270 would offer comparable or better performance, phenominal gas mileage and, in this prospective buyers eye, less offensive gimmicks and better looks.
Perhaps we all were spoiled by the price/value of the previous 530i. But just because it may cost BMW more to design and produce the new 530i, don't automatically think that we as consumers find the increase merited by a better car. I don't.
When I initially read your post, I thought "well maybe his folks have big bucks", but if they're only contributing $8k, there's quite a bit left for somebody just out of school to cover.
Maybe you've realized it, but cars are expensive to own, and expensive cars are really expensive to own. Why not start out with something a little more modest, maybe even a well-maintained used ride. As you may have heard, the trick for creating wealth is "living BELOW your means", and in the end, having a decent amount of dough saved/invested can be very comforting. You've got your whole life ahead to buy and enjoy big ticket items.
OK, off the soapbox.
Some suggestions:
CPO E36 M3
CPO M Coupe
Corvette Z06
Mustang Mach1
S2000
G35 Coupe
GTO
If you must have four doors:
CPO E36 M3/4
CPO E39 540i Sport
RX-8
Lancer EVO
WRX STI
All of these will be less expensive than an E60 5er, and-as a bonus-they won't be mistaken for a new Grand Am either.
Ask your insurance agent what annual cost of car insurance will be. Might impact your decision.
Is the $8K down in addition to the $475 per month? If so, seems like an expensive lease.
If I was you, I'd be looking for a car under $25K. Have you thought about Hyundai Tiburon V6 6-speed? Honda Accord V6 6-speed coupe? If you want a sedan, Acura TSX nice. Or an Altima 3.5SE 5-speed manual. The Lexus IS300 is less expensive than 525i. MB C-class coupe C230 Kompressor. There are a ton of great cars out there.
I never said he didn't. However, I do maintain that a 525iA is a bit stodgy AND expensive for a college student.
<Mach 1, Z06 bad suggestion, dangerous, poor build quality.>
True, build quality is not up to BMW standards, but dangerous? Give me a break. I know more than a few CCA members who also have an American musclecar in their garage. About the only thing the Mach and Z06 might endanger is the ego of other drivers at track events.
<The 5 is a brilliant selection. Go get 'em kid. You'll have the coolest ride on campus.>
Yep, and he'll have a head start on being in debt for the rest of his life...
You stated in your last email that installing the Bluetooth kit is a DIY, then you stated that ALL kits have to be installed at the dealer, can you explain? I am looking on getting this installed in my 530.
If anyone has had any experience with this, your feedback would be appreciated.
Thanks
If you want a nice car with above average performance, the G35, in either sedan or coupe form, will do VERY well. The G's rate very well in quality (Infiniti) and performance on par (or in some cases better) to BMW's.
At 20, you DEFINITELY need to worry about insurance, as that price won't really drop until you hit 25 or so.
Ultimately it is your call, but with the 04's being new and you being in school (my guess) you will want something more reliable than a all-new car with new technologies in it.
With a lower priced car, too, that money infusion from your parents will go a LOT farther and work to reduce your monthlies much more than for a 50K car.
-Paul
You guys want to jump in here and tell this guy how to spend his money? Who knows, maybe this guys got millions. I'm sure that he realizes that there are many less expensive vehicles but maybe the car suits him and if that's what he decided he wants than he certainly could come up with a lot worse picks (hyundai, ford, chevy) BUY THE 5!!!
Spoken like somebody who makes a living hoping other people go into hock, whether they can afford it or not. May I respectfully suggest that it would enhance your credibility on this board if you were to refrain from dispensing such questionable advice. We all know you like (or at least shill for) BMW's, we all like them, too, but suggesting such an expensive car for somebody who apparently needs $8k from his folks just to swing a lease (let alone insure it) sure doesn't say much for your judgment, or objectivity.
I am not an advocate of this, on the outside, seemingly irresponsible behavior, but for all I know the poster has more money than Sam Walton.
Is that the same guy who owned that mountain on that 70's Tv show? Walton's Mountain...
-Paul
By the way, be sure to get personalized plates.
Let's let this go for now. If he needs help deciding what vehicle to choose, I'm quite sure he is capable of asking that question.
Meanwhile, there is certainly no reason to get into a squabble amongst yourselves about what he ought to buy especially since, again, he did not ask that question! ;->
thank you to all who commented... we got a kick out of reading your responses, they are all sound, and I respect you all for your sugestions and I thank you for them. I've actually considerd getting a lesser car, but it doesn't appeal to me, and I don't know why, my friends all call me an the old man because out of all of them I'm considerably the most aged (in terms of taste and responsibilities.) I live with my parents, who have no problem with me living with them through college, I also have money set aside in case the day arises for when I may wish to move into an apartment with friends or on my own, this was done with the help of my grandfather who has been my best friend through out life; my parents don't ask for mutch, a little respect, courtacy, and the ability to get a hold of me on my cell phone in case they need something is all they ask of me. I've given considerable thought in saving up and investing, my father started his own manufacturing business which I too consider to be my own investment, I've put in looongg hours helping him get through paper work, shop work, as well as offering finantiall assistance when times arouse. its been a year and the company is around the corner from taking off. getting this car or a car like the G or the X type or the C MB is something my mind and heart tell me is right. my father supports my decision and as a thank you has offered instead of payment back to pick up x cess slack of the payments as I've previously stated. I'm beyond fortunate to have what I do, and to be able to have the oportunity and chance to do what I want. I appologize for taking such a long time to respond to all of this, and I also wish to appologize for sparking any arguments and what not; I've been running around working with my father as well as at my other jobs and thank you for all your support and suggestoins, to be honest I've looked at nearly every mid size car out there, from nissan to honda, to camry to well sorry to say but I refuse to get a ford or chevey and I've even looked at the Cad CTS along with any and every model range in between these. I'm sorry for such the long winded response but like I said i've been away for a bit. (please if you have any more advice or comments feel free I appriciate them all; you're also welcome if you don't wish to take up all the message board to email me at CjsG35.... yes I know it says G 35 which is what i'd wanted till i fell in love with the five and found out that the lease payment were nearly identicall thank you to all again)
Sincerly
Craig
That way we can keep this 5-Series discussion from getting too far off-track.
Hope this helps....JL
Go buckeyes!
It is whatever name you decide it is.
I personally love the exterior styling and the first reviews of the new 5 series have been extremely complimentary. To base an opinion on whether a BMW is the ultimate driving machine based on the shape of front headlights seems a little short-sided. Why don't you go drive it and then come back with and tell us about your test drive?
go drive one premed .........what car in the segment do you like the looks of?
We're all Big Ten brothers, go bangle!
Anyways,coming from someone who doesn't own a BMW, when I checked the new and the old side by side, the old 5er looked like a German Buick. Old, stout, and "classic" in the sense that it has been around forever.
Yes, Bangle is a big change to BMW's style philosophy, but his 5 series looks the best yet. Aggressive, clean and svelte in shape, it is everything the old 5er isn't. Interior-wise, with the appropriate wood/leather combo, it does look great. The back seat is outstanding too.
At $66,500CAD, well equipped and with a 6spd manual, it significantly undercuts the E320 and while an S-Type is the only other car with a manual and cheaper, dynamically there is no competition.
Just my 2cents, you can continue bashing it, keep up the laughs!
RESISTANCE IS FUTILE! COME TO THE DARK SIDE!
I used to remember a time when Honda ripped off BMW designs.
Your point about the E39 looking like a Buick (meaning old looks for old people, etc., I think) is valid if the new generation E60 knocked your eyes out -- but as designman says, it looks oddly like a Grand Am. I think the point being made is that the design could have been much better than it is, capturing the (usually well-off, anxious-to-buy)existing 5-series buyers while interesting a new generation of younger, aspiring buyers. If the 5 leaves its established market behind, like the 7-series apparently has, BMW suffers. For buyers, a new decision comes up: do you want to pay $40-50K for an odd looking car that will get redesigned in a year or two or wait until later?
Speaking of odd looking cars, I'm sure there's people out there who think the Pontiac Aztek is the leading edge car they'd like to be seen in. Most think it's simply an odd (very odd) looking car. Wonder if the 5-series is enough of a Aztek-like mistake to simply become an odd-looking car ?
Cheers--
Opinions are just that and everyone is entitled to their own. That said, your description of the old 5-series looking like a Buick and the new one looking "aggressive, clean and svelte in shape" has me wondering if you need glasses.
I can accept the new E class as a aesthetic refinement of the previous one. But I cannot accept the new 5 as a aesthetic refinement. It's a radical change and at least to my unbiased eyes, destroys or damages a lot of what made the 5-series attractive. The new one is a lot closer to GM than the old one, IMO.
I have the rear end of the accord in front of me on the dell monitor now and the new 5 series is just feet away in the middle of the showroom.........
There are virtually no similarities but the 'bimmer sure does cost a lot more.