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E39 525i auto used 3.46:1.
E39 530i manual used 2.93:1.
E39 530i auto used 3.46:1.
Interestingly, the individual gear ratios for the 525ia and 530ia are identical: 3.42, 2.22, 1.60, 1.00, and 0.75. And so are the 3.46 final drives. So the gearing doesn't help one over the other. It just helps explain why the 525ia is so slow to accelerate (8.2 seconds) and why the 530ia is so much quicker (7.0 seconds).
The individual gear ratios for the 525i5 and 530i5 are different:
525i manual: 4.23, 2.52, 1.66, 1.22, and 1.00.
530i manual: 4.21, 2.49, 1.66, 1.24, and 1.00.
EPA estimates:
525i5= 20/29
525ia= 19/27
530i5= 21/30
530ia= 18/26
For you flyboys...
I’m also an aerobatics buff. One of my finest memories is seeing WWII ace Bob Hoover in the early 80s flying the Rockwell Shrike Commander DEADSTICK (engines off) through a loop, eight-point roll, 180-degree turn, touching down first on one wheel, then the other... and taxiing to a stop in front of raving mad crowd. I surely hope you have had the pleasure of seeing this. In the ilk of world-class ice skating (and some of the things I have done with the Boxster) I found this to be elegantly spectacular. For those who are unfamiliar with the Shrike Commander... it is a high-wing, twin turbo prop BUSINESS AIRCRAFT!
;-)
The best mileage I have ever gotten was on an early morning trip from the Boston area into NYC, and if I remember correctly, it was something like 31.5, driven at speeds almost exclusively north of 75 (with a few squirts to 90+).
The only thing that dissappoints me (a little) is that even though my 530i has a better EPA rating than my former 1999 328i 5-Speed had, I have never even come close to the 35+ mpg that I used to get on the 328i on a long highway trip.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Quite a disparity comparing my 20.1 mpg especially considering the rush-hour scenario. I'm figuring at most a 2 mpg difference between auto and manual. Anyway, with every car I have ever owned, my mileage has always been on the low end when compared to others. Must be the driving habits. The Boxster is getting 16-19 and I'm just at the end of break-in. I'm curious to see what I can squeeze out of it if I can stand to lope along on a full tank in 6th gear. Aside from my trolling of the Steptronic, I really do like the stairmaster and rowing machine that come with some of these cars.
;-)
did not opt for the hands free phone installtion at the time of purchase.
Called BMW dealer in Fremont, CA today and they said it can be installed at a cost of $1695 (approx.).
Is there any other way to get it added on without going thru BMW? Cheaper any other way?
Thanks in advance for your help.
I did not get the 530i b/c of the increase in cost. Comes pretty close to a E320 with all the options. then I would have opted for a E320.
The acceleration on the 525iA is slow but for our family, its a perfect car.
We have a 6 month old baby and this car is her primary mode of transport. The car does not jump like other powerful cars and so there are no sudden jerks to our baby in the car seat and also stops me from smoking someone on the road. The car is heavy and the weight to power ratio in automatic is perfect for this purpose. Also, it is built like a tank and feels very safe.
Bottom line, I saw what BMW has done to the 2004 BMWs and decide to get my dream car before the model change. 2004 are ugly!
Also when I am alone in the car, I can get faster acceleration by putting the car in manual mode.
I get around 29 mpg on highway and around 23 in city. I have 8K miles on the car.
BMW BT Info: http://www.circlebmw.com/parts/blue/blue.htm
Hope this helps....JL
The automotive press has had a ton of articles for many years about SMG. Besides the detailed discussions in purely BMW publications like Roundel (BMW CCA) and Bimmer, most major publications have had technical discussions, road tests, or comparison tests of SMG or SMG-equipped cars (e.g., C&D, MT, R&T, Automobile, AW, etc.).
Roundel and Bimmer have had some discussions about SMG-related reliability and performance concerns. Still a bit early for any long-term observations and BMW keeps updating and changing the system to improve it.
I've seen numerous publications discuss the full "Auto" mode as being highly inferior to regular automatic transmission. Jerky shifting. If you really want smooth AT performance, then get the slushbox.
Have you considered an '03 E39 540i automatic with Sport Pkg? You really should.
I am not sure how the BMW average MPG is computed, but on my car (not a BMW) the average seems to be some weighted average between recent fuel consumpution and longer term fuel consumption. I can reset the computed average at will.
I get better mileage in the summer than in the winter in local driving. Head winds will reduce mileage while a tail wind will increase it. I used to live about 6 miles from work and it was all stop and go driving which resulted in 18-20 MPG in winter. Now I live 10 miles from the city and the driving is mostly highway and I get 22-24 in winter with 25-26 in summer. I haven't taken this car on a long trip yet so I don't know how good MPG is on a long trip. I have a 4.6 liter V8.
Maybe the SMG is great in an F-1 car, but for now I'll stick with my regular stick shift, with a clutch to modulate power delivery, if I want to shift myself. I would consider an automatic if I seriously consider a 545 (now with a 6-speed auto)--and I think Riez's suggestion of a 540iA is a good one.
As far as an M series being a "pain", I'd only offer that M-series models are supposed to offer uncompromised performance, which typically is achieved by compromising ride comfort. I think for every day driving, a Sport Package is compromising enough. I think you might find an M a little too harsh for day in and day out---but hey, maybe not. And I guess I'm ignoring any maintenance related issues, I think if you buy a relatively high performance car, you can't expect it to only require the low level of maintenance of a Toyota.
Thanks for the information. Did you install the kit yourself or did a dealer install it for you?
Anybody out there inthe SF bay area who has installed this kit? Which dealer did you use and how much did it cost?
To see if I know what I'm talking about, you might check in the "used cars" section, and see what premium sound adds to resale value.
As I mentioned previously, I test drove both cars. And even though I thought the acceleration on the 530i was a tad bit better, it was NOT worth the cost.
BTW, I have about 7,700 miles on mine now.
The installation documentation is very detailed and the install can be done in less than two (2) hours. If you have the dealer install the kit, they will charge you full MSRP for the kit and two hours of labor. Estimated total: $750+.
If you don't want to do the install yourself, purchase the kit at the lowest price you can find and have a local auto stereo shop install it for you. Their labor rate is nowhere close to what BMW is asking.
The final step of the install requires that the car be programmed for the BT module, but my system works perfectly without the programming. Your car might/might not need the programming.
One final note. Most BMW service departments have no clue of what BT is or how to install it. Not many have done it, so the bottom line is that they will be doing the same as you: reading the instructions. From what I've heard, their success rate has not been good and they have no real way to troubleshoot the problems. They usually say "it's your phone," but it is usually an incorrect install. At least I know I did it correctly.
Hope this helps...JL
I agree with this 200%.
I drove an 03 M3 with SMG two months ago. To say the shifting is jerky is an understatement. It feels as if you are being hit in the rear by another car on every shift whether it is in auto or manual mode. However, I have heard that the newer version on the 2004 is improved, so look into it.
diver110, I don’t know what your reason is in going from 540 to M3. My guess is that you want more of a sports car. IMO the M3 is a compromise. 3-series are tain’t cars... tain’t sedan, tain’t sports car, plus I find the M3 ride to be much too hard for the sedan needs, not to mention the compromise with back-seating space. Dinner for four with an M3 doesn't cut it in my life.
If you have the urge for a sports car and spend a lot of time in traffic, I’d buy a much cheaper car for the mundane driving, and have a low, two-seat, butt-kickin’ sports car for weekends. But if owning one automatic sedan is the only option, your leave-well-enough-alone 540 is impossible to beat, especially with sport package.
BTW, if I had $58k to spend and had to have only one car, I’d get a used E39 M5 over a new M3 or 545. The M5 ride is not as harsh as the M3 and the pleasure of driving that on weekends would more than make up for the hassle of wrangling with bumper-to-bumper traffic with a manual transmission.
diver110, your handle suggests you are a sportsman... go with the two-car option or get the M5! TRAFFIC SHMAFFIC!!!
;-)
People complain about oil consumption, clunking noise from the transmission, high maintenance, etc. I think the main reason for these complain is that people bought it without realizing what "M" really stands for. As much as they may have been "watered down", these are still highly capable cars with race origins. MB AMG and Audi S might be better tailored for those people, luxury car that is a bit different and makes "statement".
Having said all that, M5 is more about luxury than sport, and I think the ride is comfortable as stated above. I had a chance to test drive it over a weekend, and loved it. It certainly will not be as quiet as the other 5-series cars, and a bit firmer, but still acceptable.
One interesting thing about the M3 CSL (personally think it is a bit overrated) is that in order to have the speed governor removed, the owner needs to have a racing license.
Having said that, I am torn between keeping the 530i and finding a 1998-2000 911, or going for an 2003 M5. Decisions, decisions........
regards,
kyfdx
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“ I am torn between keeping the 530i and finding a 1998-2000 911, or going for an 2003 M5. Decisions, decisions........”
Sounds like decision 1 is whether to spend the money. If it’s a go, decision 2 is whether you want a sedan or true sports car. I hope you make the right decision for yourself, because if you do you’ll be in heaven either way.
In the 911 category I would caution you to stay away from the 99. It is the first of the new water-cooled 996 platform and enthusiasts report certain issues. 95-98 is the air-cooled 993 platform and is the most desired. All varieties of 98s are probably the most sought after cars on the planet and it is reflected in their price. When I was searching they were coming into dealers off leases and disappearing the same day. You will never see them on a lot and are tough to find even if you do a national search.
That said there are a many other great 911 possibilities. The $65k - $75k that 03 M5s command will get you a lot of Porsche. And by the way, I wouldn’t worry about premature clutch failure in the M5 if you decide to go that route. Just absorb it as the cost of doing thrills, but of course, only if you can afford it. Both of these cars are not for the faint of heart or pocket book as I am sure you are aware. You can count on 911 maintenance to be costlier though.
From the follow-up posts of diver110 it seems like the sedan format fits his scheme of things and the M5 could be right for him. Either way, make sure your sedan vs sports car decision is right for YOU. You don’t want to be spending this kind of money only to be lusting for the car you DIDN’T get.
Good luck!
The thing really seems to shine when you tap on classic rock. Quadraphenia, etc. But throw in some Metallica or Jay Z and the thing sounds like it's falling apart.
Does anyone have a sense of how much more maintenance is involved in a M5 versus a 540i? How often do the clutches go on average?
"Yet the CTS-V and the M5 are directly comparable in everything BUT but price. Given even money, our test crew favored the M5. Then we asked ourselves the key question: Is the M5 almost $23,000 better than the Cadillac? We got a resounding NO to that one." (emphasis in the original)
Their as-tested price for the CTS-V was a mere $51,195. Noted they compared the CTS-V to the M3 in the article and in their performance chart comparisons.
Hold on a second. We all ask ourselves that question daily. Some questions along that line:
1. Is a $40K 3 series, $30K better than an Elantra?
2. Is an M3 coupe $30K better than a G35.
3. Is a G35 coupe $24K better than an Elantra?
4. Is a G35 coupe $20K better than a stripper Mazda 6?
I would say the answer to all of these is no. However, just like there is some reason one would want an M5 over a CTS-V, there are some reasons one would want an M3, 3series, G35 over a stripper Mazda 6 and Elantra. Yet is the same $21K. So if we would spend the $21K, why wouldn't CD. Seems they are a bit two-faced.
I'm not shooting the messenger, I'm questioning the stupidity of a magazine promoting that line of thought. When I want to find the value side of the equation I turn to CR. When I want to find out how two cars compare, I go to the mags, give it to me straight without this value stuff laden in. It's almost as if they were afraid to say, the big engine in the CTS-V, so what?
Is item B = item A (times/or plus) some factor. Is a steak at the Palm 3000% or $200 better than a steak at Outback? Hey they're both beef.
When you put it like that, no it really isn't. However, there are people who can afford them. Leave the value side out. Heck, an EVO for $30K is about as close as you come to an M5. Why even go for $50K. See the trap here? I don't have an additional $40K for leather, therefore I might as well get the speed for $30K. After all the cars are equivalent in every way.