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Focus on driving the correct line and listen to your instructor. Talk to the other drivers in the paddock regarding tire pressures and other car set up things. You're there to learn. You can't win a driver's school so don't drive over your head. BTW, what track are your driving?
Good luck and have fun...JL
The track is the Main Circuit at Summit Point Raceway. Have you driven it?
J
BTW, a co-driver and I won a 3 hour enduro there a few years back. My favorite NE tracks are SP and the Watkins Glen "Long Course."
A successful day at the track is when drive home in the same car you came in. You are not "racing", so drive with your head, not your "machismo."
Good luck and have fun....JL
My wife just bought herself an '04 IS300 SportCross. Beautiful and practical. (I'm jealous.)
I've thought about buying the '01( $33,100 in 3 months according to lease contract), but the potential costs of keeping the '01 after warranty are making me think about the new offer. I like the 540 a lot.. also in mint shape. What to do ?
Sounds great! Is this price from a dealer or a private owner?
Sounds like a great price!
You should look at the in-service date on the '01. When will it go out of b-to-b warranty? '05 will be here before you know it. Having some coverage to '07 might bring peace of mind.
Thanks again all!
p.s. Riez, congrats on the SportCross! Beautiful, performance oriented plus utility. Best of both worlds!!
Beware of 3rd party warranties. Buyer beware!!!
-Read ALL the fine print. (Can use BMW replacement parts? Can a BMW dealer do the work? Does the warranty company pay the dealer or do you get reimbursed after you pay the servicing dealer? Do you have to get pre-authorization from the warranty company before work can be done? Etc.)
-What parts are specifically included and excluded?
-What is the cost?
-What is the deductible?
-Can you get a pro-rated refund if you sell the car before the extended warranty expires?
-How strong is the company selling the insurance? Check out insurance company strength ratings (e.g., AM Best). (Unfortunately, too many car warranty companies have either gone bankrupt or engaged in fraud.)
I agree with CPO being better, but I'd bet you couldn't come within $5K of the price you are getting for a CPO at the dealer. That is a great price for that year and options. Most extended warranties will be $2K or more.. Stick that money in the bank and use it as a repair fund.
regards,
kyfdx
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What about aftermarket cupholders for the E39? Can't believe the discussions here at work concerning those cupholders. $40k plus car with no functional cupholders......sheeeesh!!! German engineers' sense of humor I guess.
regards,
kyfdx
If you haven't driven that car yet, bargain hard.. If he is asking $28K, a check for $26.5K or $27K might bring you home a new car.
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But after having a coffee cup fly into the passenger seat at a stop light, I have resorted to holding on to the cup!
Memo to BMW: Don't forget that North America is now your largest single market in total sales, surpassing even Germany. Given Germany's near decade of economic malaise, with no end in sight, likely USA will be even more important. Nearly all Americans drink in their cars. We are the land of endless Starbucks, McDonalds, and DQ. BMW had better start treating USA like Germany. Don't short change us the best cars. Don't keep us from the customization and special order programs. Bring over diesels. And, for God's sake, give us good cupholders and decent sounding standard in-dash CD players.
re cup holders: I only use the cup holder to hold my cell phone. Last time I used it to hold a cup, it broke. Learned my lesson. The "cup holders" are not meant to hold cups.
532 miles (one tank of gas)
9:20 elapse time
57 mph average speed
18.189 gallons of gas
29.25 mpg
It didn't match Pen101's results but I think it was pretty damn good. ;-)
Best Regards,
Shipo
For that reason, and that reason alone, I hope that gas prices keep going up. ;-)
Best Regards,
Shipo
My LS430UL (4.3 l V-8) does 29.5 mpg at a steady 75 mph (actual miles/gallons consumed, not the trip computer). (Please don't shoot me for saying the L-word in a BMW forum!)
Point: Almost all the new luxury sedans (such as the 5 series - a close friend just got a new 545i - great car to drive) are highly efficient at highway speeds by virtue of fantastic engineering and aerodynamic designs.
I think SUVs should be treated to lower limits while more efficient cars should be allowed to go even faster than at present. I think a BMW is in its element at about 110+ mph with an ATTENTIVE driver on a good road, a thing of true beauty!
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Best Regards,
Shipo
(Politics is a word that comes from Poly meaning Many, and Ticks, meaning blood sucking creatures.)
To get back on BMW topic, I wonder if the 6-cylinder engine will get more horsepower in 2005 to keep up with the competition.
One final check:
- No 3rd party warranties. Put $$$ in seperate acct.
- Inspection at dealer for $100. Definite must!!
- Call Insurance company for quote. Married couple no points. What are you guys paying for ur premiums (if that's not personal)??
- Enjoy drive home in new (to us) Titanium Silver 530i with Sport Premium. Told my wife that we would have to switch cars halfway home. I'll take the windy half please .
Thanks all and looking forward to hangin' out with you boys soon.
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Any inputs while you're here? Thanks!!
Since it appears to be very similar to the new 5 series sedan, I was wondering whether anyone has tried to fit multiple car seats in it. The LATCH system seems to be designed for two, but maybe, there is enough room anyway.
If anyone can suggest any other wagons please do (not including Mercedes, we have a C-class that lives in the repair shop)
Thanks for the help.
This 5-Series Sedans discussion isn't really the best place to ask for recommendations for wagons, 5-Series or otherwise. Why don't you check out the discussions on our Station Wagons board?
There is a "Help me select a Wagon" discussion at the top of the list which can offer you lots of information in the previous posts. It also would be a great place to ask your questions about what might be the best wagon for you.
There is also a dedicated 5-Series Wagons discussion in the list along with all the other Wagon discussions.
Meanwhile, we'll wait here to see if anyone has tried to fit three car seats into the back seat of a 5-Series sedan, but you really ought to ask that question in the 5-Series wagon discussion also - that's the information you really need to have.
Good luck!!
.g
I had this posted in another board and mtv65 suggested that I post it here as well!
I'm in the process of researching to purchase my 1st BMW. I'd like to buy a 2002 525 with <30K miles. On Kelley Blue Book, they listed an estimated trade-in price at around 28K and private at 31.4 for a 30K mile car in Excellent condition. The Edmunds TMV lists the car at 28.7 trade-in and 30.3 private and 33.3 retail. I'm in the Atlanta area. Should I look to purchase at the 28K price or less? Has anyone purchased a 2002 recently?
I test drove a 2003 525 today and really liked the ride of it actually better than the 2004 that I test drove last week.
Thanks
Warning: New factory wheels are very expensive.. not to mention the tires.
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I was happy.
Not sure there is another 5-seat super high performance sedan that comes close to it in an all around package. (Unless you are willing to pay a fortune more for cars like Ferrari (2-doors) or Maserati, or move up to the 7 Series, S-class, Bentley, etc.)
The Lexus LS400/430 performance pails in comparison.
o 330i, 265 HP
o 330ti, 333 HP
o M3, 401 HP
Saw this on Autospies:
http://www.autospies.com/article/index.asp?articleId=3043&cat- egoryId=1
So we might get 256HP out of the new 3.0 liter six, and better yet 333 out of a turbo version.
One can only hope.
However, I have purchased wheels from tirerack, and they were half the price that the dealer wanted. The reason I will probably upgrade to the 17" wheels along with the Michelin, so that the car will track better. It seems with the continentals the BMW does not have that dead center feel. I have to always have small corrections at highway speed to keep the vehicle tracking straight.
I agree that the SUVs should have to meet the same federal regualtions that cars do because SUVs are used primarialy as passenger cars. Maybe if the SUV owner had to pay a Gas Guzzler Tax upfront, they'd think twice. Oh wait, then GM/Ford/DCX would just give another few thousand in incentives to offset the gas guzzler tax and tack on an extra year of 0% financing to make it 7 years!
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
My point was only about the fuel economy.
Still, I would bet you that I can lose my licence just as quickly in my LS as you can in a 540i6 in this land of 55 and jumbo coffee cup holders and cellphone yappers!