You are here: Forums Sedans BMW 5-Series BMW 5 Series Sport Wagons

BMW 5 Series Sport Wagons

292 messages,  Last post on Apr 28, 2007 at 11:40 AM

You are in the BMW 5-Series Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

What is this discussion about? BMW 5 Series, Wagon

Messages Page 24 of 30 1 ... 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 ... 30 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

#228 of 292 Re: not to beat a dead horse.......but [flbchbm] by cyoung Jul 14, 2004 (7:21 am)
Replying to: flbchbm (Mar 01, 2004 8:07 pm) Sorry to jump in so late on this, but I just bought a '99 528iT with 42k miles on it (not a CPO car) from a BMW dealer in Lafayette Indiana. I will be looking for either a dealership I can deal with or an independent BMW mechanic in the western suburbs of Chicago (West Chicago).   This car is my first BMW purchase, and hopefully not the last, but we will see how reliable and expensive or inexpensive to own this car it. I love driving it, though! It is Titanium Silver with grey leather, and has the premium and cold weather packages. I am going out right now to install the 6CD changer I just got from eurobuyers, thanks to info I received from this board!   One last question - this car has Conti TouringContact CH95 tires on it that appear to be almost new. I have read very mixed reviews as to how these handle winter driving. Is there any consensus on this tire, and what alternatives to it do I have for all-weather driving? This car is more for family use and less for high-speed or performance driving, but driving enjoyment is desirable!
#229 of 292 Use Summer and Winter Tires by riez Jul 18, 2004 (7:59 am)
cyoung... Your family is worth it (not to mention your driving pleasure):   - Use summer tires in spring, summer, and fall. - Use winter (snow) tires in winter.   All-season tires are a mediocre compromise. They don't do anything really, really well.   This is esp. true for RWD cars. Using the right tires will bring out the best in the car. Replies to this message: cyoung (Jul 19, 2004 2:47 am)
#230 of 292 Re: Use Summer and Winter Tires [riez] by cyoung Jul 19, 2004 (2:47 am)
Replying to: riez (Jul 18, 2004 7:59 am) Thanks for the reply. Now, conventional wisdom seems to indicate that if I were to get steel rims and snows for this BMW, the tires should be taller and narrower. Can you suggest what sort of rims and tires I would want to look at?I assume you are thinking of Bizzaks or similar? I am interested in this also from the standpoint that winters can be tough on alloy rims. Thanks.
#231 of 292 Winter Tires by riez Jul 19, 2004 (3:59 am)
cyoung... There are a ton of very good winter tires on the market. Depends on how much you want to spend. Check out the Tire Rack or other web sites to learn more.   Yes, using a taller, narrower tire in winter is recommended, as are a set of cheap steel rims.
#232 of 292 Summer-Winter Tires by tlmmhowell Jul 19, 2004 (8:33 am)
I hate to disagree with Riez, but I have a 99 540iTa with the Contis and I have no problem in the winter in Iowa. I tried different tires when the first pair of Contis wore out (Falkens) to gain more handling. I hated them so much I sent them back and put new Contis OEM tires on mine. The hassle of changing/storing wheels is just a bit much for me and the DSC program does such a damn good job that while I know all seasons are a compromise, it works well for me. Replies to this message: cyoung (Jul 19, 2004 6:33 pm)
#233 of 292 Topography and Tires by riez Jul 19, 2004 (11:10 am)
Guess it can depend upon where you live.   Just came back from Pittsburg, PA. Tons of hills. Steep hills. Bet tires there can make all the difference. Compare that to much of NE, IA, IL, etc. We can be very flat. Winter is different for those in hills versus those on flat or flatter ground. (I live in the Loess Hills. So we are a lot more hilly than the surrounding area.)
#234 of 292 Re: Summer-Winter Tires [tlmmhowell] by cyoung Jul 19, 2004 (6:33 pm)
Replying to: tlmmhowell (Jul 19, 2004 8:33 am) Thanks for the reply. I grew up in northern Iowa (Cedar Falls), and have driven in snow all my life. It is also, as Riez points out, pretty flat here in Illinois as it is in much of Iowa. Also, the street departments do an excellent job of keeping up with snow plowing here (as opposed to Iowa, where the streets get pretty icy due to lack of salt use).   So, I will mull this all over, and will likely try it out this winter to see how it goes. I have a good friend in the Rockford area with a 528 that loves it in the winter with stock tires, and he is used to driving a 4WD Cherokee!
#235 of 292 Looking at a used 528i by loug35 Aug 25, 2004 (2:07 pm)
Can anyone tell me of any issues or concerns I should be made aware of with the 01' year?
#236 of 292 2001 540i by sweep Aug 30, 2004 (6:08 am)
i am about to pick up a 540i, 2001. the car was leased and has 35,000 miles on it. looks barand new inside and out. the engine looks as if it just came from the factory. the car comes with a sports package: extended front seats, folded rear seat and a cold weather package. here's my question: is there anyone out there who is familiar with this car, any problems i should anticipate and lastly, what are the best tires? can i use all year tires or do i need winter tires? i live in connecticut. thanks. sweep Replies to this message: tlmmhowell (Aug 31, 2004 10:36 am)
#237 of 292 Re: 2001 540i [sweep] by tlmmhowell Aug 31, 2004 (10:36 am)
Replying to: sweep (Aug 30, 2004 6:08 am) If the car has the sport pkg, then it has low profile "summer" tires and you will definitely need seperate wheels and winter tires. Does it have xenon lights? They are really nice. Problems are dependent on lots of factors, mainly due to service or lack thereof. How you handle service from this point on will determine how the car holds up. Biggest problem area probably the a/t. I assume this one a 6-speed. Stick with good synth oil and service things before BMW calls for, e.g., brake fluid, tranny, radiator, rear diff, etc..Good driving to you. Terry

Messages Page 24 of 30 1 ... 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 ... 30 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

You are here: Forums Sedans BMW 5-Series BMW 5 Series Sport Wagons