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BMW 5-Series Sedans

12737 messages,  Last post on Feb 16, 2013 at 11:05 PM

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What is this discussion about? BMW 5 Series, Sedan

Messages Page 1169 of 1274

#11679 of 12737 Unbelievable by div2

Nov 24, 2006 (9:49 pm)

I've been looking for a new commuter sled, and I've found several nice E39s. The one that really caught my eye was a gorgeous CPO 2003 540iA Sport at my local dealer. I especially loved the color(Topaz Blue) and the M Technic bodykit. It also had a Dinan ECU re-map and CAI. The only drawback was the slushbox(BLEAH!!!), but I figured I could live with it for as little as I'd drive it. I finally got a chance to check it out today and the bloody thing has every BMW option EXCEPT HEATED SEATS! What kind of idiot orders a $60,000 car -in Cincinnati no less- and leaves off the heated seats? Didn't even stick around to drive it. I'm about ready to get in touch with my inner redneck and buy a Charger Daytona or SRT8. Then again, I'm also looking at an E39 M5 tomorrow.

#11680 of 12737 div2 by nyccarguy

Nov 24, 2006 (10:22 pm)

'03 V8 powered E39s are sweet cars! Dude, there is no way you'll be happy with a slushbox (maybe an '03 540iA) or an American car. The E39's driving dynamics would help ease the pain of owning a slushbox, but the Charger...I don't know.
 
I'd love to get my hands on an '03 540i Sport or '03 M5 in a couple of years!

#11681 of 12737 Re: div2 [nyccarguy] by div2

Nov 24, 2006 (10:44 pm)

Replying to: nyccarguy (Nov 24, 2006 10:22 pm)
In addition to the M5 I'm going to check out a 2003 530i Sport tomorrow. The knock on the 530 is that it's painted that boring Sterling Gray color. I can't understand why everyone wants a Bimmer in black or silver. Bleah!

#11682 of 12737 Re: Unbelievable [div2] by shipo

Nov 25, 2006 (8:41 pm)

Replying to: div2 (Nov 24, 2006 9:49 pm)
"What kind of idiot orders a $60,000 car -in Cincinnati no less- and leaves off the heated seats?"
 
Hey! I resemble that remark! I ordered my 2002 530i 5-Speed, PP, SP, Xenon and Premium Audio and specifically didn't order either the heat-seaters or the CWP. Why? I had them on one car, used them once, HATED the uncomfortable feeling and never used them again. So, no heat-seaters for my cars unless they are standard equipment.
 
Best Regards,
Shipo

#11683 of 12737 Re: div2 [div2] by nyccarguy

Nov 25, 2006 (9:38 pm)

Replying to: div2 (Nov 24, 2006 10:44 pm)
Funny you should say that. My Dad's '04 X5 3.0iA SP is Sterling Grey/Black Leather while my Mom's '05 E60 530iA (non-sport) is Black/Black Leather The Sterling Silver on the X5 looks really sharp with the black trim from the Sports Package. After over 58,000 miles it still looks near perfect after it is washed. One of the many "perks" when you work for your Dad and it is the day after Thanksgiving and business is a little slow...."Here, go get my truck washed."
 
I do agree that there are too many silver cars out there. I was behind a 996 911 Turbo coming home from work today in Silver... Don't get me wrong, it was pretty, but with colors like Speed Yellow & Lapis Blue on the Porsche Pallet how do you pick Silver?
 
I really dig white BMWs, the blues are nice too. The black BMWs look downright sinister with Sport Packages.

#11684 of 12737 Re: Unbelievable [shipo] by div2

Nov 25, 2006 (10:12 pm)

Replying to: shipo (Nov 25, 2006 8:41 pm)
No offense intended, it's just that I like heated seats. Whatever car I buy will be my commuter sled for at least five years, so I'm going to make darn sure it's equipped EXACTLY the way I like it. On top of that, I was ready to buy the car Friday -just in time for a nice weekend trip- and finding the heated seats missing was just incredibly frustrating.

#11685 of 12737 Re: div2 [nyccarguy] by div2

Nov 25, 2006 (10:29 pm)

Replying to: nyccarguy (Nov 25, 2006 9:38 pm)
When you have a long gravel driveway a black car NEVER looks clean. My black M6 was gorgeous but it only looked pristine for maybe ten minutes out of the four years that I owned it... Stirling isn't a bad color, it's just that it seems 99% of newer BMWs are either silver or black. Anyway it's a moot point; today I arrived at The BMW Store just in time to see the Stirling 2003 530i manual Sport being delivered to its new owners. And that was after being ignored at Jake Sweeney BMW, which you can read about in the "Stories From the Sales Frontlines" topic. Hopefully I'll be able to tell you how the Charger SRT8 drives tomorrow. My wife says that I'm getting in touch with my Inner Redneck...

#11686 of 12737 BMW 5 Series - 525 vs 530 by kegman0406

Nov 26, 2006 (5:57 am)

I am currently in the market for a new 2007 5 series vehicle. I've narrowed down my wish list to either the 525 or a 530. I have a couple of questions that I hope folks can help me with.
 
1) HP
I am not a performance nut, however I like to have adequate power while driving. I am a little concerned that the 525 w/ the 215hp is potentially underpowered especially w/ A/C on and a full load of passengers. I've driven both vehicles and I really can't tell the difference on the performance side.
 
Should I buy the 530 or go w/ the 525?
 
2) AWD
I live in VA and we get bad weather from time to time. Is purchasing the Xi version of these cars worth it? I'd like to be able to drive the vehicle in the winter and I worry that the RWD i just won't cut it.
 
Should I opt for the AWD version?
 
Thanks in advance for your help and recommendations.

#11687 of 12737 Re: BMW 5 Series - 525 vs 530 [kegman0406] by sambo49

Nov 26, 2006 (8:33 am)

Replying to: kegman0406 (Nov 26, 2006 5:57 am)
Live in NVA and just picked up a 525 xi from Passport BMW. Had very good experience with Farid (salesman) and his manager. No pressure and willing to negotiate. I heard from another dealer that you can boost the engine horsepower output by installing a chip, as both the 525 and 530 have the same engine. Not sure if this true, hopefully someone out there can let us know. The 525 xi has decent power and we do not have many moutains to climb around here. The all wheel drive ought to help in the winter. Watch out for the add-on costs.

#11688 of 12737 Re: BMW 5 Series - 525 vs 530 [sambo49] by cassidym

Nov 26, 2006 (10:13 am)

Replying to: sambo49 (Nov 26, 2006 8:33 am)
I live in b NVA and bought a 2005 545 from Passport (Joern is an excellent salesman). Anyway, I agonized about all wheel drive but it wasn't available on the 05 so I went with the rear wheel drive. I was unsure of this decision as my previous car (86 325) was a pig in the snow.
 
But I've found this car to handle very well. It is much better balanced than the old 325...about 50-50 front-to-rear and the traction assist and DSC render it very stable. I've been through two winters and, so far, am perfectly happy with its ability to handle the snow. My car did come equipped with Summer tires and so I bought a set of snow tires which I swap out for the season. When they wear out I plan to get all season redials.
 
Definitly recommend the 530...the more poweer the better. I almost out the 530 but I took my wife for a ride and afterwards she said it was the best car she'd ever ridden in but seemed a bit underpowered. Didn't take me long to change my mind!
 
As for color, I got the Olivene Green and gets lots of compliments. Very pleased with it.
 
And do the PDC. Don't think I could park the thing without it.
 
Mike C

Messages Page 1169 of 1274

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