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Sedans BMW 5-Series BMW 5-Series Sedans
12657 messages, Last post on Nov 05, 2009 at 6:14 PM
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Replying to: jamesg (Feb 08, 2008 5:18 pm)  Sorry, I couldn't resist. Your gas mileage will improve a bit in time as the engine breaks in.
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Replying to: ny540i6 (Feb 03, 2008 8:09 pm) It's an electronic gauge that tells you the exact oil level and it is more accurate than a dipstick. BMW even made the gauge look like a dipstick for those of you who have a hard time adapting to this decade's technology.
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Replying to: roadburner (Feb 04, 2008 10:00 am) |
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Replying to: tayl0rd (Feb 04, 2008 10:34 am) Yes, I've used iDrive considering that I've owned 5 BMWs with iDrive (and 9 without). And yes I have noticed that it takes "a while" for iDrive to produce an oil level reading when the engine is cold. That's because the reading is taken when the engine reaches operating temperature. By design. And you can check the oil electronically using the on board computer of recent BMWs without iDrive, which unfortunately also requires you to actually read the owner's manual. People who yearn for the last century when they could play backyard mechanic might as well just get used the idea of technology being embedded in every component of modern vehicles. That technology is bringing 500 - 600 hp (and more) of racing technology into our garages with 0 - 60 times in the low 4 second range while still getting close to 20 mpg on the highway while being comfortably driven on a daily commute. And if you think it's bad now, wait until you get under the hood of a hydrogen vehicle or any of half a dozen new technologies currently in development. The bottom line: don't spend 70 grand or more on a new BMW (or a Mercedes, or a Porsche, or a even a $30k Prius) if you're a technophobe and you yearn for the do-it-yourself mechanical simplicity of a Ford Pinto. And if you want to prove that you're a real man (or woman) because you can use a dipstick, get yourself an eight year old Chevy and have at it. |
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Replying to: anon3 (Feb 10, 2008 1:43 pm)
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Replying to: ny540i6 (Feb 10, 2008 4:00 pm)  Ny540i6, you don't understand Anon's hostility? Why not ask him what gives with the three consecutive posts - one after the other? BTW, I really hate the auto gear selector. Another piece of ...ah... technological marvel. |
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Replying to: jeqq (Feb 10, 2008 4:42 pm)
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Replying to: ny540i6 (Feb 10, 2008 5:09 pm)
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Replying to: ny540i6 (Feb 10, 2008 4:00 pm) Exactly. You are ignoring the point of my post - at least with the tire pressure monitor one does have the option of using a gauge.... if the "electronic gauge" fails, you have no recourse but to pull over, shut down, and call a tow truck - I assume you would agree that an indication of extreme low oil level would mean shut down until you could verify that there was not a problem. Then there's the documented problem of the oil level sensor indicating that the sump is a quart low when in fact it is full... As someone who has actually owned BMWs since 1983, I have found that Munich's current penchant to be a "first adopter" may in fact impress the techno-geeks("Wow, I can check my oil at 70 mph!!!") but in the long run it brings unnecessary complications to the driving experience- something that was once anathema to BMW's philosophy of driving. The headlong rush to introduce iDrive is a perfect example. The initial implementation in the 2001 E65 7er was neither intuitive or convenient to use. BMW did improve and refine the interface to the point that the version fitted to the E90/E92 was an order of magnitude easier to operate, but in the meantime a lot of drivers were infuriated and many became disillusioned with the marque. It seems that only the M cars maintain a focus on the enjoyment of driving rather than on gee-whiz gadgets.
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Replying to: jeqq (Feb 10, 2008 5:44 pm) That is another excellent example of Munich's current inclination to fix what isn't broken. I remember that when the E65 came out BMW wound up printing "Valet Cards" which provided step-by-step directions on how to start the car and put it in gear. Although that was a plus when I had my B7 press loaner; I knew that there was no way I'd be carjacked- by the time the punk got the boat under way the police would be on the scene...
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