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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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Also, has anyone had experience with the run flat tires. I had three (3!) flats -- I live in the Santa Monica Mountains, with small rocks on the road after storms. Actually, I have experience with run-flats (RF's). I had them on my '03 Lexus SC430 and my last BMW,an '06 3 Series. I hated them on my Lexus and found them quite favorable on my BMW. (I did not get them on the '08 535 because I don't have the SP). They gave a harsh objectionable ride on the Lexus but a nice ride and descent handling on the BMW; both were Bridgestones. I live in an area with a lot of construction, hence many nails, bolts and debris on the roads. It is a flat tire haven. Once with the BMW a bolt was removed and the tire was repaired. This is perhaps a rarity because with the other two flats I had in two years the tires needed replacement. They were replaced at my BMW dealer where I read the paper, watched the large screen LCD tv and had a Starbuck's coffee and danish, at a cost of $250 each, and my car returned to me freshly washed and vacuumed. The advantage was that during each flat, I was able to drive on them to the dealer with no fuss, no muss, for service. When it came time to turn in my lease, with a total of 36,000 mi. on them, the two originals still had some life to them and I did not have to pay for new ones. In other words, they wore pretty well for a "performance' type car like a BMW. So, one way to look at it, is $500 in 36,000 mi. for tires is not bad by today's standards. I also dread the day when I have a flat on my current car without the RF tires. |
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My goal for a 2 yr lease was not to replace tires. I'm AMAZED yours were $250 each; ALL the BMW dealers I dealt with --wanted approx $450 each. My firends had the same prices. The tire place was $350 and that was cheap. Perhaps you had a different size or tire. I've quoted you an accurate amount. I like the concept of run-flats, but these tires seemed hazard prone. Also, BMW says you can't fix them. Tire place says you can, and without compromising safety or performance. |
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I'm actually considering 535i, because it resolved some key 530i problems (somewhat better NAV w/integrated live traffic; memory buttons for radio and AM-FM-satellite band-switching; voice recognition that actually works). Mileage worse than Lexus GS350 with more value, but lease terms not so great, and BMW has free maintenance (w/brakes!). Still prefer NAV and other user friendly items on Lexus, Infiniti and other alternatives I'm exploring. As long as I can avoid my local dealer, Bob Smith BMW, I may give BMW another chance! Questions-- (1) Given the slowness of the auto market, how close to invoice does 530i go? (2) Does BMW offer financing deals, or just leasing deals? (3) Other than premium, sports, comfort access, navigation, sirius satellite radio, does anyone reading this recommend any options ...especially if they are perosonally familiar with them? If I go beyond the above, I must special order: (4) Are head-up display and night vision use mere toys or useful? (Seems odd that night vision visible only in NAV system.) (5) Is rear door side impact airbag safe, or a threat to kids? (6) power rear &manual side sunshades worth the money to keep the kids happy? (7) any other options truly worthwhile and worth the money? (8) Last time, I did 24 mo, cheaper per mo than 36. Now, 36 slightly higher. I still think 24 mo, to save buying 4 costly fun-flat tires. (8a) FINALLY -- does anyone know what the Money Factor will be for 535i for APRIL for 12000, 24mo, 36 mo, and, possibly for 15000. If I go BMW, I could buy/lease Mon/3-31 or wait until Tues/4-1, if MF different. (8b) IF I special order, due to other items, I'd use March MF or June MF, whichever is lower. My guess is June MF would be lower. Thoughts? |
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Replying to: asteinberg (Mar 29, 2008 5:47 pm) Logic 7 is worth it if you are a music person. Also, Ipod integration. Sport Auto trans is only around 500 bucks I believe and is excellent. It features engine breaking and very fast shifts. You can read all about it here and also on Bimmerfest.com. I also went for HD radio. I listen to satilite 90 percent or more but if you like FM or want to hear a ball game or talk radio on AM, the difference is night and day. Coverage is a bit spotty so it tends to "toggle" between regular and HD at times but I do enjoy it overall. I passed on the comfort access just because I couldn't justify the price for not hitting a button on my key. You still have to insert the key in the slot to turn on the car (unlike other systems where you just keep it in your pocket) so for me it wasn't worth it. Good luck.
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Replying to: topspin628 (Mar 30, 2008 5:21 am) In my 530i, I had comfort access and would definitely get it again. A consideration is cost -- I have satellite radio in another car. I tend to listen mainly to CNN, Fox News, or talk radio, so I may pass on the IPOD and HD. I still wonder about the value of night vision, since it is in the navigation window, which I would not ordinarily be looking at, I'd be looking ahead driving. So, I'm not sure I understand the logic. If I do head-up and night vision, I have to wait a couple of months for a car, which means renting a car for 2 months, hopefully with the help of a BMW dealer.
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Replying to: topspin628 (Mar 30, 2008 5:21 am) Good luck. WRONG. Where did you get your information? You DO NOT need to insert the key into the ignition to start/drive the car. You CAN keep it in your pocket or somewhere on you. Otherwise, what would be its purpose? Comfort Access is a 'keyless go" and keyless entry option, which works well and is definitely worth it ! (The only reason the slot is there is to utilize at a car wash or I guess for a dead battery in the key fob.) |
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Replying to: asteinberg (Mar 30, 2008 6:54 am) The B7 I had for a couple of weeks had FLIR, and I found it to be more of a novelty than a useful tool- primarily for the reason you stated. In addition, the camera is also located below the bumper, which gives the view a somewhat odd perspective. That said, it was fun to annoy my wife by turning off the headlamps at 80 mph and driving by the FLIR... 
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Does anybody happen to know if the current M5 wheels will fit on a 2008 535? Thanks for any info |
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I was given an e60 528 with PP and CWP as a loaner while my e39 is in for service. I had driven 545i with Steptronic briefly, but this was the first time I really had a chance to drive e60 for more than a few minutes. While I had not given it much thought in the past, the car was a pleasant surprise once I got in the driver's seat. My previous e39 was an 2002 530 5spd and the current one is an M5, and I have always imagined I would at least need a 535i to feel comfortable in terms of power. However, the 528, even with Steptronic and without the ever important Sports Pkg was quite a ride. It was very responsive and smooth in terms of gear change and engine response. The only downside was that the car is so well insulated that I could not hear it so much! Also, give me BMW Steptronic any day over MB's 7-speed which down shifts like it is half asleep. It certainly does not have the explosive power of the M5, but I did not feel underpowered at all when passing or taking off. Even without the sports pkg, it felt just as tight as my old 530 (ok, it has been a while since I have driven e39 with 6-cylinder, so I may be off here) and the run flats provided more supple ride than the M5, at least. I would really like to drive the one with the sports pkg, though. The standard stereo sounded better than the M5's with DSP. The iDrive could be better, but not as bad as it is usually described by magazines and alike. One surprise was that my Verizon Blackberry 8830 synchronized its phonebook to the car, which it will NOT do with my mother's 2008 C300. I have always heard than Verizon has stripped that functionality but it worked just fine in this car. I can barely stomach the exterior and even less so the interior, but I really enjoyed the drive. I think Shipo or someone mentioned recently that 528 might just be enough to keep him happy and I would have to agree. Now, the thing still stickers $49k and a change, which is a few hundred more than what my fully loaded (use WAY too liberally in ads), and I mean fully loaded as in ALL options checked 2002 530 stickered for. If I were a first-time BMW buyer or luxury car buyer paying that much, I probably would feel short-changed by mere 230 bhp when you can get more from just about any other brand for less than half the price. It is one of those things one just has to experience to understand, I suppose.
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Replying to: asteinberg (Mar 29, 2008 5:47 pm)
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