Ask the Car People.SM


BMW 5-Series Sedans

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

You are in the BMW 5-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 5 Series, Sedan

Messages Page 1246 of 1275

#12442 of 12737 Considering BMW again! by asteinberg

Mar 29, 2008 (6:47 pm)

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?

#12443 of 12737 Re: Considering BMW again! [asteinberg] by topspin628

Mar 30, 2008 (6:21 am)

Replying to: asteinberg (Mar 29, 2008 6:47 pm)
I love the Head Up display. Once you get it you will barely need to look at the speedo area. Also, it really shines with the Nav as your next turn is also displayed.
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.

#12444 of 12737 Re: Considering BMW again! [topspin628] by asteinberg

Mar 30, 2008 (7:54 am)

Replying to: topspin628 (Mar 30, 2008 6:21 am)
Thanks for the advice.
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.

#12445 of 12737 Re: Considering BMW again! [topspin628] by carnaught

Mar 30, 2008 (8:41 am)

Replying to: topspin628 (Mar 30, 2008 6:21 am)
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.
 
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.)

#12446 of 12737 Re: Considering BMW again! [asteinberg] by roadburner

Mar 30, 2008 (3:09 pm)

Replying to: asteinberg (Mar 30, 2008 7:54 am)
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.
 
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...

#12447 of 12737 Wheel set up by chile96

Mar 30, 2008 (11:39 pm)

Does anybody happen to know if the current M5 wheels will fit on a 2008 535?
 
Thanks for any info

#12448 of 12737 E60 528 by jb_shin

Mar 31, 2008 (5:54 pm)

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.

#12449 of 12737 Re: Considering BMW again! [asteinberg] by cablue

Mar 31, 2008 (9:41 pm)

Replying to: asteinberg (Mar 29, 2008 6:47 pm)
Just my 2 cents: I loved my rear shades, but I do live where it gets quite hot in the summer. As far as rear door air bags, I believe kids should be of a certain height for them to be safe. When my kids were really young, I did not order them. I would now. I'm personally steering clear of the BMW 5 series right now because I'm not happy with the safety ratings on this car. I have the 550 right now but am returning it in a couple of weeks. I won't get another 5 until their safety ratings get better. I believe it's the side impact that need improvement. Look at the web site under the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety for the ratings. It's too bad because I'm having a hard time deciding what to get next that's safe. I'm looking seriously at the Audi A6. Very safe. I don't believe it drives as nicely as the BMW, but safety comes first for me.

#12450 of 12737 Re: Considering BMW again! [cablue] by asteinberg

Mar 31, 2008 (10:50 pm)

Replying to: cablue (Mar 31, 2008 9:41 pm)
I ended up with the BMW535i -- saw only one safety rating problem of the group, and I'm assuming it's a fluke -- since the 535i is basically like the 530 that scored well.
Safety is important to me.
As for performance, I went with the BMW despite its dysfunctional I-system and obsolete NAV system. I use the latter sparingly.
The car tranmission is good, it holds the road, etc.
The value is still missing.
I'm on a two year lease again.
Hopefully, they will get their act together.

#12451 of 12737 Re: Considering BMW again! [asteinberg] by cablue

Apr 01, 2008 (10:29 am)

Replying to: asteinberg (Mar 31, 2008 10:50 pm)
Well, congratulations. You'll love the car. I-drive is a tedious, although better on the new ones. IMO nothing drives better. Just watch those speeding tickets! BMW's make you drive fast -- it's hard to resist. The poor safety rating was for side impact, torso area. Just don't get in an accident and all will be well! I may end up with one as well. Still haven't decided. What options did you go for?

Messages Page 1246 of 1275

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement