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Sedans BMW 5-Series BMW 5-Series Sedans
12657 messages, Last post on Nov 05, 2009 at 6:14 PM
You are in the BMW 5-Series Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
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Replying to: cablue (Apr 01, 2008 9:29 am) and..heated seats, because they were on the vehicle and my wife wanted it. Also, with my MF due to multiple deposits, the additional cost for this $500 MSRP was only a few dollars. I continue to feel I'm paying a premium for performance, because so much is lacking that would have been standard, with the luxury package, on the Lexus GS350, for example, with a much lower MSRP. But the BMW subsidized lease makes the monthly competitive with the Lexus, though Lexus would still be a little cheaper due to discount off invoice. I already have 'low pressure' on tire -- will take back to dealer and make sure they are OK, because the cost of these run-flats is off the charts. The I-drive is somewhat better, but it's stupid and tedious. I have this archaic nav, which lacks so much, because I don't use NAV all that much anymore. Frankly, I really wanted some other features -- such a the head-up display and night vision. But I did not want to wait 8 weeks at this point. The head-up would be great to see the speed (and avoid risking a ticket). Whatever car I get in two years, I'll want those features. They seem like fun and are relevant. I'm hoping other brands will get close to the BMW driving experience, because it's hard to be loyal to BMW -- given some of the company policies, the very high MSRP, and the nickle-dime approach to options that are standard for comparable vehicles. Also, I'm bright, tech-savvy, quick-reacting; the I-drive and instruments are not logical, are counter-intuitive, and some buttons poorly placed. You take the bad with the good. I'm tired of all their surveys. They can pay me to consult. I had a Lincoln LS8 years back that handled very well but was discontinued. And the service was much more upbeat. BMW service departments are so crowded Still, I give the vehicle high marks for handling. But I'm glad to only have a 2 year lease, in the ope that alternatives appear from more consumer-friendly, customer-conscious brands. I think there are some really nice people at BMW dealerships, but sometimes the elitist culture overtakes them. Also, in this last dealership, shortly after I thought I had consummated the deal, I encouraged a friend to switch from going for a Lexus to BMW. But he was so turned off by the silly, nonsensical attempt to slip in what was an extra $436.32, that he said he would go to another dealership, or simply go back to a Lexus. I hope this dealership will redeem itself with serious, quality responsive service, so that I can have confidence recommending it to various friends who consider a BMW. What was really appalling is the fellow quickly saw that I was detail oriented and math inclined, yet he pursued the most absurd, silly kind of deception -- like taking an added option and dividing the MSRP by 24, and adding that to the monthly price, rather than adding the invoice amount to the agreed-upon capitalized amout, and recapitalizing, at my MF. I guess it's just a culture in the auto business, and a little worse at BMW. I ruled out Bob Smith, my local dealer, because it was worse, with this hassle; but I still thought I would give them a chance, given the proximity to where I live -- and the BMW policy of trying to steer you to the local dealership by denying you a loaner if you go elsewhere -- a really manipulative BMW practice. But the Bob Smith lease turn in was exploitative for me, and I didn't even let them pitch me on the 535i. My decision was to go for the Lexus GS350 or another car or, if a BMW, definitely elsewhere. It's only a car, and there's a lot more to life, but one does not want to dignify being treated shabbily. Even with all the sob stories on "how little we're making on this car" which defies logic -- given these plush dealerships and sales people who are making a fashion statement -- it still represents a major purchase or, for the lease, a major monthly expense item. Indeed, within a few months, my wife must replace her car. So, how BMW treats this service, will have a lot to do with considering a BMW. But it drives well for where I drive. If I had been happier with the 530 and knew in advance of some changes that made the 535 better (though still with bad NAV, etc.), I would have ordered in advance to have precisely what I want. If BMW gets in act together a couple of years from now with its 2010, and the pricing is realistic, I'll order in advance of the end of my lease. Given the residual, you can never afford to buy the BMW after the lease.
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Replying to: asteinberg (Apr 01, 2008 10:18 am) Anyways, congrats on the car. |
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I can understand your skepticism. I was conflicted on the decision. I rarely use the navigation system, so I accept its below-par, obsolete operation. The six memory buttons allow me to put some satellite and AM there, without the cumbersome IDrive to switch. The gear shift is entirely counter-intuitive -- forward to reverse, back to drive. I'm in this now for a 2 year relatively cost-effective lease. But I can't believe there won't be more competition in the performance field, and without BMWs cavalier attitude that includes disregard of no-brainer features available in automobiles that cost far less.
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Replying to: asteinberg (Apr 01, 2008 5:41 pm) The gear shift is entirely counter-intuitive -- forward to reverse, back to drive. Actually, I don't mind the iDrive. The concept is great but it just needs to be continually improved. It is particularly great though with use of the Bluetooth phone, the way the phonebook completely downloads and updates on the iDrive screen. If you think about it, all A.T. gear shifts utilize the "back to drive" motion from park.
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Replying to: carnaught (Apr 02, 2008 9:04 am) But it works unproductively. For example, when you press navigation, it should automatically default to the navigation system. It's a hassle to be able to look at a map while you're doing something else. The screen itself is too small. I could go on and on. It requires too many steps for simple functions. -- I do agree with you that the Blue Tooth function works well. But the problem with BMW is a general user-unfriendliness, especially notable for the navigation system, which does little compared to competitive models, where you can enter a telephone number, or a store name, and then it supplies you with the address; or enter an address even if you do not know the city name, and other systems default to the closest addresses, in order of proximtym, such as 18 Elm Street, Elm City, 18 Elm Street, San Francisco, etc.
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Replying to: asteinberg (Apr 02, 2008 12:05 pm) |
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Replying to: asteinberg (Apr 02, 2008 12:05 pm)
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Replying to: ny540i6 (Apr 02, 2008 5:24 pm)  your desired destination is in, the guidance is nice. That is, until you get near your destination.  In my last car, the nav would tell me my destination is X distance ahead on the left/right/straight ahead. This nav simply says "you have arrived" even though my ultimate destination is nowhere in site. I'll admit, though, that I do have a little chuckle every time she says, "You have arrived." Just the connotation of it...  And don't get me started on the ventilation system! Hot weather is fast approaching, and I'm feverishly trying to figure out how I'm going to get it to keep me cool this summer with the automatic settings. I'm not throwing out the baby with the bath water, though. I'm enjoying the car otherwise. '08 BMW 550i Sport w/ 6-speed manual. |
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Replying to: jb_shin (Mar 31, 2008 4:54 pm) I just went to the BMW web site, and the standard tires on the 528 are 17 x 7.5 Star Spoke (Style 138) cast alloy wheels, 225/50R-17 all-season tires, with no mention of being runflats. I went through the Build Your Own process, without checking the sport package option, and I found no wheel / tire option available. I stayed with the standard wheel / tire package on my 535Xi to specifically avoid run flat tires. Perhaps the ride quality you mentioned was due in part to not having run flat tires. Bruce
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Replying to: bruceomega (Apr 03, 2008 12:12 pm) The second day I had the car, I was able to do more driving and while I still love the engine, the brakes positively sucked! Hard to modulate and not progressive at all. |
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