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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 163 of 1275

#1613 of 12737 Discrimination by riez

Dec 11, 2001 (4:08 pm)

Are we bad for wanting to own or owning a BMW? Almost every day over the past 2 weeks since I got my 540i 6-speed someone at work asks me "Is it true, did you get a BMW?" And others say things like "We don't drive a BMW." Or "You must think you're special, driving a BMW." Or "You must be rich to drive a BMW." Now people tell me I must be a snob. It doesn't seem to matter when I tell them it is a 1998 used BMW. Am I a snob? Are we? Just for owning & driving a BMW?
 
Does this happen to others? I live in a smallish town, population about 6,000. There are close to a dozen BMWs in town. The attorney on main drag has his new 330Ci. Retired friend of mine has his 1992 7 Series. Kid in his twenties has a beaten up 1980s 3 Series.
 
Should I write Dear Abby?

#1614 of 12737 jim52 - Sport Pkg on 5-Series by chrism123

Dec 11, 2001 (5:21 pm)

I just went through the same process in deciding whether the Sport Pkg was worth the extra cost ($2200). I was able to test drive an 02 540ia w/ the sport pkg and an 01 530i w/ the standard suspension. Honestly, I really liked the extra degree of handling with the sport pkg. Plus it also enhances the appearance (of the car). For me it would be worth the extra cost. However this can be very subjective, depending on how you drive the car.
 
Now after everything that I said, I ordered my 02 530ia w/o the Sport pkg. Largely because I drive 20k miles/year. The tires with the sport pkg will only last 20-24k miles. Translated, I would be spending $1000/yr in tires. Not a good option for me. So I ordered my 530i with the Steptronic, Premium, Cold Pkg, Heated Wheel, DSP Sound & XENON's with the Sterling Gray (exterior) and black (interior).
 
Good days are ahead. I just received notice that my car has been scheduled for production.
 
Chris

#1615 of 12737 riez by dhanley

Dec 11, 2001 (6:10 pm)

I get it too. People with 30K+ pick-em-up trucks think i'm a snob for driving a bmw for which i paid in the mid 26's.
 
Remember, they are the image conscious ones.
 
dave

#1616 of 12737 riez by cmr530i

Dec 11, 2001 (7:22 pm)

Yikes!!! Sounds like the people in your town need to get a life! We are actually very intelligent for wanting a vehicle with great safety standards, outstanding engineering, and incredible looks! Skip Dear Abby and just blow past them in your '98 BMW! Jealousy is an ugly thing!

#1617 of 12737 Tires by jim52

Dec 12, 2001 (7:25 am)

chrism123, how much do the tires that come with the sports package cost? I don't drive as much as you (10K per year) so I would only have to change them once. Also, the salesperson at the dealership I just talked to said that I would probably have to get snow tires if I got the sports package since the tires would not be able to handle the snow that well. Is this true?

#1618 of 12737 Loud Aux. Fan Complaints by cheeks

Dec 12, 2001 (7:35 am)

I can't believe that I'm not seeing more postings regarding the loud Aux. fans BMW has been installing due to the recall on the originals. Bimmer.Org is littered with complaints from 5 series owners about the noisy replacement fans.

#1619 of 12737 Chrism - Sport Package Tires by habitat1

Dec 12, 2001 (7:48 am)

I had been considering a 530i sport package and, based upon my research and the advice of my long term "tire guy", I was estimating that the sport tires would be good for about 30k miles in mostly highway driving (DC area). Also, the price of most replacements seemed to be in the $175/ tire range (Pirelli P-Zero or comparable). While this isn't inexpensive, $700 to $800 every 30k miles for tires seemed reasonable for the performance difference that the sport suspension provides.
 
What was the basis of your $1,000 per set every 20-24k miles conclusion. Perhaps my tire guy just wants to get that new addition on his house.

#1620 of 12737 Article by lenscap

Dec 12, 2001 (7:58 am)

Here's an interesting article from Fortune titled

"The controversial new 7 Series
Do You Think This Car Is Ugly?
If so, you aren't alone. It could mean bumps ahead for BMW, just as it's stepping on the gas."

I posted this on the 7-Series board but thought people here might also be interested.

Here's the link:

http://www.fortune.com/indexw.jhtml?channel=artcol.jhtml&doc_id=205377

#1621 of 12737 Jim52 & Chrism123 by shipo

Dec 12, 2001 (10:50 am)

Jim,
 
The price above invoice or below MSRP seems to vary by region and dealer, in my case, I suspect I will give my current dealer a single chance to get close to the $1,400 over ED invoice offered by Passport BMW, and if they do not, it will be “Hello, Joern...”
 
As for the SP, as you might remember, I leased a 328i in 1999 at about the same time as you did, and that my 328i does NOT have the SP option. Just last week, I swapped my car for two days, with another Town Hall member to check out the SP. Said TH member (Brave1heart) has a 2001 325i SP, and I was REALLY surprised at how much more agile the car felt compared to mine. I am sold; I will be getting the SP on my next car. If you want the blow-by-blow, you can check out the BMW 3-Series thread for our posts about the swap, said posts started last Thursday and continued until Sunday.
 
Chris,
 
It is my intent burn through the 235/45R-17 OEM rubber and then replace them with the same size Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires (which have a 400 AA A rating). For my type of driving, the Pilot Sport A/Ss will be WAY more than adequate year round except during a heavy snowstorm, during which I will wither be at home in front of a fire or driving our mini-van.
 
Best Regards,
Shipo

#1622 of 12737 Rough Running 540 by pete102

Dec 12, 2001 (11:02 am)

After running the engine past 4500 rpm, the engine ran rough and the check engine light on my '98 540 came on. The service shop replaced both O-2 sensors (pricey little buggers). The light came back on after running the engine to redline - the engine again ran rough for a while but again settled down. The service shop now wants to replace the cooling thermostat even though the temp gauge is centered. The problem feels more like a fouled plug - any similar experiences?
 
thx.

Messages Page 163 of 1275

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