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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 292 of 1275

#2904 of 12737 530bmw - low milage issues. by habitat1

Mar 21, 2002 (1:23 pm)

I'm not sure only driving 200 to 300 miles a month is a big issue, but only driving short hops when the engine doesn't get a chance to warm up and/or run at higher speeds can be.
 
As John01 mentioned, the exhaust system doesn't get a chance to burn off water that is created when the engine runs cold or cool. And the fuel injectors and other parts of the engine can clog up with carbon deposits at low speeds and rpms. There are numerous other little items that are affected by short hops.
 
I am very conscious of this because my cousin initially thought he was getting a great deal on a very low milage 540i a few months ago (1999 6-speed w/6,500 miles). He had the good sense to take it to a BMW mechanic before buying and found evidence of several problems including those described above. The fact that the car was driven in a colder climate (Pennsylavania) exacerbated the problems. And, performance oriented engines, like BMW's, are actually affected more, since they are so efficient as to take longer to fully warm up. Basically, the mechanics advice for low milage drivers was to try to minimize short trips and make sure the car gets at least some opportunity to "stretch its legs" with a 30-50+ mile highway drive at least once every week or two.
 
Conversely, I have a 1995 Maxima with 123k of mostly highway milage and the engine compression, as verified at the 120k service, is within a few percent of a new car tolerance. My Nissan mechanic claims that, over two years, 1,000 5-mile roundtrips (i.e. 5,000 total miles) would put more wear on certain parts and the engine than than 500 100-mile trips (50,000 total miles).
 
Perhaps you should lend me the car every other week??

#2905 of 12737 Low Mileage Club by chrism124

Mar 21, 2002 (4:13 pm)

I picked-up my 02 530ia on 1/02 and currently have 602 miles on the odometer. For the most part, I am waiting until the spring weather arrives and washes the road salt away.
 
Just curious, does anybody find it difficult to obey the break-in recommendation of keeping the engine speed under 4500 RPM’s.
 
Chris M

#2906 of 12737 chrism124 by john01

Mar 21, 2002 (5:09 pm)

I have 530 delivered in Feb and have 1350 miles. I did 700 mile trip last month and was hard to stay below 4000 rpm, especially on autobahn. Our German sales guys says they tell the German customers 1000 km, which is about 600 miles or so. We put the snow tires on and have been driving, but no snow. Probably will change back to the summers next week.

#2907 of 12737 Low mileage by 530bmw

Mar 21, 2002 (6:09 pm)

John01... Thank for the info.
 
Habitat...your info agrees with jonn01 on a possible damage on exhaust system and something else. I am glad I asked about it, I will start doing as you suggested-- long drive to make sure nothing is clogged up. Incidentally, I also have a 95 Maxima with 123k and if I remember correctly you live in DC area too, right? Thank you for your valuable input.
 
Chrism124, I thought mine was bad, yours is a few hundred miles less than me. Should we rent the cars out on the weekends?
 
Colt007, may be you can take turn driving my car and chrism124's to increase the mileage.

#2908 of 12737 RE: Low Mileage Club by chrism124 by snagiel

Mar 21, 2002 (8:31 pm)

Difficult? Are you kidding? When I got picked up the car at the Spartanburg Delivery Center with 3 miles on the odometer, I exited the driveway and, actually trying to accelerate gingerly, accidentally ran it up to the redline. It just climbed so fast and eagerly, I had no idea it would be so difficult to hold back.

#2909 of 12737 Rear Passanger Side bags by musafir

Mar 21, 2002 (8:51 pm)

Does anyone know that rear passenger side air bags are truly a no cost option as stated in Edmunds. My dealer says no. Thanks for your help.

#2910 of 12737 Musafir by shipo

Mar 21, 2002 (9:12 pm)

The "Rear Door Mounted Side Impact Airbag" which "(Includes rear HPS for Sedan)" has an MSRP of $550 with an invoice of $500 for the sedan versions of the 5-Series, and $385 and $350 respectively for the "Sport Wagon" 5-Series cars.
 
Hope this helps.
 
Best Regards,
Shipo

#2911 of 12737 Option Question by bmw323is

Mar 21, 2002 (9:27 pm)

When I tried to "build my 5 series" on the bmw web site, it appears to require leather seats to get the sport package. Is this true? If so, does anyone know why? I don't really want leather, so the sport package effectively costs me $2,700.

#2912 of 12737 bmw323is by shipo

Mar 21, 2002 (10:01 pm)

Hmmm, it appears that BMW does in fact require Montana Leather Seats for the Sport Package, and that you will effectively be paying $3,750 for the SP.
 
As to why this is so? My guess would be that it is a simple marketing decision. I can see one of those German Bean Counters going "Hmmmm, vell now, ve vill only do leather on zee 'Scherz Paket' und ve vill make extra Euros on each Auto". Maybe that is a little harsh, however, after growing up in Detroit, I guess I have a slightly jaundice view of Automobile Company Bean Counters.
 
Best Regards,
Shipo

#2913 of 12737 Options by riez

Mar 22, 2002 (6:07 am)

According to BMW's 86-page full color brochure for the 2002 5 Series...
 
1. "Rear side airbags (deactivated), including rear head airbags" is a stand-alone option for ALL 5 Series, from 525i up to 540i6.
 
2. "Montana leather upholstery and door trim" is standard for all 540i's and is either a stand-alone option for the 525i & 530i or "included in optional Premium Package" for both. Interestingly, there is no mention--footnote or otherwise--of having to get Montana leather with the optional Sport Package, but the photograph of the 525i & 530i interiors (same picture) shows Montana leather. The Sport Pkg gets you the 12-way power front sport seats but no mention of whether they have to be Montana leather or not.

Messages Page 292 of 1275

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