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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 294 of 1275

#2924 of 12737 540 as a daily driver by SergeyM

Mar 22, 2002 (5:18 pm)

I am going to get a 2002 540ia next week. It is my first BMW and I am somewhat concerned about reliability issues. I am trading my Acura TL-S and I can keep or trade my old 1993 Camry. So I would like to ask current 5-series owners if your cars proved to be reliable enough to serve as a daily driver (20 miles one way to work). I am prepared to have minor issues but it should always be able to get me to work. I also would like to here from current owners if passengers like the ride of the sport package. I am getting it anyway since I like the ride myself but I am not sure others will too. Any info is greatly appreciated.

#2925 of 12737 SergeyM by habitat1

Mar 22, 2002 (7:17 pm)

I have a 2000 540i 6-speed that has just under 40k miles and has been my faithful daily driver for over two years. No problems at all, although much of my milage is easy highway driving during non rush hours.
 
As for passengers complaining about the sport package, it's never happened to me. I am two weeks +/ from delivery of a 2002 M5 that I decided to trade up to. I still expect to put 16-20k+ miles per year on it. It may offer passengers a somewhat rougher ride than the 540i, but if they don't like it, they can walk!

#2926 of 12737 SergeyM by cmr530i

Mar 22, 2002 (7:20 pm)

You can get some good reliability information from the 2002 annual auto issue of Consumer Reports. I too had concerns about reliability until I did the research. Now I am comfident in the 530.
I have had two adults and two children( not including me as driver) on 1-2 hour trips and everyone loves the ride...smooth...solid.(Only complaint was the slightly cramped quarters with three in the backseat.)
I have owned my 530 since last May and it has driven me to work (17 miles one way) reliably each day. Hope this helps.

#2927 of 12737 bmw530i & SergeyM by shipo

Mar 22, 2002 (10:14 pm)

bmw530i,
 
Oh yeah! Every cop in North America knows of Dr. Shipo, they will have no problem letting you off on any ticket when driving per my instructions. Ummmm, NOT!
 
As for my brake warning light, its still on, I took off the right rear wheel (the one with the rear sensor) the other day and the pads back there still seem to have some meat on them, so that is not the problem.
 
I have been more than a little busy this week, so, I will call my dealership early next week and find out if a "Reset" is required by a tech. I will post when I find out.
 
SergeyM,
 
I am just finishing up on a lease of a 1999 328i, which has been my daily driver since Jan-1999. So far, I have had to replace the wiper blades a couple of times, the front brakes (just a couple of weeks ago) and a single brake light on each side. In my book, that adds up to a very reliable car for daily transport.
 
Best Regards,
Shipo

#2928 of 12737 Ok ........ by dl7265

Mar 22, 2002 (10:25 pm)

I better not start getting crumpled up notes from yall's <is that a word ?> glovebox signed by Shipo lol .Not that i dont get enough comic relief anyways hah
 
Take care, '
DL

#2929 of 12737 SergeyM - Appending comment by habitat1

Mar 23, 2002 (7:02 am)

I initially thought you already bought a 540ia and were wondering if you should use it as your daily driver. My previous post stands relative to the "yes" answer I gave.
 
If, however, you are still deciding between 5-series, I do believe the 530i 5-speed is an excellent choice. The BMW inline 6 will not be quite as expensive to maintain and the 5-speed manual transmission is exceptionally durable. So, if you were asking the question a different way - say, which 5-series would you recommend for someone who wants to keep it fo 8-10 years to the tune of 150-200k miles, I would personally pick a 530i 5-speesd over a 540ia. I would get as much driving enjoyment out of rowing my own on a 530i as I would from the extra horsepower of the 540ia. I even think that the 530ia is an excellent choice, since the 3.0 litre engine remedies the underpowered feel of the 528i quite adequately. And I actually believe that with the sport package, the lighter 530i handles slightly better than the 540i. But that's my subjective assessment; I've never seen an objective side by side test.
 
In other words, you can't go too wrong with any 5-series, just decide what's right for you. If you've already decided on the 540ia, be assured you can drive it daily without guilt.

#2930 of 12737 Lease question by Dasto

Mar 23, 2002 (7:55 am)

I have a 2002 525i leased. Although I purchased 15K miles a year, I am finding after just three months that 12K a year would be enough. Is there any way to change the lease now and reduce the monthly expense of the extra miles I purchased?

#2931 of 12737 Zymol by jerry333

Mar 23, 2002 (12:34 pm)

A belated "Thank you" for the feedback on wax/cleaners

#2932 of 12737 Lease Question by riez

Mar 23, 2002 (2:48 pm)

dasto... Interesting question. I'd like to know the answer. I'd do two things. First, pore over your lease contract to see what, if anything it says directly on the subject. Second, contact the leasor directly. Since the lease is a contract, you are bound by its terms. If the terms won't allow you to, then you'd have to get the other party to the contract to agree to change the terms.
 
I'm guessing you likely are out of luck. This is one of the breaks of leasing. (I'm not a fan of leasing.) If you don't use up the miles, then you are using up less of the vehicle and it will be worth more to its owner (the leasor) when it retakes its car at the end of your agreed to lease period. But, also guessing there is some clause in your lease that lets you buy the car from the leasor at a pre-established already agreed to price. By keeping the miles down, you are raising the value of the car and getting "more" for your money if you decide to buy it outright from the leasor.
 
Please let us know what you find out.

#2933 of 12737 Dasto by shipo

Mar 23, 2002 (7:30 pm)

I am in the last 5 weeks of a lease on a 1999 328i, and I am finding myself in a situation similar to you, I currently have just less than 38,000 on a lease calculated to end with 47,500 miles. I called my leasing company (BancOne), and they could care less, either I re-lease (extra $120 per month for a minimum 13 months extension), buy the car, or give it back to them with no credit for the unused miles.
 
Given that I must lease for tax reasons (I am a partner in a couple of small businesses), I decided to go with BMW-FS this time around, and to buy only 12,000 miles per year. I was told that if I alert BMW-FS six months before the end of the lease that I would be over mileage, they will charge me $0.16 per estimated mile over the 36,000 mile limit, and then pro-rate the charge over the last six payments. If I wait to the end of the lease, the charge would be $0.20 per mile. The 530i that I have on order will be the fifth car in the last 14 years that I have leased, and the way BMW-FS deals with over mileage is easily the best deal I have encountered to date.
 
In your case, assuming that BMW-FS is your leaseholder, I would call them and see what their policy is regarding under-mileage cars. I heard a rumor in 1998, when I was shopping for my 328i, that BMW-FS would buyback unused miles at lease end, however, I have never confirmed that statement. The other option, plan a few cross country trips over the next few years, and enjoy the miles that you are paying for.
 
Best Regards,
Shipo

Messages Page 294 of 1275

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