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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 540 of 1274

#5388 of 12737 Value of "Free" Maintenance by riez

Jan 23, 2003 (11:44 am)

mseals... What you wrote reminded me the real, if not so obvious, value to BMW's "free" maintanence program. I wouldn't buy a used BMW pre-1998 MY unless I knew the owner personally AND had the service records. Remember reading C&D's long-term wrap up for their MY 1997 540i6. They carped about how expensive it had been to maintain over 40,000 miles and were pleased that in MY 1998 BMW went to the 3/36 "free" maintenance plan. Made me wonder how many BMW owners and leasees were sacrificing required maintenance to save money before they unloaded their cars.
 
Thankfully BMW has gone to 4/50 "free" plan for MY2003. Was kind of iritating to contemplate whether to buy the extra time or not. Was a gamble. This way now you are fully covered by b-to-b warranty and maintenance agreement during 4/50 period.
 
With the MY 1998 and newer BMWs, I have few concerns with purchasing the CPO units I did as regards whether they were maintained.
 
BUT does seem like the minute BMW or MB started "paying" for "free" maintenance that the service intervals were lengthened. Getting new oil and filter change about every 15,000 miles still bugs me a bit. Even with big sumps and synthetic oil. Think they should change the oil filter every 6 months or 7,500 miles, which comes first.

#5389 of 12737 by tuss

Jan 23, 2003 (11:21 pm)

any thoughts on what the pricing is going to be on the new 5 series when they come out? One more thing, with all the "opinions" about the new five, do you think that there will be a sudden increase in demand for the "old body" 5 series as soon as the new shape comes out---I remember this happened with the old 7 series, my dad was considering a 7 series with the sport package, and couldn't decide if he was getting a good deal, and as soon as the new shape came out, the prices actually went up and dealers were less apt to negotatiate on the old ones b/c people were so turned off by the new design and decided to go for the old shape instead. I'm thinking of getting a 530i, but don't know if I should wait until the new shape comes out, or if I should just pull the trigger now . . .

#5390 of 12737 RE: Riez by mseals

Jan 24, 2003 (7:25 am)

It is funny you said that about pre-1997 MY. When looking for a used 5 series, I took a lot of things into account. One of the main ones was that I wanted a 1998 MY or newer and preferably CPO'd. I ended up getting a 1998 MY 528i 5sp. I did a Carafax on it and found out that it had two previous owners. A woman who had it for a 2 year lease, and a lawyer who had it for 2 years as well. The woman put 15k a year on it, had all the recall and maintenance down at the dealership and turned it in with 30k miles on it. The lawyer, bought the car as a CPO, had it for 2 years, did all the maintenance on it at the dealership, new tires, new brakes, and inspections I and II done on it as well as oil changes. The only thing he had fixed was the mirror cover had been broken off in a car wash. He put 50k miles on the car in two years because he basically lived an hour and a half from where he worked. It was literally all freeway so the miles were relatively easy miles. I bought the car with 80k miles on it and the remaining 2 years and 20k miles of the CPO warranty. I have driven the car 5k miles so far with not a single problem other than the passenger door lock freezing. That was my fault though, I just had to get it washed and it was about 8 degrees outside. I drove the car a mile and put it in the garage, the next day the passenger door was frozen shut. That was two days ago.

#5391 of 12737 5-series by bimmer12

Jan 24, 2003 (7:40 am)

Anyone know when production of the current E39 5 series will cease- the last time you can place an order for the current 5?

#5392 of 12737 Pricing by riez

Jan 24, 2003 (7:47 am)

tuss... We won't know till it happens. But given all the gizmos and enhancements reported for the next platform and given rise in value of Euro (or the fall in the vallue of the Dollar), likely you'll see a decent price increase.
 
Real price of MY2003 E39 5 Series has fallen. Wife and I test drove an '03 525ia the other day. With PP, CWP, and Xenon. While the base list rose a bit, you have to keep in mind that some good things more than offset the small increase:
 
1. Free maintenance is now for 4 years or 50,000 miles. Up from 3/36. That upgrade used to cost about $400 and up depending on the dealer.
 
2. Rear head airbags are now standard.
 
3. Sunroof is now standard.
 
4. Some items have been added to the 525i Premium Package (e.g., auto headlights and rain-sensing windshield wipers).
 
When I compared MY2003 price to MY2002 price, there was only about a $600 difference. But the above, to me at least, more than offset that.

#5393 of 12737 Weird occurrence on the coldest night of the year. by mod62

Jan 24, 2003 (2:33 pm)

I have a '02 525iT 5spd Premium, cold weather with 7K miles.
My car was running and all of a sudden my Climate control LED goes out at about 8:00 pm and the blower goes on high. All display was out and I could not shut of the blower. Even when I turned the car off, there was no change in the situation. I called Roadside Assistance and there were useless. (What a joke this service is if the local dealer is closed when you call).
 
I decided to find the fuse and pull it so I could shut off heat. Either my brain was frozen with the 7 degree temparuture or the fuse schematic is dumb put I decided to go fuse by fuse and see what worked.
 
Luckily I only had to reach #4 and it shut the blower off. I replaced it and everything works fine.
Three questions:
 
1. #4 fuse is for Trunk and Compartment lighting. How does that affect the Automatic Climate Control?
2. What happened. Did a relay get stuck because of the frigid weather?
3. Should I get it checked out by the dealer. I drove today and no problems.
Thanks

#5394 of 12737 RE: Weird occurrence on the coldest night of the year. by mod62 by snagiel

Jan 24, 2003 (9:01 pm)

I've heard seasoned electrical engineers puzzle in shock and wonder about some of the electrical snafus that snake their way through the E39's circuit boards, so who knows. If the problem has worked itself out (even temporarily), I guarantee the dealer won't find anything. Too bad the "reboot" didn't do the trick.
 
If it's any consolation, during the same cold night my upstair neighbors' pipes froze, exploded, and subsequently gushed about fifty gallons of water into our bathroom and bedroom today. Fortunately I was home to get it stopped so quickly.

#5395 of 12737 Clear Protective Film by sel3

Jan 24, 2003 (11:01 pm)

Thanks for your comments, they are very helpful.
 
I am currently working with XPel to see if they will modify the kit so I can install two pieces of film once I remove the front license plate.
 
Thanks again,
 
SEL3

#5396 of 12737 RE: Clear Protective Film by sel3 by snagiel

Jan 25, 2003 (8:15 am)

Why not just buy the bumper kit without the front license plate, which is actually three pieces (right, left, and for the center strip which replaces the license plate bracket)?

#5397 of 12737 Clear Protective Film by sel3

Jan 25, 2003 (9:51 am)

I looked at the kits without the front license plate and with PDS. The center piece for front bumper kit does not provide full coverage of the area next to the license plate. The piece below is one solid section and does not accommodate the gap for the front license plate.
 
Thanks,
 
SEL3

Messages Page 540 of 1274

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