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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 572 of 1274

#5708 of 12737 Diesels by habitat1

Feb 24, 2003 (5:34 am)

I would like to add my voice in support of a 330d and/or 530d.
 
The last Mercedes E300TD (1999) available in the US was very impressive. Acceleration equal to my old 1984 Toyota Supra and 34+ mpg on the highway. A business associate has one and has been offered in excess of $30k by the dealer to sell it back to them (i.e. not a trade, they would give her even more in that case). She (only) paid $43k for it in late 1998 and has 60k flawless miles on it.
 
My only concern is that one of the big appeals to me of BMW over Mercedes is the tighter handling and steering offered by BMW. Diesel engines are heavy (the Mercedes E300TD weighs about 200-300 lbs more than the otherwise identical E320 3.2 gas version. I would hope that the 330d and/or 530d still handles as competently as their gas counterparts.
 
P.S. Another business associate refers to his 1990 300D as his "$100,000" Mercedes. He paid $40k for it new, but has deducted over $100,000 in mileage on his taxes (he now has 300k miles on it and it still looks/runs new). After tax, he has actually made money on the car.

#5709 of 12737 Agreed by im_brentwood

Feb 24, 2003 (9:30 am)

They keep asking for them over at roadfly as well.
 
Seems like it'd make sense.. time will tell, doubt we'll see any E39s as that car is effectively DOA now.

#5710 of 12737 Re: Clutch by pen101

Feb 24, 2003 (10:13 am)

jeffry, thanks for the additional thoughts.
 
I just got off the phone with BMWNA Customer Relations. When I dialed the extension for the representative that took my claim, I got a recording that she will not be in today for "personal" reasons and will be unable to take any calls or messages. So, I called back to speak with a different customer relations representative and they said that she is the only one that can move the claim along and that I have to wait until she returns to get anything done.
 
I called the BMW dealership, and the service advisor said that he has yet to hear from BMW. He says there is nothing he can do until he hears from BMWNA. So, I am stuck. I will loose another day waiting to hear from BMW. If this was Lexus or another car brand, I am sure I would be treated better.
 
I asked the service advisor if I were to take the car now to another repair place, how much work has been put in the car so far. He says $330.

#5711 of 12737 530d by hicaira

Feb 24, 2003 (11:14 am)

Until we get the low sulpher diesel fuel I doubt we will see these sold here. As of now, the California Air Resources Board has a dim view of diesels - mostly due to the particulate pollution - and has made is difficult for them to pass CA emissions. That's why the only diesels you see are for full sized heavy-duty trucks that have a GVW high enough for exemption and the really small 4cyls that have low enough emissions to pass. The combination of low sulpher fuel and particulate traps (filters, actually) will finally allow diesels to enter the mainstream. I think we'll have to wait until the 2006 or 2007 MY year though. Shortly after that I's also expect to see more hybreds running on diesel engines.
 
pen: fight on. My boss recently lost the clutch in his M5 with only 6,000 miles. When the dealer asked "What did you do to it?" and he answered "Drove it!", they replaced at no cost and no fuss. Turns out the clutch was never fully disengaging. If that was the case in your car you would have smelled burning clutch from time to time. Sudden failure suggests something else anyway.
 
HiC

#5712 of 12737 pen and hic by im_brentwood

Feb 24, 2003 (11:02 pm)

Pen,
 
If you cant get her tomorrow, surely she has a boss. What dealer if I may ask? I might know someone there.. you never know.
 
Hic,
 
It's frustrating. For those of you who havent driven one.. WOW. It's made it to my top 10 list of "cars we can't have and have no idea what we're missing". (Others include Lotus Carlton/Omega, Alfa 156, etc...)

#5713 of 12737 Diesels by mseals

Feb 25, 2003 (6:38 am)

Guys,
 
I really applaud the diesel cars on the road. Before I decided to go the CPO used car route and get my 528 I almost bought a new Jetta TDI. My only delima was that VW is suppose to be coming out with a more powerful diesel in a few years. I also heard that the lower sulfur fuel will be coming pretty soon, more like 2004 or 2005. I also heard that they are going to stagger the drop in sulfer, meaning that they will make is like 15% in 2004, and then something like 10% in 2005. That was the word on why VW was holding out on the more powerful diesel engine, something like 150 hp and 255 ft/lb of torque.

#5714 of 12737 2000 540i6sp Upgrade to 2003 M5 by seichler

Feb 25, 2003 (9:56 am)

First, I want to thank the group at large on this message board who have passed along very insightful and informative dialogue on the topic of BMW 5 series cars. At times there can be a lot of banter about many matters, some on point, some not at all, and I really try not to waste anyone's time, so I have not posted very often to this board.
 
Second, I wanted to let the members of this board, especially those in the Detroit metro area, know that I have just ordered my second BMW, and both have been with Brad Hutto at Erhard BMW in Bloomfield Hills. Both purchases have been with an individual who has been knowledgeable and responsive. I have purchased many cars over the yaers and it is always a huge benefit to work with people like Brad. I share this only because I see others out there not having the best experiences with whom they are working.
 
I cannot help from being a little giddy in having placed my order for a 2003 M5. I really wanted it when I purchased the 540, but didn't feel comfortable making the stretch then. With the new 5 series coming out, I have been deliberating over this purchase for almost a year. I am concerned about the new design and have listened to many of you who have the same concerns, so I finally landed on the side of securing what I think may be a little piece of history for the BMW 5 series before it is no longer made. Yes, I could have opted for a used one, but there is nothing like being able to make choices about a car (colors and options) that are individual likes. Thanks to everyone who has given me input either directly or indirectly.
 
Lastly, if anyone is interested, or knows of someone interested, I am going to try to sell the 2000 540i6sp private party to "earn" a little more towards the new purchase. It is in mint condition. For more details please feel free to e-mail me directly at seichlerefafunding.com so as not to add any unnecessary congestion to this message board, unless other people are interested in the data points for their own reference.
 
Thank you again to all.

#5715 of 12737 Center Hub on Rims by pobrian

Feb 25, 2003 (10:45 am)

I recently bought a set of used rims off a 2000 (non-Sport) 540i. The rims came with the center bmw-insignia caps. The caps clearly fit the rim, but won't seem to "snap" into place. Anyone have any experience with getting these on?
 
Thanks

#5716 of 12737 RE: seicher by mseals

Feb 25, 2003 (11:40 am)

Glad to hear about your purchase. If I had known about you 540i 6sp I would have seriously looked into the purchase of it. I just bought my first BMW back in Oct. I bought a used CPO'd 1998 528i 5sp from a guy for $16500. I thought it was a great deal and I always wanted a BMW since the mid 80's when I first started driving. Now that I have had my first one, I don't think I could do back to any other model of car. I am thinking of selling this in a couple of years though and checking out what the 3ers is like. Maybe a 330 Ci coupe not convertible. I am not a big fan of big cars and normally I like smaller nimbler cars, but once I test drove the 5er I was just so amazed at how it handles like a car of smaller size. I am achieving the goals in my life that I had wanted from a monetary stand point so that is a good feeling. I just have to make sure I put money away for early retirement

#5717 of 12737 brentwoodvolvo by pen101

Feb 25, 2003 (1:36 pm)

The car is at Rusnak BMW in Westlake Village, CA. I left a message this morning on voice mail for my representative at BMWNA. No reply as yet. Also spoke to a third person today at BMWNA who says that their files show that she is working on it. However, no call back as yet from her or the dealer. I am wondering if I can take them to small claims court locally. I cannot see them spending the money to hire a representative to appear and fight my claim. The bill for the clutch will be $1,007.81 including tax.

Messages Page 572 of 1274

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