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BMW 5-Series Sedans
12737 messages, Last post on Feb 16, 2013 at 11:05 PM
You are in the BMW 5-Series Forum.What is this discussion about? BMW 5 Series, Sedan
#6667 of 12737 RE: Tbrown12 by mseals
Jun 04, 2003 (5:32 am)
In response to your questions, it sounds like the Acura dealer is trying to blow smoke up somewhere to make a sale. Yes Acura's and Honda's for that matter have resale values of gold. I should know, I just sold my 2000 Honda Civic Si back in December of last year for $9500 with 60k miles on it just because I wanted to get rid of it fast. I made about $2000 on the sale so that was cool. I had a 5 yr loan on that car and had paid about 3 yrs of it. Now I have a 1998 528i and I love it. There really is no comparison to the Civic of course. But I got a great deal on the 5er. Now my question is, how will you be upside down after the car is paid off? If you don't owe money, how can you have negative equity in the car. I believe the BMW might depreciate faster initially on the car. But I think that after about 2-3 years it will equal out. I do know that BMW's and all luxury brand cars really take a hit with higher miles. Acura's and Honda's don't because of the perception of them being bulletproof. Truth is, that Acura and Honda have scheduled Maintenance plans (just like every car) that you should follow. And don't be fooled, Acura and Honda parts aren't cheap. The difference in price will come with the labor costs if you go to the dealership. Of course Acura's and Honda's have mechanics more readily able to work on them. But with the BMW if you go to the dealership you will get robbed for regular maintenance if it is not covered under the maintenance program they have. Once that expires you can do what many people do and find either a very reputable BMW mechanic, or do it yourself if you are mechanically inclined. Most of the Inspection stuff can be done by a shade tree mechanic if you have the right tools and parts. There really isn't anything that is excessively hard, it might take time though. As for breaks and rotors, Acura's and Honda's tend to warp rather quickly. The pads last, but the rotors can't take the heat and warp. And like I said before, Acura and Honda parts are not cheap! In the end, if you follow both brands scheduled maintenance plans, I would say it is a wash in costs. The only factor might be tires if you have the sports package. But then again, my Michielin's that were stock on my Civic were $144 a piece and they were crappy in the rain and snow. In contrast my BMW's Dunlop Sport A2's cost about $67 apiece and were great in the snow, rain and had better grip on dry surfaces as well.It is up to you, I use to valet cars for two years and have changed my personal car every 2 to 3 years and I can freely say that my 528i is the best car I have ever driven in terms of balancing everything someone might want in a car.
Mark
#6668 of 12737 dzuba by habitat1
Jun 04, 2003 (6:09 am)
Congrats on your 530i! I know you did a lot of research.Regarding waxing, I have continued my use of Maguire's Professional #26 on both my 1995 Maxima and 2002 Honda S2000. I washed and waxed both cars about a month ago in 2 1/2 hours total. I wax my cars about 3 times per year on average. Most of the time, the previous wax is still beading, but I prefer not to wait. My Maxima continues to get compliments that "it looks brand new" at 140,000 miles.
I have not tried the Zaino and Zymol products. It is my understanding that they may provide a better "wet look" shine immediately after use, but do not last as long as Maguires and take considerably more time to apply (multiple steps, I believe). Perhaps if my Honda S2000 were a Ferrari 360...but for now I am extremely pleased with Maguires.
Good luck with your 530i. That's still my top choice for my next sedan.
#6669 of 12737 Titanium Gray by 530ia2003
Jun 04, 2003 (6:12 am)
Thanks for everyone's comment. After taking a closer look at the titanium gray color, I've decided that it does not have the gloosy look as in other colors. I'm going for Black Sapphire Metallic with gray interior.#6670 of 12737 Color choice for 530ia2003 by dzuba
Jun 04, 2003 (7:22 am)
For what it is worth - go with the Black Sapphire Metallic. It looks absolutely beautiful. Mine happens to have the black interior as well which I love, but if you like the gray interior go with it.Good Luck
PS - On the downside, my black interior does show the lint quite a bit, but a quick vacuum with a portable Dust Buster and a rag - and I'll deal with it. It looks that good IMHO!
I am off for a 2 1/2 hour drive one way for a 1:00 Golf Playday in Peoria, IL and can not wait to hit the highway. I could take my 98 Max GLE and save the miles on the 530, but not today!!!
#6671 of 12737 tbrown12 by kyfdx HOST
Jun 04, 2003 (8:40 am)
If you can buy the BMW for the same price as leasing the Acura, The BMW should be cheaper in the long run. At 18K per year, you'll be out of warranty on the Acura in less than 3 years. I'm assuming since its a 528i, that the BMW is a 2000 model. That should also be out of warranty in about 3 years. You'll have to pay for maintenance on either car, and even though the Acura should be cheaper on that front, at the end of 4 years, you have zero equity. Even a 7 year old BMW with 95K miles, should be worth at least $12-15K, and you should only owe about $4-6K by then.regards,
kyfdx
#6672 of 12737 titanium >silver< metallic by sdg380
Jun 04, 2003 (9:02 am)
Obviously, this is somewhat of a "beauty in the eye" discussion, but after debating between Sterling and Titinium, I went with the Titanium. Both look really nice, but:(1) I have a gray interior and titanium gives 530 nice monochromatic look;(2) I can't stand dark(ish) cars in hot weather, and titanium is much lighter shade, almost white;(3) titanium is absolutely the very best color to not show dirt, bar none (guess I'm admitting my car isn't always spotless!);(4) silver is far and away the most popular car color, somewhat boring as a consequence, but avoids controversy at trade time (plus there's a reason it's popular).#6673 of 12737 tbrown & colors by hicaira
Jun 04, 2003 (9:25 am)
tbrown: you said that after 5 years when you own it, you will be upside down. How's that work?colors: Buy what you like and ignore all others (ok, except the spouse...). Choosing a color because you think that other people think it looks cool is, well, pathetic.
HiC
#6674 of 12737 hicaira by mseals
Jun 04, 2003 (10:05 am)
That is exactly what I was wondering too. How can you be upside down on a car you own and don't owe money on? Me thinks the Acura dealer was pulling someones leg financially. At the end of the Acura lease you have nothing! And you will have paid for all the maintenance with nothing to show for in the end.Mark
#6675 of 12737 srfast by bmwdriver02
Jun 04, 2003 (3:17 pm)
Wow I really like the Sterling Gray. Should have gotten it instead of the Titanium Silver Metallic on my 5er.#6676 of 12737 3 series vs 5 series by beemer4me
Jun 04, 2003 (11:31 pm)
Is the 5 series noticeably quieter inside than the 3 series on the freeways?To POST a message, please
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