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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 690 of 1274

#6889 of 12737 Choices & Go CPO by riez

Jul 05, 2003 (12:59 pm)

rdmccart... Are you looking for an automatic transmission? I'd strongly recommend BMW manuals with Sport Pkg. Maximum fun to drive factor.
 
If you are looking at FWD TL and RWD G35, you should also consider a new or used 3 Series.
 
I would NOT get a non-CPO 1999 540i. Check out BMW NA's CPO locator. You should be able to find a ton of CPO 3 and 5 Series cars within a couple hundred mile radius of where you live.
 
Thinking Acura and Infiniti also have CPO programs. You should check them out.

#6890 of 12737 to 530bmw @ interest rates by hoopsref

Jul 05, 2003 (2:46 pm)

I thought someone had posted here last month the interest rate (1.9%) was not given if the dealer was giving the kick back. Can anyone confirm this? The more I think about it, they should be two separate deals, right? The dealers can buy down rates under normal conditions if they WANT to. This would make this even more enticing. Now, do I wait until the end of the month, or move sooner? Dealers are willing to give those great deals at the end when the one car sale can push them into other bonuses... Anyone used "fighting chance" or the "Rizzo method" this way?

#6891 of 12737 1999 540i or 2003 Acura TL or Infiniti G35? by rdmccart

Jul 05, 2003 (8:23 pm)

I want to spend around $30K for a new (or used) vehicle. I love how the 540 rides & handles and I found a used 1999 with 36,000 miles in good condition for $28,500, which I think is a pretty good deal. But, it is not at a BMW dealer so I am concerned about the lack of warranty (not BMW certified) and potential maintenance costs. Can anyone comment on 1999 BMW 5-series and/or 540 reliability and maintenance costs. I am also considering new Acura TL & Infiniti G35 with full 4 year warranties - no maintenance costs/worries! Any input on those 2 cars would be appreciated also.

#6892 of 12737 False Alarm Help by 530bmw

Jul 06, 2003 (4:14 am)

In the past two weeks I have had 4 false alarms and I am not sure what happened. It always happended a few minutes after I lock my car regardless of parking position, i.e. level, incline, indoor or outdoor. Does anyone have any suggestions or solutions as to what to do before I take it to the dealer?

#6893 of 12737 by kdshapiro

Jul 06, 2003 (5:27 am)

rdmccart - You have 3 very disctinct vehicles for the same price. Seems to me you have to understand your needs. TL is a nice FWD, but drives with the limitations of FWD. G35 is a nice RWD car. The 540 is in another class with it's powerful V8 engine.
 
I for one would always be concerned about the reliability and maintenance of any used car,which I would use as my daily driver. If you want the BMW I would investigate the CPO program. If you want more information about the CPO program go to bmwusa.com for more detail.
 
However, I think the first step is to test drive them all to get some feel of the cars. If you are looking for the ultimate car for the driving enthusiast, the 540 with the sport package is the way to go. The second best car is the G35. If you are looking for the car with the least maintenance and most room, it's the TL or TLS.

#6894 of 12737 530BMW by kdshapiro

Jul 06, 2003 (5:30 am)

False alarms are a pain, I had that on one of my Nissans. They could never pin-point the problem. However, the dealership did theorize, it could be caused by a bad transmitter sending out the panic frequency.
 
But I would take it to the dealer and leave it there until they solve the problem. Or maybe have them disconnect the alarm, so it won't wake the neighboors.

#6895 of 12737 False alarms... by shipo

Jul 06, 2003 (12:34 pm)

I have had several over the last year, and after thinking about them after each incident, I have been able to classify them on one of two ways:
 
1) Movement, the sensors seem to be sensitive enough to detect the motion of heavy trucks rolling by, heavy wind, and of course the ubiquitous parking lot ding.
 
2) Movement inside the car, I often leave the sunroof either open or vented (rear up), and (this year at least) up here in New Hampshire, we are having LOTS of swarming bugs, large and small. It seems that the interior motion sensors are sensitive enough to pick up when a large bug (or a number of large bugs) fly into the interior, thus generating a false alarm.
 
In both cases, if you "Lock" your car with the remote twice (ie. press the lock button twice), the motion sensing is disabled, thus preventing this type of false alarm.
 
I hope this helps.
 
Best Regards,
Shipo

#6896 of 12737 False alarms by kdshapiro

Jul 06, 2003 (12:37 pm)

Shipo - in toying with my alarm system in my garage, I leave the windows open and set the alarm by clicking the lock button once.. I've been able to set the alarm off by moving my hand near the open window. It's that sensitive. The owners manual advises, as you suggested, to click the remote twice, or turn the key twice, to disable the motion sensor if the sunroof or windows are left open.
 
Additionally, contrary to the owners manual, if you lock the car with the remote, you are able to open the doors by pressing the interior unlock button. Granted you will set off the alarm. But when I first got the car I used the remote to lock the car while I was still in it. At that time I do not think the interior unlock button worked. They must have changed the programming when I brought the car in for my first service. Maybe for liability reasons?

#6897 of 12737 False Alarms by 530bmw

Jul 06, 2003 (3:31 pm)

shipo, kdshapiro, thanks for your input. After trying to reconstruct what happened I am now convince that I may be the culprit who set off the alarm unintentionally. By keeping the key in my pants pocket and the pants being not too loose I must have accidently pressed the panic button against my leg. While the car in my garage, I locked the car this morning and left the key on a table to see if the alarm would go off, it didn't so I hope there is nothing wrong with the remote. I will be more gentle with the remote since it is so sensitive and see if it is the cause of the problem.

#6898 of 12737 False Alarms by mike525

Jul 06, 2003 (10:49 pm)

530bmw - I would agree that you may be setting off the alarm yourself. After owning my 530i for 6 months with no alarm incidents, last night after arming the car, as I walked away, the car disarmed and unlocked itself. Since this happened concurrent with my stuffing the key in my pocket while walking quickly, I assume that somehow the unlock button got pushed by brushing up against a coin in my pocket. Many,many complexities on these cars, stuff like this happens.

Messages Page 690 of 1274

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