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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

Messages Page 763 of 1275

#7616 of 12737 mbukukanyau by habitat1

Oct 20, 2003 (1:05 am)

Save your breath.
 
A modified Neon or Civic could probably beat any stock BMW or GM "at the track". I suspect that most BMW owners and posters here have a slightly broader perspective on what constitutes engineering excellence and performance.
 
"Cadillac is not the car it used to be in the 70's to 1999." Is that so? Personally, I don't believe that. But, even if you are gullible enough to, try coming back here in 30 years when you don't have to apologize for the most recent three decades. You don't become a winner overnight with so much practice at being a loser.
 
I'd like to believe the potential for a competitive or even superior American automobile company exists. But it would not involve either the management of GM or the UAW.
 
Sorry to the host and rest of the board for the digression.

#7617 of 12737 Serious Knocking on my 530 by billbrox

Oct 20, 2003 (6:58 am)

Started the bimmer this morning and she was knocking in idle. Took her on the road and with each acceleration it felt like I was going over rumble strips. This continued for 25 minutes (with each accel.) until I got to work. Any thoughts onwhat it might be? Help, she feels sick!

#7618 of 12737 billbrox by designman

Oct 20, 2003 (7:49 am)

billbrox, I'm just guessing and don't know where you're located but it sounds like it could be a minor choke problem... coincides with our first frost around NYC. Obviously, you should get it in to service.

#7619 of 12737 designman by billbrox

Oct 20, 2003 (10:35 am)

d-man, Many thanks....the knocking did stop once I started it again this pm. (temps now around 64 degrees). Am scheduled to have it serviced this pm. Go Yanks!
Thanks again....

#7620 of 12737 1998 528i sedan 5sp, Premium by casey103

Oct 20, 2003 (7:37 pm)

I haven't owned a BMW since 1985 (320i). Yesterday I test drove a 98 528i sedan w/ 5sp. It drives really nice..80k miles. Two owners.17 inch wheels. He wants $14,100. This seems to be reasonable based on Edmunds or KBB. It seems that other comments indicate that I need to be able to verify service records to be comfortable. Any other feedabck would be greatly appreciated. I am anxious to get back into a BMW. 14k seems pretty reasonable...but I guess it won't seem cheap if I had a major engine problem. Any suggestions??

#7621 of 12737 mbukukanyau by div2

Oct 20, 2003 (9:50 pm)

Yeah, I'll bet you'll see a bunch of CTS-Vs at the track... Grandpa would be scared that driving over 60 MPH might blow the cabriolet roof clean off.
 
<Did you know that BMW’s 5-speeder is GM-sourced?>
Yes, and note that the transmissions are designed/built in Europe. Anyway, GM slushboxes aren't the problem; it's the rest of the car.
 
<GM has changed much. Especially Cadillac and soon Buick>
 
Let's see... the Allante was supposed to beat the SL 500 at it's own game. Then the Catera was going to put the A4, C Class, and 3er on the trailer. Oh yeah, and Cadillac was going to dominate LeMans-just like Audi, BMW, and M-B. Refresh my memory; just how many podium finishes did Cadillac score??? Now the CTS-V is going to put the S, M, and AMG cars in the shade? I'll bet there will be darn few CTS-V drivers willing to race an E39 M5 for pinks. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if a chipped E28 or E35 M5 ran and hid from the CTS-V either. As habitat said, come back here when Cadillac has had three decades of experience building real sports sedans.

#7622 of 12737 casey103 by div2

Oct 20, 2003 (10:05 pm)

The six cylinder E39s are just about bulletproof. The '97s(like mine) had a few teething problems, but they were pretty much resolved by the time the '98s came out. I bought my 528iA in early 2001 and I now have 95000 miles on it. Mileage has averaged 22 mpg. Service/repair costs have averaged $56/month-$77 if you include the cost of four Artic Alpins, steel wheels, and OEM BMW wheel covers.
Get the service history and have a BMW tech inspect it. At 80K it should have had a water pump fitted not to long ago. It sounds like a good price, but don't get too attached; there are a ton of used 5ers out there and it's worth waiting for a good one. See bmwtips.com for good E39 info as well-and you can also contact me via the web page listed in my profile.

#7623 of 12737 mbukukanyau by div2 by joatmon

Oct 21, 2003 (5:23 am)

Div2 meant to say E28 or E34 M5s. Just to keep the record straight. BTW, an old E28 M5 still rides, handles, and moves like few cars produced today.
 
Happy BMW Motoring,
 
Jack

#7624 of 12737 Best time to buy a 5-series by lazura

Oct 21, 2003 (9:52 am)

It's a fact that most BMW's and Mercedes depreciate 50% in 3 years (the exception being limited editions like the M5). Therefore, the 'sweet spot' for these cars (like the 5-series) is years 4-6. The benefits are huge: a) 50% cheaper price, b) still under full warranty (1 year original, 2 years CPO), c) lower insurance costs and d) first owner has beared the burden of service delays with all the recalls. That's how I purchased my BMW E39 and MB C43 AMG; the same great vehicles at 1/2 the cost. The fact is the new 5-series is WAY over-priced compared to the previous E39. The earliest I will even consider the E60 is 2007.
 
P.S. - My biggest gripe with the E60 is not the styling (which is after all subjective) but the sub-standard quality of the exterior and interior materials. The entire lower 1/3 of the exterior is PLASTIC! Almost the entire back-end is also plastic. The interior contains very cheap plastic (especially in the door inserts and center console) compared to my E39. Also, the leather seat coverings (that's right, coverings, not full leather) is very thin and not very comfortable. I'm sure the driving experience is better than my E39, but for over $50,000 I expect some level of quality materials.

#7625 of 12737 LAZURA........ by bmwseller

Oct 21, 2003 (10:05 am)

wrong...........5 doesn't deprieciate 50% in three years. Try to find a 2001 525 for 21 grand. MSRP on a typically equipped model would have been about 41-42 grand. Average wholesale black book on the car is over 26 grand. So, that blows your theory.
Furthermore, it seems that all this chat with people that have E39's is directed at bashing the new five. I have heard the 'cheap' references before. Your car (E39) is fabulous, that goes without saying, but there is nothing cheap about the E60. It's just a totally different presentation. I hope that you can begin to appreciate the differences because it is greatly improved in all areas.

Messages Page 763 of 1275

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