You have saved this page | See all saved pages
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
#7756 of 12737 tlmmhowell by div2
Oct 31, 2003 (10:40 am)
LOL!!! It seems like most every dealer has several E65s in the service bays- all in the process of having one or more of their computers reprogrammed, rebooted, or upgraded. New BMWs have always been notorious for having new model teething problems(ever wonder why you can't give a 1992 E36 away?), but the additional electronics really exacerbate the problem. FWIW, my 1997 E39 was an early build car, but the first owner sorted out most all of the problems before he traded. The CPO warranty covered another couple of glitches for me. At 94K it's still tight and dead-nuts reliable, but I'm sure as heck going to buy the Bentley manual before it hits 100K.
#7757 of 12737 electronics by sunilb
Oct 31, 2003 (11:44 am)
The added electronics of the E60 are definitely scary. Plus, they are using Microsoft software for iDrive-- what were they thinking?!? I'd be nervous about the system crashing and having to reboot.I'm not adverse to technology, just MSFT platforms. It would have been such a great idea if they had worked with Apple for the OS (the only times I've had to reboot my Apple machine is when I moved!).
#7758 of 12737 New 530i or Used 745i by wth3
Nov 01, 2003 (8:13 am)
I am currently looking to purchase a new 2004 530i or a used 2003 745i with 9000 miles. The reviews of the 2002 745i's scare me, seems like nothing but problems. Are the 2003 any better? I drove both cars and really liked them. My wife actually fell asleep on the test drive of the 2003 745i. You can't put a price on that option! I am looking for comments on the 2003 745i for reliability and anything on the 530i. I know the 530i has just come out but if anyone has any information I would appreciate it. My wife will be driving the car most of the time and I do not want her to be driving to the repair shop the majority of the time. I enjoy warm dinners and I do not want to get the cold shoulder from her repair shop experience. Thanks for your help!#7759 of 12737 wth3:New 530 vs used 745 by tlmmhowell
Nov 01, 2003 (9:57 am)
I'd buy neither. The i-drive alone is reason to avoid the 7. It is terrible. If you forge ahead with the 7, MAKE SURE both you and your wife are completely comfortable with the i-drive, although I don't see how you could be. The new 5 just has too many issues, and it is very price y. How about an 02-03 530 or even 540? How about an 02 740? (Notice I said NOTHING about looks.)#7760 of 12737 by cjs2002
Nov 01, 2003 (11:21 am)
lol... please befor I sign the final papers... what issues are you talking about with the new 5? I thought it was a good car, are there problems I should know and consider? thankx#7761 of 12737 Avoid 745i? C&D Ruthlessly Pans It by riez
Nov 01, 2003 (11:25 am)
wth3... I concur with tlmmhowell.Read the latest (12/03) issue of Car & Driver. Six (6) car comparison test with 745i. 745i comes out in 3rd place. They love the way it performs but not the way you have to drive and live with it. Some excerpts:
"We've given iDrive 18 months to persuade us. It failed. Now the F is in ink. Fearless prediction: The 745i will take a beating on resale ... The 745i is also less appealing than all the others in its interior design. Do you get the idea this is the car we love to disparage? ... The Verdict: So relentlessly high-tech even the dashboard wood looks virtual."
If you just want your wife to go to sleep, save some serious money and buy a Lexus LS430!
#7762 of 12737 Re: C&D Ruthlessly Pans It by div2
Nov 01, 2003 (2:38 pm)
BMW used to be at the top of nearly every C&D test. In the past year the M3 and M5 lost out to Audi S4 and S6 while the X5 got popped by the Cadillac SRX. Now granted, a lot of the test criteria are subjective and I don't doubt C&D is rating the BMWs lower in order to avoid the frequent accusations that they are in Munich's pocket-as happened in the mid-90's when the ti Sport got bumped into second place so that BMW wouldn't sweep the "Best Handling Car in America" test series. The E60's third place is more ominous; it's clear to one and all that the wonderful drivetrain and suspension cannot overcome the awkward styling and overly complex control interface. To quote on of the cruising teens in American Graffiti:"What a waste of fine machinery".#7763 of 12737 BMW VS TL by marcpv
Nov 01, 2003 (3:26 pm)
I own a 97 540. I wanted to get a new car. I looked at the new BMW 545 and with all the add ons it will cost 65k. I know its a great car but why when i am spending 55k on a car I have too pay more to get better seats, and radio etc. I looked at the new Acura TL and it is not as good as the BMW, but I don't see the 30k difference between the 2 cars. What is BMW doing are they crazy?#7764 of 12737 marcpv by kdshapiro
Nov 01, 2003 (3:51 pm)
The way I look at it BMW has choices and prices for choices. I'm not quite sure if the Lexus SC430 coupe for example, is twice the car as the TL for twice the money. Yes it's a coupe vs a sedan, but that is the mindset you have to get into when you buy more expensive automobiles. My bet if you drove the 545i and the TL back to back you would understand the differences in these vehicles. Look at the SL600, is it worth 4 TLs with much less room?#7765 of 12737 BMW VS TL by marcpv
Nov 01, 2003 (4:08 pm)
That's not my point. Why should I have too pay 1800 extra for a decent radio on a 55k car. I just resent it.To POST a message, please
Sign In.
Advertisement
Most Popular in Forums
Search Forums
Enter Keyword(s):
Learn More, Do More
Edmunds Community
Advertisement