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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 882 of 1275

#8802 of 12737 JKing by shipo

Apr 25, 2004 (8:51 pm)

Yeah the noise, which in my case was just starting last fall just before I mounted my winter set, does indeed detract from a great ride. Regarding Goodyear tires, I don't have too much history with them except for two cars I had between 1988 and 1995, and both of those cars came from the factory with the “Gatorback” tires, which I found to be a very decent high end tire. As such, I'm probably going to give the Eagle F1s the nod next time around.
 
Regarding the 3.0 liter I6 in the 530i, I have to differ with you on that one. I find my car to be delightfully quick and my only complaint is that silly "Drive-by-wire" throttle linkage thing that they are doing. I much prefer a linear throttle as opposed to the "Enhanced" throttle response that our cars have. When I was driving it in Europe, there were times when I would be in a grouping of cars traveling somewhere north of 90 mph, and when the slow car in the front of the line would finally pull over to the right to let the rest of us pass, I found that I was constantly having to back off the throttle to keep from catching the guy in front of me and giving him a little nudge. :-/ After I became cognizant of the non-linear throttle, I started paying very close attention to the position of my foot, and I swear, if I had say 30% of the pedal depressed just before the traffic would start to accelerate in the above scenario, I would only need to add say another 10%, which would initially seem the correct amount of added throttle, then the car would start to accelerate too quickly and I would need to back it off about 15% to hold my acceleration even with those in front of me. Yeah, that means that I was holding a steady speed of say 90 with said 30% of the pedal, but then only needed say 25% of the pedal to accelerate well north of 100. Weird.
 
Back to the point, my 530i 5-Speed is a most capable mount that, according to one of the mechanics over at Tully BMW in Nashua, "...is as fast as a 540". I assume that he was referring to a 540iA non-SP. All I know is that it is quicker than any car I've owned in recent memory, and is easily quicker than my previous 328i 5-Speed, and that car had a 0-60 rating in the mid 6 second range.
 
Best Regards,
Shipo

#8803 of 12737 Kinda off topic by stl540

Apr 26, 2004 (5:48 pm)

Took my 540i in for service today; fog lamp (under warranty) and noisy automatic recirculation feature (also under warranty); and received a 325i non-SP with 5-speed manual. I was pleasantly surprised with the car. I took the car on a few 'fun' roads on the drive home that are out of the way, but are little traveled and quite curvy. The power was more than I expected out of a 185HP engine and the handling was also better than I expected for a non-SP. I can see why the 3-series is the benchmark in the entry luxury market. The car is ~600 lbs lighter than my 540i and was easy to throw around the corners.
 
We recently had an Acura TSX loaner car when my wife's car was in for service. The driving experience was not near as positive as the 325i. The front wheel drive was not near as easy or fun to drive around the same roads. The 200 HP engine in the Acura also did not feel as strong. I really appreciated the 3-Series after just driving the TSX.
 
Of course, I still think the 5 is the ultimate car with very little tradeoffs. The near perfect size (for me), luxurious interior, and the overall driving experience is second to none.

#8804 of 12737 reliability question by kudy843

Apr 27, 2004 (7:32 am)

can you tell out of the vehicles below which one is most reliable or require least fixing in the next 3 years..
 
02-04 325ix
01-03 330ix
01-03 530i
03 G35x
 
My wife and I have never owned a bmw before and we are considering getting one before november. As my first child will soon be born, safety is very important to us. We're leanning more toward the bwm because of the look and the driving (most of our friends own bwm so I'd driven them quite a few times) but we're a little concerned about maintenance. We also kind of like the G35x due to its awd and the perceived reliability but it's a little boring looking. so as you can see my little delima. I do have a lot of time to look but wanted to ask for your opionion before final decision.

#8805 of 12737 kyfdx- Tire Choice by billbrox

Apr 27, 2004 (7:45 am)

I chose the Bridgestone RE 950 A/S Potenzas: 235/45-17's. My Conti's made too much noise for my liking. I was able to have all 4 installed, balanced, warranty, free rotation etc. for under $900.
 
As stated before, I will post my comments at the 15K mark later.
 
Happy Trails....

#8806 of 12737 Re: reliability question [kudy843 #8804] by kyfdx HOST

Apr 27, 2004 (7:46 am)

Replying to: kudy843 (Apr 27, 2004 7:32 am)
If you can find a low mileage '03 BMW that is less than a year old, the maintenance will be free for the next three years. That will be the cheapest. If you are looking strictly at the least mechanical problems, then the G35x will 'probably' have less problems, but it sounds like you already don't like it.
 
The '02 and earlier BMWs on your list only had 3yr/36K free maintenance, though the warranty is 4yr/50K. If maintenance costs are a concern, stick with the '03. They have 4yr/50K free maintenance.
 
regards,
kyfdx

#8807 of 12737 Re: reliability question [kyfdx #8806] by kudy843

Apr 27, 2004 (8:15 am)

Replying to: kyfdx (Apr 27, 2004 7:46 am)
Thanks, kyfdx.
 
We do like the G35x but just not as much as the bmw. For us, its strong points were cost, new and possibly reliablity. We want to stay under 33k...will do more more research.. Thanks again for your input.

#8808 of 12737 Any power upgrades to the 5 series? by cmnott

Apr 27, 2004 (9:19 am)

Just a question about the 5 series. I really like this car and am thinking of getting it as my S60 T5 is coming to the end of its lease in April 2005, although I am thinking of ending it early in August or so.
 
I am looking at getting a bigger sedan and it must have a manual. The A6, I am not too pleased with and I am not convinced reliability-wise and the BMW dealer is a stone's throw away from my home.
 
I was thinking of an S60R because I really like my car but a bigger car would suit me better. The only thing is I am not terribly enthusiastic about a $65K CAD automobile with 225bhp. Heck, my car has 250bhp and lots of torque right now and seeing that Mercedes has upped their game with the E350 replacing the E320 (am I right about that?) with a power increase, could something be on the way for the 530i like a 535i with maybe 250bhp? It seems logical...

#8810 of 12737 Re: Kinda off topic [stl540 #8803] by jking

Apr 27, 2004 (5:55 pm)

Replying to: stl540 (Apr 26, 2004 5:48 pm)
I agree that the 5-series driving experience is second to none.
After driving almost every vehicle available in the market today,
with the exception of the exotics (Ferrari, Lambo, Rolls etc.),
the five feels like no other car on the road.
I have heard that some manufacturers, namely Lexus and Lincoln, have
taken apart 540's to replicate the car, but obviously there is no comparison. The GS430, although a nice car, and the LS, couldn't hold a candle to the 5 series.

#8811 of 12737 RE: Next Set [jhammell #8799] by multiplechoice

Apr 28, 2004 (2:13 pm)

Replying to: jhammell (Apr 23, 2004 8:48 am)
Just replaced my OEM Dunlop 2000E on my 540iA at 26,500 miles with the Bridgestone RE 750's (kept the same sizes 235 front, 255 rear). I have about 1500 miles on the new tires. Initial impression: Very quiet, seems to smooth out the ride a bit. I like the tread pattern but the rim protection rib is quite prominent and took a while for me to get used to their appearnce. Very good dry traction. Favorable treadwear rating. Traction AA Temp A also. I paid about $150 per tire. I thought about the Goodyears, but did not care for the tread pattern look. S-03 treadwear rating was too low, I did not want to replace the tires at 14K (as some folks have done).

Messages Page 882 of 1275

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