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BMW 5-Series Prices Paid and Buying Experience

4028 messages,  Last post on May 11, 2013 at 8:23 AM

You are in the Prices Paid - Buying & Leasing Experiences Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 5 Series, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 136 of 403

#1348 of 4028 Re: BMW 545i v 530i [sjeed] by hpowders

Mar 03, 2005 (9:29 am)

Replying to: sjeed (Mar 03, 2005 8:38 am)
Hey sjeed. I too have BMW in my blood. Been driving only BMW since 1993. Right now nobody seems to have come up with a cure. Drove the LS 430 and the GS 430 today.
Disliked the LS. Very light steering. Didn't like the wood steering wheel. Gated shifter was tedious to use. Turns were very un-BMW like.
Then tried the GS 430. Night and day!
Very pleasantly surprised. Drives like a sports sedan. Good acceleration. Powerful brakes. Well-weighted steering. Rides great. Turns fine.
Didn't like the exterior-too bloated. Seats only average. Could use a bit more front leg room.
Try it. You might like it.
Like you, I will be trying the 2006 530 and the 2005 545.
Regards,
hpowders

#1349 of 4028 Re: BMW 545i v 530i [sjeed] by hpowders

Mar 03, 2005 (10:03 am)

Replying to: sjeed (Mar 03, 2005 8:38 am)
The GS 430 unfortunately also has the gated shifter and wooden steering wheel but at least with the GS they put leather on each side of the wheel where many people hold it.
I believe the GS 430 that I drove, pretty well-loaded ( navigation and Mark Levinson surround sound 14 speaker audio) had a list of about $52,000.

#1350 of 4028 Re: BMWUSA.com [dl7265] by big_jim

Mar 03, 2005 (10:29 am)

Replying to: dl7265 (Mar 02, 2005 11:30 pm)
When you consider that the Xenon lights are now standard in the 2006 530i, the price increase really is slight. I believe that was an $800 msrp option in 2005. Subtract that from the $1,100 msrp increase for 2006, and it's only $300 for new engine.

#1351 of 4028 Re: BMW 545i v 530i [hpowders] by sjeed

Mar 03, 2005 (12:49 pm)

Replying to: hpowders (Mar 03, 2005 9:29 am)
I seriously looked at the new GS with every intention on the 430 (gotta have some power) but was very disappointed. Notwithstanding that it does appear to possess the traditional Lexus quality, the rear headroom seemed cramped, the trunk was horrible both in terms of its small access and the manner in which the wheel wells encroach inside making the advantage in its depth diminished by this, and for me the sight lines were poor with both the front and the rear, especially with the rear deck (and forget my 5'1" wife driving it). I hope I can get beyond some of the new stylings that turned me off about the new 5 series, because when it really comes down to it, I think BMW has done a great job of balancing the "ultimate driving machine" with the luxury goodies. I will keep you posted.

#1352 of 4028 Re: BMW 545i v 530i [sjeed] by hpowders

Mar 03, 2005 (2:16 pm)

Replying to: sjeed (Mar 03, 2005 12:49 pm)
Yes I agree with you that the sight lines could be a little better and I too was underwhelmed by the really weird shape of the trunk. I've never seen such a narrow opening. And being 6'2", I could use a few more inches of driver's seat legroom.
My wife and I rarely use the rear seats.
We usually drive in a caravan or meet people at a restaurant so I did not even consider the rear of this vehicle.
I was impressed with the ride, the brakes and especially the steering-very nearly BMW-like.
Not a perfect vehicle but Lexus has definitely made a turn in the right direction with the GS 430.
It should be priced competively with the new 530 coming out soon.
The 2006 GS 430 has earned a place on my short list of contenders.

#1353 of 4028 Re: BMW 545i v 530i [hpowders] by sjeed

Mar 03, 2005 (2:38 pm)

Replying to: hpowders (Mar 03, 2005 2:16 pm)
You cannot go wrong with a Lexus in terms of quality. I have owned/leased/driven all but the ES and the GX over the years and whatever they lack in german sport engineering they more than make-up for in quality. And that is not to say that they don't drive well. I think one of my favorites was a 94 SC300; wished we had kept it. My wife is about to get her third RX and she has loved the first two, but her test drive of the new one got her hooked to update. I look foward to hearing where you land on this issue and will let you know of my results.

#1354 of 4028 Re: BMW 545i v 530i [sjeed] by kirstie_h HOST

Mar 03, 2005 (3:08 pm)

Replying to: sjeed (Mar 03, 2005 12:49 pm)
If you want to compare some of these vehicles, type the word "luxury" into the search box at the left, and you'll find several appropriate topics. Let's reserve this one for pricing/buying experiences specifically related to the 5-series (and those who have already decided to buy one!).
 
kirstie_h
Roving Host
Host, Future Vehicles & Smart Shopper discussions

#1355 of 4028 Re: 2004 545i [jyh] by iceman2

Mar 04, 2005 (8:10 pm)

Replying to: jyh (Mar 01, 2005 11:43 am)
Curious - where did you get this price quoted? (56970 for a loaded 545)
 
I am about to pickup a black/auburn 530, fairly loaded but no navigation, coming off the boat in two weeks. But now having serious second thoughts - have had a 2002 530i on lease, and with the new '06 coming out wondering if the 545 is worth the extra money. (Lease is up and don't want to wait for the new 530).
 
Anyone have any thoughts or see good pricing?

#1356 of 4028 BMW 530 VS 540 by weno2

Mar 05, 2005 (10:45 pm)

I'm looking at 02 530 w/Cold, Sport and Premium packages, and seeing pricing for around $33K. But I'm now thinking about an 02 540. The asking $ for the 540 is about 2K more, but I'm seeing them w/o the mentioned package combinations. Thinking I can get the 02 for under $30K, should I consider the 02 w/toys, or take the higher HP, and go for the 540?

#1357 of 4028 Re: BMW 530 VS 540 [weno2] by cmybimmergo

Mar 05, 2005 (11:54 pm)

Replying to: weno2 (Mar 05, 2005 10:45 pm)
That depends entirely on what is important to you. I just bought an 02 530 5 spd w/ sp, pp, and some cw options, and it was 32,950 before taxes and fees. I also looked at a couple of 02 540s, 6 spd, without cw or sp. The 530 has enough horses for me, and the higher cost of the 540 coupled with fewer options and lower gas mileage definitely was a deal breaker (plus I wanted the sport package).
 
How many miles do they have on them?

Messages Page 136 of 403

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