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Sedans BMW 5-Series BMW 5-Series Sedans
12657 messages, Last post on Nov 05, 2009 at 6:14 PM
You are in the BMW 5-Series Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
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Replying to: ctl (May 19, 2006 10:24 am) The Infiniti M was NOT my first choice at the time I ordered one to my specs, placed my money down and began the countdown (120 days.) But it was darn close to the Audi A6 in terms of content, feel, etc that for what would have been some $200+ less per month on a lease, I just couldn't remain with Audi. When Audi's price came in a bit less than the Infiniti, I did go with my marginal first choice. No BMW 5x series was yet on the market although within weeks of my Audi acquisition 530xi's (but NOT in stick) came to market. My choice, today would probably still be between the Audi A6, the BMW 530xi and the Infiniti M35x. TODAY, were I to buy, the BMW 530xi with the stick shift would be the choice. Further test drives of the others would be a waste of petrol. The issue then again becomes both availability and price as I have driven, extensively, the three of these cars all equipped with an autotrans (Audi's 6spd, BMW's 6spd and Infiniti's 5spd.) Equip them with premium and technology packages (more or less the offerings these guys provide) and the behind the wheel experience is quite the same. Only the Audi offers a sport suspension -- but then again it may have the greatest need for it. The BMW 530xi sport package is a joke and the 5X's with the autotrans seem slightly less peppy than either the Audi or the Infiniti. The cool toys that have to do with performance are not ready for prime time apparently according to BMW's marketing types. Yet, oddly, the BMW alone can be had with the stick shift but sans performance package. The Audi can be upgraded to SLine status which this year bumps the wheel size to 19" and it alone for the same (less actually) money than the BMW can be had with a V8 that is among the best sounding engines ever made by the human race. The M can be had with the V8 option but sans AWD, ditto, today, the Bimmer. The dynamics of the BMW are superior. But, heck, the Infiniti M35X with the upgraded wheel tire package is darn near its equal, specially since the BMW is not allowed to be had with any suspension upgrades. The Audi in SLine trim -- to me -- begs for a manual transmission or at least the DSG offering. Alas none is offered. The BMW if you are leasing is likely to be seriously subvented so its minimal $5,000 premium over the other two really is darn near insignificant. It is as if these car companies all get together in Iceland or somewhere and agree what they will offer to the market "boys, there's plenty of biz for us all, let's not put all the good stuff in one car, let's make the choice more shall we say, interesting." Way back when even I was in graduate school in the late 1970's taking Marketing 601 or whatever they called it, the concept of "mass customization." was being discussed as the next new thing. I want my "fill in the blank" to come thusly: sport suspension, great 6 cylinder FSI engine, manual or DSG transmission, All Wheel Drive, Servotronic steering, backup camera AND parktronic, front and rear heated seats if I order the cold weather package and never having to wonder what package hides the in car garage door opener, and so on. The era of differentiation by style rather than content and performance dawned not all that many months ago (2004 seems about right), and it has continued its forward (and downward to the lesser cars) progress. Sometimes it is a bit frustrating though -- why can't we just configure the darn things the way we want? 
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I am a proud new owner of a 2003 530i (bought yesterday). Having owned a 2001 330i for a couple of years, I am wondering if the maintenace cost of a 5 series is higher than a 3 series, especially for Inspection I and II, brakes/roters. Thanks.
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Replying to: 330blast (May 20, 2006 10:55 pm) I fall into the latter group so I don't think BMW maintenance is high. If you take care of your car, the only work done by a shop are the "major repairs" and only because they have the proper resources to address the problem. As for the BMW Inspection I & II, I don't bother. There is nothing they do during those costly inspections I can't do myself. Just my opinion & mind set regarding auto maintenance. I've owned three new BMWs since 1992 including a 2003 530i and have never had a problem doing it this way. Hope this helps...JL |
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Hello, Due to the lack of 530i's in stock due to the close of the model year, I had to order a 2007 from Germany last month. The car just arrived. I made a dumb mistake in not ordering the sport package, but I wanted a more comfortable and quiet ride (coming from a Mercedes), and I heard that the run flat tires were very noisy. My views have now changed a little. Now I have a set of ugly "17" wheels (OEM 530i). They look like my kitchen mixer blades. I want to buy a new set of replica OEM #124 wheels (and/or tires). The #124's are the sport package wheels on the 550i. The irony is that (because I am leasing my 530i) my cost for the new wheels and tires ($1400) will actually be higher than had I just ordered the sport package, and I am not even getting the shadow trim or 20-way seat. No use crying over spilled milk. Does anyone have any recommendations on tire size (starting with the base model suspension)? The 18" wheels look much better. Should I try to replicate the staggered sizes for the 550i sport package? Stay with 17"? Most replica wheels come in 17 x 8 sizes, which means that I could salvage the 225/50R17 tires (just barely). These tires cost $800 to replace in 18" sizes. If I want to go further, can I change the springs to lower the car 1" to even better match the sport package. I learned my lesson when not ordering the sport package, but if I can get the 550i sport wheels rather than the 530i sport wheels, I think that I will still have an upgrade. What is the consensus for how to go here? Best regards, Richard |
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Replying to: 330blast (May 20, 2006 10:55 pm) There are ways to save money, but a 5 does cost more to maintain than a 3. |
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Thanks for all the response. Yes, mine is CPO and since I am not a handy man, Anyway, I actually bought the ext. maintenance program for $1,395 because my projected budget for a 3 series for the 2 years that CPO covers was about $2,000, now that it seems a 5 seires will cost more. So I figured that it should save me some money there. BTW, when I was with the dealer finance dept, I was told that the ext. maintenance plan for a 5 series cost $1,595. I questioned it and they quickly dropped it to $1,395. That number sound about right because I have read it in some forum. The good part is that I finance it as well with the low APR"> 
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Replying to: nyccarguy (May 18, 2006 7:44 pm) Exhaust note is perfect! So are the V10's.  But the inline 6's are their bread and butter and they are excellent too. -Paul |
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Replying to: markcincinnati (May 20, 2006 7:10 am) I'd be very interested to hear about your opinions after your test drive. |
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Replying to: 330blast (May 21, 2006 3:04 pm) |
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