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sdg380 and e500
Written by: richardga73 on May 30, 2007 7:32:26 PM
All of the e500's have the suspension that has the three settings.There is luxury,mid, and sport. The sport is sporty but is not harsh like my 3sport and the luxury setting is very smooth but controlled. It has air shocks which allow the adjustments.The air shocks while smooth in all settings seem a little isolated. I think I might prefer the spring shocks for feel.Yes, the 7 speed auto transmission is ... Read More
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Re: Which BMW to have? [andys120]
Written by: shipo on May 14, 2007 7:48:00 PM
"Do your homework Joyrider, the 530i is not a V8, it is a straight six. 530is w stick shifts aren't rare." Sorry dude, but I have to say this, maybe you should be the one to do the homework. ;-) During the mid 1990s, BMW's 530i WAS a V8 and not an I6. To the best of my knowlsdge, the first I6 530i was produced in 2001. Best Regards, Shipo
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Which BMW to have?
Written by: joyrider147 on May 14, 2007 2:41:47 PM
Before asking my big question, I need to get this off my chest and just wondering: WHY DO MANY CAR MANUFACTURERS MAKE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CARS THAT SUCK, BREAK DOWN QUICKLY, AND BURN GAS RAPIDLY BUT THEY RARELY MAKE NICE STICK SHIFT CARS THAT GO FAST, LAST LONGER, AND ARE MORE FUEL EFFICIENT? I was looking at several cars available; a 1993 325is Stick Shift Coupe, a 1995 740i or a 1990 ... Read More
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Re: VW and Audi [lansdownemike]
Written by: sfcharlie on Nov 16, 2006 7:16:57 AM
"facile comparisons of "the Germans" or "the Japanese" just don't hold any more. As you note, Audi is very well represented among the "highly recommended" (good drivers, reliable, good crash tests), and not a single MB is even "recommended." I resents the allegation and I resents the allegator -- seriously, though, I don't think that referencing places where CR or JDP suggest that readers should expect better reliability from Japanese cars ... Read More
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VW and Audi
Written by: sfcharlie on Oct 21, 2006 3:33:20 PM
"VW had the cars, but they went on a buying spree, decided they wanted a piece of the S class, and left them on the market for a decade." Lexusguy, I agree. Former CEO Ferdinand Piech steered Volkswagen off course in the 1990s by trying to take the VW brand upmarket to challenge Mercedes. At the same time, as Business Week put it, "he took his eye off the company's core ... Read More
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Re: Car People [pat]
Written by: markcincinnati on Oct 7, 2006 9:56:37 AM
Selling England by the Pound -- Genesis. You win the cupie doll, Pat! Here in Cincinnati, the new generation of BMW's with that spanky new "35" twin turbo engine are rolling out -- at this point, the 335 sedan and coupes are RWD, but already the 328 is offered with AWD and next year the X drive option will be added for about $1900. It promises to be a brisk seller. ... Read More
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BMW rear-end
Written by: sfcharlie on Sep 21, 2006 11:28:42 AM
Beauty must really be in the eye of the beholder. Personally, I have found the rear-end designs of the 3 and 5 series, during the 1990s and up to 2004, to be both simple and visually compelling. In addition, my take is that it has been widely copied, including by Hyundai. BMW shouldn't treat it as off-limits because it's now found on many other cars. If those photos predict what the ... Read More
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Re: I agree with that... [kyfdx]
Written by: sfcharlie on Jul 9, 2006 9:47:22 PM
That tallies with my experience pricing BMWs. I never found the cost of a BMW I was considering to be, in the end, a deterrent to buying or leasing it, when compared to 3-series or 5-series competitors I was considering alongside the comparable BMW. On the other hand, I have not always found BMW to be the most appealing (cost aside) choice. Sometimes, the discussion can take an implicit turn and ... Read More
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Re: BMW leases [sfcharlie]
Written by: lexusguy on Jul 9, 2006 9:37:34 PM
I might be odd-person-out in this round of LPS discussion, but the BMW 530i was not a serious contender for my 2006 purchase. I loved both the 3-series and 5-series throughout the 1990s, but feel nothing when looking at or sitting in the new models. I'm with you, at least in regards to the 5 series. It may be more efficient than the M, and it may outperform it. However, I ... Read More
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BMW leases
Written by: sfcharlie on Jul 9, 2006 8:32:48 PM
I might be odd-person-out in this round of LPS discussion, but the BMW 530i was not a serious contender for my 2006 purchase. I loved both the 3-series and 5-series throughout the 1990s, but feel nothing when looking at or sitting in the new models. Of course, that has nothing to do with anyone's buying decision, except mine. If, however, I was buying a BMW, I (again, just me) would not ... Read More
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Re: BMW Manual Transmission?? [Mr_Shiftright]
Written by: andys120 on Mar 31, 2006 9:47:29 AM
did this job on a 1990 Saab and it cost over $3,000, and that car would be easy compared to yours. Aw cmon, it's gotta be cheaper to repair/replace the tranny on a RWD car than on one that transmits power thru a transaxle to the front wheels.
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Re: BMW Manual Transmission?? [joyrider147]
Written by: Mr_Shiftright on Mar 27, 2006 4:04:50 PM
I did this job on a 1990 Saab and it cost over $3,000, and that car would be easy compared to yours.
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Re: BMW Manual Transmission?? [joyrider147]
Written by: bdr127 on Mar 27, 2006 8:25:50 AM
RealOEM.com 1990 525i manual transmission That is a transmission right from BMW that'll have a warranty and everything.... I'm sure you can find a used one from a junkyard or online or something for much cheaper. That choice is up to you. Regardless, I believe a transmission replacement is something like a 8-9 hour job and most BMW Centers charge around $100/hour. Of course, I might be a little off there, ... Read More
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BMW Manual Transmission??
Written by: joyrider147 on Mar 25, 2006 2:00:42 PM
the BMW 5 series I'm looking to change into a manual is a 1990 525i. I did some research and I found most of the parts I may need and they total around $1,000.00. Since it is a 1990, how much do you figure it would cost since the car is simpler and the new cars may cost upwards of $10,000; pre-owned models might be $4 or 5,000; would a 1990 ... Read More
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Audi and VW
Written by: dewey on Mar 8, 2006 12:30:19 PM
1) Will this nightmarish organization called VW have no negative effect whatsoever on the future of Audi? It appears VW may try again in selling premium luxury cars like the Phaeton. IMO GM's Roger Smith looks like a genius when compared to Piech. VW's highest wages, lowest productivity and the least reliable autos in the industry are the least of VW's worries when compared to having such an incompetent chairman as ... Read More
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Re: Fast and loose with the facts? [bartalk3]
Written by: markcincinnati on Jan 14, 2006 8:27:34 AM
I agree there is a value (your value) not the market value mind you, but there is a value that can be placed on pride of ownership. I have washed, waxed, dressed the tires, etc, my leased cars and for the 30 - 36 months have a great sense of Pride of Ownership. The house car satisfaction is somewhat of an argument that must be based on an assumption that is ... Read More
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LPS cars, LPS houses, LPS lives. . .
Written by: markcincinnati on Jan 10, 2006 11:31:45 AM
. . .hmmm, let's see, we live in upper and upper middle class urbania or sububurbia; we have decent incomes and we drive cars that cost from $45 to $65 thousand dollars. I'll bet we have serious life insurance policies, even if our houses are paid for. I'll be we have serious "home owner" insurance policies with multi-million dollar liability (umbrella) riders. I'll bet we bundle our car and homeowner's insurance ... Read More
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Re: There's always some way to rig the results. . . [markcincinnati]
Written by: nmdriver on Nov 11, 2005 8:49:56 PM
I have to believe that the Cadi/BMW comparison was a fair comparison of a “sport” equipped Cadi vs. a standard 530i. I have driven all of the cars covered in this forum (multiple times) in an (as yet unsuccessful) attempt to find one that I wanted to buy. I always use a base comparison car when I do this so that I have a common frame of reference. Although I am ... Read More
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Re: "There's no replacement for displacement. . .er, check that. . ." [lexusguy]
Written by: markcincinnati on Oct 30, 2005 1:46:45 PM
I agree with your post and the facts, myths and truths it represents. Where else, however, but "at the top" will diesels be able to be widely accepted which would make a dent in our consumption AND cost. When the Audi A8 and BMW 7 with their porkiness are able to go 35 miles on a gallon of diesel, wonder what would happen to A6's, 5s and ultimately the Chrylser 300, ... Read More
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New meat
Written by: larryoflebanon on Aug 7, 2005 2:23:14 PM
I did not expect to be in the market for a new LPS. I was driving to meet someone for dinner in my 2001 BMW 540i, a great car, when I had to lock up the brakes to avoid hitting a car that pulled out in front of me. The guy behind me in a 1990 Caravan did not have the same stopping power and totaled my car. I live in ... Read More
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Weight
Written by: riez on Aug 26, 2002 11:38:48 AM
snagiel... Completely concur. BMW needs to be worrying more about eliminating weight and reducing complexity. Who needs bloat and overengineering? Light weight and simplicity have certain inherent advantages. The new Z4 makes me appreciate how wonderful the original MX-5 Miata was in 1990. If trends continue, wondering if BMW won't be moving itself out of the luxury sport market it dominates and into MB's and Jag's sport luxury market? Give me ... Read More
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Have Good Independent Mechanic Familiar w/BMWs Inspect
Written by: riez on Jul 4, 2002 5:03:20 PM
gchua... Is worth it to spend a little bit of money to have a good BMW-familiar mechanic inspect the cars. Key things to look at include engine, drivetrain, and transmission, not to mention steering and suspension. Plus do some research on 530i V-8 reliability. From what I've read, there were some problems with these early 1990 small V-8s. That is why they didn't sell the 3.0L V-8 for long. The M60 ... Read More
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Snagiel
Written by: shipo on May 2, 2002 7:08:40 AM
Don't give up hope yet, according to a study I read somewhere, the number of cars sold with a manual transmission in 2001 actually went up to over 10% in the U.S. for the first time since the late 1980s or early 1990s. I have always maintained that given the "Keep up with the Joneses" mentality here in the U.S. that there was only one sure fire way of making folks ... Read More
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Need Expert Opinions......First Time BMW Buyers
Written by: ek5 on Mar 4, 2002 12:29:30 PM
We are very close to purchasing a 530i with PP, Upgraded Stereo and Steptronic. Have heard here (post #2379) that BMW has had problems with the life of auto trans in the 1990s. Does anyone know if there have been any problems with steptronic? In Cars.com article on 2001 525, it says that the shifter is licensed from Porsche. And in Nov. 2001 Consumer Reports reviewing 530i it says the steptronic ... Read More
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Winter Driving in NJ
Written by: nyccarguy on Feb 26, 2002 8:04:50 AM
This sounds like a job for...Shipo. AWD vs RWD...first thing you need to know is that AWD helps you start, but does nothing but add weight which will decrease your stopping distance. The 5 series is one of the safest cars on the road. 95% of the driving conditions can be handled fine if you have All Season Tires (Standard on non Sport Package equipped cars) by the traction control and ... Read More
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Used '94 540i
Written by: riez on Feb 25, 2002 10:12:03 AM
poyote... Didn't pull any reference material so I can't remember if the '94 540i came in both automatic and manual. Are you talking about a 540iA? Automatic tranny life has been an issue with BMWs in 1990s. Do you have access to complete service records? Have you run a CarFax report to get vehicle history data? If not, this is a must! Do you know the former owner(s)? Talk to them, ... Read More
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Teo - thanks for the link, but..
Written by: habitat1 on Jan 28, 2002 3:01:06 PM
..the new 5 look just doesn't do it for me. Looks like a cross between an 1990 5-series and 1990 7-series. Very bulky looking. I often wondered how BMW could improve the exterior styling of the current 5. If this is it, they didn't. Albeit I am a loyal BMW fan, I find the new E-class to be much better looking. Mercedes is going in the right direction, BMW is regressing, ... Read More
