2002 BMW 5 Series Consumer Discussions Page 5

Infiniti M35/M45 vs BMW 5-Series

Re: Review of M35 in USA Today [vsaxena]

Written by: jdmass on Jul 28, 2006 07:26 PM

I went from a 2002 540 to an 06 M35x, and while the M is a very nice car, it doesn't come close the driving pleasure of the BMW. I will admit that perhaps I should have looked at the M45 sport, but unfortunately I didn't. I also got significantly better mileage with the V8 BMW than the V6 Infiniti. Oh well, it's only a 2 yr lease. Read More...

Luxury Performance Sedans

2002 530 w/Steptronic - Change the Tran Fluid?

Written by: dzuba on Mar 12, 2007 11:00 AM

92K miles on the car and ready for another Inspection I..........believe it or not the largest BMW Dealer in Chicago (where I bought the car) actually does not recommend changing the transmission fluid in the car........ever! Does that make sense or are people having the trans. fluid changed? Also said I'll need new spark plugs at 100K, at a cost of $288.00? Thanks.........car ... Read More...

BMW 5-Series Lease Questions

MF question

Written by: 99_528i on Mar 01, 2007 06:42 AM

I was told by a dealer that the MF is 0.0014 for Feb (for a 36 month lease on a 530i), and he needs to add on top another 0.00015 if I don't want to put down any security deposit. But then I leased a BMW with BMWFS before (1999-2002), can that 0.00015 be waived? BTW, does anybody know the base rate or MF for the month of March? Thanks. Read More...

BMW 5-Series Sedans

1995 530i purchase

Written by: dutch8 on Feb 26, 2007 08:54 PM

I am contemplating buying a 1995 530i with an auto trans that has 121000 miles and what I consider all the bells and whistles. The only BMWs I've owned were a 71 2002 and a 74 3.0cs. I haven't kept up on BMW issues concerning the newer cars. Can anyone enlighten me on any issues with the mid 90s 530i's and the 95 model year in particular? Thanks in advance for helping the ... Read More...

Buying a used 5 Series

Re: 2004 / 2005 BMW 545i - happy? [natedog03]

Written by: shipo on Jan 26, 2007 11:21 AM

Hmmm, I guess we see things a bit differently. For required maintenance (i.e. oil and filter changes, brake and cooling system flushes and the first 30K scheduled service), I have no problem using the dealer. That said, even though brake jobs are effectively part of the "free maintenance" component of new BMWs, I would never use the dealer for those parts. Why? ... Read More...

Luxury Performance Sedans

Choosing the right sport/lux sedan

Written by: tdb99 on Jan 20, 2007 02:54 PM

I am looking at ('08) BMW 535xi, Audi A6, or possibly Lexus GS350, each has its own pros and cons. Reliability is a fairly big consideration for me, and I have heard negative things about Audi reliability? I current have a 2002 BMW 330xi, and basically wanting a bigger vehicle. I live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, so weather is an issue, however would consider an ... Read More...

BMW Owners Meet the Members

Re: 525i [dasha1]

Written by: shipo on Jan 16, 2007 01:02 PM

"Well, I disagree, I don't think there is a night and day difference, especially after owning a 540i..." Funny you should mention that. During a test drive to determine the effects of a new firmware flash on my 2002 5er, the BMW technician said, "I thought that this was a 530." "Yup." Was my response. "Why?" "Well, this thing is way into 540 territory in acceleration." ... Read More...

Luxury Performance Sedans

Re: Dreaming... [lexusguy]

Written by: shipo on Jan 10, 2007 08:15 AM

Trust me, it's WAY more complicated than a simple blower installation. Consider the following points: 1) The engine in the 2002 E39 was the previous style (and in fact many years old in its life cycle) aluminum block with the cast iron sleeves. Decent for its purpose, but hardly as robust as the new aluminum core/magnesium shell composite block that debuted with ... Read More...

Re: Narrowing the field [voxboy]

Written by: markcincinnati on Dec 18, 2006 02:00 PM

Are you looking for maximum or optimum? Are you looking at #1 as a "deal breaker" and #2 as less of a deal breaker? What does the ranking of "performance on slippery roads" have to do with the [broader] "safety" trait? I would assume if #1 was safety that your current #4 would have been your #2, that is. Again, "general performance," [I would argue] is a significant ... Read More...

Re: Wow [fonefixer]

Written by: markcincinnati on Dec 14, 2006 03:02 PM

IMHO: I would gladly take an Infiniti M and, I assume, have no regrets. The Infiniti is luxurious and, despite a 5 speed tranny, performs pretty much in the same league as either the Audi or the BMW -- the suspension is sharp and is happy to "carve up the road." I would assume this [statement] would include an E class Mercedes, too. But my wheel time with any E class Mercedes ... Read More...