2004 BMW 5 Series Consumer Reviews Page 8

BEST DRIVE EVER

Written by: tajz on 08/15/2004

Vehicle

2004 BMW 5 Series 525i 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 6M)

Review

This is a great car to drive. Fast and fun. Easy to handle. The i control isn't too hard to learn, but you should really have a teenager there to help. I do find that sometimes settings are changed and I have no clue how I changed them or how to change them back. It will require you to look in the owners manual to fix it. BMW has contacted me several times as well as the auto dealership that sold it to me to inquire how I like the car. I feel like I am being treated very well by BMW. I love this car.

Favorite Features

I love the automatic wind shield wipers and the xenon lights. They are beautiful.

Suggested Improvements

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Great Start

Written by: RobMcP on 08/12/2004

Vehicle

2004 BMW 5 Series 545i 4dr Sedan (4.4L 8cyl 6A)

Review

Fantastic automobile. Ordered with every option except sport package. Titanium Grey with grey leather. Some initial build quality issues but a solid start to the new 5. I-pod ease of use issue very overblown; have found it easy and intuitive. Best combination of ride, handling, speed, exterior design, interior design, and features on the market.

Favorite Features

Navigation system, interior design, rotating headlights, heads-up display, power rear sun visor, braking (awesome), smoothness of engine (at speed) and ride (very smooth yet handles extremely well). Drop dead looks.

Suggested Improvements

Ordered with comfort seats which creak when you squirm/accelerate (VERY annoying). Idle rougher than it ought to be. Windshield glass tint too light; when sun comes through heats up quickly. Needs engine coolant temperature gage.

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First 5 Series

Written by: Seth Cooley on 08/12/2004

Vehicle

2004 BMW 5 Series 525i 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 6M)

Review

We ordered our 5 series from the factory in Munich and had it deliverd to the US in June. This is our first sport luxury sedan and are very pleased with the ride, handling, and appearance. The comfort of the interior is outstanding and allows for 6-8 hour drives with no discomfort. Sound system is great. We use the owners manual to figure out the iDrive and have most of our settings finally completed. Will return to this web site in a year to update our experience.

Favorite Features

Suspension is fantastic. Level smooth ride and quiet.

Suggested Improvements

Side door columns are thick and obstruct views when lined up with headrests.

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Horrible problems

Written by: 530Lemon on 08/10/2004

Vehicle

2004 BMW 5 Series 530i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

Electrical problems and transmission problems from day one. 6 speed manual is very clunky, bad transmission. Vehicle caught fire! Car is constantly in shop, with no loaner provided. Qualifies for a lemon and I am working with a lawyer. If this particular vehicle didn't have so many problems, I'd really love the car. Excellent handling... much better than MB E300. Nice engine. If the transmission shifted properly, it would be an amazing match to the engine. Quiet driving, stable at high speeds. Great heated seats with lots of adjustment. Huge trunk. Standard stereo leaves lots to be desired.

Favorite Features

Quality of interior and standard features. Heated seats.

Suggested Improvements

Don't release cars until they're working correctly. No fires! Across the board loaner policy. Better customer service call #. HVAC controls moved off of Idrive. Bring back the blue-red control knob! Better sound system standard. Idrive knob conflicts with manual trans operation.

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ONE BIG PROBLEM

Written by: COTTONGIRL on 08/09/2004

Vehicle

2004 BMW 5 Series 545i 4dr Sedan (4.4L 8cyl 6A)

Review

Love the car...Most impressed with the active steering and adaptive headlights. Great handling and feel. The idrive is just like using a mouse and to me easier than finding the right button on the dash. MY ONLY COMPLAINT--DEALER SAYS BMW HAS NOT SOLVED SATELLITE RADIO ON THE 5- SERIES, ALTHOUGH MY CAR CAME PREWIRED FOR SIRRUS. WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH THAT?? ONE OF THE BEST ENGINEERED CARS IN THE WORLD AND THEY CAN'T FIGURE OUT SATELLITE RADIO??

Favorite Features

Power and handling. Great stereo.

Suggested Improvements

Larger trunk. Golf clubs have to be put in at an angle--or take out driver and woods. Large suitcase and clubs will not fit. And, of course the cup holders need work. Storage compartment on console is small...

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so far, so good

Written by: citizeningermany on 08/08/2004

Vehicle

2004 BMW 5 Series 525i 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 6M)

Review

I'm an american living in germany, and I've been able to drive some very sporty cars. I settled on the 525i since the real performance beasts just weren't worth the extra money for me. If you like comfort, get the comfort seat option, heavenly. Really enjoy the sport package, although $800 for the xenon lights is high. I love the solid, responsive handling on the tight, twisty roads of bavaria, and it really unwinds on the autobahn. Still does very well on gas mileage (and over here, it REALLY counts). I'm gonna hate to bring it back to the states!

Favorite Features

Comfort seats, sport package, i-drive (once you figure it out), fold down rear seats, very roomy for a sport sedan, much more so than the 2003

Suggested Improvements

the cupholders are useless. need better use of the space in the center console. a soft-close trunk would really be appropriate considering the price. Same for the doors.

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My 2004 525i

Written by: DHCorvette1970 on 07/28/2004

Vehicle

2004 BMW 5 Series 525i 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 6M)

Review

This vehicle is all I expected in a car and more. The handling and comfort and the ride is exceptional. The style and design of The BMW 5-series has delivered many a "WOW's & WHOO'S" to my family and friends. My BMW is primarly used to commute to work in the morning, commuting has never been so pleasureble. One thing I would request in a BMW is better cup holders. I need to put my Starbuck's coffee some where.

Favorite Features

The 6-speed sequential transmission.

Suggested Improvements

Need better cup holders.

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An experience everyone must have!

Written by: Andre Wintz on 07/27/2004

Vehicle

2004 BMW 5 Series 530i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

After driving my 530i everyday,i've learned why other BMW owners stay loyal.It's the best car i've owned so far!

Favorite Features

I like the active cruise control,the Zenon headlights,and the head up display.

Suggested Improvements

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Great car when it works

Written by: karenw on 07/26/2004

Vehicle

2004 BMW 5 Series 530i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

If I could keep this car out of the shop, I think it would be a fun car to drive. Radio - what radio, can't get AM stations and FM teases you by coming in once in a while- dealer can't fix. Air bag - sometimes it engages, sometimes not - dealer can't fix. Engine, sometimes car will run, sometimes warning signs come on and tell you to go directly to the dealership - kind of like Monopoly with go directly to jail and do not pass go - dealer has no clue what's wrong.

Favorite Features

Fuel economy, heated steering wheel.

Suggested Improvements

Real cup holders, better arm rest on driver's side. Find someone who knows how to fix the problems.

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you be the judge

Written by: golfguy on 07/24/2004

Vehicle

2004 BMW 5 Series 530i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

Not alot of miles yet, but first impression - FABULOUS. Love the Active steering and ARS, makes the car drive like it's on rails. Logic7 stereo is great, though I am haming same issue as another reviewer with sound dropping out. iDrive is very convenient, loaded with information, and easy as a mouse to use. The nay- sayer mag. writers just need a 10 minute lesson to figure it out. Drove both regular and sport versions - the active steering makes any car feel like manual assist. Very well built and detailed. I have had more thumbs- up compliments with this car (sapphire on black) than any other car I've owned, and I've had a bunch.

Favorite Features

Active steering, ARS, iDrive (yes, I like it), exterior and interior styling is right on and very contemporary, Logic7 stereo, heated steering wheel - in a cooler climate, once you have one you will wonder how you ever got along without one.

Suggested Improvements

Trunk spring limiter - you could get bonked if you don't watch out. Make run-flat tires optional. You need a divers permit to get to the glove box cd changer.

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