New 5 Series

[kyazh]

I've been reading a lot of complaints about the new 745. There seem's to be many minor but very irritating problems (such as the iDrive, engine problems, electronic component problems and so on) on the car that many peolple have experienced. The new 5 came out with similar features as the 7. Does anyone know if the new 5 has similar problems. I'm thinking of getting a '04 530i sometime in december but i dont want to spend all that money on a nice bucket filled with problems. I would much rather spend it on something else.

[MITSU-EVO]

Originally Posted by kyazh

I've been reading a lot of complaints about the new 745. There seem's to be many minor but very irritating problems (such as the iDrive, engine problems, electronic component problems and so on) on the car that many peolple have experienced. The new 5 came out with similar features as the 7. Does anyone know if the new 5 has similar problems. I'm thinking of getting a '04 530i sometime in december but i dont want to spend all that money on a nice bucket filled with problems. I would much rather spend it on something else.

I'm pretty positive it has similar problems if not the same. BTW, no offense but do you really like the way this car looks?

[MunG35]

same problems persist. edmunds.com and Car & Driver have complained about the same problems... let me point you at the Infiniti M45 or Lexus GS430 instead. I guarantee you'll be happier and out of the shop. Bimmers are nice ride if you have the monney to throw on maintenance.

Also it's called the iDrive system because "I drive while someone else tries to operate the radio."

Jus my 2 cents

[kyazh]

Ya, the design is pretty sleek and fresh. The main reason I like it is because its a fresh design. At first I thought it was a descrace, but after i saw it in real life I thought it looked good and eventually I started likeing it.

[kyazh]

Some other cars I'm considering of getting instead of the new 5 are..2004 Jaguar S-Type 4.2 v8, the 2004 Lincoln LS v8, and maybe the Infinity M45. Let me know what you guys think. Thanks

[MunG35]

I'd say M45... it's such a good deal plus there are so few on the roads... inifniti is also reliable. That would be my choice if in your predicament.

[kyazh]

Thanks for your help!

[kyazh]

Anyone else have any other suggestions?

[crash8168]

Most of the problems with the new 5 stem from the imbedded phone module. The car is not nearly as bad as the 745.

[Presley348]

Originally Posted by kyazh

I've been reading a lot of complaints about the new 745. There seem's to be many minor but very irritating problems (such as the iDrive, engine problems, electronic component problems and so on) on the car that many peolple have experienced. The new 5 came out with similar features as the 7. Does anyone know if the new 5 has similar problems. I'm thinking of getting a '04 530i sometime in december but i dont want to spend all that money on a nice bucket filled with problems. I would much rather spend it on something else.

I just purchase a new 2004 530i about three weeks ago from a BMW dealer here in Atlanta GA, (Nalley BMW FNA Chris Imports).

I have heard all kinds of bad things being said about the new 2004, 5 series i.e. the new body style, i drive, the price, etc.

So at first I kind of bought into what was being said, and I looked for a like new T. Silver or Gray 2003 530i. I found one with $42,000 with 8000 miles, but before I bought it, I got curious and test drove the 2004 530i with the new "i drive" system, and now I am so glad I did!

I would had never been happy with the older 2003 if I would had bought it, and then drove a 04, and I would had been one sick 2003 530i Bimmer owner, kicking myself everytime I see a new 2004 530i on the road, and wonderiing why did I buy this 03 for!

Now some about my new 2004 530i. It took me one morning to get used to the i drive system, and from that day forward it has been a "piece of cake" to use, and there is nothing like it! It makes programming and setting driving controls on the 530i a whole lot easier. I do not know what I would do without it now, it will spoil a BMW owner.

The 04 530i ride and handling is far superior to the 03, and the hp is the same as the 03 225hp, but it seems to be a lot more responsive to me than the 03, but do not take my word, just go to you local BMW dealer for a test drive of a 04 530i and then if all possible test drive an 03 530i and and compare the two for yourself.

Ep

[saleschick]

I bought my new 530 in February and absolutley love it. the handling is great, and it really is a driver's car. I am, however, having problmes with the cell phone. It's a neat setup, but we can't get the volume up loud enough. Anyone else been able to solve that problem?

[Presley348]

Originally Posted by saleschick

I bought my new 530 in February and absolutley love it. the handling is great, and it really is a driver's car. I am, however, having problmes with the cell phone. It's a neat setup, but we can't get the volume up loud enough. Anyone else been able to solve that problem?

================================================== ========

Hi saleschick:

I live in the Atlanta, GA area, and took delivery on my new 2004 Titanium Silver 530i in April, (SEE BELOW PIC). The 04 530i is one awesome Hi Tech ride! I cannot believe its almost "flat corner" handling quickness, while going onto the interstate I clocked it from 0 to 40 in approx.: 3.8seconds!

Now I know we do not live in Germany with the high speed autobahns, but my 530i BMW owners manual says top speed for the 2004 530i is 150MPH. If true, that is impressive for just a six cylinder! Also mine a getting 34.3MPG Highway and about 24city. (With these high prices at the pump ($2.00 to $2.20) for gas these days this 530i MPG is a welcome site for a high performance automobile).

I am about to get the cell phone bracket installed in my console, and one guy at a forum said he paid BMW dealer $200.00 to install the bracket and its software for the iDrive, while he used his own personal Motorola V60 cell phone to it and it worked great he said, and I read a few others that said the same thing.

I checked with my BMW dealer, (Nalley BMW), and they want to charge me $500.00 for the bracket, and another $500.00 for a "BMW Blue TOOTH" Motorola v60 type cell phone!

If you do not mind me asking you, did you have yours installed also and if so about how much did they charge you $$$, or did it come like that from the factory?

I will be waiting to hear from you before I take high price BMW "Blue Tooth" Cell Phone plunge!

Another happy 04Bangle530iOwner,
Presley348

[jvilla07]

Reading some of the posts by the Honda-driving teenagers promoting the unimpresive deluxe jap cars gets old. Also, why do they want to promote the French-owned jap car (Infinity) on this board anyway? I guess Renault doesn't want to take on the German cars directly in the USA!

[Presley348]

Originally Posted by jvilla07

Reading some of the posts by the Honda-driving teenagers promoting the unimpresive deluxe jap cars gets old. Also, why do they want to promote the French-owned jap car (Infinity) on this board anyway? I guess Renault doesn't want to take on the German cars directly in the USA!

================================================== ============



Hi jvilla07:

I know what you mean, I wondered the very same thing you do, why are the Proud Teens with their new and used Jap-French Cars over on here on our BMW site?


But "this too shall pass", because these "Jap-French car" teens and young adults will on day learn, like we had to! (LOL)


Sincerely another 2004 530i Bimmer owner,

Presley348

[xx BMW xx]

The infamous iDrive System is the easiest system iv used. Try the audi A8's system, thats tough. People tend to speak against the BMW 5's and iDrive but any **Normal** person can easily figure out how to use this system in a good 15 minutes. Also, they tend to like the Mercedes E320. Geeky, slow, gawky, and old man styling. I say take a test drive and see what the BMW driving experience is all about.