2004 BMW 5 Series

[quebec99]

Hi,

I'm interested in getting a new 530 with manual transmission, and I'm thinking of waiting for the new 2004.

Has anyone heard anything about the features. Speaking to the local dealer, I was able to see a picture of the concept car. It looks alot like the 745.

I want to know in particular, if the 2004 530 will be available with manual transmission, as this is a must! (Nothing personal against the fancy automatic shifting).

[mjp]

HI! I am in the same situation. But I am looking for the 5 Series SportsWagon with a manual as well. I roadtested a 525i and at 184 hp, it did not get the job done like a BMW should. I understand from surfing that BMW probably will drop the inline 2.5l straight six. I sure hope so since I wouldn't get the SportsWagon without at least 220 hp. My test drive was very impressive aside for the power. I understand that the 2004s will be out around June 2003 with 2003 production ending before the Christmas holidays. Anyone else out there with any info? Cheers!:flash:

[pcpoon]

I hope that the BMW developed iDrive is optional instead of standard on the 2004 5-series here, since that iDrive thing can really be annoying to use due to the record low in ergonomics set by the current BMW 7-series.

By the way, as I have went to the BMW dealership today, the dealer told me that the arrival of 2004 BMW 5-Series in North America will be delayed until October, 2003. So this means, despite that the sources which state that the arrival of the 2004 5-Series is slated for a June, 2003 arrival, BMW is probably facing some difficulties with the perfection of the new 5-Series.

[mjp]

Thanks for the info! We decided not to wait and ordered a 2003 MB C320 - As a wagon, my dealer told me the resale value was lousy with a manual so went for the 5-speed auto with the MB version of auto-stick - which I have on my Chrysler 300M and never use. Unless BMW puts some zing into their engine options (currently underpowered or overpowered -and priced-) in their 5 series, they will lose market share. I certainly enjoyed every other aspect of the BMW test drive except lack of zoom.

[pcpoon]

Well, for C-Class and the BMW 5-series the stick transmission tends to have a lower resale value due to the lack of demand for the manual transmission. But this doesn't apply for the M5, since manual transmission is the only powertrain option available.

If you're going to have manual transmission, by all means buy a 3-Series as more than half of the 3-series that have been sold to date have manual trannies, not automatics.