DXXXi

The biggest being an older TCU. Telematics Control Unit. The older TCU will not allow Bluetooth to be enabled by software. I would go for the E90 fully loaded, 2006 530 fully loaded or 2006 550i fully loaded. With these three brand new engines and cars coming out within the next 6 months, why buy a 2004 530. There is a very good reason the car is 8K of MSRP. Here are the issues that have been resolved with the above three models that software updates cannot fix.

RF Road noise
RF ride and comfort
Rattling Doors
Bluetooth compatibility
Interior upgrades
Comfort key entry (or whatever its called)
Squealing brakes ( 530 only not present in 545)

Any other issues can be resolved by getting a SW upgrade but the above are hardware related.

Look at the 3 cars mentioned above when they arrive. Buy the one that you can afford.
[/quote]
Most of the problems with the early versions of the E60 were software related and were solved with Software upgrades - we maybe had to undergo more growing pains than later 04s and 05s but about same now (i.e. I wouldn't say that most of the problems posted on this board are pre-04/04 problems). My car is working perfectly apart from BT as per Hormazd's post which is an issue that still bothers me. Also, yes there is a new engine however that doesn't mean that the old engine is cr@p. It is still a sophisticated super-smooth BMW inline 6, just not the current version, less powerful and not as good gas mileage.

Having said that, I'd still get the 06-530 over the 04 and even if I got the E90 (too small though), I would get i-drive.

kryptokat

[/quote]

99.9% of the posters on this forum will assure you that I-Drive is an easy to use feature and offers many more benefits than drawbacks. The only "people" that don't seem to like it are the anal and biased automotive press. Go for the NAV. You will be surprised how useful it is even if you know your way around.
[/quote]