joebel

So we went down to largest local dealer to see colour combos. Walking to sales guy and we see TiGrey/black/anthracite in showroom. Closer look reveals it's got everything we're looking for and the colour combo looks nice.

Sales guy tells me it's an 05 driven by BMW Canada never having been officially sold. It's in great shape with less than 8K km. It's got all they goodies plus some things we weren't looking at: manual tranny; premium pack (with comfort seats, L7, PDC, etc); dynamic handling (dynamic drive, active steering); sport pack (18s with style 124 wheels); nav; active cruise control; rear sunshades.

Bluetooth is included as it's an 09/04 production car. But no aux input due to nav. Can aux input be added?

So now the choice of course, we can get this with much lower lease rate than 06 and we can get it now rather than November. Haven't driven car yet, plan to do so Monday (car was in showroom Saturday). There are also a couple of items we probably wouldn't be ordering in new car like dynamic handling and active cruise.

What would be a fair discount for this vehicle? Would you consider this over a new 06 550 and under what conditions?

I know you guys are the experts, your thoughts greatly appreciated.

kryptokat

If you only plan to lease and return it at the end of the lease get this one. But for atleast $5000 less than new.

If you plan to buy it and keep it at the end of lease Get the 550i

stream

I have nav and got aux input installed--there is no compatibility issue. Aux input is a dealer installed accessory--it never comes installed from the factory. I remember when I was shopping for my car a few dealers told me not to get nav because then you couldn't have bluetooth, which we also know is incorrect.

joebel

I have nav and got aux input installed--there is no compatibility issue. Aux input is a dealer installed accessory--it never comes installed from the factory. I remember when I was shopping for my car a few dealers told me not to get nav because then you couldn't have bluetooth, which we also know is incorrect.
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Thanks, I thought that was the case but dealer info is unreliable.

Where is it installed? Does it replace the CD changer in glove box? Do you have ordering info?

stream

I have nav and got aux input installed--there is no compatibility issue. Aux input is a dealer installed accessory--it never comes installed from the factory. I remember when I was shopping for my car a few dealers told me not to get nav because then you couldn't have bluetooth, which we also know is incorrect.
[/quote]
Thanks, I thought that was the case but dealer info is unreliable.

Where is it installed? Does it replace the CD changer in glove box? Do you have ordering info?
[/quote]

It's installed on the far left side of the glove box, next to the flash light. CD changer stays.

My dealer had it in stock--paid $64 after BMWCCA discount, and $140 install. Here's a thread with my iPod hardwire install:
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=12430

joebel

If I decide to go for 05 545i, what would be some checklist items? Should I get dealer to install latest CIP version? That seems to be 18.0 ??

NS545i

I think they should give you a sizeable discount on a car that has $8K miles. I recall that my dealer was able to knock off approx. $5K for a 530i demo which had around $1800 miles on it.

Nonetheless, I would go for the new 550i. The engine is supposed to be even sweeter than the current one on the 545i.

LuvE60

Joebel,

A 2004 545I with 8000 is worth $49125 as a trade in. A 2005 would be around $52000. They would knock off $2000 off of that, so offer them around $52000. If they wont take that. Order the 06 from another dealer, or at least threaten to. The dealer will make more money on the 2005, for two reasons: They will try to sell it as a new used car. They also are paying interest on that car right now. They would love for you to take it off their hands. You can steal the 2005 if you do it right. Let me know how it goes.

joebel

Thanks for the the tips. I think I will try for the '05 545 but only if the $$ makes it worthwhile. Otherwise, I'm just going to order an 06 minus the dynamic handling and active cruise.

LuvE60

I think that makes a lot of sense. Remember that no matter what they try to tell you, it is a used car. If you bought it, and tried to sell it tomorrow, it would be no different than me trying to sell mine that I got 3 months ago, and have driven 8000 miles. good Luck.