markt540i

I have a 2001 540i sport with 79,000 miles. I really want the 550i sport with smg or manual and have been waiting for it to become available to replace my current ride. My local dealer has a used 2004 545i steptronic on the lot with 25,000 miles and wants $48,000. My 540i busted a radiator hose last week and stranded me on the side of the road. Today the car overheated with me limping it to the dealer only later noticing fluid in my parking space at work, so it was leaking.

I always wanted to replace my car at about 80,000 miles because that seems to be when things start to break and need replacement and it has been my perception, whether misguided or not, that for reliability reasons, BMW's should be replaced before 100,000 miles. I use my car to travel the state with my work and must have a car I can depend on to get me to my destination and back home.

I asked my dealer to give me a trade-in quote on my 540 and let me know what they would sell me the 545 for. I am seriously considering buying the 545 and keeping it for about six months until I can take delivery of a 550. The 545 does not have the features I want. No HUD, no navigation, black interior (really hot down here), and no SMG or manual. They are letting me drive the 545 while my car is in the shop and it sure is a fantastic car.

I know there are no shortages of opinions on this forum and would appreciate hearing them. Does this make sense to any of you or am I missing something? I don't want to waste money, but it seems most of the depreciation has been absorbed by the first owner. Maybe the 540 is fine as the leak was probably the dealers error upon fixing the busted hose.

Let me know what you think or if you have had experience with doing something like this. I suppose I could keep the 545 for up to a year.

Thanks

EBMCS03

How much would you lose in the meantime on the 545? If its too much then... but then again if the thing breaks again... maybe bust a transmission you're toast like $2-3K... could add that to the 545 losses and it would be good.

markt540i

Good question - and I don't have the answer. I will go to Kelly's Blue book and add about 12,000 miles and see how much value it loses. Thanks. Oh, I do have the extended warranty to 100,000 miles, but hate the thought of breaking down while out of town.

Does anyone know what will need replacing on the 540 at about 80,000-100,000 miles? Shocks, struts ???

EBMCS03

Good question - and I don't have the answer. I will go to Kelly's Blue book and add about 12,000 miles and see how much value it loses. Thanks. Oh, I do have the extended warranty to 100,000 miles, but hate the thought of breaking down while out of town.

Does anyone know what will need replacing on the 540 at about 80,000-100,000 miles? Shocks, struts ???
[/quote]

Ya... what needs replacing? the whole car...

markt540i

Good question - and I don't have the answer. I will go to Kelly's Blue book and add about 12,000 miles and see how much value it loses. Thanks. Oh, I do have the extended warranty to 100,000 miles, but hate the thought of breaking down while out of town.

Does anyone know what will need replacing on the 540 at about 80,000-100,000 miles? Shocks, struts ???
[/quote]

Ya... what needs replacing? the whole car...
[/quote]


Your so right.

heezy545i

If you waited this long, might as well wait a bit longer for the 550i.

If you want to get into another car for a few months, I'd try a different car then move into the e60.

530iii

Good things come to those who wait.

Besides, why take a hit twice, 1st on the 540i 2nd on the used 545i? (Double Jeopardy)

Just take the hit once on the 540i when ya trade for the 550i.

my530i

Struts and springs are wearing out along with the age of the car. New car is always ride better and used one. For now, just stick with 545i for a few years and trade in for "560i" then.

Bottom line is don't go for that temporary and used 545i.

wolverine

Definitely wait. You'll save money for sure, and you'll appreciate the 550 all the more!

555

I agree. You may want to do something else for a short time and then move to the 550i with the options you want. I doubt I'd do the 545 as a temporary thing.

I think I'd try to work someting out with the dealer. Like maybe take a factory exec. 330i or something until the 550 can be delivered. Maybe they can get creative and give you high blue book on the 3 (in writing).