Spec Check...about to pull the trigger
#21
Senior Members
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 496
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Silver: Did you get your 'extended warranty' through the dealer? I thought all they were offerring was extended maintenance, which is definitely not the same thing. Thanks.
Sam
Sam
#22
Members
Join Date: May 2004
Location: UK South Bucks
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The hi fi speakers are excellent value and great sound... vast improvement on std spec without the cost of L7. Have you seen/thought about 116 17" wheels? I would stick with the wood trim either maple or poplar.
SPE
[SIZE=1][COLOR=blue]530dA Sept03, Siler-grey, blk lthr, fsh, poplar wood,116 17"wheels, bus nav, BT, Sunroof, hi-fi spkrs, 6CD changer, auto dim mirrors....
SPE
[SIZE=1][COLOR=blue]530dA Sept03, Siler-grey, blk lthr, fsh, poplar wood,116 17"wheels, bus nav, BT, Sunroof, hi-fi spkrs, 6CD changer, auto dim mirrors....
#23
Contributors
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Scotland
Posts: 881
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
the one I've got on loan right now has standard sound and I agree, hi-fi speakers are a must.....I won't go L7 though as I really don't need it (also tried it in a 7 series and although better, not ?500 better )
#24
Doctor Diesel,
Are you test driving the 530 manual or automatic ? I thought the manual sounded like a taxi but the auto was great. But you don't get the fuel economy with an auto. In the end I decided to stick to the engine I know and go for 525i SE Manual (couldn't justify ?3000 extra for the 3 litre petrol which always sounded too boomy for me in the 3 series format). It also allowed me to go crazy on the options.
In the end I opted for the following (UK delivery May 20 - can't wait) :
525i SE Manual
Orient Blue
Beige Dakota Leather
Poplar Wood
Sports Steering Wheel (heated)
Wooden Gear Stick (accessory)
Auto Dim Int & Ext
Advanced AirCon
Bluetooth Phone
Extended Lights Package
Grad Tint Windscreen
Heated Seats (front and rear)
Non smoker pack (fewer cigarette lighters for the kids to play with!)
BMW HiFi (not logic 7)
PDC
Electric Rear Blind
Through Load
Floor Mats
Service Inclusive (worth it if you do over 15K p.a)
Star Spoke 115
Try a car with standard 16" over the 17" run flats. The ride difference is very noticeable over country road tarmac (I'm Cheshire based). There is a lot of tyre on the 16" and I think they look quite good (unless you like your wheel arches full of rim only like some of our US posters : ). If you have smooth tarmac (or noise reduced tarmac) then you can't tell the difference. It really depends where you are in Scotland and where you're heading !
You'll get a smile from the dealer if your new vehicle order form goes to two pages !
Are you test driving the 530 manual or automatic ? I thought the manual sounded like a taxi but the auto was great. But you don't get the fuel economy with an auto. In the end I decided to stick to the engine I know and go for 525i SE Manual (couldn't justify ?3000 extra for the 3 litre petrol which always sounded too boomy for me in the 3 series format). It also allowed me to go crazy on the options.
In the end I opted for the following (UK delivery May 20 - can't wait) :
525i SE Manual
Orient Blue
Beige Dakota Leather
Poplar Wood
Sports Steering Wheel (heated)
Wooden Gear Stick (accessory)
Auto Dim Int & Ext
Advanced AirCon
Bluetooth Phone
Extended Lights Package
Grad Tint Windscreen
Heated Seats (front and rear)
Non smoker pack (fewer cigarette lighters for the kids to play with!)
BMW HiFi (not logic 7)
PDC
Electric Rear Blind
Through Load
Floor Mats
Service Inclusive (worth it if you do over 15K p.a)
Star Spoke 115
Try a car with standard 16" over the 17" run flats. The ride difference is very noticeable over country road tarmac (I'm Cheshire based). There is a lot of tyre on the 16" and I think they look quite good (unless you like your wheel arches full of rim only like some of our US posters : ). If you have smooth tarmac (or noise reduced tarmac) then you can't tell the difference. It really depends where you are in Scotland and where you're heading !
You'll get a smile from the dealer if your new vehicle order form goes to two pages !
#25
Contributors
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Scotland
Posts: 881
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
DrT......(another doc?)
Yes, its the auto version, it feels much nippier in the midrange than even my cooper S.
Your option list is very similar to mine though hot st.wheel and seats aren't needed as its garaged every night and I use a bluetooth earpiece so no need for the ?500 option.
Being a gadget freak, I have to have pro-nav and I've aske the dealer to look into the voice recognition problems.
I'm starting to firm up the spec and that is due in part to the great advice and comments I've had from everyone here on this board.....sorry folks but expect me to become a regular and I promise to improve on the avatars I've used so-far!
Yes, its the auto version, it feels much nippier in the midrange than even my cooper S.
Your option list is very similar to mine though hot st.wheel and seats aren't needed as its garaged every night and I use a bluetooth earpiece so no need for the ?500 option.
Being a gadget freak, I have to have pro-nav and I've aske the dealer to look into the voice recognition problems.
I'm starting to firm up the spec and that is due in part to the great advice and comments I've had from everyone here on this board.....sorry folks but expect me to become a regular and I promise to improve on the avatars I've used so-far!
#26
Doctor D,
I estimate that the 535d will be around ?2500 above the 530d. If they price it much higher they'll push it into unattractive tax land for most company car drivers and it must surely end up replacing the 3.0d engine at some point anyway. I can't see there being a large enough market for a 525d, 530d and 535d.
As for discounts my dealer is certainly not inferring that they are not prepared to discount on the new model so I will be pushing for 5% minimum on a sport model.
I estimate that the 535d will be around ?2500 above the 530d. If they price it much higher they'll push it into unattractive tax land for most company car drivers and it must surely end up replacing the 3.0d engine at some point anyway. I can't see there being a large enough market for a 525d, 530d and 535d.
As for discounts my dealer is certainly not inferring that they are not prepared to discount on the new model so I will be pushing for 5% minimum on a sport model.
#27
Senior Members
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Nottingham (UK)
Posts: 1,117
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by ISUK' date='Apr 23 2004, 02:08 PM
I estimate that the 535d will be around ?2500 above the 530d. If they price it much higher they'll push it into unattractive tax land for most company car drivers and it must surely end up replacing the 3.0d engine at some point anyway. I can't see there being a large enough market for a 525d, 530d and 535d.
#28
Originally Posted by paasan' date='Apr 23 2004, 06:12 AM
I hate being picky.. hehe, but..
Wouldn't an underinflated or flat tyre spin faster as it circumference decreases?
-paasan
Wouldn't an underinflated or flat tyre spin faster as it circumference decreases?
-paasan
If you have ever seen the police car chases on American TV you will notice that the police almost always attempt to puncture the tires to slow down the vehicle being chased. They definitley do not speed up.
#29
Originally Posted by sj3' date='Apr 23 2004, 06:24 AM
Silver: Did you get your 'extended warranty' through the dealer? I thought all they were offerring was extended maintenance, which is definitely not the same thing. Thanks.
Sam
Sam
#30
Contributors
Doctor Diesel said:
I'll see what the aluminium trim looks like before commiting to wood but the standard stuff in the uk is very plasticky imho.
I'll see what the aluminium trim looks like before commiting to wood but the standard stuff in the uk is very plasticky imho.
Here follow some images: 530d E60 Titanium silver, aluminium trim.