Sport Package-- Worth it?
#31
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About two-three months ago I test drove a 530 and 540 with the Active Steering, and was pretty disappointed in it- I thought it worked fine at low speeds, but at highway speeds there was too much play in the wheel, and I felt disconnected from the road. Since I was going to get an '05 545 Manual I was pretty much stuck with AS....
I picked up my car from the dealer in LA yesterday and drove it back to Phoenix, and once I got out on I-10 (and out of traffic- was practically past San EFing Bernadino before I could get into 4th gear!!) I was HUGELY SURPRISED by how great the steering felt- I don't know what BMW did (could it really be just a software upgrade??) but the car was rock solid at 80 mph (can't wait to get past the break-in period!), road feel was excellent, and there was no play in the steering at center. It felt even better and quicker than my '02 540. I have to say I am pretty sold on AS now.
I picked up my car from the dealer in LA yesterday and drove it back to Phoenix, and once I got out on I-10 (and out of traffic- was practically past San EFing Bernadino before I could get into 4th gear!!) I was HUGELY SURPRISED by how great the steering felt- I don't know what BMW did (could it really be just a software upgrade??) but the car was rock solid at 80 mph (can't wait to get past the break-in period!), road feel was excellent, and there was no play in the steering at center. It felt even better and quicker than my '02 540. I have to say I am pretty sold on AS now.
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#32
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Originally Posted by Marzzz' date='Mar 13 2005, 07:25 AM
About two-three months ago I test drove a 530 and 540 with the Active Steering, and was pretty disappointed in it- I thought it worked fine at low speeds, but at highway speeds there was too much play in the wheel, and I felt disconnected from the road. Since I was going to get an '05 545 Manual I was pretty much stuck with AS....
I picked up my car from the dealer in LA yesterday and drove it back to Phoenix, and once I got out on I-10 (and out of traffic- was practically past San EFing Bernadino before I could get into 4th gear!!) I was HUGELY SURPRISED by how great the steering felt- I don't know what BMW did (could it really be just a software upgrade??) but the car was rock solid at 80 mph (can't wait to get past the break-in period!), road feel was excellent, and there was no play in the steering at center. It felt even better and quicker than my '02 540. I have to say I am pretty sold on AS now.![Thumbsup](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/thumbsup.gif)
I picked up my car from the dealer in LA yesterday and drove it back to Phoenix, and once I got out on I-10 (and out of traffic- was practically past San EFing Bernadino before I could get into 4th gear!!) I was HUGELY SURPRISED by how great the steering felt- I don't know what BMW did (could it really be just a software upgrade??) but the car was rock solid at 80 mph (can't wait to get past the break-in period!), road feel was excellent, and there was no play in the steering at center. It felt even better and quicker than my '02 540. I have to say I am pretty sold on AS now.
![Thumbsup](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/thumbsup.gif)
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To say that they took these optons out in the M5 so they must have been bad is ridiculous. These are two different cars. The M5 rides harder, has a distinctve growl and frankly is less comfortable as an every day driver.
You see, my goal when purchasing my sedan was to get the smoothest, most comfortable, best riding, most poweful and best handling manual transmission car in the world.
The best riding and smoothest criteria ruled out the E39 M5. The best riding and manual transmission might rule out the E60 M5.
For me the sports package with ARS is a must. I don't want my backside bruised in the straight so my car can take a corner. I prefer this combination.
The only thing I will add to my options with my next 550i will be comfort seats.
#33
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I gave this problem as much thought as you seem to be doing, I was very sceptical of active steering, but I'm very happy that I went with it. Like many others have already mentioned, BMW has improved AS with software upgrades. This car puts a smile on my face everyday, Sport Package is well worth the money IMO. Good Luck..
#34
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Originally Posted by jochet' date='Mar 13 2005, 03:47 PM
I gave this problem as much thought as you seem to be doing, I was very sceptical of active steering, but I'm very happy that I went with it. Like many others have already mentioned, BMW has improved AS with software upgrades. This car puts a smile on my face everyday, Sport Package is well worth the money IMO. Good Luck..
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I think the sports package is got value and makes the beast look fantastic and sticks to the road like sh.. on a shovel the front spoiler looks mean and more sports like the twin spoke wheels look great the rear has a more M 5 look also the side ceils give it a lower to the ground look all in all purchasing a 535d sport save you adding to it later.
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#35
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Originally Posted by johno535' date='Mar 13 2005, 04:20 PM
[quote name='jochet' date='Mar 13 2005, 03:47 PM']I gave this problem as much thought as you seem to be doing, I was very sceptical of active steering, but I'm very happy that I went with it. Like many others have already mentioned, BMW has improved AS with software upgrades. This car puts a smile on my face everyday, Sport Package is well worth the money IMO. Good Luck..
[snapback]100960[/snapback]
I think the sports package is got value and makes the beast look fantastic and sticks to the road like sh.. on a shovel the front spoiler looks mean and more sports like the twin spoke wheels look great the rear has a more M 5 look also the side ceils give it a lower to the ground look all in all purchasing a 535d sport save you adding to it later.
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[/quote]Johno, Our American friends don't get the same Sport Package as we do yet! Their's comprises of Dynamic Drive, Active Steering and Sports Suspension on the SE. And at a fraction of the price in the UK.
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#36
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Sport Package is a must have option. I like Active Steering a lot. I can understand that if run your car on a track, that ActiveSteering may not be desirable. The Sport Package is awesome, including Active Steering. It makes the car and is a great value.
#37
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Once again, thanks for the input... at a minimum, I now know to make sure I get a model with the software upgrade on the active steering. Now to decide whether to go for a deal on an '05, wait for an '06 model or "fork-out" (even more) for the 545....decisions, decisions...
The more I read the various threads on the E60 forum, the more I think the 545 is a better value. We recently bought an '05 Acura TL as a commuting car, and it would be frustrating to spend almost $20K more for a BMW which, even though it would handle better, would be a (gulp) slower car. I still need to do a gut check on the price tag of the 545.
I'm glad that I'm not hearing a lot of reliability complaints on this site about the E60s. We had a Mercedes M Class which we just returned last month under threat of filing a lemon law claim. What a hunk of sh** that car was. Constantly in the shop, often with mysterious problems that couldn't be diagnosed. They repurchased the car from us and offered to sell us anything we wanted at dealer cost, but I've had enough of Mercedes low quality. We're hoping for a better experience with BMW.
The more I read the various threads on the E60 forum, the more I think the 545 is a better value. We recently bought an '05 Acura TL as a commuting car, and it would be frustrating to spend almost $20K more for a BMW which, even though it would handle better, would be a (gulp) slower car. I still need to do a gut check on the price tag of the 545.
I'm glad that I'm not hearing a lot of reliability complaints on this site about the E60s. We had a Mercedes M Class which we just returned last month under threat of filing a lemon law claim. What a hunk of sh** that car was. Constantly in the shop, often with mysterious problems that couldn't be diagnosed. They repurchased the car from us and offered to sell us anything we wanted at dealer cost, but I've had enough of Mercedes low quality. We're hoping for a better experience with BMW.
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Originally Posted by ZinMe' date='Mar 13 2005, 09:12 PM
Once again, thanks for the input... at a minimum, I now know to make sure I get a model with the software upgrade on the active steering.? ? Now to decide whether to go for a deal on an '05, wait for an '06 model or "fork-out" (even more) for the 545....decisions, decisions...?
The more I read the various threads on the E60 forum, the more I think the 545 is a better value.? We recently bought an '05 Acura TL as a commuting car, and it would be frustrating to spend almost $20K more for a BMW which, even though it would handle better, would be a (gulp) slower car.? I still need to do a gut check on the price tag of the 545.?
I'm glad that I'm not hearing a lot of reliability complaints on this site about the E60s.? We had a Mercedes M Class which we just returned last month under threat of filing a lemon law claim.? What a hunk of sh** that car was.? Constantly in the shop, often with mysterious problems that couldn't be diagnosed.? ? They repurchased the car from us and offered to sell us anything we wanted at dealer cost, but I've had enough of Mercedes low quality.? We're hoping for a better experience with BMW.
The more I read the various threads on the E60 forum, the more I think the 545 is a better value.? We recently bought an '05 Acura TL as a commuting car, and it would be frustrating to spend almost $20K more for a BMW which, even though it would handle better, would be a (gulp) slower car.? I still need to do a gut check on the price tag of the 545.?
I'm glad that I'm not hearing a lot of reliability complaints on this site about the E60s.? We had a Mercedes M Class which we just returned last month under threat of filing a lemon law claim.? What a hunk of sh** that car was.? Constantly in the shop, often with mysterious problems that couldn't be diagnosed.? ? They repurchased the car from us and offered to sell us anything we wanted at dealer cost, but I've had enough of Mercedes low quality.? We're hoping for a better experience with BMW.
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And good luck chosing the MY05 530 MY06 530 or MY05 545. Heres a hint. go with the 45.
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#39
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Originally Posted by EBMCS03' date='Mar 13 2005, 09:34 PM
[quote name='ZinMe' date='Mar 13 2005, 09:12 PM']Once again, thanks for the input... at a minimum, I now know to make sure I get a model with the software upgrade on the active steering.? ? Now to decide whether to go for a deal on an '05, wait for an '06 model or "fork-out" (even more) for the 545....decisions, decisions...??
The more I read the various threads on the E60 forum, the more I think the 545 is a better value.? We recently bought an '05 Acura TL as a commuting car, and it would be frustrating to spend almost $20K more for a BMW which, even though it would handle better, would be a (gulp) slower car.?? I still need to do a gut check on the price tag of the 545.?
I'm glad that I'm not hearing a lot of reliability complaints on this site about the E60s.? We had a Mercedes M Class which we just returned last month under threat of filing a lemon law claim.? What a hunk of sh** that car was.?? Constantly in the shop, often with mysterious problems that couldn't be diagnosed.? ? They repurchased the car from us and offered to sell us anything we wanted at dealer cost, but I've had enough of Mercedes low quality.?? We're hoping for a better experience with BMW.
The more I read the various threads on the E60 forum, the more I think the 545 is a better value.? We recently bought an '05 Acura TL as a commuting car, and it would be frustrating to spend almost $20K more for a BMW which, even though it would handle better, would be a (gulp) slower car.?? I still need to do a gut check on the price tag of the 545.?
I'm glad that I'm not hearing a lot of reliability complaints on this site about the E60s.? We had a Mercedes M Class which we just returned last month under threat of filing a lemon law claim.? What a hunk of sh** that car was.?? Constantly in the shop, often with mysterious problems that couldn't be diagnosed.? ? They repurchased the car from us and offered to sell us anything we wanted at dealer cost, but I've had enough of Mercedes low quality.?? We're hoping for a better experience with BMW.
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And good luck chosing the MY05 530 MY06 530 or MY05 545. Heres a hint. go with the 45.
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[/quote]Could you put a word in with my wife?
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Originally Posted by ZinMe' date='Mar 13 2005, 09:50 PM
[quote name='EBMCS03' date='Mar 13 2005, 09:34 PM'][Heres a hint. go with the 45.?
? ![Tongue](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/tongue.gif)
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Could you put a word in with my wife?
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[/quote]SURE!
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