2004 545i?
01-09-2011, 03:16 AM
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Does this year of the 545i have any real major problems? Im car shopping right now and was originally looking for a 04-05 530i but theres none available at the moment that is up to my standard. I am looking at a 04 545i that is still in pretty mint condition, inside and out. I want to know hows the gas mileage on this bigger engine car compare to the 04-05 530i? Should i be patient and wait until the perfect 04-05 530i come along? Or will the 04 545i be a better choice?
01-09-2011, 03:51 AM
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My Ride: 2004 545i
Logic 7
Navi
2002 M5 Reps
Remus Exhaust
i have an 04 545i with almost 140 K right now, havnt had any major issues at all. I had a tranny scare, but just a seal needed to be replaced. The gas mileage is really not too bad to be honest.. i usually get about 20 around town and im gonna say 27 highway? maybe better if your on cruise. i dont know much about the 530, but i love the v8 on the 545, its quick, reliable, and sounds meannnnn 
hope this helped a little
hope this helped a little
01-09-2011, 07:28 AM
#3
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My Ride: 04 545i - Titanium Silver/Black, Sport pkg, Comfort Seats w/ Lumbar, Premium Sound, power rear sunshade, Adaptive Xenon Headlights, Steptronic, Park Distance Control, Fold down rear seats w/ski bag, Aux jack, 6-disk changer, puddle lamps...
Engine: Custom Remus cat-back exhaust w/chrome square tips, K&N Air Filter, Charcoal Filter Removed, Sprint Booster :-), 50/50 mix of 91+100 Octane, EuroRev ECU Remap (coming soon lol), Dinan High-Flow Throttle Body (coming soon...maybe lol)
Interior: Portable Sirius Stilletto 100 w/car kit, Garmin Nuvi 680 mounted below rear-view mirror, LCI-style I-drive knob, Dark Poplar Center Dashboard Trim.
Exterior: E60 forum clings, 5% rear tint, ACS roof spoiler (painted black for distinct look against limo tint), ACS trunk spoiler, ACS add-on front spoiler and rear apron (awaiting installation), "18 Black Staggered BeBeS Style OER (emergency replacement for cracked sport 124 rims), black kidney grill, white accessory lighting (including license and trunk lamps), Angel-eye upgrade, AIB xenon-matched fog lamps, AIB V3's on order, red rear reflectors
Build year is a better indicator. E60s built before 5/2004 may have telematic control units (TCUs) that cannot support bluetooth. Expect to purchanse a bluetooth TCU + programming if this is the case and this feature is desired. Most E60s by now should have had programming to reduce/eliminate a problem known as the transmission slam. Seat mat sensor recalls should have been performed by now as well. Older E60s may not have the ability to play MP3 cds. Newer models may (post 03/2005 builds), though programming was required in some cases. Some have had success activating MP3 functionality with earlier builds (11/2004). There is a coolant transfer tube above the radiator (but underneath a metal shield) that is prone to deterioration. It WILL fail at some point. These cars are now 5/6 years old. Ensure seals are visually inspected, no leaks are detected, etc. The bottom line is that 2004 was the first-year model release for the E60. As with the vast majority of releases, things get fine-tuned, corrected, replaced, and ultimately finessed in later builds.
01-09-2011, 11:01 AM
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My Ride: '04 545iS 6 spd, bought new via eBay, 11/05; Blk/Gry, Cold, L7, PDC, BMW Rear seatcover for pets.
First "Bumwa" was a new 1971 2002. High performance 5s since 1987. Beamer motorcycles too, currently on an 07 BMW K1200 GT; also a Moto Guzzi 1000 SP III.
I'll add only that the add-on bluetooth contraption ($600 plus install) only operates now with aged (outdated) designated bluetooth handsets. When my 05 vintage cell died, I had to buy an old refurbed Motorola phone to continue using it in the car. In my estimation, it's not worth it (if you could even find that jerry-rigged BMW/Motorola black box) for starting out a new application.
Otherwise, I have only been annoyed by sensor glitches (steering/suspension warnings) usually in change of season (cold) weather and those damned thump-flats.
PS: You're likely to find insurance rating/premium differences between 530 and 545. I get my high-performance-rated insurance through Liberty Mutual's BMW program.
Otherwise, I have only been annoyed by sensor glitches (steering/suspension warnings) usually in change of season (cold) weather and those damned thump-flats.
PS: You're likely to find insurance rating/premium differences between 530 and 545. I get my high-performance-rated insurance through Liberty Mutual's BMW program.
01-09-2011, 01:15 PM
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Thanks for the replies fella's, im not to concern about bluetooth or mp3 and such, im more worried about mechanical and electrical problems. My previous car is a 05 c230 kompressor and i never had any major problems with it except for the regular service such as changing oil, etc. The 04 545i i went to go look at yesterday still have pretty decent mileage for its age in my opinion (65k mi). The outside and inside still looks clean. My only concern is having engine or electrical problems. I havent been a memeber on here long but the short time that i've been on here i've browse through a lot of problem threads on the 530i and 545i compare to when i was on another site when i still own a mercedes. This just makes me a little nervous.
01-09-2011, 01:34 PM
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My Ride: 545I and a half dozen other rides
Being nervous is good. I think gas mileage wise you would be closer to me. 15-16 in the city (with the on board computer) for the most part, but when you do a actual mileage test (paper) it will be closer to 13-14
The 230 motor you had is pretty bullet proof.
The 230 motor you had is pretty bullet proof.
01-10-2011, 01:43 PM
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My Ride: 2004 545i stock
I have a 04 45i and get aound 27 to 29 on the highway. Most of my driving is mixed 50/50 and I average 20-21 mpg. Can not compare to the 530i though. My neighbor has a 530i and wished he had gotten the V8 over the v6.
01-10-2011, 02:34 PM
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My Ride: 545i 2004, SMG, Sport, Nav, Logic-7, Bluetooth phone retrofit
I bought my 2004 545i new, and it has about 140k miles on it now. Most of the teething troubles were software-related, and all have been fixed, as far as I know. Gas mileage for me is about 21, on a mix of highway and city driving. Biggest drawback is tha maintenance cost on that N62 engine. Since the 50000 mile warranty ran out, maintenance has cost me about $0.31 per mile. No big items yet - still the original clutch and brakes - but little things like oil leaks and cooling system leaks cost a fortune to repair because of all the stuff that has to come off. Great car to drive, if you can stand the maintenance.
01-10-2011, 02:47 PM
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My Ride: 04' 545i, Sport Package, Black, Active Xenon, ARS, Aux Input
'10 Tahoe, Black on Black, leather, Nav/XM, 20" tires, full body kit, power 2nd row, loaded
'93 Jeep Wrangler, lifted 4.5", 33" meats, Rampage Recovery Bumper w/Tire Swing, etc
25' Aquasport Osprey, Center Console,2012 200 HO Etec
27 - 29 on the highway with a 545? I dont think I even come close to that. I average 21.6 - 22.8 mpg per tank and thats mostly all highway.
01-10-2011, 02:47 PM
#10
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My Ride: 2004 545
Model Year: 2004
I have a 2004 545iA - not a single problem as of yet - but I only have 34k miles on the old girl 
An absolute blast to drive on a daily basis
An absolute blast to drive on a daily basis