545i - Taking the plunge, need some advice
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My Ride: 2004 545i, Auto, Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Leather, Sport and Premium Packages, HUD
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I found it! 2004 545i, silver/black w/ Sport, Premium, and HUD. Excellent price, too. Clean title from both autocheck and carfax. 24000 miles. It almost seems to good to be true. The car is going to a dealer early next week for the pre-sale inspection. Assuming all is well, I'll be driving it by Tuesday evening.
That said, I can't help but be a little nervous. In all I've read in these forums and in general, I've come to see these cars as terribly complex, high performance machines. It seems quite a bit can go wrong with them.
I am buying this car with the expectation that I will drive it for the next 10+ years. Is this a reasonable expectation? Am I going to be paying through the nose every time something goes wrong once it is out of warranty?
That said, I can't help but be a little nervous. In all I've read in these forums and in general, I've come to see these cars as terribly complex, high performance machines. It seems quite a bit can go wrong with them.
I am buying this car with the expectation that I will drive it for the next 10+ years. Is this a reasonable expectation? Am I going to be paying through the nose every time something goes wrong once it is out of warranty?
#2
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Congrats! Exact car I purchased recently. Mine was a CPO and I paid $42K. If you are paying more than that fight. Car will not be reliable for 10+ years. Motor and tranny might be fine, but electronics are going to go out. You should be putting aside some maintenance dollars.
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My Ride: 2008 535xi / Platinum Grey / Black leather / Step Auto / Sport / Premium / Cold weather / 18" wheels / Logic 7 / Comfort / ipod / Navigation / Fold Down Rear Seats / Rear Airbags / Sirius SAT / Spoiler / Extended Clear bra / Bluetooth. (Previously owned a 2002 sport 525I Loaded).
On order: 535xi Platnium Grey with Black interior, Step Auto, Sports package, Premium package, Cold weather package, 18" wheels, Logic 7, Comfort access, ipod adapt, Navigation, Sat radio, Rear spoiler, Extended Clear coat bra.
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Originally Posted by schwim' post='464628' date='Aug 31 2007, 03:24 PM
Am I going to be paying through the nose every time something goes wrong once it is out of warranty?
Good luck...
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I just picked mine up yesterday. What a bunch of fast fun! I'm not even thinking about the money right now. I researched on this forum for a while during the decision and found one notable issue that concerned me, and another one once purchased. Search and you'll find. Transmission shifting issues - there is a reprogram that can fix this if it occurs, and now after driving it for a day, noticed doors rubbing and making very noticeable sound - also seems to be fixable. Both issues had service bulletins. Here is one link concerning the door rubbing sounds:
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=...30&start=30
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=...30&start=30
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10+ years on top of a 2004 car... that'll make it 13+ years old... any car will need some sort of repair bill by then... and yes BMW will probably run you a bit more than a Toyota Corolla... but it can be done. Just gotta take really good care of it.
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Thanks very much for the input! I certainly have the expectation that maintenance will need to be done. I had a 1990 325is back in the day - kept it 11 years and had to replace a number of parts I thought unusual (steering rack TWICE?!?!), so I guess you could say I'm used to it. In all, the thing just kept going, and was by far to this day the best car I've ever owned. Too bad my wife made me sell it (EVIL!). I've been sleeping in Acuras since. Acura makes a nice car, but I could never call it inspiring.
Are the electronics failure problems primarily in the i-Drive system, or elsewhere? What specifically am I in danger of? I'm a pretty hands on person with electronics (build computers, etc), so I think if these are the problems I'm likely to run in to it may be a blessing. I don't mind doing it myself.
Are the electronics failure problems primarily in the i-Drive system, or elsewhere? What specifically am I in danger of? I'm a pretty hands on person with electronics (build computers, etc), so I think if these are the problems I'm likely to run in to it may be a blessing. I don't mind doing it myself.
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Many of the early electronic issues were Navigation equipped cars (different computer used). Your comments/signature don't indicate NAV. Even if the car has NAV, most of those issue have been resolved. Will you face increased maint. costs going forward? Sure! I'm approaching four years with no major issues, but some will come. Enjoy the car, I have...
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Originally Posted by schwim' post='464938' date='Sep 1 2007, 09:32 PM
Thanks very much for the input! I certainly have the expectation that maintenance will need to be done. I had a 1990 325is back in the day - kept it 11 years and had to replace a number of parts I thought unusual (steering rack TWICE?!?!), so I guess you could say I'm used to it. In all, the thing just kept going, and was by far to this day the best car I've ever owned. Too bad my wife made me sell it (EVIL!). I've been sleeping in Acuras since. Acura makes a nice car, but I could never call it inspiring.
Are the electronics failure problems primarily in the i-Drive system, or elsewhere? What specifically am I in danger of? I'm a pretty hands on person with electronics (build computers, etc), so I think if these are the problems I'm likely to run in to it may be a blessing. I don't mind doing it myself.
Are the electronics failure problems primarily in the i-Drive system, or elsewhere? What specifically am I in danger of? I'm a pretty hands on person with electronics (build computers, etc), so I think if these are the problems I'm likely to run in to it may be a blessing. I don't mind doing it myself.
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Originally Posted by schwim' post='464938' date='Sep 1 2007, 07:32 PM
Thanks very much for the input! I certainly have the expectation that maintenance will need to be done. I had a 1990 325is back in the day - kept it 11 years and had to replace a number of parts I thought unusual (steering rack TWICE?!?!), so I guess you could say I'm used to it. In all, the thing just kept going, and was by far to this day the best car I've ever owned. Too bad my wife made me sell it (EVIL!). I've been sleeping in Acuras since. Acura makes a nice car, but I could never call it inspiring.
Are the electronics failure problems primarily in the i-Drive system, or elsewhere? What specifically am I in danger of? I'm a pretty hands on person with electronics (build computers, etc), so I think if these are the problems I'm likely to run in to it may be a blessing. I don't mind doing it myself.
Are the electronics failure problems primarily in the i-Drive system, or elsewhere? What specifically am I in danger of? I'm a pretty hands on person with electronics (build computers, etc), so I think if these are the problems I'm likely to run in to it may be a blessing. I don't mind doing it myself.