The agony of an Aussie...
05-13-2006, 04:30 AM
#1
Senior Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The local dealership have just received their first 550i demo car and I had a quick look at it today. It has nearly all the options I want in the 540i I ordered. The things that were missing are (haven't confirmed yet) the blinds and Pro Logic sound...i think...
Anyway, if I wait for the 540i, it'll be a long wait to August. Alternatively, I can get this 550i demo which has only down a few hundred KMs for around AUD20,000 (USD15,400) more but I can get it right now!!
At the moment I'm thinking to myself "..20k is not that big of an increase and I'll be getting 270kW!! instead of 225kW!..". But then, I'm feeling that I'll be guilty as hell as I would be betraying my rationality in that I'll be acting on impulse. The 540i power makes me happy already (i'm coming from a car that has 160kW) but the long wait is agony. The 550i would be superb but I don't really need to indulge in the extra power and spend the extra 20k....what to do! what to do!!
I'm booking for a test drive next week, but I fear if I test drive it then I will buy it...would it be a stupid thing to do??
HEEELLLPPPPPP................. someone....talk me out of it!!! lol
Anyway, if I wait for the 540i, it'll be a long wait to August. Alternatively, I can get this 550i demo which has only down a few hundred KMs for around AUD20,000 (USD15,400) more but I can get it right now!!
At the moment I'm thinking to myself "..20k is not that big of an increase and I'll be getting 270kW!! instead of 225kW!..". But then, I'm feeling that I'll be guilty as hell as I would be betraying my rationality in that I'll be acting on impulse. The 540i power makes me happy already (i'm coming from a car that has 160kW) but the long wait is agony. The 550i would be superb but I don't really need to indulge in the extra power and spend the extra 20k....what to do! what to do!!
I'm booking for a test drive next week, but I fear if I test drive it then I will buy it...would it be a stupid thing to do??
HEEELLLPPPPPP................. someone....talk me out of it!!! lol
05-13-2006, 04:47 AM
#2
Members
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 530i Touring, M Sport, build date 10/05, Silver Grey, Black leather, Maple Anthracite, Anthracite roof lining, panorama roof, M Aerodynamic, M Steering wheel, M Sport suspension, sport seats, shadow line, 135 M wheels, Goodyear NCT 5 runflats, and some other stuff too.
Yeah, the hassle of the long wait for cars here. As I pointed out in another post, the 540i has all the power you can use here given the low speed limits and police speed traps everywhere. And $20,000 is a lot to pay for a and extra 40kw, ridiculous really 
Top speed is an irrelevant issue, just a bit more grunt, nice but how useful for $20k???
The big engine cars get slugged hard on depreciation too and with fuel prices going up and up, this situation isn't going to improve.
Also if you buy the 550i it is a second hand car in reality, bet it has a 2005 compliance plate, making it one year old already, hence more depreciation. :thumbsdown: Your car on order will have a 2006 comlpliance plate.
Top speed is an irrelevant issue, just a bit more grunt, nice but how useful for $20k???The big engine cars get slugged hard on depreciation too and with fuel prices going up and up, this situation isn't going to improve.
Also if you buy the 550i it is a second hand car in reality, bet it has a 2005 compliance plate, making it one year old already, hence more depreciation. :thumbsdown: Your car on order will have a 2006 comlpliance plate.
05-13-2006, 04:52 AM
#3
Members
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Iowa City/Chicago
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From the way it sounds, it would be un-wise for you to test drive the 550i. Even if you somehow manage to convince yourself not to buy the car, you will always have this 'what if' notion in your mind after taking delivery of the 540i. But go drive the hell out of it if you must. My test drive was really fun.
05-13-2006, 11:24 AM
#5
Contributors
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Posts: 7,790
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: My ex-ride: EU '08 LCI 520dA. Space Grey, Sport Seats in Black Leather/Fabric Anthracite, Sport Steering Wheel, A/C with Extended Features, Hi-Fi Speakers, Cup Holders, Cruise with Braking function, Folding Rear Seats, Xenons, Park Distance Control.
Twenty keys is a relatively great sum of money.
What can you buy with those 20 big ones?
I would wait, if you look at this matter a year from now, you'll understand.
And a demo car has not been braked in for sure, it has got the booth since km 0,
and you'll miss the Logic7.
As an old racer, I can cope with a 525iA and could for sure live with a brand new 540i.
What can you buy with those 20 big ones?
I would wait, if you look at this matter a year from now, you'll understand.
And a demo car has not been braked in for sure, it has got the booth since km 0,
and you'll miss the Logic7.
As an old racer, I can cope with a 525iA and could for sure live with a brand new 540i.
05-13-2006, 11:33 AM
#6
Contributors
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MIAMI B*CH
Posts: 6,959
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: MY RIDE is DA real .-) HAMANN 5 aka BLACK MAMBA born on 16/06/2005/delivered on 05/08/2005 as following:
530dA (steptronic), Black II (JET), leather Dakota auburn black, mapple trim, head-up display, dynamic drive, active steering, adaptive xenon headlights (auto levelling) with headlight washers, alarm, comfort seats with massage function, advanced A/C, big compartment armrest, aux-in, MP3, Logic 7, Radio PRO, CD in-dash+cd changer, power rear sunshades, rear airbags, park distance control, auto dimming folding mirrors, smoking package, shiny shadow line (individual), fold down rear seats, ski bag, sport suspension, run flats on �116-style� rims (Good Year NCT5+), cup holders, debadged, fire extinguishers, additional permanent power outlet, BMW coat hanger, trunk release button (installed by Hobi), GPS tracking device and a big thx 2 Iceman.
Mods done:
� Authentic HAMANN FRONT APRON Including ellipsoid fog lights Item-No.: 10 060 110
� Authentic HAMANN REAR SPOILER Item-No.: 10 060 130,
� Authentic HAMANN HAMANN ALUMINIUM PEDALS For cars with manual gearbox Item-No.: 80 099 100 81,00 For cars with automatic transmission Item-No.: 80 099 120
� Authentic HAMANN FOOT REST In aluminium For left-hand drive vehicles Item No. : 80 099 122
� Authentic HAMANN HAND-BRAKE LEVER In aluminium For left- and right-hand drive cars Item No. : 80 099 216
� Authentic HAMANN Idrive of alu (sorry this is the only one in the World) but you can have it in carbon fiber ,
� Authentic HAMANN EXCLUSIVE FLOORMAT SET In black with HAMANN logo in silver For left-hand drive cars Item-No. : 80 060 120 For right-hand drive cars Item-No. : 80 060
� Authentic HAMANN COVER FOR OIL FILLER CAP In aluminium Item-No.: 80 099 117
� Authentic HAMANN SPORT REAR MUFFLER 4 TAILPIPES Sport rear muffler with four round stainless-steel tailpipes ( � 76mm ) Item-No.: 50 060 111
� Authentic HAMANN new add-on for M pack rear with diffusor for quad pipes -AVAILABLE NOW (http://forums.e60.net/index.php?act=ST&f=22&t=30630&st=0#entry332409)
� ///M steering wheel w Pegasus logo (this will be also changed to three spoke sports)
� ///M pack rear
� HAMANN ECU upgrade 265 HP 608 Nm.
most improtant:
�real and working like a charm forumsbuy real LED tails and PIAA 4700k fogs!!! for HAMANN full front apron you need H3
� CustomAngels, Angel Eyes Brighter than stocks 10X, WHITE & (REd for shows).
� Authentic HAMANN LIGHT-ALLOY WHEELS DESIGN EDITION RACE 20"
Ultra-light forged 3-pieced light-alloy wheel, Cross-spoke-design,Spider in black, titanium, screwing,polished flange
DIMENSIONS : 9.0 J x 20 FA Item No.: 91 207 315
10.5 J x 20 only RA Item No.: 91 207 625
Recommended 20" Complete Wheel Set DESIGN EDITION RACE I went with most aggressive Combination A.10 FA 9.0 J x 20 / RA 10.5 J x 20 with tires: FA 245/30 ZR 20 / RA 285/25 ZR 20
� Authentic HAMANN LOWERING KIT 4 progressive sport springs Lowering by approx. 40 mm FA, 20 mm RA Item-No.: 20 060 125
� Authentic HAMANN TIRE - PRESSURE CHECK SENSOR SYSTEM
� Authentic HAMANN SIDE SILLS Item-No.: 10 060 120
� Authentic HAMANN REAL CF ROOF SPOLIER Item-No.: 10 060 235
� Authentic HAMANN AIRBAG SPORT STEERING WHEEL 3-SPOKE Three-spoke design w their SMG paddles (For assembly O.E. airbag in exchange)
� Authentic HAMANN sports mirrors (all functions)
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and of course !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
E60.net Clings
Still to do list;-):
� Our Hobi's camera system from : ww.switchchange.com).
� Individual leather interior (auburn+auburn alcantara)... and drive with sheer drivin' pleasure ... until 2009/2010 F10 comes or E60 possibly a 540d V8 diesel early in 2009 badly juiced!
Originally Posted by Leburpor' post='281837' date='May 13 2006, 02:30 PM
The local dealership have just received their first 550i demo car and I had a quick look at it today. It has nearly all the options I want in the 540i I ordered. The things that were missing are (haven't confirmed yet) the blinds and Pro Logic sound...i think...
Anyway, if I wait for the 540i, it'll be a long wait to August. Alternatively, I can get this 550i demo which has only down a few hundred KMs for around AUD20,000 (USD15,400) more but I can get it right now!!
At the moment I'm thinking to myself "..20k is not that big of an increase and I'll be getting 270kW!! instead of 225kW!..". But then, I'm feeling that I'll be guilty as hell as I would be betraying my rationality in that I'll be acting on impulse. The 540i power makes me happy already (i'm coming from a car that has 160kW) but the long wait is agony. The 550i would be superb but I don't really need to indulge in the extra power and spend the extra 20k....what to do! what to do!!
I'm booking for a test drive next week, but I fear if I test drive it then I will buy it...would it be a stupid thing to do??
HEEELLLPPPPPP................. someone....talk me out of it!!! lol
Anyway, if I wait for the 540i, it'll be a long wait to August. Alternatively, I can get this 550i demo which has only down a few hundred KMs for around AUD20,000 (USD15,400) more but I can get it right now!!
At the moment I'm thinking to myself "..20k is not that big of an increase and I'll be getting 270kW!! instead of 225kW!..". But then, I'm feeling that I'll be guilty as hell as I would be betraying my rationality in that I'll be acting on impulse. The 540i power makes me happy already (i'm coming from a car that has 160kW) but the long wait is agony. The 550i would be superb but I don't really need to indulge in the extra power and spend the extra 20k....what to do! what to do!!
I'm booking for a test drive next week, but I fear if I test drive it then I will buy it...would it be a stupid thing to do??
HEEELLLPPPPPP................. someone....talk me out of it!!! lol
YOu will have a "small M5" really that is awesome go for it and get a good deal
post pix ASAP!!!!
05-13-2006, 11:37 AM
#7
Members
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Iowa City/Chicago
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Man, that is evil, but funny. 
Originally Posted by ats77' post='281962' date='May 13 2006, 02:33 PM
YOu will have a "small M5" really that is awesome go for it and get a good deal
post pix ASAP!!!!
post pix ASAP!!!!
05-13-2006, 12:40 PM
#8
Contributors
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: So Cal, USA
Posts: 14,776
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 545iSMGSilver GrayAuburn Dakota LeatherLogic 7 Premium SoundSports Package
Here I go.
Power I would go for the 550!!!! No doubt. BUT
since its a demo AND it doesnt have L7 sound system. Dont do it. Wait it out. get the car you built! it'll more special to you in the end!
Power I would go for the 550!!!! No doubt. BUT
since its a demo AND it doesnt have L7 sound system. Dont do it. Wait it out. get the car you built! it'll more special to you in the end!
05-13-2006, 01:09 PM
#9
Senior Members
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Phoenix AZ
Posts: 386
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am on the side of everyone who said DON'T DO IT! Just think, you have a CUSTOM ordered 540 coming to you in a few months. It is set just how YOU want it. If you let the urge of having a car now get to you, you will lose that the joy of having something you created, in essence. Another point is that you will not having something that is BRAND new, but new to you. People beat up the demos, a few hundred Km's could mean a few hundred Km's of uncaring people behind the wheel. Anyway, I can think of a few other ways to spend 20K 
05-13-2006, 02:46 PM
#10
Senior Members
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Hollywood, FL
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: '06 550i 6 Speed MT, Navigation, PDC, Cold Weather Pkg, Logic7, Prem Pkg, Sport Pkg, Active Steering, Comfort Seats, Comfort Access, HUD, Alpine White on Black Dakota & a Big Grin ;-) <---- On the vessel from Germany...
********
'05 545i 6 Speed MT, Navigation, PDC, Cold Weather Pkg, Logic7, Prem Pkg, Sport Pkg, UUC EVOIII SSK, Silver Gray on Black Dakota..... (Buy back by BMW NA)
No logic7 + few hundred miles... = Don't.