I've been a lurker, and just ordered a 535xi and want to thank all the mods and contributors for the fine reference you've built here at E60.net.

I drove a 1995 540i manuel for 8.5 years. It was the finest car I've ever owned. I've been driving mostly BMW's, Volvos, and Saabs w/manual transmissions for the last 36 years and I am excited to be moving back to a 5 series after 4 years in a Volvo V70R.

On paper the cars have a lot of similar features: 300hp, AWD, 6sp manual, and 4yrs service. BMW's implementation is of course far superior...smooth twin turbo six vs. single turbo 5, the wonderful ride compared to V70R's jittery active suspension, a 39 foot turning circle compared to the 43.3' Silerrado like circle that the V70R suffers, and finally BMW's much better resale values. The Volvo had some wonderful qualities and I'll miss a wagon at times but it sure wasn't a BMW and you all know what I mean.

I would have considered other cars more seriously, but I'm an old guy and I never learned to like automatic, steptronic, sportmatic, paddle shifters or the other substitutes for manuals. Thankfully the only mid-size luxury car currently available with a manual is also the finest. I hope it is as reliable as my 540i and I drive it for 8 - 10 yrs.

Any way for the record, I'm a 50 something family man, living in the Boston area, waiting on my new 5 series and just wanting to say hello and thanks to the board.

Steve - on order - 535xi, sapphire/blk leather, 6sp, sport, premium, cold, 18" 124's, r airbags, r seat heaters, Nav, Split/fold r seat, Logic 7, iPod/USB

 

Very nice Steve, welcome back to the fold! When is the expected delivery?

 

Haven't got a production # but was given the standard 6-8wk estimate 1wk ago.

 

Steve, great car and great forums,where are you from ? Pls add your local to the profile .

Cheers

 

Congrats and . It's the forum. Post pictures of your ride ASAP.

 

cool....I get my mt 535i in about a week or so.

 

Congrats, you should have the production number as soon as they enter the car in the system. Which dealer did you go to? Got my first at Herb, ordered my second from Peabody.

 

Did Herb for convenience, bought my 540i at Dreher Holloway now Ira New Hampshire and over the next 8 years had it serviced mostly at FMW now a Herb store. I did shop Gallery and test drove a used 545i at Peabody but in the end 3 miles away and on the T won the day. BTW the sales guy I talked to at Peabody told me they'd want 10% deposit for a 5 series with a manual. I figured he was wrong but that and the 45 minute drive left me cold.

 

I just couldn't deal with the service at Herb in Boston, it is so crowded I always felt like I was going to sustain some body damage. I ended up going to Peabody for service and I found a good salesman there for the new one. They did want a $2K deposit, which I thought was high, I only put down $500 at Herb.