I sold my 2004 530i in order to purchase a 530i with Navigation.

When I ordered my 2004 in December 2003, Navigation was not available and my SA did not inform me of the NAV prep option. The December order wound up being incorrect due to an incorrect interior trim option, so a January/February 2004 order was placed (Performance Center delivery April 14). I did not question the NAV option with the second order because I religiously browsed the web predecessor to this site (http://www.bmw545.com/) which stated that NAV was not available until the spring 2004! I used this information among other things to order and purchase my vehicle. My main concern was the color of the vehicle.

I could not imagine how much I would enjoy my BMW and decided that I did not want to own an e60 without NAV; so, I sold the 2004 and ordered a 2006.

My new order includes almost everything except priority options, fold down rear seats and rear airbags (not recommended where children are involved). I am still unsure of the functionality of Automatic Cruise Control. This comes from someone who uses cruise control extensible and hates having to adjust CC settings due to traffic.

The moral of this story is: Be sure to double-check the information that appears on the web. It may be outdated, slanted or incorrect.

 

How much did it end up costing you to own the 2004 model for a year? (purchase price incl. tax etc. less sales price). When I think about trading for an 06 to get BT, comfort seats and NAV, I can't justify the $. I did break my cupholder today though so maybe the car has had it.

 

I realy hate those cupholders. I had mine replaced and they are a little better. Take yours back to the dealer and tell them that it broke and you want it replaced for free. Unless you were doing somthing drastic to it, it should not break.

 

Yup i just changed both my cupholders and i will be more cautious with it now. I got it for free from my dealer though..

 

Why didn't you go for a 545i?

 

I realy hate those cupholders. I had mine replaced and they are a little better. Take yours back to the dealer and tell them that it broke and you want it replaced for free. Unless you were doing somthing drastic to it, it should not break.
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Drastic? I pushed the button, it went "clunk" and was broken.

Replace the cup-holder??? - novel concept - what, you didn't like my idea about getting a new car because the cup-holder was broken?

Actually, I had passenger side c.h. replaced in January. I like the way they retract out of sight but they could be somewhat less flimsy.

 

Modify your 06 order for a 550i or see what 545i's the dealer has in stock,en route or scheduled for production and modify it if possible.

You won't hate the V8!

 

I have a friend that went in for the 530xi and ended up ordering a 545i because the lease rate was double for the 530. Made it cheaper to get a 545.