I bought the 04 545i SMG, let the fun begin...
#1
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Thanks to those that responded to my questions a few days ago.
I picked up an 04 545i SMG, Silver Gray with Sport, CWP, Logic7, Nav, Comfort Seats, Shades, Spoiler, and Euro Reflectors. The car is an 03/04 build date, so I think it's not too "early" build.
I've only had the car a day, so I can't make any real comments. It is faster than the E39 540i that I was driving. The comfort seats have better adjustments than the E39. iDrive isn't as bad as I thought. I still need to set all my radio stations. Sound system is really nice. SMG is fun to use. I am still getting used to shifting. The car down shifts great!
The car has 36k miles on it and an extended maintenance with it.
I noticed the service indicator shows 900 miles. I will start making my list for the dealer. The brakes are squeaking, and the key fob doesn't open the trunk all the time. I've set off the panic mode trying to open the trunk... Also noticed that my eyebrows are not working. I guess I need to have the dealer try to update the car to make them turn on.
Still a little confused with the maintenance. Am I supposed to go by the stupid iDrive clock, or the countdown clock on the dashboard?
I will post pics after I wash the car.
Need to tint the car. I'm thinking of 35% all around. I had 20% all around on my E39, but it was just too dark. (for the cops) :thumbsdown:
Anyways, let the fun begin!
Chris
I picked up an 04 545i SMG, Silver Gray with Sport, CWP, Logic7, Nav, Comfort Seats, Shades, Spoiler, and Euro Reflectors. The car is an 03/04 build date, so I think it's not too "early" build.
I've only had the car a day, so I can't make any real comments. It is faster than the E39 540i that I was driving. The comfort seats have better adjustments than the E39. iDrive isn't as bad as I thought. I still need to set all my radio stations. Sound system is really nice. SMG is fun to use. I am still getting used to shifting. The car down shifts great!
The car has 36k miles on it and an extended maintenance with it.
I noticed the service indicator shows 900 miles. I will start making my list for the dealer. The brakes are squeaking, and the key fob doesn't open the trunk all the time. I've set off the panic mode trying to open the trunk... Also noticed that my eyebrows are not working. I guess I need to have the dealer try to update the car to make them turn on.
Still a little confused with the maintenance. Am I supposed to go by the stupid iDrive clock, or the countdown clock on the dashboard?
I will post pics after I wash the car.
Need to tint the car. I'm thinking of 35% all around. I had 20% all around on my E39, but it was just too dark. (for the cops) :thumbsdown:
Anyways, let the fun begin!
Chris
#2
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My Ride: 2007 E63 AMG | Obsidian Black | Schwarzes Nappa | Black BirdEye Maple | Premium II Package | Electronic Trunk Closer | Parktronic
Engine: RPi/Powerchips custom ECU tune, RPi Ram Air Kit (BMC filter, scoops), RennTech Sport exhaust, secondary cats, charcoal and resonator delete, custom AAA x-pipe
Exterior: 50% side windows / 35% rear window Formula One Pinnacle Series | Flat AMG hood emblem
Suspension: Renntech Lowering Module
Wheels/Tires: Radenergie R10, Falken FK452 245/30/20, Yokohama ADVAN Sport 285/25/20
-----------------------------------------
2005 545i Sport SMG | Ti Grau | Schwarzes Dakota | Anthracite Maple | Logic 7 | Nav
Engine: Custom AFE CAI, Superchips ECU remap, Sprint Booster, RDSport Dual Exhaust Conversion with Quad Pipes and X-pipe, 3 resonators deleted, 90mm tips!
Exterior: M-Tech Aero kit | M5 Mirrors | M5 Rear Bumper | Trunk Lid Finisher | Vorsteiner decklid spoiler | 50% Formula One Pinnacle Tint
Suspension and Brakes: Bilstein PSS9 coilovers, JBT BBK: 16" cross-drilled rotors, 8 piston and 15" cross-drilled rotors, 4 piston
Wheels: VIP Modular VR 02 20x9F, 20x10R | Toyo T1R 245/30/20F, 285/25/20R
Lights: PIAA 4150K Xtreme White Plus fog lights, AIB v3
MOST IMPORTANT: Hardwired V1; =)
ED Date: 4/7/05, Re-delivery date: 5/21/05
Congrats on the car! Now, bring that to the Bay Area Meet we are having on March 31st in San Jose.
#3
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Location: Winter Park, FL
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My Ride: 2005 545i (SMG)
Titanium Gray
Black Interior, Anthracite Trim
M-tech kit
Sport Package
Premium Sound
Satellite Radio
Active Cruise
Comfort Seats
Navigation
Folding rear seats
Originally Posted by ctsang1234' post='394188' date='Feb 22 2007, 12:09 AM
I've only had the car a day, so I can't make any real comments. It is faster than the E39 540i that I was driving. The comfort seats have better adjustments than the E39. iDrive isn't as bad as I thought. I still need to set all my radio stations. Sound system is really nice. SMG is fun to use. I am still getting used to shifting. The car down shifts great!
1. Start in 1st gear. Press accelerator pedal lightly to begin movement, and pause while car begins to move. Continue to hold accelerator pedal in stationary position while clutch disengages. When you feel the clutch has disengaged, you can continue to press the pedal to accelerate more.
2. When you are ready to shift into the next gear, lightly release pressure off the accelerator pedal. They key is LIGHTLY. Do not move shoe off pedal.... instead think of lifting your foot inside your shoe. I basically try to curl my toes upward so they touch the top of the inside of my shoe. This action causes the car to slow slightly, which shifts the weight forward and off of the driving tires.
3. Click into the next gear.
4. Pause while the gear shifts, and the clutch disengages. By Pause, I mean hold your foot in the "toes curled" position on the accelerator. If you press the accelerator down while the car is shifting, you will get a rough jerk when the clutch disengages after the shift. So just be patient, wait for the shift to complete and the clutch to disengage... then you can continue to accelerate.
5. Accelerate in the next gear.
6. Repeat steps 2 - 5 through the rest of the gears.
The brakes are squeaking, and the key fob doesn't open the trunk all the time. I've set off the panic mode trying to open the trunk... Also noticed that my eyebrows are not working. I guess I need to have the dealer try to update the car to make them turn on.
To open the trunklid with the key, press and hold the trunk button for more than 1 second, but less than 2 seconds. If you press less than 1 second, then nothing happens. If you hold the trunk release button for more than 2 seconds, the alarm goes off. (Panic button). This is just one of those really bonehead decisions made by BMW. It just takes some practice to get used to the timing.
Still a little confused with the maintenance. Am I supposed to go by the stupid iDrive clock, or the countdown clock on the dashboard?
Need to tint the car. I'm thinking of 35% all around. I had 20% all around on my E39, but it was just too dark. (for the cops) :thumbsdown:
Here's some pics to compare:
This is my 545i SMG, with 20% Llumar film. Notice the tint is a black color, and very dark.
Contrast that against my 325i. This has Huper Optik 30% film.
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My Ride: 2006 550 SMG
Congrats!!! You now have a very rare species E60...Once you get the hang of SMG, you will be very disapointed that they stop making it...I Know I Am... :'(
#5
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My Ride: 2005 545i (SMG)
Titanium Gray
Black Interior, Anthracite Trim
M-tech kit
Sport Package
Premium Sound
Satellite Radio
Active Cruise
Comfort Seats
Navigation
Folding rear seats
Originally Posted by katheikia' post='394322' date='Feb 22 2007, 11:22 AM
Congrats!!! You now have a very rare species E60...Once you get the hang of SMG, you will be very disapointed that they stop making it...I Know I Am... :'(
Yes. We SMG owners should organize a large protest rally, and visit Germany.... make the people who decided to ditch SMG line up so we can kick 'em in the dick, one by one.
#6
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My Ride: G30 M550i
Model Year: 2018
Originally Posted by subterFUSE' post='394323' date='Feb 22 2007, 11:46 AM
Yes. We SMG owners should organize a large protest rally, and visit Germany.... make the people who decided to ditch SMG line up so we can kick 'em in the dick, one by one.
(and while we're at it, we can vent our frustrations on the typical clueless BMW sales consultant who doesn't know how to sell the SMG concept!)
Congrats on your car ctsang1234 -- you'll love it!!
#7
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My Ride: 2007 E63 AMG | Obsidian Black | Schwarzes Nappa | Black BirdEye Maple | Premium II Package | Electronic Trunk Closer | Parktronic
Engine: RPi/Powerchips custom ECU tune, RPi Ram Air Kit (BMC filter, scoops), RennTech Sport exhaust, secondary cats, charcoal and resonator delete, custom AAA x-pipe
Exterior: 50% side windows / 35% rear window Formula One Pinnacle Series | Flat AMG hood emblem
Suspension: Renntech Lowering Module
Wheels/Tires: Radenergie R10, Falken FK452 245/30/20, Yokohama ADVAN Sport 285/25/20
-----------------------------------------
2005 545i Sport SMG | Ti Grau | Schwarzes Dakota | Anthracite Maple | Logic 7 | Nav
Engine: Custom AFE CAI, Superchips ECU remap, Sprint Booster, RDSport Dual Exhaust Conversion with Quad Pipes and X-pipe, 3 resonators deleted, 90mm tips!
Exterior: M-Tech Aero kit | M5 Mirrors | M5 Rear Bumper | Trunk Lid Finisher | Vorsteiner decklid spoiler | 50% Formula One Pinnacle Tint
Suspension and Brakes: Bilstein PSS9 coilovers, JBT BBK: 16" cross-drilled rotors, 8 piston and 15" cross-drilled rotors, 4 piston
Wheels: VIP Modular VR 02 20x9F, 20x10R | Toyo T1R 245/30/20F, 285/25/20R
Lights: PIAA 4150K Xtreme White Plus fog lights, AIB v3
MOST IMPORTANT: Hardwired V1; =)
ED Date: 4/7/05, Re-delivery date: 5/21/05
Bring it to the Bay Area Meet! I'll show you how to power shift and where your max powerband is in each gear while engaging in some spirited driving.
#9
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My Ride: 07 BMW 525i Premium Package, Xenon Lighting Package, manual Transmission. Titanium Grey, 20% Tint around the back, 70% V-Kool on front.
Planned mods: Style 71 wheels with Toyo Proxy 4 tires, Sachs suspension upgrade, upgraded stereo, and many more to come.
One more option on tint:
I got 20% for the rear windows and the rear windshield, and I got 70% on the front windows. The front windows are using V-kool and it's a pretty cool product, looks almost non-tint, but it rejects heat better than the 20% ones on the back!
I have that done in Fremont, and I think it looks great on my titanium gray e60 =P
I can't imagine cops will be harassing you for such a light tint!
The V-kool is kind of pricy, but the heat rejection and light shade is great! To me 35% is too light, at least for really keeping the sun out of my daughter...
I got 20% for the rear windows and the rear windshield, and I got 70% on the front windows. The front windows are using V-kool and it's a pretty cool product, looks almost non-tint, but it rejects heat better than the 20% ones on the back!
I have that done in Fremont, and I think it looks great on my titanium gray e60 =P
I can't imagine cops will be harassing you for such a light tint!
The V-kool is kind of pricy, but the heat rejection and light shade is great! To me 35% is too light, at least for really keeping the sun out of my daughter...
#10
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My Ride: F13 M6
congrats on the 545 man. heck yeah it is an awesome car. as for tint, i have 35% all around on mine. since mine is silver gray also, figured you could have a look at it just to be certain. with 35% during the day you could still see through the window. at night it almost looks like limo tint, almost. a couple other members with silver gray have also tinted theirs so you could check out their rides too.