All I can say is that driving is a whole new experience for me - I have never owned anything like this before. I've been careful to stay inside the break-in limits, but, even with that constraint it is a very responsive car. I have not been able to find any limit to how quickly it can turn - I just point it and it goes like the tires are glued to the road. Power is pretty good, although I expect a little more excitement when I can wind it above 4500 rpm. It is quiet at any speed, as far as road and wind noise is concerened, and very comfortable to sit in for hours on end.

The sense you get when behind the wheel is a feeling of utter competence - the car simply does whatever you ask of it without complaining and with an extreme sense of precision.

People told me that I would love to drive this car - and they were right! To all those awaiting their first BMW - I think you will find almost endless pleasure in driving it when you finally get behind the wheel...

Cheers, Jon.

 

their tagline

"The Ultimate Driving Machine"

is pretty accurate, isn't it?

ENJOY

DD

 

congrats..what are you driving in the past ?

 

I've been driving Nissan Pathfinders - the 1st from 1988 to 1997, the second from 1997 until now. A very reliable little truck, but not much to speak of on the the quiet, comfortable, powerful end of things. My wife drives a very nice Toyota Camry, which has all the comfort I think anyone could really want, and it is certainly easy to drive, but I wouldn't call it "fun" or "exciting"...

The BMW is a whole 'nother experience for me!

Cheers, Jon.

 

Congrats man. Mine has been broken in for a few weeks, it only gets better.


Check your tire pressures - they come inflated to heavy load spec... 36 front, 44 rear. I deflated to normal load... 29 front 36 rear, it makes a difference in the ride. So far no penalty in gas mileage.

 

The pressures listed on the driver's door post are pretty high, and that is what the car was delivered with (as you indicate)... are these numbers incorrect? I checked the manual, and the numbers are lower, but I also saw that the manual is from last year, so I thought the sticker on the door post was the most current and correct. I'll try the lower pressures you recommend and see what happens.

Thanks, Jon.

 

The pressures listed on the driver's door post are pretty high, and that is what the car was delivered with (as you indicate)... are these numbers incorrect? I checked the manual, and the numbers are lower, but I also saw that the manual is from last year, so I thought the sticker on the door post was the most current and correct. I'll try the lower pressures you recommend and see what happens.

Thanks, Jon.
[/quote]


They're not wrong, it's just that different speeds and loading will dictate different pressures.


29 36 for up to 100mph with full load

29 35 for over 100mph for 4 people (no luggage)

36 44 for over 100mph with full load


These are printed in a matrix in the back of the manual. Look up the 18" tire size for the 525i/530i and adjust accordingly.

 

I noticed your E60 is a 6 speed manual. I want to know what you think about the clutch delay valve(CDV). Has it become an issue for you? I'm still undecided on the type of tranny. If I get a 530 it will be a 6 speed, if its a 550 then its either auto or SMG. Appreciate any info you can share.

 

Hmm, I don't think I know anything about a CDV... what is it supposed to do?

The clutch on this is very smooth and engages over some reasonble amount of the pedal travel. I've driven a friend's M3 once and it has a very "quick" clutch - it goes from disengaged to engaged over a small amount of pedal travel and takes some getting used to. I've driven a lot of different cars with manual transmissions and this one is probably the smoothest I've ever experienced.

I got the stick because 1) I already am very comfortable with a manual (I like the feeling of "I'm in control", 2) I'm of a generation where "sport" = "stick", and 3) no one else in my family wants to drive it!

 

Ive had a lot of problems with my 6 speed. I still have the CDV and don't really like it. I've had problems with the clutch taking up poorly and causeing a judder. Four repair attempts later and they are replacing the clutch 11500 miles.