Looking to get a 545i
01-31-2010, 08:50 AM
#2
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My Ride: 2005 545i Sport 6MT
Check everything.
When i bought the car, it needed alot of work, i didnt find it until a week after. Luckily, the dealer i purchased it from covered all the repairs.
Common issues:
Waterpump, tie rod ends, control arm bushings, valve cover gaskets, vacuum pump, coolant temp sensor, radiator (on mine anyway). If you are going to do the vacuum pump, more than likely you will need the line to the brake booster as well. Check all the services in I drive to see when they are due. Is it an automatic or manual? I prefer the manual, for reliability and simplicity.
Look for a 2005 model, as the 2004 was the first year of production for the 545i.
Sport package is a must, and the logic 7 is great!
FWIW, mine had 59k miles on it when i bought it. It now has 68k
When i bought the car, it needed alot of work, i didnt find it until a week after. Luckily, the dealer i purchased it from covered all the repairs.
Common issues:
Waterpump, tie rod ends, control arm bushings, valve cover gaskets, vacuum pump, coolant temp sensor, radiator (on mine anyway). If you are going to do the vacuum pump, more than likely you will need the line to the brake booster as well. Check all the services in I drive to see when they are due. Is it an automatic or manual? I prefer the manual, for reliability and simplicity.
Look for a 2005 model, as the 2004 was the first year of production for the 545i.
Sport package is a must, and the logic 7 is great!
FWIW, mine had 59k miles on it when i bought it. It now has 68k
02-01-2010, 07:34 AM
#3
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Location: Encino, CA
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My Ride: 04 545i - Titanium Silver/Black, Sport pkg, Comfort Seats w/ Lumbar, Premium Sound, power rear sunshade, Adaptive Xenon Headlights, Steptronic, Park Distance Control, Fold down rear seats w/ski bag, Aux jack, 6-disk changer, puddle lamps...
Engine: Custom Remus cat-back exhaust w/chrome square tips, K&N Air Filter, Charcoal Filter Removed, Sprint Booster :-), 50/50 mix of 91+100 Octane, EuroRev ECU Remap (coming soon lol), Dinan High-Flow Throttle Body (coming soon...maybe lol)
Interior: Portable Sirius Stilletto 100 w/car kit, Garmin Nuvi 680 mounted below rear-view mirror, LCI-style I-drive knob, Dark Poplar Center Dashboard Trim.
Exterior: E60 forum clings, 5% rear tint, ACS roof spoiler (painted black for distinct look against limo tint), ACS trunk spoiler, ACS add-on front spoiler and rear apron (awaiting installation), "18 Black Staggered BeBeS Style OER (emergency replacement for cracked sport 124 rims), black kidney grill, white accessory lighting (including license and trunk lamps), Angel-eye upgrade, AIB xenon-matched fog lamps, AIB V3's on order, red rear reflectors
Also transmission slam reprogramming, seat mat sensor replacement, and maybe a new battery - a 5 or 6 y/o battery in these cars can leave you stranded before long. Pics up when you get her!
02-01-2010, 07:44 AM
#4
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My Ride: 2006 525XI, Jet black on Dakota beige. Premium and winter packages. I consider myself a purist and intend to keep my car absolutely stock and shiny.
2008 328I Convertible, Sapphire black on beige interior. Premium package, NAV, iPod adapter.
Retired: 2002 325I, Titanium silver on black leather. Premium package. Absolutely stock and proud of it.
No matter what you do, you should get the car inspected by an impartial BMW shop or dealer. It will be worth the price. Tell them to pay particular attention to leaks, suspension, and body damage, G/L
02-01-2010, 08:06 AM
#5
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Location: Milky Way, Earth, N. America, CA, San Jose, 95136, Latitude N 37� 16.837, Longitude W 121� 50.461
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My Ride: 2004 530i | Sapphire Black | Sport | Premium | NAV | Logic 7 | DPE R07 Variant S Gloss Black with Polished Lip 20x8.5 front 20x10 rear | Falken FK452 tires 245/30/20 front 275/30/20 rear | H&R Coilovers | Smoked Tail Lights | M5 trunk spoiler | AC Schnitzer style roof spoiler | HID 8000K headlights & foglights | 35% tint all around | Sprint Booster | Speed Innovation ECU tuning | M5 trunk finisher | M-Tech body kit | Remus Quad Exhaust | AC Schnitzer style pedals | Euro Stickers | RPi Ram Air Induction | Smoked LED Side Lenses | AC Schnitzer style e-brake handle | AC Schnitzer style shifter | AC Schnitzer style iDrive knob | AC Schnitzer style carbon fiber diffuser | carbon fiber hood/trunk/steering emblems | carbon fiber grilles | carbon fiber door pillars | MTEC v2 Angel Eyes | Hamann style carbon fiber splitter
This forum member is selling his fixed up 2004 545i https://5series.net/forums/topic/932...&#entry1101939
02-01-2010, 08:06 AM
#6
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I'm in the UK and bought a late 2003 545SE. The one single thing I wish I'd done was to get an M Sport model. I know it's personal taste, but I think it looks far better, and having driven both, the handling is far sharper with the modded suspension and wider wheels and tyres. My car now has 78,000 miles and still runs well. My only problem to date has been a broken front road spring and worn rear pads.
02-01-2010, 08:19 AM
#7
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This forum member is selling his fixed up 2004 545i https://5series.net/forums/topic/932...&#entry1101939
GL!
02-01-2010, 08:29 AM
#8
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My Ride: 2010 M5 alpine white, black full leather, etc.
Before you purchase a 545i, please drive the 550i. At this point the cost should not be an issue.
You will be happier.
You will be happier.
02-01-2010, 10:07 AM
#9
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My Ride: Current- 2011 550XI, (The White Knight), M Sport Package, Comfort/PP2/etc; 2009 MB GL450 SUV, Arctic White
Past rides- 2008 BMW 550I, 2007 BMW 550I (RIP 8/20/10); 2004 545I, 2007 335 Cabrio, 2006 X3, 2003 330CI, 1999 M3 Cabrio, 1998 328IS Coupe
Just sold my '04 545i with 48K on the clock...(traded up for a '07 550I with 10K on the clock).
Loved the car to death...great mileage (23-25 hwy, 18-20 city). Didn't experience any problems with the transmission slam, but noticed the rough idle when waiting for lights and such. Also had Logic7 which was GREAT!
Good Luck in your search!
Loved the car to death...great mileage (23-25 hwy, 18-20 city). Didn't experience any problems with the transmission slam, but noticed the rough idle when waiting for lights and such. Also had Logic7 which was GREAT!
Good Luck in your search!