I am number 3 on the waiting list here. Here is what I think I will end up getting:

• 545i
• SMG
• 18" run flats
• HUD
• Navigation system
• Active Steering
• Active Roll Stabilization
• Adaptive bi-xenon headlights
• Sport package (whatever is included)
• Bluetooth connection

Pretty much all the options... ;) I hope that the sport package will include some different spoiler or side skirts. But since the new M5 E60 is not officially announced, I doubt the first year's sport package will have too many body changes, if any.

You're probably going to come pretty close to the price of an M5 with all that stuff, litster!

The sensible side of me says all I would need is 530, but I just keep thinking what I really want is the 545. I'm really curious to see what the pricing is like compared to the current 540. I also can't decide between SMG and manual. What I do know I want no matter what is:

Professional Navigation
HUD
Advanced Climate Control
Sirius Satellite Radio
LOGIC7 Audio - subwoofers under the front seats!
Bluetooth
Adaptive Headlamps
Sport package
Park Distance Control

Interestingly, there are 3 screen options: a 5.8-in monochrome screen (Basic), 6.5-in color (with Business Navigation or Advanced Climate Control), and 8.8-in color (with Professional Navgation). The selection of various options seems to determine what screen you get. I definitely want the big one!

I definitely want the big one!

Sounds like something Mrs. DAS would say. :lol: :D :o



8.8 inches is sweet. You should be able to add a relay to it and hook up tv to the lcd. Then you can watch the Jets beat the Packers while you're driving at 65 miles per hour.

Have you thought about the Sirius antenna? Will they stick it into the shark fin?

I don't know where they'll put that thing...but I hope it is out of sight or otherwise unobtrusive.

As for the screen, TV is actually listed as on option for it here. There seems to be an indication of the availability of a rear screen as well in some documents, with the front and rear screen able to display different sets of information or video from different sources. I'm waiting to see how (and when) all these different options will be available.

I do want the new M5, but I don't want to wait that long, plus 500+ HP is gonna be too fast for this old fart! :P And I am sure if I get all these options for an M5, it could go over $85K or $90K. Add these options to a 545i and it may *just* be around $65K. Man, that's a lot of dough... May be I shouldn't...

And then I looked at your list, now I want even more! I want to add TV function, Logic7 audio, climate control, and parking distance control! I hope that most of the handling and driving options are part of the sport package. Better start saving!

What's the difference between the normal navigation and the professional navigation, beside the larger screen?

530dA

18" run flats

Prof. Navigation system

Voice control

Active Cruise Control

Active Steering

Active Roll Stabilization (Dinamic Drive)

Adaptive bi-xenon headlights

Sport suspension

Confort seats

Climate control glass

Logic 7

Telephone

Shadow line

My God, I feel almost ashamed to say what I want after reading your posts ! I have a humble 520i and if I like it I?ll buy the same version again. 170 bhp is enough for me, I don?t need more than 200 to have fun driving :) I?d rather spend the money for some options, like:

Here I am again, I had some troubles with my first post. I was about to tell you my favourite options:

- Active steering, but only after trying cars with and without it, I?m not so sure about it.

- Climate control glass, summers in this part of Spain run from May thru October B)

- Active seats or at least lumbar support.

- Maybe xenon lights.

- 17 in wheels (my E39 has 15in, so that will be a leap!)

- Alarm. But I can?t believe is not standard in a car of this price.

- Last but not least. metallic paint, although the choice is pretty limited compared to the E39, I think.


That?s it. Hopefully I?ll test drive it in a few days, cars arrive here next week, I?ll keep you posted ;)

Bye, hasta pronto

:unsure: :unsure: Actually the TV is an option on E39's as well. I picked up the German brochure from my European Delivery and on page 60 of the brochure they show a picture of the TV Funktion (that's how they spell it). As I understand it, on Euro spec models, you can watch TV while the car is parked. We of course do not have this functionality. Do not expect this on US bound cars. Sorry for the bad news Dave. You'll either have to watch TV at home or re-wire the NAV system to allow for TV. :D :D

Try this: Go to this link
BMW UK E39 Equipment list

Mouse over the *features* and select interior. Then scroll down till you get to the TV Function. As you'll see, they have the TV Function now.

Sorry for the bad news.

Yes, I actually was aware of that, and I've seen the several hacks that apply to some model years (like 1997) to enable TV, and the kits from nav-tv.com, and some of the stuff from various forums listing off part numbers and that sort of thing. I've also seen the stuff at nav-tv.com that removes the restriction on watching TV while moving.

I guess what I'm curious about is if the TV option (moving or not) will be offered on the US models at all. I guess we know it will be offered in Europe, since it's listed in the UK catalog. Either way, I'm sure that nav-tv.com will have an overpriced solution for people who want to watch TV on the nav screen while driving.

Or maybe TV can be projected onto the HUD! :P

(For what it's worth, I myself don't want to watch TV while driving; it's more for passengers and just for the novelty of it. I actually have a tuner and a DVD player set up to be used on the BMW Accessory Navigation System screen in my E39 now.)

All cars can be coded to have TV as for moving function a signal generator [square wave] hooked to it at anthing over 50HZ.

Are you saying that the tuner system BMW uses relies on a signal source from some other device to determine that the car isn't moving? Does some signal have to be present at all times? What vendor does BMW use for TV equipment now?

The KOMBI sends a speed signal around to different ECU's that need a speed signal. The tuner is built in all BMW 's with NAVI. VDO or SEIMANS depends on year.

I do want the new M5, but I don't want to wait that long, plus 500+ HP is gonna be too fast for this old fart! :P And I am sure if I get all these options for an M5, it could go over $85K or $90K. Add these options to a 545i and it may *just* be around $65K. Man, that's a lot of dough... May be I shouldn't...

And then I looked at your list, now I want even more! I want to add TV function, Logic7 audio, climate control, and parking distance control! I hope that most of the handling and driving options are part of the sport package. Better start saving!

What's the difference between the normal navigation and the professional navigation, beside the larger screen? [/quote]
Lister, The Prof Nav has full map functionality whereas the Business Nav has arrows and indicators.

Thanks FastBuck. I definitely want the Prof version then. I have a Honda Odyssey with Navigation. I never look at just the arrows and indicators. I always look at the map.

:D I don't know about you guys, but that 535i is sounding more & more like a certainty for the 2005 model. I'm DEFINITELY going to hold out for that bad boy. Nothing like a brand new version of a BMW inline six!!!

Hopefully, they will get all of the major price increases out of the way in the first model year. I might get the Sport Package w/SMG, but the only other option I might consider would be some type of wood trim for the dash. B.T.W., I don't know if anyone remembers this from the E39 board, but there used to be a beautiful BIRCH wood trim kit that you could get in Germany for the E39....I wonder if that will be available for the E60?

R.R.

I have read three different engine types ascribed to the 535i at this point. I have attached a couple of links that I have come across. One is from Popular Mechanics, and though I have no idea how reliable their advance car information is, the are otherwise pretty reliable. They are saying the the 535 will use a V-6 instead of an I-6. I hadn't heard that BMW was working on a V-6. The other link is from a Canadian website and it indicates that the 535 will use a small block V-8. I have read this elsewhere and I seem to recall that the article stated that the smaller displacement V-8 is available in Europe, but would not be imported to the U.S. So, is it a revised version of the inline 6, a new V-6, or a small V-8. About the only consistency I have seen is that all these articles have indicated a power output in the 272 to 275hp range. By the way, really good site.

Duh, here are the links:

http://www.carbc.com/Car-News-302.html

http://popularmechanics.com/automotive/spy...ope_spy_report/

Just like Richreq, I'll wait for the 535i. :)

I am also waiting for the 535i with the sports Package. Seems like the best choice from a financial and performance perspective. Look at the current E39 540 with 280hp. The E60 is lighter and has the new adaptave steering. :rolleyes: