The Much-Needed Short Beep
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Los Angeles, CA
My Ride: 2007 530i Silver Gray, Black Dakota Leather, Dark Poplar Trim, Premium Package, Sport Package (Bridgestone RFTs), Logic 7 Sound System, Nav System, Split Folding Rear Seats, Power Rear Sunshade, Park Distance Control.
In a dangerous situation you want to jar the other driver and lean on your horn. Other times you want a medium-lengthed honk to alert an encroaching moron.
But most often you want a simple, discrete "semi-honk" to nudge the guy on the cell phone in front of you who hasn't noticed the light has changed. This type of honk is a courtesy when done properly; it doesn't piss anyone off and promotes efficiency for everyone, including its intended target. Sometimes you even get a wave in thanks for the "heads-up."
Is it just mine, or do E60s in general have rigid horn pads that prevent the quick "blat" sound? To get any sound at all I have to make a sustained sound. Like I say, the quick, non-confrontational horn is the one most frequently used, especially by gentlemen.
On a second note, the horn in this car is too soft.
Has anyone found a solution?
But most often you want a simple, discrete "semi-honk" to nudge the guy on the cell phone in front of you who hasn't noticed the light has changed. This type of honk is a courtesy when done properly; it doesn't piss anyone off and promotes efficiency for everyone, including its intended target. Sometimes you even get a wave in thanks for the "heads-up."
Is it just mine, or do E60s in general have rigid horn pads that prevent the quick "blat" sound? To get any sound at all I have to make a sustained sound. Like I say, the quick, non-confrontational horn is the one most frequently used, especially by gentlemen.
On a second note, the horn in this car is too soft.
Has anyone found a solution?
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: UK - South Wales
My Ride: 525i SE Black Saphire, Black Dakota Leather, 116 type alloys
I know what you mean about the pad being too rigid. Many a time I've gone for the "gentleman" beep and failed to make any noise at all, by which time it's usually too late anyway.
Nope - I havn't found a solution other than to blat it harder when I really need it.
Nope - I havn't found a solution other than to blat it harder when I really need it.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: So Cal, USA
My Ride: 545iSMGSilver GrayAuburn Dakota LeatherLogic 7 Premium SoundSports Package
Originally Posted by Geno' post='307149' date='Jul 5 2006, 10:42 AM
On a second note, the horn in this car is too soft.
Has anyone found a solution?
Has anyone found a solution?
Air horns!
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 50
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From: Tampa Bay
My Ride: 530i Monaco Blue/Auburn/Poplar/6MT/Prem Pkg/Sport Pkg/Prem Sound/Act Steering/Nav/Comf Seats/ Folding Rear Seat/HUD
21,000 miles. I can't remember using the horn even once. That's really weird. 
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 93
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From: Los Angeles, CA
My Ride: 2007 530i Silver Gray, Black Dakota Leather, Dark Poplar Trim, Premium Package, Sport Package (Bridgestone RFTs), Logic 7 Sound System, Nav System, Split Folding Rear Seats, Power Rear Sunshade, Park Distance Control.
At some level the horn is a safety feature, yet I can't routinely get it to sound on short notice and when it does it's too soft to get anyone's attention.
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Louisiana
I noticed the same thing but didn't even think to post it on the forum. A couple of times I've tried to do a quick punch on the horn, but that doesn't work either. Maybe 2 quick beeps so it doesn't sound like one long obnoxious honk.
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 817
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From: Philly,PA now Berlin,Germany
My Ride: E60 Limo with M-Sport package(m5 mirrors,m5 trunk finisher,m172 summer wheels,blk front grills,m5 paddle shift kit(my530i),m pedal covers,m floor mats,
E87 2005 The Misses car
E39 2002 Touring with M-Sport package/family wagon(gone but not forgotten)
same issues here 
quick air horn blast maybe 
quick air horn blast maybe
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Dallas, TX USA
I keep thinking some enterprising forum member will figure out how to remove the horn button and clip a round or so off the underlying spring. Then we can give quick polite toots like my wife can do in her Odyssey.
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Los Angeles, CA
My Ride: 2007 530i Silver Gray, Black Dakota Leather, Dark Poplar Trim, Premium Package, Sport Package (Bridgestone RFTs), Logic 7 Sound System, Nav System, Split Folding Rear Seats, Power Rear Sunshade, Park Distance Control.
Even then the horn will be inaudible.