My first 5 series!
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Boston, MA.
I picked up my first 5 series last night. WOW, what a car, easily the nicest vehicle I have owned - and I have owned quite a few over the last 35 years of driving. Haven't had much time to drive it . It's not worth elaborating on the driving experience since I would be preaching to the choir. Here are a few quick takes on some things I wasn't expecting or wasn't sure about.
The good (in no particular order):
Ambient lighting - extremely cool. Didn't know anything about it when I ordered the car - a very pleasant surprise with a high wife acceptance factor.
HUD - was a bit worried about spending the money sight unseen. But most people here seemed to like the HUD's, so I took a chance. I love it, and am very glad I ordered it. Works great with the nav system so you don't have to take your eyes off the road to view the map. It already saved me when I was going a bit too fast on a side road that is a known speed trap. It didn't feel like I was going very fast so I probably wouldn't have checked my speed - good thing it was right in front of me on the HUD!
Comfort seats - the best I have had. I did have Recaro's in a previous car that were pretty good, but the 20 way adjustment on the comfort seats give them the edge. I'm sure they will be great for long drives. They would make a really nice office chair.
Heated steering wheel - sweet! Love how thick it is.
iDrive - I really like it. Pretty easy to learn. Much easier and safer than having to look for a little button to change something while driving. I don't understand the negative reviews it gets - unless the reviewers have absolutely no computer experience.
Not sure yet:
Logic 7 with HD and iPod - On the drive home while using the iPod the sound was really bad. Certain things were muffled (voices for instance), other things were fine. The menus worked pretty good, though they were a little slow when accessing my iPod. I didn't try FM. When I got home I noticed that the headphone type connector plug (under the USB connector) was loose and had come partially out, which explained the bad sound. When I plugged it all the way back in the voices were back and it obviously sounded much better. The trouble is that the headphone type connector plug is very loose when it is plugged in, and when it is jiggled the sound cuts in and out, so I have to be careful not to bump the wires. Anyone else run into this?
The bad: nothing yet (well maybe the iPod connection), knock on wood!
The good (in no particular order):
Ambient lighting - extremely cool. Didn't know anything about it when I ordered the car - a very pleasant surprise with a high wife acceptance factor.
HUD - was a bit worried about spending the money sight unseen. But most people here seemed to like the HUD's, so I took a chance. I love it, and am very glad I ordered it. Works great with the nav system so you don't have to take your eyes off the road to view the map. It already saved me when I was going a bit too fast on a side road that is a known speed trap. It didn't feel like I was going very fast so I probably wouldn't have checked my speed - good thing it was right in front of me on the HUD!
Comfort seats - the best I have had. I did have Recaro's in a previous car that were pretty good, but the 20 way adjustment on the comfort seats give them the edge. I'm sure they will be great for long drives. They would make a really nice office chair.
Heated steering wheel - sweet! Love how thick it is.
iDrive - I really like it. Pretty easy to learn. Much easier and safer than having to look for a little button to change something while driving. I don't understand the negative reviews it gets - unless the reviewers have absolutely no computer experience.
Not sure yet:
Logic 7 with HD and iPod - On the drive home while using the iPod the sound was really bad. Certain things were muffled (voices for instance), other things were fine. The menus worked pretty good, though they were a little slow when accessing my iPod. I didn't try FM. When I got home I noticed that the headphone type connector plug (under the USB connector) was loose and had come partially out, which explained the bad sound. When I plugged it all the way back in the voices were back and it obviously sounded much better. The trouble is that the headphone type connector plug is very loose when it is plugged in, and when it is jiggled the sound cuts in and out, so I have to be careful not to bump the wires. Anyone else run into this?
The bad: nothing yet (well maybe the iPod connection), knock on wood!
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congrats on your new car....enjoy...
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Originally Posted by Og Oggilby' post='535327' date='Feb 24 2008, 08:38 AM
I picked up my first 5 series last night. WOW, what a car, easily the nicest vehicle I have owned - and I have owned quite a few over the last 35 years of driving. Haven't had much time to drive it . It's not worth elaborating on the driving experience since I would be preaching to the choir.
Ambient lighting - extremely cool. Didn't know anything about it when I ordered the car - a very pleasant surprise with a high wife acceptance factor.
Ambient lighting - extremely cool. Didn't know anything about it when I ordered the car - a very pleasant surprise with a high wife acceptance factor.
By the way, did you unknowingly purchase any additional lighting, such as the illuminated door sills or are you referring to the standard lighting?
aboard!!!
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My Ride: 2005 545i E60 Orient Blau Metallic
Premium, NAV, Winter Package, Heads Up Display, Logic 7 Audio, AngeliBright Upgrade [White], M5 Body Kit, M Embroidered Seats
Congrats on your car -- you're in for quite an experience...
There are issues with sound on the new Logic 7. I have a 2005 545i and I LOVE my logic 7 sound. Go in to your EQ and make sure everything is reset and set to flat. Also check the speed volume setting as that will change how loud/soft your radio will sound depending on how you drive...
There are issues with sound on the new Logic 7. I have a 2005 545i and I LOVE my logic 7 sound. Go in to your EQ and make sure everything is reset and set to flat. Also check the speed volume setting as that will change how loud/soft your radio will sound depending on how you drive...
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From: Sweden
My Ride: 530 2006
msport package, steptronic, pdc, mystik blue, grey dakota leather, sunroof, Bi-Xenon, heated rear seats, Hi-FI system, velour carpets
Congrats and welcome!!
Please post some pictures of your beauty
Please post some pictures of your beauty
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From: Thousand Oaks, California
My Ride: 2008 550i Jet Black on Black Leather, SAT with Paddles, Logic 7, Comfort Seats, NAV, Sport Package, PDC, Xenons, Sirius, Trinity 12W LED Angel Eyes, RPi GT Exhaust, M rear spoiler, ACS Roof Spoiler, Tinted Tail Lights, Bimmian Carbon Fiber Pillar Trim, Bimmian Shadow 550i emblem, RPi Scoop, E60 Forum Cling, Mtec bulbs in fog lights, Mtec 2W LED for License Plate Light Bulbs, K&N Filter, Bimmian LED Smoked Side Markers, Blackout roundels, Carbon Fiber Kidney Grills.
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Congrats on the car and enjoy the forum! 
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Boston, MA.
Thanks everyone! I haven't been this happy about a car in a long time. I keep finding neat features that I didn't know about - and it is so much fun to drive for a "conservative" BMW.
Barrelfish - I am buying the car and plan on keeping it until it falls apart I didn't buy the illuminated door sills, I was referring to the orange LCD lights that are in the door handle recesses, and under the dome lights.
Barrelfish - I am buying the car and plan on keeping it until it falls apart
I didn't buy the illuminated door sills, I was referring to the orange LCD lights that are in the door handle recesses, and under the dome lights.
