tudmbmw

What is the secret of being able to make BMW last for 12 years?

Hopco

Good maintenance and TLC.

I bought my first 5 series (a 533 - E28) in 1982. Dieder, the service manager of the old Trans-Atlantic BMW-NYC, said I could pay him a little now or a lot later. He got me going on half cycle oil changes, keeping ahead of potential problems and keeping the car's body shipshape.

Of course, for nine years I did live in NYC, and did not use the car that much. For the last 3 years of the 533, it was a station car. I finally sold it to a BMW mechanic, for about 10% of original cost, after the starter motor died. RIP

I held onto my 1991 M5 too long, but I was waiting for the introduction of the new BMW diesels to the USA. Finally, after two on the road breakdowns (a distributor cap failure and a water pump failure); I gave in a bought my 2006 530xiT. I sold the M5 car for about 15% of my original cost at 179k miles ? perhaps I could have gotten more if I had marketed it better. In looking back, I now recognize I should have changed the water pump at 110k miles or so. The collateral damage (radiator, hoses etc.) was the expensive part.

Looking ahead for my new 2010 535xiT, I plan to do a break-in oil change at 1,500 miles or so, do oil changes once a year (that's on BMW) or every 7,500 miles (high grade synthetic), change the auto transmission fluid at 60,000 miles etc. . . That takes care of the mechanical side as best I can. I also use Rejex on the paint. Potential electronic repairs do concern me. They can be expensive. I imagine, the only thing I can do is be sure everything is OK as the regular warranty period comes to a close ? then make sure I don't drive through ball lightening



Any other ideas would be appreciated.

Kzang

Please if you can show us some pics of the 3D version of the navigation map!

tudmbmw

Thanks for the tips Hopco.

Kzang, You can see 3D Navi map on this post on bimmerfest.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showpost....amp;postcount=3

Kzang

Yeah I've seen that but I wanted to see more

Ellicit

great car/ color/ gl

5_Is_Alive

Very nice! Congrats

Hopco

I drove into our village tonight and turned on the 3D Navi - Cool!

However, I think I will stick to map facing north for navigation, but the 3D is great for entertainment. Wait, 3D might be great for navigation in the mountains.

Sorry, I forgot my camera. I will take it with me and post some screenshots tomorrow.

Hopco

Kranq:

Here are some more shot of the iDrive in 3D Navi mode. I shot them in New Canaan, CT with a route to New York City and the West River (aka: Hudson River).



Don't you think that the name The West River is a nice match to the East River? I have seen the West River name used in documents from about 100 years ago relevant to the them major project of building a direct rail link into Manhattan. The proposal was to build it the West River Bridge from New Jersey into midtown Manhattan. In the event, the built the Hudson River Tubes - which continue to bring Amtrak and some NJ commuters into the city. Now do you feel you have learned something today? Was it valuable? :thumbsdown:


Anyway, to the pictures: Notice the cute little clouds in the sky - nice touch, but unfortunately today was all rain. I think the last image is most interesting. Looking north from the Norwalk, CT area, one can see the ridges and river valleys of Fairfield County, Connecticut.

As I mentioned in my review, above, I find it hard to see the text in the boxes at the right of the screen. The contrast between the letters and the background is too low. I hope BMW rectifies that in one of the software updates. Perhaps, they should use white, red or yellow letters.

Please click on the thumbnail, below, to enlarge.

Kzang

Thats awesome. Thank you for posting that.

My car just finished its production and is now waiting for transport.
I didn't think the wait would be hard since I already went through this on my current car but
for some reason I am feeling very anxious again to take delivery ASAP!