Well, you can adjust the side bolsters in the E92 sport seats, but NOT in the E60 sport seats (as far as I know) so that only works with comfort ;-)

 

Oh, one more question:

SMG? It seems to be rare and somewhat "drive it for a while before you decide"... are there any decent threads I should look into regarding this versus the regular auto transmission?

 

I would add split folding rear seats to the list of desirable options. This increases the versatility of the car significantly.

 

Very quick answer and I'm off :
Do they still offer the SMG as an option for newer cars ? If so, even if you buy your 545i second hand, maybe have a talk with a dealer and arrange a testdrive with an smg-equipped car, to see if it fits My personal opinion would be the 6spd manual, but SMG might be a tasty experience, too (never tried it, though)

And the folding rear seat is definately a plus........whenever I have to carry something long, I have to use my dad's E36 coupe

 

If you are getting a new E60, you are out of luck other than the M5 for SMG... 2008 you got row your own, auto , and sport auto with paddles on the wheel.

The only things I regret not getting were, PDC ( it's not standard in the USA) cause its a big car, fold down rear seats, and the auto rear sunshades.
Sport package seems like almost a must!

HID's are standard on the 535's on up, meaing the 528's don't have them standard.... Check out the info section on the main home page for the full list of standard / options on the USA e60's...

 

bigbadbull: thanks for the link to the options on the main page. however, it seems that that it doesn't cover the 2004-2005 model years. As I am planning on buying used, that's the info I'd need.

SMG might be important because my wife is starting to demand to be able to drive all the cars in the family. Getting a new car (to us) in a manual will require much negotiation .

I'll try and find an SMG car and test drive it. Given the rarity, it might be really hard to find and drive. Maybe find a 550i SMG and try that.

Folding rear seats, yeah, I want that for sure. I was *astounded* that it was not standard.

 

i just got one a month ago with smg and i love it having used both manual and autos before this, Also noticed the year on the one you were looking at was '04 and when i was going through this forum to buy mine the general consensus was to stay away from the '04 545s and find one from '05. Also i got an '05 smg + sport + col weather + sun shades + navi + cpo + extended maintenance for 35k. the options i wish i had were the comfort seats + hud + logic 7 but these three affect the price drastically and finding the comfort seats + hud on a car is very difficult. gl with your purchase