Hello all !

I have been reading these forums for a while, and really enjoyed myself here !
I am a sworn car-nut, and always had a special love for bmw`s.
I have owned three, a 525i e34 (192 bhp), a 320i e36 and a 316i touring e46.
All good, but I miss the dark green 320 i everyday :)

Anyway, I`m considering getting a new car come 2009, and tested an e60 523iA today.
I currently drive a diesel car (volvo) which is good, but I`ve always loved the sound and feel of those bmw petrol sixes...

The car was great ! Not very fast from standstill, but when pushed it went very well. Refined and sounding wonderful when kicked down :D

So, a few questions to you experienced guys..

- Is it normal with a slight "delay" when you push the accelerator from standstill. (autobox)
Heard about this with dieselcars, but this is a petrol....

- Do you recommend getting the adaptive headlights ?

- If I decide to shop, I will be getting the M-package for sure. What do you think about the combination spacegrey/natural brown ?

Thanks in advance !

B

There is nothing like a Bmw I-6!

There is a slight delay when you hit the accelerator pedal unfortunatly. I know it sucks but there is something called Sprintbooster that fixes that pedal delay. It doesnt bother me as much because i have a MT.

Adaptive headlights. Yes.

Space Gray and Natural Brown are good to me!

Hi, from reading this forum, I guess there's supposed to be a slight delay, but I honestly don't feel it. If you plan on getting auto tranny, I would search this and other forums for transmission slam, delay, or lurch, and look out for those during your test drive.

I don't have adaptive lights and I've never had them in 30+ years of driving. I usually buy my cars Cpo'd and I would not go out of my way to find one equipped with them. I guess I would take them if they came with the car, but frankly, I don't know that I would want another thing that might potentially break down, down the line.

Spacegrey/natural brown would work.

From your comment about the 320i, I deduce that you enjoy driving small cars with super tight cornering capabilities. If that's the case, you should also consider test driving the E90 or even the 1 series. The E60 cars handle superbly, but they are still big cars and can't compare to the smaller BMWs for handling. The E60 seem much smoother and more comfortable than its smaller siblings.

Thanks for your replies !

Sprintbooster sounds like a plan if I decide to shop !

Good point "porsche911targa", it should be interesting to see how all the gadgets in modern cars are doing in a few years time :D

I might try the e90, but have somehow fallen in love with the e60. And I have two boys who needs some space in the back :)
But true, the 320i was razorsharp on winding norwegian roads. It was a beautiful car ! It had to go because my girlfriend at the time refused to drive it in the winter...
Another thing, should I get the navi ? Do you guys actually use it a lot ???


B

Just got a TomTom One XL-S, refurbished from Buy.com for less than $150.00 vs. the extra $1500-2000 for built-in navi. Would the built-in navi look cool? Hell, yes. Is it worth the extra money (to me)? Hell, no! With the TomTom you get to join the map-sharing community and it gets constantly updated for free for the first 12 months, while with the navi you need to get updated DVDs that cost about the same as a fully loaded TomTom. It also seems that most problems with Idrives happen with navi units, but to each his own. The decision is entirely up to you. I'll admit, though, that the display is kinda boring without the navi. There's nothing really interesting to display except maybe the radio stations. I don't understand why BMW could not put up a screen with at least the outside temperature and a compass.

I like to mount my Tomtom to the little area on the left-lower corner of the windshield where I can take a quick glance without taking my eyes off the road. I can also take the TomTom on trips where I'll be renting a car, instead of driving my own.

The E60 definitely has more room in the back for the kids, that's for sure. Have fun finding the right car for you and don't forget to post pictures.

[/quote]
Same for me, I also don't feel it. Using the auto tranny in D/S ("Manual") mode certainly helps remove any 'thinking time' the auto tranny might need. Biggest improvement using manual mode is when you want to overtake. I find it's a lot quicker to start your overtaking move with the torque you've got in your current gear than letting the gearbox downshift. Maybe with less torque available from a smaller engine it would be best to downshift.

1 get a Sprint Booster
2 adaptive HL yes
for me i always like a black interior good luck with your decision :thumbsup:

You can also reset the transmission regularly with the "25 Second Reset Trick"!! :whistle: It's like a new car every time! :thumbsup: Good Luck with your decision! :cool:

how do you do the 25sec trick?? :D

:huh:

I have always been a sworn "petrol head" until I started driving BMW 6 cyl diesels. The power and torque are unreal from an engine that sounds great. I have had an E46 330d Sport which I had remapped to 280bhp with 510nm of torque which was sensational - a porche boxter eater all day long. (WARNING: i DID SMASH THE AUTO BOX ON IT DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF TORQUE - EXPENSIVE!!!). I have also had an "04" E60 530d with 218bhp and I now drive a "06" 530d M Sport with 236bhp. Go one try a diesel you won't regret it!

As to Nav and options. Really from a resale point of view Nav, bluetooth and leather are esential and will maximise your return. However previous comments regarding Tom Tom are correct that it is better than that fitted. Choose your colour combination carefully for resale as well. Black is a good interior for my money.

Good luck and enjoy!!! :D

got it :P the 25 sec trick here's the link

http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=40018

:thumbsup:

The Sprint Booster is one of the single most important mods an owner can make. Considering its relative cheepness compared to other mods, getting it is a no-brainer!

how much for the booster at the dealer? will it even help my 525i? if i get it elsewhere, will it void any warranty i have?

Thanks again for all replies. This is a great forum !!!

I?ll be in the thinkbox for a while, but I promise to keep you informed.

Visited the dealer again today, by the way, and I think the 523i is the one if the shopping is happening.

Anyone here who owns a 523i manual ??? The dealer says auto is the only option considering resaletime, but experiences appreciated...

Best regards , B.

auto e60s will sure have better residual values ;)

The sprintbooster will be $300 or is it $315 from partsexporter andy wong.

-Leon

I like dark interiors, adaptive headlights makes driving fun, i havent experience any delay( i'm into M/T)

yes there is a delay which can be eliminated by Sprint Booster....

This mysterious Sprint Booster we hear so much about, appear in almost every thread on here, but what really is it and where can one be purchased and is it as frowned upon by warranties as a chip remap is ?

Are you getting a brand new one, or are you buying used?

When buying a new one, you can choose between the auto and the manual. Used, you will have a hard time finding a manual. That IS for a reason! You're dealer is right that the resale value of an auto trans is much higher, and to be honest, the auto trans fits best with the car (imo).

Regarding the adaptive lights: imo you do not really need them, although seeing where you come from, it may be usefull. Xenon, on the other hand, is a must for me.

If you're looking forn e60 that handles like an e90, test drive an e60 with Active Front Steering and Dynamic Drive. With these options, the care really feels like a smaller car!

Hope this helps you....

Thanks for your advice !
If I buy it will be a new one. And I will probably go for the auto.
Good point with dynamic drive, but for some reason you can not get that with the M-sport package.

I got an offer from the dealer today. Quite a good one actually.
So I am in my thinking box at the moment... Will not shop until next year anyway, but hey; we`re in december already :rolleyes:

The offer from the dealer is based on this list from me:
e60 523ia
spacegrey / natural brown

m-sportspack
comfortpack (includes xeons, leather, pdc, extended air-con
and some more)
advancepack (alarm, split rearseat)
Logic 7
usb

I will get the navi pro also and maybe the adaptive lights.
I suppose the 172`s is a must as well. Damn, once you get started......
Do you think I should drop the alu-trim and get the black highgloss? Might be better with the natural brown..
No cost option anyway.

Dangerous to be in here.... :D