Thinking of buying a 04/05 530i

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Mar 22, 2009 | 12:53 AM

iridetucked

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Any known problem with this year?

BTW, been reading a lot of this forum. what does LCI stand for??

Mar 22, 2009 | 12:59 AM

Tunbridge

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Welcome...

I have a 2004 530i and love it, mines never gone wrong, but then I have only had it for a month so I'm probably not the best person to comment!

Anyway, I love mine so I think you are making the right choice, just make sure you hold out for the right spec...

Quote:

Originally Posted by iridetucked' post='823564' date='Mar 22 2009, 08:53 AM

BTW, been reading a lot of this forum. what does LCI stand for??

LifeCycle Impulse, i.e the face lift model...

Mar 22, 2009 | 05:46 AM

irshad

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If u buy it, ask immediately for a software update, because the new nav. dvd works only with new software (at least here in Europe)

Mar 22, 2009 | 05:50 AM

craigm1841

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...if i had a nickel. for every time i said "if i had a nickel" every time someone asked what "LCI" stands for. unfortunately a 3 letter string doesnt work in the search.

Mar 22, 2009 | 06:00 AM

CWS530

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My Ride: 2007 530i. Purchased 6/28/07. Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Dark Poplar Trim, Steptronic, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, Bluetooth, Adaptive Control Xenons. 10/30/07 Added OEM 124s with 245/40/18 & 275/35/18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. Installed red Cal Coversï¿½ from BavAuto. 11/21/07 Added OEM all-weather floor mats (for winter, carpet in summer) and coat rack. 6/26/08 installed M5-style rear spoiler. 6/30/08 put on red reflectors. 8/22/08 Euro turn signal stickers applied. 3/20/09 Installed Shadowline Trim. 3/27/09 Added Matte Black Kidney Grilles from Trinity. 4/03/09 Installed Bimmian Shadow Matte Black 530i Badges. 4/04/09 Installed LED license plate lights from Trinity. 5/01/09 Installed Brabus Interior LED Kit and White Angel Eyes. 5/02/09 Put in Brabus 6K Fogs. 5/14/09 Removed charcoal filter. 5/15/09 Installed light smoke LED side marker lamps from Trinity. 5/21/09 Sprint Booster. 6/12/09 Painted exhaust tips flat black. 6/13/09 Pulled red Cal Covers and painted calipers low gloss black. 6/27/09 RPI Ram Air Scoop from Trinity. 8/15/09 Installed Brabus's silver invisibulbs front and rear. 9/24/09 Installed R-Dash license plate LEDs from Brabaus (John).

Keep in mind that the motors changed in '06/'07, so if you're going pre-LCI, and that's in your price range, you may want to compare.

Mar 22, 2009 | 09:22 AM

rick circeo

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My Ride: '06 550, Sport/Navi/etceteraetcetera

I recently bought an '06 550 with Nav and Sport, 22k miles for 29k USD. If your buddy can swing the extra few grand, I'd advise him to look for an '06 with the bigger motor.

Mar 22, 2009 | 09:27 AM

craigm1841

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Quote:

Originally Posted by rick circeo' post='823797' date='Mar 22 2009, 01:22 PM

I recently bought an '06 550 with Nav and Sport, 22k miles for 29k USD. If your buddy can swing the extra few grand, I'd advise him to look for an '06 with the bigger motor.

although the quote "there is no replacement for displacement", i dont know if i neccessarily agree cubic inches/centimeters/liters make for a good argument considering he is looking at a completely different car. the 530 and 550 are completely different animals and i think the "few" grand would turn out to be quite significant. you just got a really good deal

Mar 22, 2009 | 09:46 AM

iridetucked

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Let me see if I understand this correctly...the 04/05 is pre LCI...06 and up is LCI version? the difference is the bigger motor/ front end?

can someone post a pic of the difference in the front of a pre LCI and LCI version?

Mar 22, 2009 | 09:53 AM

craigm1841

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http://www.e60.net/information/2008_...ed_Changes.pdf

Mar 22, 2009 | 10:03 AM

#10

CWS530

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Quote:

Originally Posted by craigm1841' post='823824' date='Mar 22 2009, 12:53 PM

http://www.e60.net/information/2008_...ed_Changes.pdf

Also, irt, the 525/530 you mentioned changed engines and added HP from the 04/05 models and the 06/07 models, all of which are pre-LCI. The V-8 545/550 had changes as well, but that's a different car than you first discussed.