TOtally Newbie questions
Thread Starter
Members
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Bronx, NY
so im the market looking for my first bimmer. i have always wanted the 530xi until i discovered these forums and read about the beautiful V8 monsters..
-ive seen a couple of threads about the above mentioned comparisson and 545i always seems to be the favorite. my question is even with the higher maintanance cost, is the 545 really worth it.
-wat issues do you typically experience wit the 545 that you dont with the 530
-also when purchasing a used vehicle, can u always buy an extended warranty @ any mileage @ any given time?
-do you do a detailed inspection of the vehicle prior or after purchase(most likely before). do dealerships usually allow this?
ok thats it for now.. please feel free to throw in any additional tips u think i might need.. thanks in advance
-ive seen a couple of threads about the above mentioned comparisson and 545i always seems to be the favorite. my question is even with the higher maintanance cost, is the 545 really worth it.
-wat issues do you typically experience wit the 545 that you dont with the 530
-also when purchasing a used vehicle, can u always buy an extended warranty @ any mileage @ any given time?
-do you do a detailed inspection of the vehicle prior or after purchase(most likely before). do dealerships usually allow this?
ok thats it for now.. please feel free to throw in any additional tips u think i might need.. thanks in advance
Senior Members
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,168
Likes: 0
From: Boston, US
Originally Posted by 5seriesaddict' post='816505' date='Mar 14 2009, 11:09 AM
so im the market looking for my first bimmer. i have always wanted the 530xi until i discovered these forums and read about the beautiful V8 monsters..
-ive seen a couple of threads about the above mentioned comparisson and 545i always seems to be the favorite. my question is even with the higher maintanance cost, is the 545 really worth it. Oh yes - 545's come loaded and the power increase is significant, really signifcant.
-wat issues do you typically experience wit the 545 that you dont with the 530 Not much, issues are the same, although again 545's have more equipment
-also when purchasing a used vehicle, can u always buy an extended warranty @ any mileage @ any given time? Best is CPO from dealer, 6yr or 100k miles in US, E60's are awesome cars but they are VERY complex. buying one without a warranty is a risk.
-do you do a detailed inspection of the vehicle prior or after purchase(most likely before). do dealerships usually allow this? If they don't run in the other direction
ok thats it for now.. please feel free to throw in any additional tips u think i might need.. thanks in advance
-ive seen a couple of threads about the above mentioned comparisson and 545i always seems to be the favorite. my question is even with the higher maintanance cost, is the 545 really worth it.
Oh yes - 545's come loaded and the power increase is significant, really signifcant.-wat issues do you typically experience wit the 545 that you dont with the 530
Not much, issues are the same, although again 545's have more equipment-also when purchasing a used vehicle, can u always buy an extended warranty @ any mileage @ any given time? Best is CPO from dealer, 6yr or 100k miles in US, E60's are awesome cars but they are VERY complex. buying one without a warranty is a risk.
-do you do a detailed inspection of the vehicle prior or after purchase(most likely before). do dealerships usually allow this? If they don't run in the other direction
ok thats it for now.. please feel free to throw in any additional tips u think i might need.. thanks in advance
Contributors
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,712
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From: Encino, CA
My Ride: 04 545i - Titanium Silver/Black, Sport pkg, Comfort Seats w/ Lumbar, Premium Sound, power rear sunshade, Adaptive Xenon Headlights, Steptronic, Park Distance Control, Fold down rear seats w/ski bag, Aux jack, 6-disk changer, puddle lamps...
Engine: Custom Remus cat-back exhaust w/chrome square tips, K&N Air Filter, Charcoal Filter Removed, Sprint Booster :-), 50/50 mix of 91+100 Octane, EuroRev ECU Remap (coming soon lol), Dinan High-Flow Throttle Body (coming soon...maybe lol)
Interior: Portable Sirius Stilletto 100 w/car kit, Garmin Nuvi 680 mounted below rear-view mirror, LCI-style I-drive knob, Dark Poplar Center Dashboard Trim.
Exterior: E60 forum clings, 5% rear tint, ACS roof spoiler (painted black for distinct look against limo tint), ACS trunk spoiler, ACS add-on front spoiler and rear apron (awaiting installation), "18 Black Staggered BeBeS Style OER (emergency replacement for cracked sport 124 rims), black kidney grill, white accessory lighting (including license and trunk lamps), Angel-eye upgrade, AIB xenon-matched fog lamps, AIB V3's on order, red rear reflectors
Also keep in mind that there are certain Premium Package features on the 545i that were options on other models of the same year - ambiant interior lighting, Universal Garage Door opener (Homelink system in rear-view mirror), auto-dimming interior and exterior mirrors, Parking Distance Control (PDC), Xenon headlights. These alone could add significant cost if retrofitted to a car that didn't have them as options. Then, of course, there is the engine 
. No matter the model, try to find one with the Sport Package - it definately makes a difference.
Now for issues. The 545 will cost more in maintenance. Larger engine, less room to work with, so expect plug changes and such to cost more. If you have Active Steering, expect periodic warnings (like every few months or so). Easy fix - wheel left lock to right lock. Turn off. Repeat for good measure. That resets the system. More potential tickets with the 545, cause that motor...
No matter which E60 you choose, rest assured you've chosen one of the best cars made. Period.
. No matter the model, try to find one with the Sport Package - it definately makes a difference. Now for issues. The 545 will cost more in maintenance. Larger engine, less room to work with, so expect plug changes and such to cost more. If you have Active Steering, expect periodic warnings (like every few months or so). Easy fix - wheel left lock to right lock. Turn off. Repeat for good measure. That resets the system. More potential tickets with the 545, cause that motor...
No matter which E60 you choose, rest assured you've chosen one of the best cars made. Period.
Thread Starter
Members
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Bronx, NY
"Best is CPO from dealer, 6yr or 100k miles in US, E60's are awesome cars but they are VERY complex. buying one without a warranty is a risk."
by this statement you mean buy a car that is CPO with that or can you atually by that much warranty on any given vehicle..
by this statement you mean buy a car that is CPO with that or can you atually by that much warranty on any given vehicle..
Contributors
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,084
Likes: 0
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.
Retired Rides - 1989 325i convertible, 1995 M3, 2002 X5, 2005 545i, 2008 X5 (Lemon)
You can always buy a warranty for a vehicle, but with a CPO, it comes from the manufacturer, this is a plus in my book, and my car is just that! 
Senior Members
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 539
Likes: 0
From: NJ
My Ride: 545i
Model Year: 2004
before i bought my 545- i test drove a couple of 5's. i was contemplating between 530i and 545- browsing the forums convinced me to get the 545 and when i drove it the 2nd time around i did not want to let it go( it's the v8 power!), up unitl now i'm still loving it.
"Easy fix - wheel left lock to right lock. Turn off. Repeat for good measure. That resets the system"- I have to try this
"Easy fix - wheel left lock to right lock. Turn off. Repeat for good measure. That resets the system"- I have to try this
Senior Members
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,168
Likes: 0
From: Boston, US
Originally Posted by advancedlogic' post='816566' date='Mar 14 2009, 12:35 PM
Also keep in mind that there are certain Premium Package features on the 545i that were options on other models of the same year - ambiant interior lighting, Universal Garage Door opener (Homelink system in rear-view mirror), auto-dimming interior and exterior mirrors, Parking Distance Control (PDC), Xenon headlights. These alone could add significant cost if retrofitted to a car that didn't have them as options. Then, of course, there is the engine . No matter the model, try to find one with the Sport Package - it definately makes a difference.
Now for issues. The 545 will cost more in maintenance. Larger engine, less room to work with, so expect plug changes and such to cost more. If you have Active Steering, expect periodic warnings (like every few months or so). Easy fix - wheel left lock to right lock. Turn off. Repeat for good measure. That resets the system. More potential tickets with the 545, cause that motor...
No matter which E60 you choose, rest assured you've chosen one of the best cars made. Period.
. No matter the model, try to find one with the Sport Package - it definately makes a difference. Now for issues. The 545 will cost more in maintenance. Larger engine, less room to work with, so expect plug changes and such to cost more. If you have Active Steering, expect periodic warnings (like every few months or so). Easy fix - wheel left lock to right lock. Turn off. Repeat for good measure. That resets the system. More potential tickets with the 545, cause that motor...
No matter which E60 you choose, rest assured you've chosen one of the best cars made. Period.
Very good point on equipment levels... A 545i sport (my car
) comes with Active Steering, Active Roll Stabilization, lower suspension, staggered wheels sizes and on and on... The only thing missing for a true perfromance car is a limited slip diff which I added. The V8 cars have by far taken the biggest depreciation hit are the best used value.