Originally Posted by Hopco' post='758583' date='Jan 4 2009, 01:28 AM

Thank you very much for all your kind comments. Rudy spoke the truth when he wrote: "the car did its job and sacrificed itself to protect what's important." Thanks

My wife and I went to the Emergency Room (that's what they do here for auto accident followup - lawyers you know) yesterday, and she has no broken bones, but some pain and bruising. I picked up some Percocet for her today. But all-in-all she is in good shape considering the severity of the accident.

I am sorry that my post touched off such a heated discussion re wearing seat belts, However, I am almost positive that had my wife not been wearing a belt she would have been very seriously injured or dead. Yes, there are some circumstances where not wearing a belt would have produced a better outcome, but they are few and far between ? perhaps one in ten-thousand.

Now comes the replacement. Comparable 530xiTs are few and far between here in the states, so I may end of ordering a new 535xiT ? I really did like the car. My initial thoughts for options are as follows.

1. 535xiT USA specs

2. Premium Package - ZPP

3. Cold Weather Package - ZCW

4. M-Sport Package ? ZMP - (cool wheels ? Style 135 and Carbon Black paint option)
the M-Sport Package is just $ 1K more than the regular Sport Package ? ZSP
(I like the shadowline trim and comfort seats ? I think the latter's headrest is safer)
PLUS 18" wheels (style 124)

5. Navigation - 609

6. Park distance Control - 708

7. iPod & USB Connector - 6FL

8. Steptronic

9. Delete roof rack as in Canada ? I never used the rack on my old E61.


I have a few questions:

? Does anyone have a Logic 7 radio in an E61? My salesman says it does not improve sound as much as in an E60. Is he right?

? How much lower is the M-Sport aero trim than the front end of a regular E60/61? Should I expect a lot of curb rash (sic) as I experienced on my E34 M5?

? I liked the Monaco Blue on my old car ? does anyone have comments on Carbon Black or Black Sapphire - how are the swirls etc? Are they as hard to keep as Jet Black?

? I don't think it's worth $1,200 for HUD ? given the limited information provided. Now if night vision were to be projected on the windscreen as in the Cadillac ? that would be another story.

Any and all comments would be appreciated.


A most successful New Year to all.

Originally Posted by Greenberg' post='758959' date='Jan 4 2009, 12:03 PM

I got my last BMW "Carbon Black" the color in the documentation of Russian authorities goes named as "Dark Blue" its not black as the original name suggests... but dark blue...

Originally Posted by DD_545i' post='758971' date='Jan 4 2009, 02:39 PM

That caught me out too. I was looking at a 535d E61 and it was cloudy and I was sure it was black. Then the sun broke through the clouds and it was too blue for my liking (I'm not a fan of blues generally).

Originally Posted by gpfarrell' post='756736' date='Dec 31 2008, 03:13 PM

Wow... roads in Pittsburgh looked alot like that today, and my wife is driving our boys around in our 535Xit. I'm sure glad we no longer own an Exploder.