you tell me
Senior Members
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,198
Likes: 3
From: Boston
My Ride: '06 530i, '07 C280 4matic, '98 ML320
OP, my vote is for 530i (with N52 engine) 2006, 2007.
I have '06 530i and the car has been good. I replaced radiator recently and it was a breeze. I change oil every 7 or 8K miles (never beyond 8K miles on all cars).
I have '06 530i and the car has been good. I replaced radiator recently and it was a breeze. I change oil every 7 or 8K miles (never beyond 8K miles on all cars).
Members
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: ORYGON
My Ride: 2006 550i
close, a 550i......love the car, i like them to look nice but first and foremost for me is the motor,, when 2 lanes merge into 1, im the guy that races you to the front.....so if it doesnt have some speed and power im not going to be driving it.....save the economy for Toyota owners... 
Members
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta
Have you thought about all of the upkeep costs of an impala vs a BMW? Like gas being premium, tires, oil changes, etc etc? Costs more on the bummer than your Chevy but I'm not trying to discourage you but seeing if you thought about that yet. You can get an oil change done for $25 on a Chevy vs $160 for the bimmer.
Members
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: ORYGON
My Ride: 2006 550i
Have you thought about all of the upkeep costs of an impala vs a BMW? Like gas being premium, tires, oil changes, etc etc? Costs more on the bummer than your Chevy but I'm not trying to discourage you but seeing if you thought about that yet. You can get an oil change done for $25 on a Chevy vs $160 for the bimmer.
Members
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: NY
My Ride: 04 545i Sapphire black
-18' M5 wheels
-Sport pack
-LED Angel's
Wow, are 545's really that unreliable? I work on my own cars, I only have 58k on mine and its still running very healthy. I believe its the same motor from 540s, and 740s right??
Senior Members
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,518
Likes: 0
From: 626 & 909 (Rowland Heights, CA)
My Ride: check siggg
whats your budget. if you like american muscle i would seriously consider a srt-8 charger or a late 60s early 70s chevelle. price is pretty much about the same for all of the 08 srt-8 is going for around 20kish, and so is a non-restored but fairly clean chevelle.
Contributors
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 0
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
Listen man, half of these guys that are telling you not to get the 545i, are the ones with 525s and 530s. They are excellent but like every car they have their own flaws. The N62 motor is one of the oldest engine made by BMW. Just make sure you take your car to a repair shop or a stealer which specializes in german cars to get everything checked out. You will enjoy your 4.4 beast, just make sure you don't delay on the oil changes because that is when many problems can occur. Goodluck
None of this is written to discourage. But as a fairly lengthy owner of the machine in question, I feel its only fair to let the OP know that there could potentially be some pretty significant costs to owning 'the beast'.
Members
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
I've owned my dealer demo 545i since 2006 - bought for $45k, under factory warranty, through extended warranty, and now, post warranty. The 545 is an early generation E60. It's an awesome machine - a beast of a car. But it is a highly complex car with an engine that can be more economical to replace than repair in some situations. One of the OP's main concerns was repair costs. These cars are getting up in years. Valve stem seal leaks, secondary air hose cracks, coolant transfer pipe failure, mechatronics sleave failures - these are all pretty common failure points for the N62. While those with advanced knowledge and comfort in working on their E60's can manage most of the issues that may arise, something as simple as changing spark plugs on the N62 can be costly to those who don't.
None of this is written to discourage. But as a fairly lengthy owner of the machine in question, I feel its only fair to let the OP know that there could potentially be some pretty significant costs to owning 'the beast'.
None of this is written to discourage. But as a fairly lengthy owner of the machine in question, I feel its only fair to let the OP know that there could potentially be some pretty significant costs to owning 'the beast'.
Members
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: NY
My Ride: 04 545i Sapphire black
-18' M5 wheels
-Sport pack
-LED Angel's
alright now you guys have me thinking twice about my car. I just got back from the gym, I noticed that my lights flicker when I roll the windows down or rev it while in park, is this normal or the battery? BTW I just purchased this car, used to have a 04 e320.
