Hopeful future 2008 550i owner
03-04-2007 | 08:24 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Members
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Rhode Island, USA
My Ride: 1994 Mazda RX-7
2007 BMW 328xi
2008 BMW 550i (Sep 4 Munich delivery)
Hi everybody! The E60 forum site & topics have been enormously informative to me as I finalize my shopping efforts for my very first BMW! A few more test drives (Audi A6 4.2, etc) and I hope to start working with a dealer to order a new 2008 550i w/Sport pkg.
As my username indicates - I am proud owner of '94 Mazda RX-7 / Montego blue / Tour pkg / 107K miles. No mods yet but maybe sometime in future. Since I am now married & desire a chariot with 4 doors and a more livable day-to-day commuting experience - the BMW has quickly risen to the top of my list! We're also looking for a replacement SUV for our 1999 Ford Expedition - considering X5 / 3.0i and also Acura MDX (both 2007 new). No kids for us yet but plan to start soon (3 dogs however)....
I have a couple of issues / questions which I'll continue to research (& use more specific forum topics)- but listing briefly here if anyone has any advice / suggestions to offer:
- 550i Active steering (not the servotronic standard feature but the option): Dealer in Warwick RI indicated it was very rare to get one - some forum posters have indicated it's a "must have"... I am not sure if I'll get a chance to test drive both versions to see for myself.... anyone have info / advice on this?
- Dealer negotiating for price. Is ability to get a lower price easier when production is just starting out (like now for 2008 versions) or should I expect to get an equally fair deal later this year? Should I expect any more difficulty ordering with the specific options & color if I wait till mid-summer to place an order?
- European Delivery. I really want to get more details of this (will ask the dealer in near future). Any gotchas or "be sure to consider this" for me to know? Sounds very enticing to me at this point.
- X5 3.0 vs 4.8. While price is not an absolute limiting factor - my wife and I test drove a 3.0 6-cylinder X5 (2007 new) yesterday and it seemed fine... having a little extra MPG wouldn't hurt... are there any owners who really wish they'd bought the V8 later on? Any reliability differences..?
- X5 vs. Acura MDX. We're heavily researching both and will test drive both again... with a similarly equipped price difference of about $6K (X5 higher) it seems almost a tossup.... MDX has a little more room for people / cargo, a little tighter turn radius, 5sp tran (vs. 6-sp in X5).... while BMW offers the 4-yr no-cost maintenance, a few more performance features, heated steering wheel / panoramic moon roof
Thanks to all who contribute - and the managers of the forums for organizing all this. I look forward to contributing more in the future!
As my username indicates - I am proud owner of '94 Mazda RX-7 / Montego blue / Tour pkg / 107K miles. No mods yet but maybe sometime in future. Since I am now married & desire a chariot with 4 doors and a more livable day-to-day commuting experience - the BMW has quickly risen to the top of my list! We're also looking for a replacement SUV for our 1999 Ford Expedition - considering X5 / 3.0i and also Acura MDX (both 2007 new). No kids for us yet but plan to start soon (3 dogs however)....
I have a couple of issues / questions which I'll continue to research (& use more specific forum topics)- but listing briefly here if anyone has any advice / suggestions to offer:
- 550i Active steering (not the servotronic standard feature but the option): Dealer in Warwick RI indicated it was very rare to get one - some forum posters have indicated it's a "must have"... I am not sure if I'll get a chance to test drive both versions to see for myself.... anyone have info / advice on this?
- Dealer negotiating for price. Is ability to get a lower price easier when production is just starting out (like now for 2008 versions) or should I expect to get an equally fair deal later this year? Should I expect any more difficulty ordering with the specific options & color if I wait till mid-summer to place an order?
- European Delivery. I really want to get more details of this (will ask the dealer in near future). Any gotchas or "be sure to consider this" for me to know? Sounds very enticing to me at this point.
- X5 3.0 vs 4.8. While price is not an absolute limiting factor - my wife and I test drove a 3.0 6-cylinder X5 (2007 new) yesterday and it seemed fine... having a little extra MPG wouldn't hurt... are there any owners who really wish they'd bought the V8 later on? Any reliability differences..?
- X5 vs. Acura MDX. We're heavily researching both and will test drive both again... with a similarly equipped price difference of about $6K (X5 higher) it seems almost a tossup.... MDX has a little more room for people / cargo, a little tighter turn radius, 5sp tran (vs. 6-sp in X5).... while BMW offers the 4-yr no-cost maintenance, a few more performance features, heated steering wheel / panoramic moon roof
Thanks to all who contribute - and the managers of the forums for organizing all this. I look forward to contributing more in the future!
03-05-2007 | 10:51 PM
#3
Contributors
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,363
Likes: 1
From: San Diego, CA
My Ride: 2007 E63 AMG | Obsidian Black | Schwarzes Nappa | Black BirdEye Maple | Premium II Package | Electronic Trunk Closer | Parktronic
Engine: RPi/Powerchips custom ECU tune, RPi Ram Air Kit (BMC filter, scoops), RennTech Sport exhaust, secondary cats, charcoal and resonator delete, custom AAA x-pipe
Exterior: 50% side windows / 35% rear window Formula One Pinnacle Series | Flat AMG hood emblem
Suspension: Renntech Lowering Module
Wheels/Tires: Radenergie R10, Falken FK452 245/30/20, Yokohama ADVAN Sport 285/25/20
-----------------------------------------
2005 545i Sport SMG | Ti Grau | Schwarzes Dakota | Anthracite Maple | Logic 7 | Nav
Engine: Custom AFE CAI, Superchips ECU remap, Sprint Booster, RDSport Dual Exhaust Conversion with Quad Pipes and X-pipe, 3 resonators deleted, 90mm tips!
Exterior: M-Tech Aero kit | M5 Mirrors | M5 Rear Bumper | Trunk Lid Finisher | Vorsteiner decklid spoiler | 50% Formula One Pinnacle Tint
Suspension and Brakes: Bilstein PSS9 coilovers, JBT BBK: 16" cross-drilled rotors, 8 piston and 15" cross-drilled rotors, 4 piston
Wheels: VIP Modular VR 02 20x9F, 20x10R | Toyo T1R 245/30/20F, 285/25/20R
Lights: PIAA 4150K Xtreme White Plus fog lights, AIB v3
MOST IMPORTANT: Hardwired V1; =)
ED Date: 4/7/05, Re-delivery date: 5/21/05
My comments in red.
Originally Posted by 1994_RX-7_Tour' post='398520' date='Mar 4 2007, 08:24 PM
Hi everybody! The E60 forum site & topics have been enormously informative to me as I finalize my shopping efforts for my very first BMW! A few more test drives (Audi A6 4.2, etc) and I hope to start working with a dealer to order a new 2008 550i w/Sport pkg.
As my username indicates - I am proud owner of '94 Mazda RX-7 / Montego blue / Tour pkg / 107K miles. No mods yet but maybe sometime in future. Since I am now married & desire a chariot with 4 doors and a more livable day-to-day commuting experience - the BMW has quickly risen to the top of my list! We're also looking for a replacement SUV for our 1999 Ford Expedition - considering X5 / 3.0i and also Acura MDX (both 2007 new). No kids for us yet but plan to start soon (3 dogs however)....
I have a couple of issues / questions which I'll continue to research (& use more specific forum topics)- but listing briefly here if anyone has any advice / suggestions to offer:
- 550i Active steering (not the servotronic standard feature but the option): Dealer in Warwick RI indicated it was very rare to get one - some forum posters have indicated it's a "must have"... I am not sure if I'll get a chance to test drive both versions to see for myself.... anyone have info / advice on this?
I have active steering as it was standard equipment on my 545i. It's great for parking and three-point turns. Other than that not real much use. If you've ever driven a BMW before you would have noticed the heavy steering that BMW is known for.
- Dealer negotiating for price. Is ability to get a lower price easier when production is just starting out (like now for 2008 versions) or should I expect to get an equally fair deal later this year? Should I expect any more difficulty ordering with the specific options & color if I wait till mid-summer to place an order?
Do European Delivery with a ED friendly dealer.
- European Delivery. I really want to get more details of this (will ask the dealer in near future). Any gotchas or "be sure to consider this" for me to know? Sounds very enticing to me at this point.
ED can save you as much as $10K off MSRP. It's a no brainer. BMW in partnership with Lufthansa was offering a 2-1 airfare deal when I did my ED in 2005. With ED you negotiate from European Invoice up. Typical ED deal would be European Invoice + ($1000 - $1500 for dealer profit).
- X5 3.0 vs 4.8. While price is not an absolute limiting factor - my wife and I test drove a 3.0 6-cylinder X5 (2007 new) yesterday and it seemed fine... having a little extra MPG wouldn't hurt... are there any owners who really wish they'd bought the V8 later on? Any reliability differences..?
- X5 vs. Acura MDX. We're heavily researching both and will test drive both again... with a similarly equipped price difference of about $6K (X5 higher) it seems almost a tossup.... MDX has a little more room for people / cargo, a little tighter turn radius, 5sp tran (vs. 6-sp in X5).... while BMW offers the 4-yr no-cost maintenance, a few more performance features, heated steering wheel / panoramic moon roof
All I know is that Honda/Acura has a much better NAV system than BMW. They're also more reliable than BMW.
Thanks to all who contribute - and the managers of the forums for organizing all this. I look forward to contributing more in the future!
As my username indicates - I am proud owner of '94 Mazda RX-7 / Montego blue / Tour pkg / 107K miles. No mods yet but maybe sometime in future. Since I am now married & desire a chariot with 4 doors and a more livable day-to-day commuting experience - the BMW has quickly risen to the top of my list! We're also looking for a replacement SUV for our 1999 Ford Expedition - considering X5 / 3.0i and also Acura MDX (both 2007 new). No kids for us yet but plan to start soon (3 dogs however)....
I have a couple of issues / questions which I'll continue to research (& use more specific forum topics)- but listing briefly here if anyone has any advice / suggestions to offer:
- 550i Active steering (not the servotronic standard feature but the option): Dealer in Warwick RI indicated it was very rare to get one - some forum posters have indicated it's a "must have"... I am not sure if I'll get a chance to test drive both versions to see for myself.... anyone have info / advice on this?
I have active steering as it was standard equipment on my 545i. It's great for parking and three-point turns. Other than that not real much use. If you've ever driven a BMW before you would have noticed the heavy steering that BMW is known for.
- Dealer negotiating for price. Is ability to get a lower price easier when production is just starting out (like now for 2008 versions) or should I expect to get an equally fair deal later this year? Should I expect any more difficulty ordering with the specific options & color if I wait till mid-summer to place an order?
Do European Delivery with a ED friendly dealer.
- European Delivery. I really want to get more details of this (will ask the dealer in near future). Any gotchas or "be sure to consider this" for me to know? Sounds very enticing to me at this point.
ED can save you as much as $10K off MSRP. It's a no brainer. BMW in partnership with Lufthansa was offering a 2-1 airfare deal when I did my ED in 2005. With ED you negotiate from European Invoice up. Typical ED deal would be European Invoice + ($1000 - $1500 for dealer profit).
- X5 3.0 vs 4.8. While price is not an absolute limiting factor - my wife and I test drove a 3.0 6-cylinder X5 (2007 new) yesterday and it seemed fine... having a little extra MPG wouldn't hurt... are there any owners who really wish they'd bought the V8 later on? Any reliability differences..?
- X5 vs. Acura MDX. We're heavily researching both and will test drive both again... with a similarly equipped price difference of about $6K (X5 higher) it seems almost a tossup.... MDX has a little more room for people / cargo, a little tighter turn radius, 5sp tran (vs. 6-sp in X5).... while BMW offers the 4-yr no-cost maintenance, a few more performance features, heated steering wheel / panoramic moon roof
All I know is that Honda/Acura has a much better NAV system than BMW. They're also more reliable than BMW.
Thanks to all who contribute - and the managers of the forums for organizing all this. I look forward to contributing more in the future!
03-06-2007 | 09:13 PM
#4
Thread Starter
Members
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Rhode Island, USA
My Ride: 1994 Mazda RX-7
2007 BMW 328xi
2008 BMW 550i (Sep 4 Munich delivery)
Originally Posted by vegastrashed' post='399019' date='Mar 6 2007, 01:51 AM
My comments in red.
Thanks Vegas - great suggestions - REALLY interested in ED now - any info on the difference between "European invoice" vs. the USA invoice?
03-07-2007 | 01:03 AM
#5
Contributors
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,363
Likes: 1
From: San Diego, CA
My Ride: 2007 E63 AMG | Obsidian Black | Schwarzes Nappa | Black BirdEye Maple | Premium II Package | Electronic Trunk Closer | Parktronic
Engine: RPi/Powerchips custom ECU tune, RPi Ram Air Kit (BMC filter, scoops), RennTech Sport exhaust, secondary cats, charcoal and resonator delete, custom AAA x-pipe
Exterior: 50% side windows / 35% rear window Formula One Pinnacle Series | Flat AMG hood emblem
Suspension: Renntech Lowering Module
Wheels/Tires: Radenergie R10, Falken FK452 245/30/20, Yokohama ADVAN Sport 285/25/20
-----------------------------------------
2005 545i Sport SMG | Ti Grau | Schwarzes Dakota | Anthracite Maple | Logic 7 | Nav
Engine: Custom AFE CAI, Superchips ECU remap, Sprint Booster, RDSport Dual Exhaust Conversion with Quad Pipes and X-pipe, 3 resonators deleted, 90mm tips!
Exterior: M-Tech Aero kit | M5 Mirrors | M5 Rear Bumper | Trunk Lid Finisher | Vorsteiner decklid spoiler | 50% Formula One Pinnacle Tint
Suspension and Brakes: Bilstein PSS9 coilovers, JBT BBK: 16" cross-drilled rotors, 8 piston and 15" cross-drilled rotors, 4 piston
Wheels: VIP Modular VR 02 20x9F, 20x10R | Toyo T1R 245/30/20F, 285/25/20R
Lights: PIAA 4150K Xtreme White Plus fog lights, AIB v3
MOST IMPORTANT: Hardwired V1; =)
ED Date: 4/7/05, Re-delivery date: 5/21/05
The difference between European and US invoice is a few thousand dollars. For example, the Euro Invoice for the 550i is $50,055. The US invoice is $54,000. And the US MSRP is $58,500.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post