BMW 5 Series

[Fudd]

Last year my uncle died and my family has been slowly geting rid of some of his belongings. One item that was up for grabs was his BMW sicne my aunt no longer drives. Since my car is getting a bit old my aunt has offered it to me. Its a 10 year old BMW 5 series. But I am concerened about the gas and the older polution controls on these older vehicles. Anybody own one from that era and can tell me what to expect. Should I just sell it and trade it in for a Hybrid or a Smart car?

 

[Krustee]

Last year my uncle died and my family has been slowly geting rid of some of his belongings. One item that was up for grabs was his BMW sicne my aunt no longer drives. Since my car is getting a bit old my aunt has offered it to me. Its a 10 year old BMW 5 series. But I am concerened about the gas and the older polution controls on these older vehicles. Anybody own one from that era and can tell me what to expect. Should I just sell it and trade it in for a Hybrid or a Smart car?

Your saying you got an opportunity to own a '98 BMW 5 series & you DON'T know what to do???

You obviously know NOTHING about cars!

Give it to me, I know how to drive & can appreciate fine autos.

Please tell me it's the 540....

http://www.jimmy540i.com/e39family.htm

 

[HeMadeMeDoIt]

You can take the cat. converter out and still pass aircare with flying colours. Great fucking car, specially if it was the 540 as crusty stated. You cant compare a vehicle like that to any piece of shit hybrid.

 

[Fudd]

Its a 530 series.

 

[myselftheother]

Its a 530 series.

Still a very nice car....as long as you don't mash the gas all the time you'll do just fine for mileage. As for Aircare, just keep it tuned and all will be well....you have a great German car...enjoy it!

BTW, it does have a sporting pedigree....take it up to Whistler, and feel how balanced the handling is, and when you do punch it, get ready to grin.

 

[d_Duck55]

Its a 530 series.

Still decent, although a 540i 6speed is way more fun. (Yeah I had one.) If you are sensitive about gas prices then the 530 will have advantages for you.

Does this one have a standard transmission?

As myselfthoether said, the balance and handling is incredible. This is the stuff that doesn't show up on any spec sheet when you compare the soul-less Lexus with "the ultimate driving machine".

 

[booblover]

go here and ask the group:
www.bmwccbc.org
or call either:
CG Motorpsports (http://www.cgmotorsports.com/) or Nixon Automotive (www.nixonautomotive.com)
Both of these shops are very well versed in the BMW 5 series and the good/bad of them.

 

[zoomer]

Older BMWs are extremely expensive for parts .They are are excellent cars but everything wears out and when it does, be prepared for a shock especially if you are used to Japanese prices. I personally wouldn't touch anything with over 110k. I have a 325 and am just beginning to feel the sting.

 

[Fudd]

Just test drove the Smart car today and its great. Its easy to manouver, and park, cute looking and great on the environment.

I think I'll check out the Toyota hybirds over the weekend.

Anybody know what is a fair trade in value for the 530, its got 96000 on it.

 

[Fudd]

Older BMWs are extremely expensive for parts .They are are excellent cars but everything wears out and when it does, be prepared for a shock especially if you are used to Japanese prices. I personally wouldn't touch anything with over 110k. I have a 325 and am just beginning to feel the sting.

The possible repairs costs is definitely something I am taking into consideration.

 

[Krustee]

Just test drove the Smart car today and its great. Its easy to manouver, and park, cute looking and great on the environment.

I think I'll check out the Toyota hybirds over the weekend.

Anybody know what is a fair trade in value for the 530, its got 96000 on it.

Fudd I'm beggin ya man...

GET A LIFE!!!!


Yer tradin in a marvel of German engineering for a tincan piece of shit!
Just do a little research on how many problems the Smart cars have.

At least drive the B-mer before dumping it!

 

[HeMadeMeDoIt]

Just test drove the Smart car today and its great. Its easy to manouver, and park, cute looking and great on the environment.

I think I'll check out the Toyota hybirds over the weekend.

Anybody know what is a fair trade in value for the 530, its got 96000 on it.

Do you realize that Smart cars were designed by the guy that designed the other equally ugly invention The Swatch? Comparing it with the 530 is like comparing a mid level rolex with a Swatch.

For the hit that you will take on the trade in price you should be able to cover repair costs for que a while if and when they arise. You'll also find parts fairly reasonabl priced after market and at wreckers. Take it for a spin you'll be in love.

 

[aznboi9]

Just test drove the Smart car today and its great. Its easy to manouver, and park, cute looking and great on the environment.

Sorry, but as a male you are not allowed to refer to a car as "cute".

 

[Pantherdash]

Go for the Bimmer

I'd have to agree with the Bimmer crew here. Have had one for a few years now and it drives like a dream. Repairs are affordable and only a little above other cars. Clutch for my Bimmer was about $800, $100 more than a VW's. Plus, they rarely break down or need repairs, they're excellent on gas and they look great. Plus an older one will probably be cheaper to insure and you won't have to pay tax on it either. This one with ONLY 96,000kms will last you until it's got 500,000 kms on it and probably more. Excellent solid vehicle. I don't even think you can say that about Mercedes Benz any more since the Chrysler deal.

Don't know about the Smart Car, but it doesn't look like a safe car to me. I'd be embarrassed to be seen in one. Wouldn't you Fudd!?!?!

Plus you'd probably embarrass the cop you assaulted. They'd all just laugh at the poor fucker as you pull up to the court house and ask him, "THAT guy assaulted YOU?" Who knows, maybe he'll drop all charges out of embarrassment.

Panther

 

[HeMadeMeDoIt]

Have you thought of what ind of pussy will be seen in public in a smart car?

Have you considered all the gay jokes your friends will pile on you? Everytime i pull in a light next to a guy in a Smart car I wonder how many blowjobs he had to give to get one.

 

[Fudd]

The Smart car is out of consideration.

Not because I have any problems with being seen in one. The group I hang out with are a fairly enlightened bunch.

The Smart car just doesn't have the room for me to carry enough camping gear or banners. And there is no way I can carry any signs on sticks without parts sticking out the window. But I still think its a great car and very environmentally friendly.

Also been driving the BMW around today. It definitely has plenty of horses going up that steep hill on the #1 in North Van. The suppension is extremely stiff but it definitely takes corners without any rolling.

 

[booblover]

also you may want to keep in mind that if Mercedes doesn't get the Smart car into the US soon they will drop the car from the Canadian market place. Our market isn't large enough for the expense of having the car available here. Mercedes only brought the car here so as to help with getting through the US automakers' iron curtain of new imports.

 

[d_Duck55]

T And there is no way I can carry any signs on sticks without parts sticking out the window.

On second thought, you SHOULD be in a gay little smart car. Sell the Beemer to a man! Or just drive it into the ocean.

 

[shuffle]

The Smart car is out of consideration.

Not because I have any problems with being seen in one. The group I hang out with are a fairly enlightened bunch.

The Smart car just doesn't have the room for me to carry enough camping gear or banners. And there is no way I can carry any signs on sticks without parts sticking out the window. But I still think its a great car and very environmentally friendly.

Also been driving the BMW around today. It definitely has plenty of horses going up that steep hill on the #1 in North Van. The suppension is extremely stiff but it definitely takes corners without any rolling.

Fudd, I like the hybrids too. Think about the type of driving you typically do. Hybrids are good for around the city type driving (i.e. under 50). On the highway you will only be charging the batteries. If you do mostly highway you can probably get an efficient non-hybrid and be better off overall. I use a Escape Hybrid for my work vehicle and it love it for the balance of capacity and kind to the environment. It's a lease though cause I have heard horror stories about replacing the batteries.

Good luck, and good on you for making the environment a consideration.

 

[Sandman333]

Ok, I have to chime in here. I was looking at cars last summer to replace what I already have - my current car is getting high in mileage (over 200k now). With the prices of current new cars, I was looking at Civics, Fits, SX4s, etc. I would have loved to have been given a BMW, even a 10 year old one. I completely agree with the others that these are magnificent cars, they are intended to make driving an experience, rather than a chore. Keep the BMW!!!