Hi there. I have both a 2003 and a 2004 530i. I'm really dissapointed with the new 5. I'm talking performance and handling wise. If you get this car on the Turnpike or any open highway on a moderate windy day, the car bounces from lane to lane like a van would do when hit by the wind. You definetely have to hold on to the steering with both hands. With my 2003 530i I can drive over 100 mph, let go of the steering and the car stays perfectly in the lane. I was wondering if there are other owners out there who might want to share your opinion on the 2004 model.
Also, the wind noise at highway speeds (loud!). The memory setting for the steering and mirrors have to be reset and readjusted every morning. The radio goes in and out randomly, already one cupholder is locked in place and won't open. This car has only 1000 miles on it. The dealer has already replaced a front tire because with less than 50 miles on it, it would not drive straight.
It might be a problem with the the Active steering system, similar to a post I read in another BMW forum. I have attached the post below:
Active Steering Problem with new 5er Bummer everyone! My new 530i is already in the service department, because the active steering warning light keeps coming on, and the active steering is going out! Less than 600 miles on the vehicle, and have been driving it very carefully until break in is over. When the warning comes on it says Active Steering Malfunction, and then it says, Active Steering Disabled, Initialize. Took it to the service department once already, and it showed the fault, but they could find nothing wrong with it. They went over it with a fine tooth comb, and re- initialized the steering, but it keeps happening. So now I have left it there, and because the car is on such cutting edge technology, and the techs are still schooling for it, they may have to bring in an engineer for BMW. I am hoping they get it fixed, it's my first bimmer, and I must say, this is disappointing. Has anyone else had a similar problem, and did they fix it? Thanks.
I would go in to the dealer and kick some doors and bang some desks! Please don't be a nice guy. You are paying big$$$ for the car! The owner for the above car still has not gotten her car fixed yet at this point. Last time I heard, they are replacing it with another car.
Thanks for the reply. I have the regular suspension, not active steering. I got the Premium pkg. I didn't like the active steering. Too sensitive at low speeds. I almost hit a 7 series as I was trying to park a 5 with active steering.
Went to the Dealer today. I have an appt. for service on Monday. As I was leaving saw my salesperson. I explained about the unstable feeling when driving on a highway and he mentioned that he had a couple who had just test driven a new 530 and had asked him "is this car just getting pushed around by the wind or is it us?" They just left after this.
There must be new owners of the 2004 5 series. I would really like to know if this is a common issue with this model.
I have spoken now with 2 other owners besides myself that have expressed the same. The car cannot be driven over 70 mph on regular wind conditions without been pushed side to side by the wind.
Ok, I forwarded your posts to this other new 530i owner on the other forum, and she replied:
Cosmos: Unfortunately, I haven't had the car long enough to get it out in the wind. The new one won't be here for a few days yet, but will let you know as soon as I know. I did, however read in this months issue of C&D, that they, too, were dissapointed because of how it moved in the wind. They claim it has something to do with the sensitivity of the active steering.
It's really sad what they are doing to an otherwise established great driving machine with all these high-tech equipment. They are messing up their own reputation in the process of trying to be ahead of the competition. I guess this kinda backfires on BMW and would give their competitors the lead instead.
Remember I don't have active steering. They made this car so big compared to the 2003 5. When I park them both side to side then you can really see the big difference in height and length. They look just the same as the old 5 would look next to a 3. That's how big it is. It is a lighter and higher (taller) auto. They claim it is more aerodynamic than the older 5. I say baloney! I drive my 03 530 thru really strong winds and the thing doesn't even flinch!
Originally posted by 03&04Owner@Dec 5 2003, 03:20 PM Hi there. I have both a 2003 and a 2004 530i. I'm really dissapointed with the new 5. I'm talking performance and handling wise. If you get this car on the Turnpike or any open highway on a moderate windy day, the car bounces from lane to lane like a van would do when hit by the wind. You definetely have to hold on to the steering with both hands. With my 2003 530i I can drive over 100 mph, let go of the steering and the car stays perfectly in the lane. I was wondering if there are other owners out there who might want to share your opinion on the 2004 model.
Also, the wind noise at highway speeds (loud!). The memory setting for the steering and mirrors have to be reset and readjusted every morning. The radio goes in and out randomly, already one cupholder is locked in place and won't open. This car has only 1000 miles on it. The dealer has already replaced a front tire because with less than 50 miles on it, it would not drive straight.
Sounds like BMW... Well they started using customers as guinea pigs on the new E65 7 series as well. Electrical gremlins in the car left and right. Since BMW doesn't have the time to test test and test some more, they use customers as guinea pigs. And then fix the problems accordingly. Sorry to hear that.
Usually that's what smart buyers do, wait a couple years after a new model comes out to give manufacturers time to fix bugs and faults, as well as face-lifts and modificatons to the exterior design.
:banghead
** Update **
Lastest from BMW service on my vehicle...
1. Cup Holders - backordered
2. Radio Static. They need to replace the phone unit. backordered
3. Memory settings for mirror and steering wheel. Believe or not, they are developing the software for these settings as we speak. No word as of when they will finish it.
4. Unstable ride. They are still working on the alignment. If they finish today, I will test drive tomorrow to see if that was the problem.
I feel your grief...this is just not right. If I were you, I would have a hard time deciding if I still want that car, or to demand a new replacement. I mean, it was brand new, assembled in Germany (am I correct?) and now they are taking the new car apart to run experiments, on your time, your money, your patience, and your SANITY!!! :wtf
Just got my E60 back. Well nothing was really done except for alignment because everything else is either software updates (for software not written yet ???) or parts which are backordered.
Regarding the unstable feeling at highway speeds, well, no difference. Still the same. After speaking to the GSM, he basically said, "well, we'll try and have you talk to a BMW field service engineer when they come visit." My question "when" answer. "They pop in and out". wow!
SO, this is a 54K vehicle, and this is what I get from BMW. I guess my next move is Florida Lemon Law.
good luck with your problems. did you try and drive a different 530i on the lot? they should at least give you that option to see if it is just your ride or a problem within the E60 530i series. Also keep in contact with BMWNA
BMW was just finally getting major problems worked out with their existing models that have been out for years. So why bring in another? Enter the E65.... by far BMW's worst move. And now it is no surprise that the new 5 has a comparable number of issues. They are great looking cars but were never ready for production. From personal knowledge and experience, BMW quality is going out the door and fast. Mercedes and Audi have grabbed the German luxury market by the balls and run with it. BMW has unsuccessfully tried to recapture their piece of the pie and failed miserably. The BMW engineers without a doubt have amazing ideas and design concepts, however when it comes to building these ideas they just can't seem to grasp it. Recalls, repairs and buy-backs have gotten so out of control that BMW started seriously cutting back on what they pay their techs to fix them. They are losing too much money and it's hitting them hard. The good techs go to another manufacturer who pays good and the "not so good" techs come in. The crap rolls down hill. These cars have very complex problems and issues that even the designers and engineers are baffled by. Nobody knows how to fix them. As the years go by the TSB's and recalls grow exponentially. Point blank, BMW is trying to build and compete outside of their league. The new 5 and 7 will have major problems for years and many upset guinea pigs.
:guns :thud
I couldn't agree more with your post. I've been expressing my own discontentment with BMW's product quality, so much so, that I was beginning to feel guilty of being negative. I feel better after reading your post, Thanks!
I know and understand about the first year model issue. But, I have owned BMWs' since 1989 when I got first 325i. I have owned many first year BMWs' without any issues whatsoever. 4 cyl. Z3 first year model, no problems. 6 cyl. Z3, first year model, no problems. 330ci, first year model, no problems. 325i (previous 323 model), first year model, no problems.
So of course, I didn't think twice about getting the E60.
Hey Cosmos! I've been pretty busy, but long time no see. Thanks for your kind words. I just speak the truth and what I've seen and heard. No doubt that BMW does have some great cars but they've lately been putting the cart before the horse.
ExTech,
Hehehe...I just noticed your signature/banner..."your bimmer shouldn't be your only investment". That is so cool for an advertisement or slogan for a mortgage company, especially on a BMW forums board! :clap2 :thumbs
Just got back from BMW. This is the verdict. A BMW Field Service Engineer (they travel all over taking care of issues) test drove my vehicle with me. He inmediately experienced what I was talking about. Then we drove an exact model as mine. The only difference mine was equipped with Continental tires, this one had GoodYear Eagles. You could still feel the wind on the other vehicle. The ride was much softer and nicer on this one. BMW switched rims and tires. After driving mine with the Goodyear tires, the ride was similar from what was experienced on that second vehicle.
What I was told is that it seems that BMW is aware of the wind issue. The engineer said he had not noticed it until brought to his attention a while back. Of course most of the driving on the New 5 he has done was on the 545. Another thing he did, was that as soon as we got on the highway, he hit the window buttons thinking that maybe they were open. They were not. Point No.2 The wind noise inside the vehicle at highway speeds was VERY noticeable, on all the cars we drove.
So. This model really IS affected by the wind. BMW IS AWARE OF THIS!!!
I can say the ride is much better with the Goodyear tires, but it still gets beat up by the wind. I have received posting from other users like this "the latest issue of Car & Driver was not pleased with the '04 530i. They also mentioned that their car did not feel stable in crosswinds. Their car was equipped with the Sports Package (which they commented on the "too quick" ratio at low speeds)."
I'm sorry, but as I said before, the ride on my 2003 E39 is by far superior than my 2004 E60. :cry
Sorry to hear the bad news.
So what are they gonna do about it for you?
Are you gonna keep the car, return it, or...???
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