Dream Come True

[driver371]

Hello all

This is my first post and I hope that it will not be the last. Last week my dad told me he would get me any used BMW I wanted as a graduation present. There are a few minimum requirements though.

1)It has to be equivalent to an Merc. E320(in power, acceleration)
2) It has to be Automatic
3) It should have some options in it.

Now this car will be imported from Germany from our family friend, a used car dealer. I was thinking of an M5 and then I thought of a 7 Series and then I thought of a nice 5 Series.

can anyone give me some sound advice on how to make the decision?

J

[Slvr e39]

go with the ///m5

[numberthree_]

m5!

[billB]

Originally posted by driver371@Jan 22 2005, 08:44 PM
Hello all

This is my first post and I hope that it will not be the last. Last week my dad told me he would get me any used BMW I wanted as a graduation present. There are a few minimum requirements though.

1)It has to be equivalent to an Merc. E320(in power, acceleration)
2) It has to be Automatic
3) It should have some options in it.

Now this car will be imported from Germany from our family friend, a used car dealer. I was thinking of an M5 and then I thought of a 7 Series and then I thought of a nice 5 Series.

can anyone give me some sound advice on how to make the decision?

J

[snapback]276909[/snapback]

Considering the above conditions/requirements ANY late model 5 series will do especially the M5. As to the 7 series? well I may/may not consider it until reaching an older age! because the 7 series is similar to-- in its Perception/outlook-- to the MB 500 series. Not exactly a typical average young and/or college student's ride.

Welcome to the forum and good luck
billb

[Torque]

I guess you can't get a M5 because it has to be a automatic... and why that is so I know not.

[billB]

Originally posted by Torque@Jan 22 2005, 09:46 PM
I guess you can't get a M5 because it has to be a automatic... and why that is so I know not.

[snapback]276965[/snapback]

I am assuming many people don't like/don't know how to drive manual especially when the car is shared with family member who doesn't!!

[Torque]

Originally posted by billB+Jan 22 2005, 05:07 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(billB @ Jan 22 2005, 05:07 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-Torque@Jan 22 2005, 09:46 PM
I guess you can't get a M5 because it has to be a automatic... and why that is so I know not.

[snapback]276965[/snapback]

I am assuming many people don't like/don't know how to drive manual especially when the car is shared with family member who doesn't!!

[snapback]276986[/snapback]

[/b][/quote]
How can one not like driving manual ? I so wish my car was manual. I have a tranny, driveshaft, clutch etc out of a 89 525i that I could use for a converstion... FREE, yet my dad (a mechanic) doesn't want to help me do it. I offered to even pay him...

That manual along with my diff from a automatic would definitely give me some good acceleration.... but I gotta keep on truckin' like it is I guess.

[BMWLotAttendant]

You have many good choices in the used BMWs.....some of my personal favorites....are the used 01/02 540i....with the performance package....as well as the 00/01 740iLs are sporty and luxurous as well....the 01 740iL has the option of the Nav. as well as the performance package. That's my advice to you....good luck!

[billB]

Originally posted by Torque+Jan 22 2005, 10:48 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Torque @ Jan 22 2005, 10:48 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'>

I am assuming many people don't like/don't know how to drive manual especially when the car is shared with family member who doesn't!!

[snapback]276986[/snapback]

How can one not like driving manual ? I so wish my car was manual. I have a tranny, driveshaft, clutch etc out of a 89 525i that I could use for a converstion... FREE, yet my dad (a mechanic) doesn't want to help me do it. I offered to even pay him...

That manual along with my diff from a automatic would definitely give me some good acceleration.... but I gotta keep on truckin' like it is I guess.

[snapback]277017[/snapback]

[/b][/quote]

Torgue

I need a break here. I said in FAMILY SHARED cars many people don't like/don't know how to drive a stick. To clarify: Great Grand mom, 99 years and six months old wife or anyone sharing a car with someone with a date of birth prior to 1900 A.D.

[///M Power]

Are we talking about a new vehicle? A price range? I think we need more information otherwise we could just suggest the top of the line model.

I'd say BMW 530i anywhere from 2001-2004 (e39 and e65) just to be able to compare well to the Mercedes e320.

[billB]

USED BMW it is, and yes a price range comes in handy!

[dberger]

Buy a nice M3

[Johnathan_Hess]

An E39 ///M5 is ruled out because they all come with six speed manuals.

The new ///M5 comes with an SMG -- I don't know if your family members can handle that, but it's worth considering.

I'd get an E39 540i with an automatic. They are very quick, even stock, and there's a plethora of aftermarket parts you can use.

I raced an E39 540i that was an automatic, and it was highly modded with Dinan parts. Needless to say, he smoked me.

So, in conclusion, an E39 540i would be your best bet.

2001 and above, I believe, comes with the best options.

[driver371]

Originally posted by Torque@Jan 23 2005, 12:46 AM
I guess you can't get a M5 because it has to be a automatic... and why that is so I know not.

[snapback]276965[/snapback]

So all M5's are manual? Honestly I would like manual but there are 2 problems
1) My brother wouldn't like it (we share the E320 and my soon to be car)
2) Where I live has a lot of traffic and that is going to get really annoying shifting all the time without getting anywhere.

price range of a german import vehicle to Dubai, UAE is going to be at a maximum of $20,000 including the registration of the car and some minor repairs are bound to be needed. The car model would be around a 1999-2002 BMW

I've been told by friends to get anything above a 525. Is there a site that explains the differences between all the 5 series?

J

[Torque]

Differences are simple:

525i - 2.5 liter engine
530i - 3 liter engine
528i - 2.8 liter engine
540i - 4.4 liter engine
M5 - 5 liter 400 hp engine

all except the M5 come with automatic or manual... and there is also a sport package version of each (lower suspension, bigger wheels).

the m5 handles better than all.