Hi all, my first post. I have had my 545i (Sport Package) for 6 months now and besides for some minor electronic glitches, the car has been superb. My car is fully loaded (hud, phone, comfort seats, pdc, logic 7, nav, etc)so I kinda of knew that there would be a shaking out period because of the complexity of the electronics. I've had my car in twice for "downloads." These are kind of like fixes for electronic glitches. For those who have not had to go through one be advise that the service rep will tell you it takes a couple of hours, I've found outherwise. Both times I have had to leave the car. They take about 8 - 12 hours! All the code has to be purged then reloaded! What has been frustrating is that once you go through one, you then have to reset you stero "presets" and things like that.

This my 8th BMW and 6th 5 series ( a 1988 528e, 1997 528i, 1998 528i, 2000 540iA, 2002 540i and the 545i). It is by far the best! I traded a 2002 540i 6 speed (a car that I truly loved)so I was very intestest in seeing how the performance of the E60 compared with the E39. No comparison! the E60 car is better in all the driving parameters! I am only made that I didnt get the 6 speed (Streptronic). The Active Steering is marvelous and believe me, while the iDrive does have its moments, it is not the monster all these 2.00 gpa journalist make it out to be! In fact, it is somewhat useful in terms of cleaning of the dash and making certain interfaces more user friendly. Handling is truly great with the car and gas mileage is far better than the last E39.

I understand that with the M5, BMW will introduce a new 7 speed paddle system that is much smoother than the current 6 speed system. I might consider trading since I really miss shifting.

• Welcome all you new 5er drivers, tell me... - kff 2004-02-17 20:54:04 (3761 views)
  • Re: Welcome all you new 5er drivers, tell me... (nt) - csobuta 2004-03-29 22:10:41 (2893 views)
    • Re: Welcome all you new 5er drivers, tell me... - cj 2006-01-13 15:34:49 (953 views)
  • Re: Welcome all you new 5er drivers, tell me... (nt) - csobuta 2004-03-01 22:07:09 (2473 views)
    • Re: Welcome all you new 5er drivers, tell me... - pjzgo 2004-03-08 21:49:09 (2267 views)
      • Re: Welcome all you new 5er drivers, tell me... - bigartk 2004-05-09 20:40:00 (1805 views)
        • Re: Welcome all you new 5er drivers, tell me... - cj 2004-09-30 15:05:23 (1728 views)
          • Re: Welcome all you new 5er drivers, tell me... - bmwally 2004-11-07 20:26:47 (1579 views)
      • Re: Welcome all you new 5er drivers, tell me... - Aseer 2004-03-12 02:49:01 (2390 views)
        • Re: Welcome all you new 5er drivers, tell me... - mflauer 2005-02-13 21:47:39 (1271 views)
          • XM2Go in a 545i - bearcat9620 2005-03-22 08:02:06 (1173 views)
        • Join the BMWCCA and get a discount (url) - davidc 2004-03-12 18:22:58 (2502 views)
          • Re: Join the BMWCCA and get a discount (nt) - bigartk 2004-05-09 20:44:49 (1696 views)