Saw the E60, Bought E39

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Santee, CA
#1
Last Sunday my wife & I went to check out the new E60 at my local BMW
dealer. While waiting for the doors to open (We were earlybirds by a bit),
we checked-out an E39 530, configured almost exactly as I wanted. It had a
sticker of $46k.

A salesman approached us, & first I drove the E-39; GREAT! Even without the
sport package. The thing that really impressed me was the absolutely
GORGEOUS beige leather interior with the light colored wood trim. My wife
said "Why don't you get this one?" "Sure" I said; "If they'll take $40k &
give me $10k on my trade, I'll think about it." Knowing all along that
they'd never do that deal.

THEN we drove the E60. With the sport package, the performance was
discernibly better. The ARS held the car nearly flat even at well over
60mph on a tight onramp.

I could tolerate the exterior appearance, even LIKED it! However the
interior was another story. The way the dash disappears behind the door
handles instead of flowing INTO them turned me off. The wood trim was
anthracite, & looked like burnt wood. Even the regular wood trim looked WAY
too dark.

The general shape of the dash seemed unnatural & didn't seem to be oriented
towards the driver.

The I-Drive wasn't so bad; quite intuitive, I thought. But using while
driving... forget about it.

Over all, the interior turned me off enough to where I felt that if I REALLY
wanted an E60, I'd wait another year or so to get possible upgrades on the
interior. Besides, the way I configured an E60 would make for about a $53k
car with little or no dealing...at the present.

The deal I thought I'd never get on the 2003 E39? They gave it to me! It
was an offer I couldn't refuse. Although not as technically advance as the
E60, I find myself appreciating the E39 more every day, ...at least $13,000
more, for certain.

Last night I discovered OIL ( Three circles, about 3" each), under the front end. Upon further inspection, I fouind that it was coming form the Front, lower left side (Facing the engine), a few inches from the bottom of the block. CRAP! Probably something minor, but NOT in MY new baby! This too, shall pass when I take it in for a few things at the delaer's on Monday. Until then, I STILL love it in white, but would have loved an SMG 6 speed.
 
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Location
Santee, CA
#3
Thanks!

It's a good new - bad news thing re. the wheels.

The bad news is that the wheels are only 16" & have tons of nooks & crannies to clean.

The GOOD news is that the tires will be VERY reasonable to replace vs. the 18" run-flats I would have gotten on the E60.

I got the Strptronic (Was going to opt for an SMG on the E60). I was just too sick of L.A./Orange County traffic when I had to deal with it. The auto tranny is GREAT in this car & my wife's 325.
 

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heckler

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Florida
#4
Welcome to the 5 club! Been zooming in my new 2003 E39 for 3 months now.. and i'm hooked! Can't tell you how many people look at the xenon angel eyes at dusk and dawn.. like "eyes to the soul"
 
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Santee, CA
#5
Thanks much!

Sure wish the thing wasn't delivered with an OIL LEAK, though.

There's a significant drip from the passenger's side, lower-front of the engine that leaves a cuploe of 2-3" circles on my garage floor.

It's going in Monday.
 

heckler

New Member
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#6
Oh yeah.. I almost forgot.. I finally saw a new 5 at my local dealer.. i'm still not sold on the new body style.. but the inside was even weirder. It's too "swoopy" curves all over the place, the dash and doors meet with weird angles. The cup holders are huge swing out things above the glove box.. After having seen the inside, i'm even more turned off..

Can't agree more with respect to the interior.. i'm going to go look again though..
 

adrean8j

1000 Post Club
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Fallujah, Iraq for now
#7
Congrats Jimmy on your new baby. I have a euro-spec '99 but not much has change between your car and mine in that short amount of time.
On the leak....I hope it isnt anything to serious that would sour you on the brand...here in Germany the service depts. are top notch...after fixing your car they vacuum it out and leave a little napkin on your steering wheel with an image of a BMMW steering wheel on it, logo and all(just the standard wheel though not the M wheel!!:)) It may sound kinda cheezy but little things like that have got me still sold on the blue and white!!!
here is mine get some good pics of yours so we can see!!!
 
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Santee, CA
#8
Thanks so much. I took a nice drive in teh mountians nearby today & had a FABULOUS time finding out how well the steptronic works in manual.

Even with spirited driving, the thing didn't overheat & there isn't any unusual odor coming from the engine (The brakes were a bit warm, though[:D] ). I have a suspicion that the oil leak is either minor, or a result from overfilling.

I see you're from Heidleberg! LOVE the old town. I took several trips there while stationed in Zweibrucken back in the late 70's. Wish I was still there. ....and SO close to Hockenheim.

I've never seen an E-39 in red. Imola, isn't it? Oddly enough, I REALLY like it.

I'll update this thread when I find out about the leak.
 
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Location
Santee, CA
#9
The leak was a sliced o-ring on the transmission cooler line.

What a relief.

My wife hasn't been so lucky with her new 325. Today it died for the second time & wouldn't restart. The car was towned 150 miles to the local BMW delaer. Cost them $300!
 


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