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.
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.