Why should I buy a 528i?

Cornpanzer · 05-01-2003, 07:00 PM

Hello everyone. I am a crossover from the 911 boards and I am looking for some guidance and iunput on my next car choice.
I bought my wife a new VR6 VW Jetta in 2000. We bought new because I wanted to have a car that I never had to touch. Well, it has been the biggest piece of crap that I have ever owned. I now have the Jetta up for sale and I look to spend approx 30-32 thousand on a replacement. Here is what I have narrowed it down to. I need a car that is fun to drive and extremely reliable!!

1) 2003 Acura 3.2 TL-S
2)2003 Infinity G35 sedan
3)2000 BMW 528i Sport package

The Infinity seems to be tons of car for not too much $$$$$. 260 hp, great styling.......but I have never really liked the Nissan product.

I have driven the Acura and really like it as well. They have had bad problems with the transmissions in 2001/02. Im not sure if they have it fixed for 2003, but I would have to assume so.

I have heard nothing but good about the BMW. It doesnt have the power of the others, but it seems to be bulletproof. My personal preferance would be the 528it Sport Wagen. Can you guys give me tangible reasons why I should buyt a 3 year old lease turn in BMW over the brand new japanese product?? Any longevity concerns? Are BMW's really that more expensive to maintain? Feedback is welcome. Thanks, Dave

Javier at Pelican Parts · 05-02-2003, 08:31 AM

Dave, Last year my sister bought a lease return from a dealer (528i) with 25k miles 3yrs old. Best car shes ever had! Buy from a dealer make sure it's CPO (certified pre owned) this means its had the onece over. Since 99 bmw has sold or leased thier cars with full maint. If the PO was wise he would have had all the necc maint done on this. This can be easily verified by asking the dealer for a copy of the maint records, BMW keeps a record in a central data base for all dealers to access.

I have stated many times before that I think BMW is the best car available 2nd to none. When it comes to quailty more HP does not make the car better. Put it this way, if this car is for your wife, and God forbid she should get into an accident you will thank your stars she's in a BMW. Consumer reports will support my findings. Dave, prior to coming to Pelican I was With BMW for 15 years I've seen first hand what these cars can go through and I truly believe.....
"They could'nt say it if it were'nt true"
"THE ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE"

Jared at Pelican Parts · 05-02-2003, 09:04 AM

My Opinions

1. Acura, Bulletproof, great design, about the only thing that comes close to Honda engineering is BMW. Great power-wise and handling, however the car seems cheaply built to me, something about the interior just seems lacking

2. Infiniti, Beautiful car, TONS of power, however they seem more like the modern day Cadillac to me. Something that an old man who wasnts a highway cruiser would drive. Personally, however i have never had luck with a Nissan product. But then again there are only two Nissans I would ever want, a totally original 73 240Z and a Skyline GT-R. Is Nissan ever going to bring these over?

3. BMW, what can i say that hasnt been already said in nearly every magazine and test? They are the best in myopinion. They feel like race cars in sedan's clothing. If you are looking for more power, you can step up to a 535 or better, plus you can do a lot with a 5 series in terms of mods. Styling wise, i think it is the best of the three.

mouled · 05-02-2003, 12:35 PM

I was looking at a 1994 528Is the other day to add as a second car. Be side it was an Acura, and a Lexus. Both Jap cars were yonger and had less milage than the Bimmer. The leather on both was destroyed, the carpet shot, rust in the wheel wells, trunk lid. I'm sure both were made from 1957 Dodge bumpers. I have never seen any of Japans' high tech, high price cars stand the test of time. Like Jahed said if you get one from the dealer, you have a winner. Their policy is clear on the used cars. You'll pay a little more but you'll get a perfect car. They also offer baloon financing, you pay half the bill over three years, and then the full amount at the end. You can put the money in a savings account and collect interest for three years.They have a 1999 328 ci at a lot near me and are asking $26,800 CND. Take a long drive up to Toronto, well within your budget and even more fun than a 528I, with almost as many upgrades as a 5 series.

Javier at Pelican Parts · 12:42 PM

"like Jahed said if you get one from the dealer, you have a winner. "

Uh, the name's Javier. not Jahed

Jared at Pelican Parts · 05-02-2003, 12:41 PM

maybe he was talking about me?

In any case, im used to it.

"My name is Jared"

"Jerry?"

"No, Jared"

"Gerald?"

"No, Jared"

"Harry?"

Jahed is a new one...

Javier at Pelican Parts · 05-02-2003, 12:43 PM

uhhh, noooooo....

he was talking about me...duh.

....Jake

mouled · 05-02-2003, 12:48 PM

I thougt it was Javier, as in Havier not Jared, There seem to be two of you Pelican Part guys hanging here. Anyway bottom line is you asked a bunch of BMW nuts if you should buy a Bimmer. Hell yes!

Jared at Pelican Parts · 05-02-2003, 12:51 PM

However i have owned my share of Japanese cars.

I kinda miss my old MR2 some days, even though the thing had the structural strength of a beer can.

stealthn · 05-02-2003, 05:58 PM

Corn,

I own both a 911 and a 99 528I Sport package. I don't think of any reason to buy any car, but as for the ones you mentioned. Bimmer all the way. Infinity; too expensive but nice car, Acura nice, but resale drops like a rock after you leave the lot.
BMW - 5 series rated No.1 for about 3 years running. The 528 isn't all that in power, but it does go (max torque isn't until 4000RPM) after you get the revs up, and what can I say, with the sports suspension and nice tires it's a great car. Safety as mentioned is great as well.
I think you should also look at the new Volvos, yes they're volvos, but they come along way (but costly too)

I got a 4 year warranty on my 99 (last year) but I had to pay for it. If I don't make any claims I get my money back

And what can I say it's a BMW (Those Germans eh!)

Good luck with your descision.

pebowles · 05-25-2003, 04:58 PM

The BMW is more fun to drive, but the Japanese cars are far more reliable and cheaper to fix if they ever need anything. In the 4 years and less than 35,000 miles I have owned a 540, I've replaced door seals, misc. internal fittings, radiator, water pump (about to need a second), rotation rate sensor, cam sensor, thermostat. Some were warranty to be sure, but the crap still broke. And dont buy a 540 unless you own an oil well...8-10 mpg around town is normal, but highway mileage is okay.

mouled · 05-27-2003, 04:30 AM

pebowles, Sell that 540. My 535I now has 384,000 kilms on the dial. Ya it has a new water pump, alternator,tranny seal, brake pads(several times) etc... But if it was Jap the seats would have ripped, body rusted out, and I don't know of any Jap motor that would even be rebuildable at 384,000. Their design is for about 100,000. Buy parts properly I don't find Bimmers expensive at all. The cheapests car I have even owned was a Cadillac Eldorado. At 367,000 klms the frame rusted through and broke. Someone gave me $500.00 for it to use the mint interior. Take alook at a 6 year old Jap leather interior with minimum milage. The nice thing about the five series for me is that has the comfort of my Eldo, the power of Monte Carlo SS, and better handling than any thing in its class. I have fould it to be a very economical car. Better gas milage than anything that GM, Ford, or Cryco has to offer with comperable horse power and weight. In the land of ice n snow, we use salt to remove the danger from our roads. It damages all cars, but the Japs don't show the rust they have going on. Then they get hit and explode into a red dust haze. I tore the entire rear end off a Subaru only four years old in my wife's five year old Berreta. I drove the Chevy home. They called a flatbed to collect the Jap!

pebowles · 05-27-2003, 08:58 AM

Well I owned two Toyotas that each went 150,000 miles without *any* problems. My point is that the 540 is far more fun to drive but neither cheap nor particularly reliable. Not junk, just no more relaible than any average car, and very expensive to fix. If I sold it, I'd take a terribe haircut because they depreciate so dramatically.

mouled · 05-27-2003, 09:34 PM

I have heard many negative reports on the 540 and I just don't get it. The older e34 5 series were very dependable, parts are resonable, but the resale sucks. I thought the 540 was the best 5 series ever built???The dealers really drive up the cost of repair. Toyota and Nissan have a reputation for going the distance but in this climate they rot. The rust is behind the paint so you don't see the safety issue till your hit.