What do you think of BMWs?

[SaVas]

Whats odd is insurance for the 7 is about 20% less than it is on my Maxima, both with identical full coverage. The BMW  gets better gas mileage than my Maxima by about 2 or 3 mpg highway driving, and what does stink is I have to use premium unleaded in both. The 7 can use 89+ octane rated gas but I have read quite a bit about getting better mileage from using premium. The Maxima requires 91+ octane rated gas.

[Omag 2.0]

Strange ... In Belgium we only have 95+ Octane and 98+ Octane... gimme me my diesel anyday... much cheaper...  ;D

[Craig.]

I would imagine the BMW has better security features than the Maxima. They also stand out alot easier than the Maxima so are in some cases less likely a target for thieves. Or I would think you'd be stupid to take a car that stands out more.

[BMan1113VR]

[quote]Strange ... In Belgium we only have 95+ Octane and 98+ Octane... gimme me my diesel anyday... much cheaper...

[ozzy72]

it is a different octane rating system in Europe

Yup! That is why our beer is soooooo much stronger

[LVA157]

My dad ownes a BMW 523i (2.5 litre engine.) We have done various mods on the engine: Group N Racing Air filter, New ECU which has been tuned to high end accelaration, and it's awaiting a Garret T3 Turbo.








My dad also says it's the best car he's ever had, and trust me he's had alot! He also used to own a rare shark-nosed 6 series (635) and my mum owns a 318i with M-Tech Body-kit which is NOT a great car.

[BMan1113VR]

What problems have you had with the 318i?

seems like the gas pedal is not connected to the engine  ;)

[4_Series_Scania]

My dad ownes a BMW 523i (2.5 litre engine.) We have done various mods on the engine: Group N Racing Air filter, New ECU which has been tuned to high end accelaration, and it's awaiting a Garret T3 Turbo.

A very nice car, but why on earth go to such expense modding a 523i to go like a V8 when theres the simple option of the 540i ?

I'd sell the 523i and start playing about with a 540i if you really want some results from your investment.

The 540i is in 95% of road situations, right up there with its bigger brother, the M5.

If I were to modify an e39 5 series, I'd start with the 540i and get some M5 add ons for it, both cars are V8's and a surprising amount of tuning parts for the M5 bolt straight onto the 540.

The 523i was never designed to be a tyre burner, so why on earth try to re-engineer it when such a similar but superior platform is sitting in your local car lot, waiting for you to sell your existing car - which in its condition, I'm sure would fetch good money, and add what you would have spent on the turbo conversion to the pot, then go find a 540i, leave some change to modify that if you wanted, but, I'd be surprised if you wanted more performance for a while with it.

Extremely capable and fast motors, I'd consider one when I eventually sell my e38.

[LVA157]

Very good point, but my mum has banned my dad from buying anymore cars as we have 4 at the moment,  and we used to have 6 Maybe when our current bimmer has given up the ghost, my dad will get a new 540 but who knows. And we're also considering the Focus RS, but i doubt that'll tow a caravan  ;)

[Woodlouse2002]

Ah well I can deal with that, my last car was a 1.1 Peugeot 106

An absolute beauty. I'm sometimes suprised that there's an engine in there at all.

[Ijineda]

BMWs are great; well I have to say so cause I own an E36 built in 1997, has like 180.000km but im sure he will go to way over 300.000! Never broke down, no problems ever! Only minor problem is that the first gear tends to bounce sometimes, but I can also start in the 2nd. Dunno why theres this problem, no mechanic was ever able to tell me.  ::)

[The Ruptured Duck]

Bowel Movement Withheld?

[Mees]

i think BMW's suck ass