[docCarter]

Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum, and I am currently looking at buying a 528i.


I am somewhat new to looking at BMW, for the last few years I always thought BMW was made up of a bunch of money-grubbers who haven't cared about driving dynamics in years.

I did always like the 5-Series though, the E39 especially. I hated the E60 though, I think it is the ugliest BMW ever created and should have never been created in the first place.


I like the new F10 though, and I like the 528i. I just have a few questions.

1. What's it like to own a BMW?
2. What do I get if I check off no options?
3. Should I do European delivery?
4. How fast is the 528i?
5. Will I feel like a cock if I drive it?



I have driven cars made by GM all my life (primarily Chevrolet) and they have never let me down, I just want to try out BMW.





So yes, any help is welcome

[gatoman39]

Originally Posted by docCarter

I like the new F10 though, and I like the 528i. I just have a few questions.

1. What's it like to own a BMW?
Pretty much the same as owning any other luxury car. Free scheduled maintenance and a loaner is a nice touch, though.
2. What do I get if I check off no options?
A very basic version. If you're trying to save money, Bimmers aren't what I would characterize as great values. It's like trying to save money shopping at Whole Foods, not gonna happen.
3. Should I do European delivery?
Too hard to answer that question, so many variables involved. Do a search of other posts regarding ED, you'll get a good sense of it.
4. How fast is the 528i?
Fast enough for most. If you are a driving enthusiat it will probably be to slow for you off the line.
5. Will I feel like a cock if I drive it?
If you're a cock to begin with, yes. If not, then probably not.

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by docCarter

5. Will I feel like a cock if I drive it?

What you want to feel while you're driving is down to personal preference and local legislation - perhaps best kept between you and who you're feeling

[SDRX]

5. Will I feel like a cock if I drive it?


How could anyone possibly know if you feel like a cock or not?

[docCarter]

Originally Posted by gatoman39

1. What's it like to own a BMW?
Pretty much the same as owning any other luxury car. Free scheduled maintenance and a loaner is a nice touch, though.
2. What do I get if I check off no options?
A very basic version. If you're trying to save money, Bimmers aren't what I would characterize as great values. It's like trying to save money shopping at Whole Foods, not gonna happen.
3. Should I do European delivery?
Too hard to answer that question, so many variables involved. Do a search of other posts regarding ED, you'll get a good sense of it.
4. How fast is the 528i?
Fast enough for most. If you are a driving enthusiat it will probably be to slow for you off the line.
5. Will I feel like a cock if I drive it?
If you're a cock to begin with, yes. If not, then probably not.

1. Ive never owned a luxury car, that seems nice.
2. Do I get iDrive or any other stuff?
3. Thanks.
4. I just need something fast enough to have fun with.
5. Currently I'm not a cock, that question came up after watching a bit of Top Gear.

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by docCarter

5. Currently I'm not a cock, that question came up after watching a bit of Top Gear.

That explains your indecision; Top Gear is fronted by three complete cocks - look away lest you become one

[ibimmer954]

Originally Posted by docCarter

2. Do I get iDrive or any other stuff?
4. I just need something fast enough to have fun with.

iDrive is standard, but the Navigation is not standard. Most luxury features are not standard, so you will have to start checking options boxes to get gadgets which will quickly made the price go up. Just a warning.

A big difference between BMW and other luxury brands is that BMW is really set up for you to order exactly what you want. So I recommend you do that and not just drive something off the lot. Only via ordering can you get interesting color combinations, etc.

Be sure to read the brochure here. It will list out the options and packages that are available. Then to go bmwusa.com and do the "build your own" thing and see how much it will cost!

[r3amir]

Get 528i at least with premium 1 pkg, sport pkg and Navigation and sport auto, MSRP approx. $52K to get a good luxury car. Negotiate and get it under $50K.

You have to test drive a 528i, before you can say, how will it feel?

[gatoman39]

Originally Posted by docCarter

1. Ive never owned a luxury car, that seems nice.
2. Do I get iDrive or any other stuff?
3. Thanks.
4. I just need something fast enough to have fun with.
5. Currently I'm not a cock, that question came up after watching a bit of Top Gear.

1. Ive never owned a luxury car, that seems nice.
If you have the means, it's highly recommended, it's great fun.
2. Do I get iDrive or any other stuff?
Hmm, you get lots of "stuff", but you can really customize what you want, versus what you need.
4. I just need something fast enough to have fun with.
Everyone's definition of fast is very different. If you're coming from a mini van or SUV, it's fast as hell. From a Corvette, not so much.
5. Currently I'm not a cock, that question came up after watching a bit of Top Gear.
One of the biggest BMW haters, Jeremy Clarson, actually gave the new 5 series a . Granted it's the 535i, keep that in mind.
Here's the link

[akhter]

Originally Posted by docCarter

1. Ive never owned a luxury car, that seems nice.
2. Do I get iDrive or any other stuff?
3. Thanks.
4. I just need something fast enough to have fun with.
5. Currently I'm not a cock, that question came up after watching a bit of Top Gear.

1. I have only owned BMWs (waiting delivery of my 3rd) and its a very nice experience (usually). Be sure to go to a good dealer. you can ask around here with you location and people can recommend dealer and salesmen.

2. You get idrive standard however that is the 7" screen with no navigation. I personally will never get a BMW without navigation.

4. Its fast. I had the 335i and am moving to a 528i. Make sure to get the 8sp sport transmission ($500). Its not optional if you enjoy driving

5. jeremy clarkson is a cock--however he is also a great entertainer

[alex_c]

1. What's it like to own a BMW?
My first NICE car was back in 1993, a new E36 325is, and I absolutely loved it, until it got totalled going off a cliff after 364 days of ownership, with 1 day of insurance left... After that, I got a 325iC (convertible) and loved it. I kept it for almost 4 years. After that, I had lots of other vehicles, which I end up keeping for under 1 or 2 years... until my next BMW, an X5 which I kept for 3 years. A few others for short periods, until my last BMW, a 328xi, and now a 2011 535i. Bottom line, nothing drives like a BMW. I learned my lesson. BMW has proven to be the best vehicle for me. You will love it!

2. What do I get if I check off no options?
As others have said, get at least Premium 1 (leather seats, and other nice stuff). Next add Navigation. Works and looks phenomenal. Specially nice is the real-time traffic re-routing. Still some money left? Get Sports package (fantastic seats, wheels, black trim) and add 2TB for the Sports Automatic transmission, paddle shifters, and the ability to change the feeling of the car from Normal to Sport. From there, the sky is the limit...

3. Should I do European delivery?
You can save some money, but once you add the plane ticket, hotels, meals, etc. you may end up spending almost the same, but will enjoy a GREAT vacation. Bear in mind that after you return your vehicle to a drop-off point, you may be without your car for almost 2 months until it gets back to you. Do you have something else to drive meanwhile? Are you OK making 2 payments on your car without using it? For me, that was a little turn-off, but I still got the Performance Center Delivery. Maybe not as fun as driving on the Autobahn, but still, seems like a lot of fun.

4. How fast is the 528i?
The 528 became available after I had already ordered my 535. I tested the 528 and it is very nice, quite nimble, and unless you want to push it really hard, it is lots of fun.

5. Will I feel like a cock if I drive it?
You will feel the satisfaction of driving one of the best sedans in the world.



I have driven cars made by GM all my life (primarily Chevrolet) and they have never let me down, I just want to try out BMW.

I think that driving a BMW is completely opposite to driving almost any GM car -perhaps with the exception of the Corvette-. GM's tend to float, dive and roll like a boat on asphalt. Sorry, but that's what they feel after you drive a well tuned car like a BMW... and no, I'm not being a cock...

[dallas528]

Originally Posted by alex_c

I think that driving a BMW is completely opposite to driving almost any GM car -perhaps with the exception of the Corvette-. GM's tend to float, dive and roll like a boat on asphalt. Sorry, but that's what they feel after you drive a well tuned car like a BMW... and no, I'm not being a cock...

+1 I also have a Tahoe in addition to my 528i, both are '08's, the BMW has 47k miles and the Tahoe has 10k miles. There's nothing like a BMW, I'm finalizing my order on a Euro Delivery 2011 535i this week!

[docCarter]

Yea, I think a new 5-Series might just be....... a bit out of my price range, seeing as if I check off a $500 option I end up having to get a $3000 option with it. Not that I'm going to stop looking, but right now things are looking bleak.

Thanks for all of your help though, now I feel as though the stereotype of BMW drivers being cocks isn't as what I had expected.

[tk005x]

Premium 1 is def a must along with heated front seats (unless you live in warm areas).

Are you looking for a car in this size range? Not a big fan of the E-class but I think the M is quite nice.

A6 is gonna get a refresh but what about the XF? Not sure about how the pricing compares though..

[alex_c]

If price is a big hurdle, you may try to find some last 2010 5 series with something like $8,000 discounts.

[gatoman39]

Originally Posted by docCarter

Yea, I think a new 5-Series might just be....... a bit out of my price range, seeing as if I check off a $500 option I end up having to get a $3000 option with it. Not that I'm going to stop looking, but right now things are looking bleak.

Thanks for all of your help though, now I feel as though the stereotype of BMW drivers being cocks isn't as what I had expected.

If the styling suits you, the 2010's 528i are a tremendous value. if you're price sensitive you could probably get a 2/3 year old CPO with decent amount of equipment for a reasonable price .

[akhter]

Originally Posted by docCarter

Yea, I think a new 5-Series might just be....... a bit out of my price range, seeing as if I check off a $500 option I end up having to get a $3000 option with it. Not that I'm going to stop looking, but right now things are looking bleak.

Thanks for all of your help though, now I feel as though the stereotype of BMW drivers being cocks isn't as what I had expected.

why not custom order?

[docCarter]

Originally Posted by gatoman39

If the styling suits you, the 2010's 528i are a tremendous value. if you're price sensitive you could probably get a 2/3 year old CPO with decent amount of equipment for a reasonable price .

Ick! No The E60 is absolutely atrocious.

[docCarter]

Originally Posted by akhter

why not custom order?

Custom order aye?

So I can get the $500 sport transmission without buying the $2200 sport package

[docCarter]

Originally Posted by tk005x

Premium 1 is def a must along with heated front seats (unless you live in warm areas).

Are you looking for a car in this size range? Not a big fan of the E-class but I think the M is quite nice.

A6 is gonna get a refresh but what about the XF? Not sure about how the pricing compares though..

There are only 2 other cars I would get.

A CTS, but that's a bit small.

I also plan to get the upcoming MY2013 Chevrolet Zeta in a few years. Oh poop, do you guys know what the Zeta platform is? It's the greatest automotive platform ever created and makes every other platform currently out now or out in the next 50 years look like poop.

[akhter]

A lot of people here swear by the e90 and think the f10 is regressing.

Then again a lot of people were crying when the e60 came out saying e39 was the last of the great BMWs.

Its a typical pattern whenever BMW comes out with a new car

I personally thought the e60 was the most beautiful 4dr car at any price when it came out. I think the F10 is also very good looking but not as polarizing. However, the F10 interior is light years ahead.

Interesting that they list the $500 sport shifter is listed separately but when you added on bmwusa.com it adds the 2k sport package. It may be a bug with the system, but you should ask a dealer to be sure. I have never seen the website list an options separate from the package if it is not separate available for order.

[docCarter]

Originally Posted by akhter

A lot of people here swear by the e90 and think the f10 is regressing.

Then again a lot of people were crying when the e60 came out saying e39 was the last of the great BMWs.

Its a typical pattern whenever BMW comes out with a new car

I personally thought the e60 was the most beautiful 4dr car at any price when it came out. I think the F10 is also very good looking but not as polarizing. However, the F10 interior is light years ahead.

Interesting that they list the $500 sport shifter is listed separately but when you added on bmwusa.com it adds the 2k sport package. It may be a bug with the system, but you should ask a dealer to be sure. I have never seen the website list an options separate from the package if it is not separate available for order.

I personally think the E60 is absolutely disgusting.