Today I drove a 2008 535xi sport pkg, with $46K Certified for 2 years first out in 08 with twin turbo. I favor this car over an A6, M35 and Lexus GS about the same year. I drove this model 3 years ago and just melted in it as I did today. Now used I can afford it.

The salesman told me the little vibration from the road was BMW "road feel" as the dash vibrated minimally but noticeably (ya put yur hand on the dash and see a difference). I drove their 528xi and it was more of a balance issue, this one was more subtle. It surely is sporty for a larger car but I am used to flawless balance in my LS steering/suspension. Is this how they drive? Do ya know what i mean is the dealer just peddling metal? CAr is like 30 g's.

In goes the Camry Hybrid not LS for a trade in.

thanks warm

 

46k miles/costs $30,000

 

i had a 08 535i sport brand new and sold it at 15k miles. I dont remember ever being able to put my hand on the dashboard and seeing it vibrate. the 535i sport drives very nice and tight and has a much firmer sportier ride than the ls430. it could be a xi thing as i never drove the awd model.

 

I've been driving a 2008 528xi for 5 months now (the LS is sleeping at home, using the 5 as a winter car at school). I've also had a 2009 535i as a loaner car (very powerful and fun to drive!). I feel that the 5 is an excellent car and am puzzled by why the E60 has such a bad rep overall. The interior materials are soft to the touch and feel like quality, certainly no worse than my non-extended leather ML LS430. The door shuts with a nice thud and the entire car feels like it was very well put together. It feels much sportier than the 430 through the bends with minimal body roll, but still retains a pretty comfortable ride on the road (both of the E60s I've driven did not have sport pkg tho, so that might change things). It is very quiet, almost to 430 levels and is free of squeaks/rattles for the most part. Sure it's less comfy and a bit less refined overall than the LS430, but the LS was built for a whole other league of car.

As for your question on the vibrations: yes most BMWs tend to have a bit of vibration going through at idle. My E90 328 had it and the E60 528xi has it (though to a very very slight degree). The only ones I've driven that don't have it was my old '95 530i and a 07 X5 3.0i. I can feel a bit of the engine through the steering wheel, but it's nothing that really bothers me. The steering feels much tighter and the throttle feels heavier. The car is prone to downshift too while slowing down. The brakes have a very linear feel to them and are strong. Overall I think the BMW is a bit more connected to the road without being overboard or uncomfortable. It will certainly be an upgrade from a Camary hybrid! I say go for it! I would suggest looking for a 550i, however, as it has a lot of power, but none of the HPFP issues the _35 BMWs tended to have

EDIT: I should also add that the 528xi has been a very reliable car overall. The only issue I've had is an odd battery drain issues (common on many new BMWs). The tech at the dealership told me the car 'talks' to itself for like 30 mins after you shut it off...so go figure lol. This problem can be solved by purchasing a new battery every 2-3 yrs (or whenever your car doesn't start anymore lol) for $150, not really a huge deal IMO.

 

I will offer my 2 cents. The 535xi is a great car, combination of power, comfort, styling etc. I have looked at this car literally, 3 times.......everytime I eventually ended up passing on it. As for the vibrations, the sales person isn't being truthful, that car has a balance or engine mounts issues. The 535xi is sport over comfort....but it can tolerate vibrations up to a certain point. LIke you, on the 3rd car I drove, it had a virbration in steering and seat, the salesman said it was no big deal....tires need to be balanced. I went back after it was balanced.....still there. Eventually it was the engine mounts(crazy for such a newer car). But vibrations are NOT normal. The engine and road feeling is more obvious in a bmw.......its built that way. it is not a cushy ride as lexus or acura. BUT..in the current model 5 series, bmw made the car wider, more GS cushy, that you will not have road feel in that car.

My ultimate reason for not going with the 535xi was maintenance/reliability. Its just one anecdote, but I had a very close friend whose car went into "limp mode" once the HPFP failed(a big problem with the turbo engines)...in rush hour traffice in the city. It scared him and his wife demanded he get rid of it. It was really bad timing for them. The dealership fixed it....and bmw even extended the warranty I believe for 10yrs and 120k miles. About two weeks later, it went into "limp mode" again while crossing a bridge(with no shoulder to pull over on). He traded it in next day for LS.

 

the hpfp was failing as well on my car at 8k miles. the car would crank for like 5 seconds before finally starting up. the dealer replaced it and i didnt have the problem again

 

I mentioned to the salesman i would look at it again if they RF Balanced it, and he really never replied. It seems like a car that could easily be driven hard, and the line between hard and harsh can show up in tweeked suspension parts I bet.

There ar a pile of these cars out there the 3 year lease returns are coming back 09

 

I owned a 540 in the past and my neighbor has a 535 that I've driven in many times. Neither of them had any vibration at all while cruising along. They are very well engineered cars but get very costly to maintain as the miles pile up. I've heard horror stories with the newer 740's. I did the timing chain guides on my 540 and the parts were over $900 and the job was a P.I.T.A. I'd do the belt on an LS three times before I'd do the guides on a BMW again. The guides do fail and if not caught in time you are looking at a new motor.

Sorry got a little off track there. I've never heard of a car vibrating to the point that you could feel it in the dash as a "normal feel" and no one could convince me otherwise.

 

used cars to avoid due to reliability issues - buyer beware -

BMW 135i ’08; 325i (AWD) ’02-05; 325i (RWD) ’02-03, ’05; 330i (RWD) ’02; 335i (AWD) ’08-09; 335i (RWD) ’07-10; 5 Series (6-cyl., nonturbo) ’03, ’06, ’09, ’11; 5 Series (V8) ’02-03, ’08, ’11; 5 Series (V10) ’08; 535i ’08-11; 7 Series ’06-08; X5 (6-cyl.) ’02-05, ’07-09, ’11; X5 (V8) ’08; X5 35d ’10; Z4 ’04

Here is the sum total of the list of used cars to avoid from Lexus from the same article -

Lexus GS ’10

 

Jabberwock, thanks for the heads up. Yur right, but I like the feel of a 12 year old scotch and should avoid having a good smoke once in a while.

I bet you would agree a better play here would be a certified 10 with low miles with 6 year/100k and spend an extra 5 g's or so(I see a couple in Chi Certified for 35), as I like you guys have high standards in cars. I was told I could drive a bunch of em in Brewtown also so I will see if some are vibration free. An 09 LS 460 AWD is still pretty pricey,still just looking. Thanks to all.

 

Warm, I think an '08 5-series could be a great selection for you. I drove nothing but BMWs for the past 28 years. Many 3's, 5's, and 7's. BMW's connection to the road is superior to almost any car. No, a dash vibration is not normal However, in the past 10 years with BMW, I've always had a new car warranty or CPO as these cars will drain your wallet. With all that said, my 2004 UL that I purchased this past December (11K miles already), is the best all around car that I've ever owned.

Get a warranty and get the BMW. Enjoy!

 

Gashed, I agree I just had my 04 with 165k roadforced and aligned and it steers and drives perfect. I have been so happy with mine zilch, nada, zippo repairs besides brakes tires blades t belt unbelievable really.

The wife wants AWD and with gas prices up the camry's time is up though I like it it is boring. I have a call in on a 09 with 9 k on it certified with a mid 2010 in service date so that would bring me 4 years listed at 35k from a BMW dealer( I cruised the net all day looking). Hoping it has the 20 way multicontour seats could care less about nav. 09 the nebulous i drive was updated. The twin turbo six seems just as fast as the LS.

Thanks, Warm

 

Warm, good luck finding the right AWD for your wife. 35K of BMW Warranty will provide much relief. Regarding I-Drive, I had it on an '07 3 (older version) and '09 3 ( newer version). Newer version is better, but I really had no problem with older version. If you decide on getting I-Drive be sure to check, I was thinklng that the 5 didn't get the newer I-Drive in '09 like the 3 did. I may be wrong.

 

Yur right newer I drive in 010. Keep ya posted.