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Hooray!, another reason to go through and find these:    As much as I loved my X5, this is in a whole different class performance wise.
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Mar 31, 2008 16:10
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Ziploc posted:That gearstick looks weird as hell. It looks weird, but it actually fits the contours of your right hand very, very well. It is most comfortable to use in practice. Beerios posted:I'm pretty sure it's an auto with tiptronic mode, but still just a torque converter-based slushbox. True that it is a slushbox, and its not even the new 'sport' transmission that they offer in the non 'x' 5ers. I went looking for my E61 thinking that I was going to have to order the manual, but I was surprised at just how capable the auto is in terms of real use. Regular drive mode its acceptable, but put it into Sport mode and it will downshift under breaking in anticipation of needing power again, holds gears just as long as your right foot tells it to (and you learn very fast the minute inputs needed to get the desired result), and most surprisingly forgets that 6th gear even exists until you are driving 'go directly to jail if pulled over' fast. Tiptronic shifts aren't dual-clutch instant, but they aren't slow (though I long for the 100ms shift time of the upgraded auto, that would be an improvement regardless of how minor (100ms or less)). Gears will be held until redline (no upshifting), but if you rapidly floor the accelerator it will downshift automatically for maximum thrust NOW (literally stomp your foot down hard, you can still WOT in any gear without it shifting for you). I don[don't find the shifter or gearbox cheap or plasticky at all, but I don't expect it to behave exactly as a manual, either. If you are willing to embrace it for what it is (and in here, that is a tall order, what with my car lacking the third pedal or extra clutch), you can do wonderful things together. Ninja Edit: I would not wish this transmission on someone with a 528 or 530, but the 535 makes enough power that you really get plenty of performance even without the manual. Sure, someone with a manual will be faster, no doubt. I also drive a wagon with x-drive, so I wasn't ever buying the fastest 535. Ultimate Mango fucked around with this message at 03:00 on Apr 1, 2008 |
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Apr 1, 2008 02:58
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TheMadMilkman posted:The most recent spy shots of the new 7 series: Oh my god, that looks normal, almost bland.  I'm sure the little details will make a big difference, but I think its a huge step in the right direction. I'm putting my money on the twin turbo V8 from the X6 to be in this when it hits the states.
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Apr 4, 2008 16:50
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wolrah posted:Agreed. I've done both front corners, both side markers, a headlight, and a reverse light in the time I've owned the car and it seriously does take longer to open a blisterpack bulb than to install it. I'd be surprised if those if us with the newfangled LED clusters will have it so easy... Does anyone have a good solution to hitting the remote fob buttons while said remote in in their pocket? I have found that I am hitting the buttons when seated. While I usually don't sit within range of the car, when I am sitting in the car (comfort access), I find myself unlocking and locking the doors while driving. Yes, I realize that not having the keys in the pocket would be an option, but I'm looking for another option (protector cover thingy?).
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Apr 8, 2008 16:21
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TractionControl posted:You can't forget the loud as gently caress and huge as gently caress exhaust if you go with 8 Folgers can would do it.
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Apr 8, 2008 22:28
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CornHolio posted:What do you guys think of the new X6? I look at it as a proof of concept and test platform for the new engine. If they had given it a normal stance, it would have competed too closely with the Mercedes Benz CLS. They must think there is some life left in the SUV market. Even lowered, I don't think it will look like a car. Its not a CLS, so the people who like those will still buy them. I foresee low sales and general confusion, rather than rabid adoption and adoration.
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Apr 10, 2008 16:55
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Any recommendations on how to find a reliable place for tint? I didn't realize just how much I would miss having tint around the rear (my X5 had it stock) until it hit 100 over the weekend. I also have no idea how much to expect to pay, other than the Al & Eds down the street advertising $99 for 3 windows (I have a wagon, and I wouldn't expect a $99 job to be good anyways). Really, I just want a good, quality job done that won't bubble or look like poo poo, and I figured it didn't need a separate thread for recommendations. Fake Edit: I'm in Los Angeles (SFV area) if anyone know of or works at a place...
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Apr 16, 2008 19:30
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miklm posted:Unless you live in a pretty cold climate, my experience is that 30w oil is too thin for most BMW applications. I actually have run only Shell Rotella T 15W-40 oil in my all my BMWs for the past 3 years or so, but regardless of type, I'd run a 40 or even 50 weight through the summer. For the E46 M3, you want to run only 10W-60. 30 is just too thin unless you're in the north in the winter. I thought that the 'bmw' oil was just Castrol Syntec 5w30 full synthetic? I'm also curious as to why you think its too thin in general, since a while ago there was interesting discussion (different thread) on why 0w20 would be best for anything but racing ferraris in Florida in the summer.
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Apr 30, 2008 17:11
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Sigma X posted:Here's a fixed one, which someone here on the forums photoshopped. It's amazing how much difference removing that stupid droop makes. But then it wouldn't be 'flame surfaced' 
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May 20, 2008 16:05
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Daveh posted:
Don't forget the post break in oil change before you go too wild...
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May 23, 2008 23:25
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Sterndotstern posted:I hate me some Bangle butts, but that car is rather astounding -- perhaps the only application of his design language that I've seen where it actually makes sense. Great, so now instead of getting keyed your car can get knifed and shredded. Seriously though, I wonder if they will combine this with some of the facial recognition stuff they were doing to allow the car to take on the expression (literally) of the driver. That would be 
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Jun 10, 2008 17:49
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wolrah posted:FYI Mobil 1 5W30 doesn't meet BMW's spec. Whether that matters is beyond me, but the only Mobil 1 offering that does meet it is 0W40. Any thoughts on the Castrol European Formula 0w-30? There has been some good discussion on other boards on the topic and was wondering what y'all thought here... With my driving less frequently and for shorter distances, I would think that this might be a good fit for me.
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Jul 1, 2008 15:50
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Mr. Onslaught posted:Is there any reason the Z4 is so polarizing? My '93 E36 has just about had it and I'm looking at used Z4's for my next car. I figure I might as well get a two seater convertible while I'm still young enough to get away with being so proactively inconsiderate, and the Z4 looks nice to me. Of the few people I've discussed it with, about half said they thought it was "ugly, gay, etc." while the other half thought it was "awesome, hot, etc." Come to think of it, I used to really dislike them in still photos. Seeing one in person though is a different story. I think its the styling, I find it to be the most extreme of that design 'language' if you can call it that. When you find the Z4 a tad small (I'm 6'4" and even the 650 isn't really comfortable), try an S2000; its one of the only two seat convertibles that really fit me like a glove (it was perfect, and I miss it dearly). Then go out and buy a Miata.
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Jul 3, 2008 17:52
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CornHolio posted:
Wow, that looks great. Google Maps has had the 'send to' feature for a while now, and I actually tried to use it to send an address to my '08 5er, but it didn't work. I think there was a thread here where a few people tried to get it to send address to their cars. I think that is what is meant by the 'mobile transmission' bit. There are youtubes of this in action with current gen cars in the German market at least. I'm sure the target demographic for iDrive will love the changes, but I think it now looks too much like the competition offerings with the buttons around the dial. Was it really that hard to hit the Menu button and slide the knob in a direction to get to a different menu? Do we know what engines this is getting yet? That V8 from the xDrive50i would be mighty nice... Edit:  I sure hope my boss upgrades to this one when it hits stores...
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Jul 10, 2008 04:40
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New 7 series
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ynotony posted:Only thing I kind of wish for is some kind of special treatment to the rear fenders. They looks so plain. I think that after all of the 'Bangle Bustle' drama this plainer look is really the right thing for BMW as a brand. Have we seen pics of her rear yet? It also looks like they are going for a bit of a coupelike profile and shorter rear deck (thank you CLS), but maybe its just the angles of the pics posted here so far.
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Jul 10, 2008 16:52
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ynotony posted:New 3-series facelift below. The new one is on bottom. Anyone else suddenly bugged by how high up the kidneys are on this car (both versions)? Thankfully it looks like with the new 7-series the next chassis generation of all their cars will have lower kidneys. Looks like we found the creases and lines they took off the new 7 series. At least they didn't totally remove the  just slimmed it down a bit
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Jul 11, 2008 19:02
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Sterndotstern posted:So for the folks who have had their BMW aligned: do you just go to a local independent BMW/European specialist, or do you let the Pep Boys/Firestone/Chain Store perform the alignment? I have a Discount Tire close to me that took care of my X5's tire and alignment needs just fine and I"m sure I'll take the 535xiT, there, too. I might just have a really good location, but any time I'm there there use usually at least one other bimmer in the bay. They do a great job and are very reasonable.
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Aug 1, 2008 21:51
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wwb posted:So, I killed my car. And I always wanted a bimmer. Looking at spending $10-15k for the vehical and one thing under consideration are 1999-2002ish 5-series wagons; I need to haul stuff and kind of like the wagon anyhow. First, let me know if I am a goddamn idiot for even considering this angle. Second, what does one look for in a used beamer? You are looking at the 540i wagon, right? If so, its pretty much the same stuff as the 540i (cooling system, suspension bushing, blank lines on the radio display, etc and so forth). I found at least the 2002 models of 540 wagon and X5 4.4 to be very similar, and even back then the X5 was far less expensive, and I would bet that you could find an incredible deal on an X5 4.4i what with the SUV market pretty much tanked. For either just make sure you have full maintenance records. If you are lucky you might be able to find something that has a few months left on the extended warranty if the original owner bought it (or has just come off warranty so any repairs would already be done).
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Aug 11, 2008 17:42
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Swap_File posted:
My '08 5er still says it likes 5W-30, but I like the idea of 0W-40 given the heat we get in summer.
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Feb 17, 2009 20:01
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Any thoughts on the LCI 5 series? I am thinking about replacing my '08 750Li with something smaller, but I recall the F10 had issues at launch. Mrs Mango still drives an E61 (yes the wagon, no we aren't ever selling it) and the N54 has been good except for all of the HPFP and related issues... To realize I am probably insane to keep the 7 past it's warranty, and I may not want to go CPO again as it wasn't the best experience overall, and a new 7 is more than I want to spend.
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Oct 26, 2013 20:36
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Keyser S0ze posted:There are a lot of nice upgrades and NAV is now standard, etc but then they add in stuff like charging $1900 USD more for LED lights. I have read a ton of bimmerfest and the F10 forum. The 550i is way tempting, and it seems the weird missing sport suspension thing from early '14 builds is resolved. I guess part of what I was asking here is to validate that an out of warranty seven series is indeed an expensive proposition, I have known more than one person with older sevens hitting five figure repair bills... Also is it true that BMW no longer offers the higher end extended warranty? I have one on the 08 535 wagon and it covers everything (full nav replacement a few months ago was $50, but on my CPO 750 it was $2k), but according to other forums you can't get that one any more.
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Oct 27, 2013 19:02
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Viper_3000 posted:Unless you are best friends with a BMW tech, I wouldn't keep a 7 much past the warranty. Your repair bills are going to be astronomically expensive, and there isn't really a community around them for DIYs like the 5 and 3 series. (Probably because it's expected that if you have the money for a 7, you have the money to pay someone to fix it for you) I am the least handy person I know. Seriously. I can reasonably afford a new five series, and while the seven is probably one of the best cars I will ever drive I would do a new five over a CPO seven, if that makes sense. No sense in getting something older than I already have, and I can see getting a '14 550 now to replace the 750 and in a few years replacing the 08 535 with whatever mrs mango wants. I realize most of this thread is DIY and repairs and used stuff, but I appreciate the thoughts and advice. If recommendation threads weren't verboten I would do one...
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Oct 27, 2013 19:35
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I will seek mod approval for a thread since it seems the rules are to go to a mega thread in A/T. Being 6'4" the three series is a too small, but now that the five is a bit bigger it is on my radar. My shirt list is probably still close to a dozen things I need to go drive, plenty of non BMW options...
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Oct 27, 2013 22:18
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Chinatown posted:Why did the 5 series wagon die in the US? Its Real Good. They will pry my E61 from my cold dead hands. I know they get a little disparaged in this thread and there are longevity concerns with the N54 but it is pretty fantastic. Seeing how the 5 series GT is selling here I wonder why they bothered with doing a 3 GT.
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Dec 23, 2013 06:15
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ynotony posted:I'd prefer the 6GC over the 5, and the 4GC over the 3. I think the 6GC is beautiful, but having gone on multiple test drives of both I think the 5 sedan is better. I really, really, really wanted to like the 6GC, too. I suppose if money were no object and my family wasn't so tall the M6 GC would be a must have, but I am just too big for the 'coupe' and strangely the seats in the GC are not nearly as nice/comfortable as the sedan. The 4GC should erode five series sales. If they did an M4GC now that would be tempting indeed.
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Feb 11, 2014 07:18
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Is that for real? Damned pedestrian impact requirements. Still the 4 is very interesting... Anyone here know how a dealer can make money selling cars for significantly below invoice? I am working a deal for a new car and some places are $500 over invoice (what I'd expect), but other are going hundreds (1200 even) under invoice. I don't want to take what looks like an impossible deal only to find out there's a catch later...
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Feb 12, 2014 03:31
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HotCanadianChick posted:It's like some people view driving a manual like its a chore or something difficult, instead of something you can do with zero thought/effort purely on muscle memory after a few days of practice. I had a Honda S2000 as a daily driver in Los Angeles traffic and even though that gearbox was amazing driving a stick in that kind of traffic up to two hours or more each way was completely awful. For fun driving it was incredible, and even other normal drives were a joy but for hours of that kind of traffic no thank you.
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Mar 11, 2014 03:27
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doogle posted:
That is looking good. What color is that? I looked hard at imperial blue for my new car and it was simply too dark, but this looks fantastic.
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Mar 18, 2014 05:44
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HotCanadianChick posted:It's gonna be money too, every time something breaks. The $2,000 yearly navigation Yesterday it turned into this:  Custom ordered 550. Pretty much the only options I didn't were B&O, night vision, and rear wheel steering.
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Apr 19, 2014 15:41
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Keyser S0ze posted:Dark Graphite snobbery represent! What color interior and did you spring for the leather dash? Sophitsograu puhlease. It's gorgeous but weather has sucked to no good pics. Driving a gravel and dirt road yesterday also means it now needs it's first bath. I got ivory nappa and thanks to getting M-Sport it is the classy Oreo interior. No leather dash, wasn't worth it to me. I would say its perfect but after four hours and calls to both HomeLink and a BMW 'genius' the freaking garage door opener still isn't programmed. Hashtag first world problems.
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Apr 19, 2014 16:58
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Keyser S0ze posted:the F10 garage door homelink thing is buggered, it works way worse than whatever version is in the E90's. At least it's not me. Apparently some dealers have BMW geniuses and I have to go see one. Until then I push a different button on the dash and ask the wife to open the garage. Or use the handheld remote clicker. The power delivery of the N63TU is pretty incredible. Super smooth and a great mate for the ZedF tranny. But the best thing, it's the HUD. Speed limit, cruise control, and current speed. Navigation directions and lane and intersection guides. Telephone stuff. Playlists and audio stuff, where you can scroll the list with the thumb wheel on the steering wheel right in the HUD. As for dynamic handling, I can't understand how people don't think that it is un bmw like. Comfort plus is spouse mode but still communicative, not unlike my E66. Dialing it up the three modes is progressive and sport is actually my preferred where big stuff is absorbed with no drama but is generally firm feeling.
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Apr 20, 2014 06:24
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HotCanadianChick posted:It's not the suspension people complain about on the newer BMWs, it's the electrically assisted steering. Not enough feedback to let you know what the front tires are doing at/near the limit. I'm going to guess that since you're in an automatic 5er, you're not an autocross or track day enthusiast and will probably never push the car hard enough for that lack of feedback to become all that apparent, much less even remotely relevant to your driving experience. If you're not tracking it or pushing the car hard on a regular basis it likely won't ever matter to you. I suppose that is the case for the M5, but I wasn't going to pay 50% more for the incremental difference between the 550 and M5. I was sorely tempted though. Manual wasn't available on the 550 at all and was discontinued on the 535 before my build date. While autocrossing may not be in the cards I absolutely love a good canyon run and probably push my cars more than the average freeway cruiser. With only 200 miles on it I don't really have an opinion on the steering yet. Nicely weighted, not much dead zone on center, but only one short canyon drive so far, and I didn't want to kill my new tires and unbedded brakes. I still have an E61 so I will be able to drive them back to back to compare if there is interest. Now I am actually curious about it... Overall the F10 is a massive improvement over the E66, I just can't fit 4 six footers easily any more. Two six footers and two average adults and a car seat work fine though.
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Apr 20, 2014 16:31
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hellzno posted:I'm sorry I missed the part where I asked for your help narrowing down my search. I asked for some advice on how to get my search started and I got my answers. Thanks. I'll come back when I'm not apparently upsetting everyone by asking where to start my search and how to research prices. You might really enjoy the BFC meets AI car recommendation thread. They got mad I didn't get the 5 series GT but I am loving my sedan.
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Apr 25, 2014 04:27
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Just got my middle class 550 back from opticoat, suntek ppf, and tint. The backseat in this thing is tiny compared to the limo but drat is it a beast. Five years from now me: remember how awesome it was now, and don't be sad that everything is breaking and the tint is peeling off and the paint protection did jack to keep the car nice because you didn't wash it with a newly skinned sheep carcass every third day. At least I found out that the shop next to the place that coated my car is an indy BMW mechanic who is apparently very good. Just in time for the Mrs to need a non dealer option! Hopefully they can keep an N54 from blowing up at fifty thousand miles.
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May 3, 2014 04:06
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From the land of newer bimmers, I think the F10 came out pretty darn good:   The pictures are from the guy who did the work, is my car and I can use them. So glad they brought A90 paint back. Pictures don't do it justice but get close.
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May 5, 2014 00:58
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Nait Sirhc posted:My e65 745i gives me a "Dynamic Drive inactive!" error anytime I really push it hard into corners and get body roll. Anyone know what that's about? Didn't those have the diagonally cross linked suspension components that helped control body roll? They were the newer style active roll stabilization but there was a bit I recall reading about. Could be a malfunction related to that, I got it a few times in my e66.
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May 8, 2014 03:34
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Keyser S0ze posted:It's a great color even in the "commoner" B90 Sophisto Grau (Dark Graphite Metallic II) version. I would get it again. Yours almost has a Callisto Grey tinge to it, probably due to the surroundings. Okay, now I need to get painted or clear side markers. Stahlgrau is one of the best colors. Might have been worth the $5k individual paint job. When my car was getting ppf they had an OG 6er with 7k miles on it. I would have bought it if it weren't already sold. 
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May 8, 2014 06:13
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Keyser S0ze posted:They've had that available for 8+ years. Despite all the acronyms.....It's really just a package of active electronic sway bars (active roll stabilization ARS) as well as the electronic shocks (dynamic dampers DDC). Makes sense for a big SUV. I think Mango has it in their new 550. I have full dynamic handling on my new 550. Shocks each have three levels of damping and extension resistance (separate valves for compression and extension) and front and rear active anti roll bars. The roll bars are hydraulic (unlike the steering) and are run off a pump attached to the tranny somehow. The E66 I had before I don't think had the full dynamic anti roll bars but some other way the sport packaged passively used pressure on one corner to stiffen up the diagonally opposite one.
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May 9, 2014 00:18
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Keyser S0ze posted:Lexus interiors are great post 2012 or so. That superior M interior makes me feel poor. The contrast stitching on the wheel is hot. drat you and your black threads, my steering wheel! Edit: that lexus mouse pointer thing really sucks though.
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May 11, 2014 04:07
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jonathan posted:Used 2006 750LI's are going for cheap around here lately with around 60,000 miles on them. Bad idea to pick one up ? MB S450 and S550's seem to be around $10,000 more. So far as I know the engine and transmission are very solid, electronics not so much. I think I replaced the nav system on my e66 every year, and there were still gremlins in the system when I got rid of it. Incredible car just expect iDrive to eat a lot of expensive parts. Not a single spot of oil on my garage floor in almost five years of ownership, and it never even needed to be topped off between oil changes. I would assume that it had the GOD DAMNED COOLING SYSTEM but I never had any issues. On another note, for a low mileage car with an n54 engine, when should the plastic cooling system stuff be replaced? I have an 08 with 45k miles and I don't know if I should go it soon or wait for 60k miles.
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May 11, 2014 17:11
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