Nostalgia is kicking in!

[B-Line]

Wow, haven't posted in this forum in 7 or 8 years.
Wonder if any of the old gang is still here?

So lately, I've been thinking about my favorite BMW. It was my E53 4.8is. For reasons hard to articulate, I liked it even better than the 2007 X5M.

In the back of my head I wondered, would I be happy if I went out and found one to purchase? Have they faired well in their older age? Has service been a nightmare?

It seems to me the X5 4.8is had all the modern day stuff. Bluetooth for phone calls, satellite radio, etc. I don't remember their being an accessory input or the ability to stream music from our phones but other than that, I seem to recall it being modern. Fine, no laser guided cruise control (who cares?!?) or Lane change alerts, etc.

But is my memory of the sophistication of that model clouded? I remember it being FUN to drive. Powerful. Comfortable. And it's still my favorite design.

Chime in... Am I crazy? Or should I start hunting?

[Crowz]

Well I own a loaded e53 nav/Bluetooth etc, well it was till I put an aftermarket radio in because the screen was shot on the factory nav which has happened to most of them from what I have seen and read. Plus the factory Bluetooth likes to go bad and kill the battery.

I also own a 2013 e70.

Night and day difference between the two.

If your even thinking electronic features (nav/Bluetooth/etc) the e70 blows any e53 out of the water. No way of defending the e53 vs that.

Now drive wise the e53 is more raw and fun. Luxury driving wise the e70 wins. Rides smoother and more isolated feeling.

I think reality isn't going to be to kind to memory if you go hunting.

[B-Line]

Originally Posted by Crowz

Well I own a loaded e53 nav/Bluetooth etc, well it was till I put an aftermarket radio in because the screen was shot on the factory nav which has happened to most of them from what I have seen and read. Plus the factory Bluetooth likes to go bad and kill the battery.

I also own a 2013 e70.

Night and day difference between the two.

If your even thinking electronic features (nav/Bluetooth/etc) the e70 blows any e53 out of the water. No way of defending the e53 vs that.

Now drive wise the e53 is more raw and fun. Luxury driving wise the e70 wins. Rides smoother and more isolated feeling.

I think reality isn't going to be to kind to memory if you go hunting.

Awe man.. And the reality sets in.. lol.

I remember with the E53 that is was always powerful and moving. I remember with the E70 that it was way faster but you had to mash the pedal. There was something more connected about the e53. That's what I miss.
If I was gonna get an E70, I'd probably just get the newest model.

[motordavid]

B-Line!

You still have that Turbo P Car you had at WestFest?!

I wander in here every few days and peruse; still have our '01 3.0 5 spd, which has ~ 115k miles, and still runs better than my Rolex.

My CEO got a new '17 X1, but that car is just so so, and the 'tech' and gizmos are mostly 'answers' to questions I have never asked.

What you recall is mostly valid, but you won't find many excellent condition examples of E53s, esp the hot rod engine versions, for sale.
Many for sale, few in 'excellent condition' and those that are ain't for sale, imo.

Good to read you again...hope you are doing well.
GL, Ol'UncleMotor

[B-Line]

Originally Posted by motordavid

B-Line!

You still have that Turbo P Car you had at WestFest?!

I wander in here every few days and peruse; still have our '01 3.0 5 spd, which has ~ 115k miles, and still runs better than my Rolex.

My CEO got a new '17 X1, but that car is just so so, and the 'tech' and gizmos are mostly 'answers' to questions I have never asked.

What you recall is mostly valid, but you won't find many excellent condition examples of E53s, esp the hot rod engine versions, for sale.
Many for sale, few in 'excellent condition' and those that are ain't for sale, imo.

Good to read you again...hope you are doing well.
GL, Ol'UncleMotor

Hey MD!
It's been a long time. Glad you are well. I remember your 5spd. Always wanted a e53 with a 3 pedal! Glad the CEO has a new whip despite the unnecessary gadgets.

Nope, got rid of the turbo Pcar in 2013. Replaced it with a R8 V10 Spyder with a 6spd manual. Still have the R8! Love that car!

Is any of the old gang still around here?

[motordavid]

B-Line,
Yes, a few of the Rs & Fs roll in here, on occasion...but it is a different, newer crowd these days for the most part.

A few of us pioneers here still have an X of some kind, others have gone on to other cars, but still float in occasionally.

Titz R8! I think I recall reading/hearing about that...

All good here in RetiredBumDom life: Mtn Home in western NC, Escape Winter house in SW FL, '02 Vette Vert still running very well, as is the '01 X.
Older by the day, however and it ain't for the weak or weary.

Are you still in film/movie/directing/producing stuff?
GL, mD

[amancuso]

Originally Posted by motordavid

B-Line,
Yes, a few of the Rs & Fs roll in here, on occasion...but it is a different, newer crowd these days for the most part.

A few of us pioneers here still have an X of some kind, others have gone on to other cars, but still float in occasionally.

Titz R8! I think I recall reading/hearing about that...

All good here in RetiredBumDom life: Mtn Home in western NC, Escape Winter house in SW FL, '02 Vette Vert still running very well, as is the '01 X.
Older by the day, however and it ain't for the weak or weary.

Are you still in film/movie/directing/producing stuff?
GL, mD

I remember X5World from back when my brother bought his CPO'd 2005 4.4i in Toledo Blue. He mocked it up with 4.8is body kit and running boards with HRE wheels (I thought those were a bit much). I used to peruse the board once in a while but never really posted. Since then I have wanted an X5. Last year I went out and bought an '04 4.8is with 81K miles on it. Granted I had to do a bit of work to it as it's a 14 year old car, but it's worth it. Sure I've had newer cars, but you can't beat those late 90s early 00's BMWs. It's like they sprinkled magic dust on them or something.

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by motordavid

B-Line,
Yes, a few of the Rs & Fs roll in here, on occasion...but it is a different, newer crowd these days for the most part.

A few of us pioneers here still have an X of some kind, others have gone on to other cars, but still float in occasionally.

Titz R8! I think I recall reading/hearing about that...

All good here in RetiredBumDom life: Mtn Home in western NC, Escape Winter house in SW FL, '02 Vette Vert still running very well, as is the '01 X.
Older by the day, however and it ain't for the weak or weary.

Are you still in film/movie/directing/producing stuff?
GL, mD

I like to refer to the new crowd as the McDonald crowd. Make enough money at McDonald to buy a used 15-year-old X5, but lack the funds or knowledge to keep it running. Just looking for a cheap fix to keep the X running.

[amancuso]

Originally Posted by upallnight

I like to refer to the new crowd as the McDonald crowd. Make enough money at McDonald to buy a used 15-year-old X5, but lack the funds or knowledge to keep it running. Just looking for a cheap fix to keep the X running.

LOL thanks. I am certainly not guilty of being a McDonald's fan. I was too young to afford my "dream cars" as new, but not now. I was faced with either buying 1 brand new BMW or several of the classics I always lusted after.

The other nice thing is not having a payment on them.

1999 528i Sport
2000 Z3 2.3 roadster
2003 M5
2004 4.8is

and 2 brand new VWs.
2016 and 2017 Jetta Sport


Don't assume that because one buys an older car later in the game that they can't afford anything else.

[Overboost]

Originally Posted by amancuso

The other nice thing is not having a payment on them.