New 525i

[luv2dive]

I just purchased a 525i and I need some reassurance I chose the right car.

I decided to trade in my beautiful Volvo C70 convertible this week after taking a trip down to Garmisch, Germany. I live in Germany and the trip was about 5 hours. By the time I got back, my rearend was tired of sitting in the sports seats of my C70 plus I really missed having a built-in GPS system in the car (husband didn't want to pay for it at the time we purchased it from the factory). My husband took a train down to Garmisch and it was really tight on getting everything into the car so when we got back to town, we stopped by the BMW dealer to see the 500 series again.

They were offering a special discount on stock cars to make way for the new 2008's that are to go into production in April. We found one with everything we wanted (cold climate package, premium package, GPS, parking assist, etc) and decided to go for it.

It was really hard to turn the C70 keys over to the dealer yesterday because it was beautiful to drive in the spring and summer over here. It was a passion red with beige interior & it always got lots of comments when I drove with the top down & it was all washed/waxed.

I hope y'all can reassure me that the 525i will cure my "separation anxiety" from my C70 once I take ownership of it in about 1 1/2 weeks. This is so odd for me to feel this way because I've traded in plenty of cars before and have always been so excited! My Volvo had a lot of great things going for it but I felt it was time to go for a car that had more room in the interior & trunk plus having a hard top would cut down on the noise when traveling at fast speeds. I typically drove my C70 at speeds of at least 100-110 mph on the autobahn and I know I will do the same with my new BMW. We had considered the 530 but couldn't really justify the additional $$$ for a little bit bigger engine when the 525i will get up to those same speeds without a lot of problem.

Thanks for any reassurances you can give me!

 

[Doughnut]

I think you should be just as excited with the trade of the c70 for a bmw as every other car you have traded before, Is this your first bimmer?
In my mind you've make a good choice; In saying that, Id love to own a c70 volvo also, but those are just dreams...

Welcome to the Board Cheryl

 

[Kirby]

Welcome!

I used to own a Volvo 740GLE, I understand your anxiety. The 740 was a nice car and served us well. When I was ready to replace it, I wanted a convertible, so the choice came down to the C70 or the 3 series. As a Volvo owner, I really expected I would get the C70. But after driving it, and then driving the 3 series, the choice was clear, and I have never had any regrets.

The only thing you will miss is the convertible. But that's why they make the Z3 and Z4. You just need to get a used Z for a summer driver!

The 5er will ride and handle so much better on the twisties and the autobahn in Bavaria than the C70 could ever dream of. I did Euro Delivery on my 330 and spent several days touring in the Garmisch/Oberammergau area, truly "Freude am fahren". My 330 convertible (with hardtop) in Oberammergau:

 

[luv2dive]

Thanks, guys, for the positive feedback!

Yes, this is my first bimmer and the only experience I really have with them are about 15 years ago when my best friend and her husband bought a brand new one. I remember getting in the back seat and in those days there wasn't much room. I thought to myself, "what's the big deal?" and it never crossed my mind to ever look at one for myself.

I only did the one test drive with the 525i and I did the test drive after spending almost 5 hours in the C70 coming back from Garmisch. Sitting in the 525i felt really good, I must say! I was impressed with everything it was loaded with so I'm sure I'll be ok.

There is absolutely no feeling quite like driving a convertible over here in Germany during a beautiful Spring or Summer day especially down in Bavaria or Switzerland. I will surely miss that but I'll have the sunroof of my new car I can open up wide and if it really gets bad for me, I can always go rent one for a weekend.

I'll let you know how it goes once I take possession of it next week!

Ciao!

 

[Kirby]

We would love to see some pictures of the car when you get it, and visit with us often. We don't have a lot of 5 series owners here, really like to hear your opinions and thoughts!!