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New guy, have some quesitons



I just subscribed to the mailing list and just want to make sure that I
am doing this correctly and to ask a couple of questions.  First off, I
don't own a BMW yet.  My wife and I have our eye on a couple and will be
purchasing one within the next 2 weeks, if I find one we like.  Don't
want a brand new one, looking for a good used one.  I'm afraid to say it
here, but I am first and foremost a Ford man.  I have a Mustang and Ford
F-150 Lightning truck.  However, these vehicles only have 2 seats each,
and we're looking for a 4 dr sedan.  Being as I'm a performance fanatic,
we decided to buy a BMW.  Don't really like any of the American cars
that are put out these days.  
So I have my eye on a 95 540i.  It is loaded, I guess they all come that
way, with 40,000 miles.  It appears to be immaculate, with the exeption
of the tires.  They need replacing.  Has the V-8.  It is a 1 owner
driven by a lady who never drove it hard.  I can get it for $19,500. 
According to the book values I have seen, this is almost $4,000 under
the loan value.  She said she wants to buy a Suburban this week and just
wants to get rid of it.  I drove it and it seems fine.  I don't know
anythingabout BMW's though.  It squats in the back.  Is this normal? 
The car sits level, but the rear tires sit inside the fenderwell more
that the front.  Don't mean to offend anyone, but this looks silly to
me.  I guess I'm used to American cars.  Just wondered if that's the way
it's supposed to be.  The other thing is, when I drove it, I got on the
gas a good bit to try it out, and when I shifted into 2nd (it's a 6
speed) the rpm's went up to about 5000 and stayed there for a second
then the cars speed picked up and caught up and the rpms went up like
they should.  I am trying to explain this the best I can.  It felt like
the clutch was slipping, but it also felt like the computer was
contolling some sort of lockup, maybe similar to an automatic tranny
converter lockup.  Like I said, I need some help here, don't know much
about these cars.  It felt good, but like I said, with the Mustang I
drive there is no slippage with the clutch to engine speed, and I didn't
know if the Bimmers were designed to have some sort of traction control
or slippage in the clutch.  
Is this a technical mailing list?  I hope so, with all the questions I
asked. I am looking for some tech help before I buy BMW.  Want to be
armed with all the knowledge I can.  I'd hate to buy one and find out is
was junk.  Like I said though, the history and price are looking good. 
I almost bought it today, but I won't do that blind.  Thanks for any
help you all can give.
Keith Fromme

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