[mikekao]

Don't get me wrong, it's quite an impressive machine and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride (despite feeling a little restricted with the car salesman next to me... I pushed the car, but not as much as I really wanted to ), but honestly my expectations were very high after all the praises I've heard about it. Originally I was considering a new 530i with SP, but then heard from others that they felt the 530 was boring in comparison to the new e90 in terms of the driving experience. So then I made a point to go back to the BMW dealership after originally test driving an 06 525xi to see what the new e90 was all about. Perhaps it was the fact that there was no Sport Package in the 330 I was driving (they didn't have any available for test drive), or maybe it was my feeling restricted with the salesman there (the first time they allowed me and my friend to go off in the 525xi by ourselves, and we went all out!), but then again all things equal, the 525 didn't have SP either, and felt just as quick (but slightly slower off the line) despite having less HP & torque, and handled just as well. The e90 didn't WOW me like I expected as I've heard others suggest it's far more fun than the 530.

So now I'm back to wanting the 5 again as I much prefer the styling over the new 3. I really wanted to love the looks of the e90, but it was hard for me to get used to the front design. I guess it's a matter of personal preference, and I could understand why someone would like the e90's styling over the e60. Now the difficult decision is... used 545i for 50k (04 loaded with SP and the works), or new 06 530i loaded (with SP of course) for 54k?

Surely the 545i will be quicker, but I would guess not by far with the new engine updates on the 06 530i. The 545 will have higher resale value and will depreciate at a lower rate considering it loses most of it's value within the first 2 years which already passed, yet somehow having a BRAND new bimmer sounds much more appealing. Also, I don't know if I'm going to like the Active Steering on the 545, and reliability may be an issue considering the 04 was in it's first year.

Argh, I can't decide! Save 4-5k on used 545 or go for the new 530i!?

[puck724]

Originally Posted by mikekao

Don't get me wrong, it's quite an impressive machine and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride (despite feeling a little restricted with the car salesman next to me... I pushed the car, but not as much as I really wanted to ), but honestly my expectations were very high after all the praises I've heard about it. Originally I was considering a new 530i with SP, but then heard from others that they felt the 530 was boring in comparison to the new e90 in terms of the driving experience. So then I made a point to go back to the BMW dealership after originally test driving an 06 525xi to see what the new e90 was all about. Perhaps it was the fact that there was no Sport Package in the 330 I was driving (they didn't have any available for test drive), or maybe it was my feeling restricted with the salesman there (the first time they allowed me and my friend to go off in the 525xi by ourselves, and we went all out!), but then again all things equal, the 525 didn't have SP either, and felt just as quick (but slightly slower off the line) despite having less HP & torque, and handled just as well. The e90 didn't WOW me like I expected as I've heard others suggest it's far more fun than the 530.

So now I'm back to wanting the 5 again as I much prefer the styling over the new 3. I really wanted to love the looks of the e90, but it was hard for me to get used to the front design. I guess it's a matter of personal preference, and I could understand why someone would like the e90's styling over the e60. Now the difficult decision is... used 545i for 50k (04 loaded with SP and the works), or new 06 530i loaded (with SP of course) for 54k?

Surely the 545i will be quicker, but I would guess not by far with the new engine updates on the 06 530i. The 545 will have higher resale value and will depreciate at a lower rate considering it loses most of it's value within the first 2 years which already passed, yet somehow having a BRAND new bimmer sounds much more appealing. Also, I don't know if I'm going to like the Active Steering on the 545, and reliability may be an issue considering the 04 was in it's first year.

Argh, I can't decide! Save 4-5k on used 545 or go for the new 530i!?

..550!!!

[F32Fleet]

Like the man said 550!

[mikekao]

As an aside, quite frankly I don't think it makes any sense that the 5s are hardly differentiated from the 3's anymore and yet there's a 10k price gap (larger than it used to be). They both use the same engine, same electronics, and offer the same options... the difference in styling and slightly larger space of the 5 hardly warrants a $10,000 difference

[mikekao]

Originally Posted by puck724

..550!!!

Hmmm, now you guys got me thinking about a whole nother option!... although I'd reallly rather not go over 60k on this purchase... and no one likes shelling out an extra $1,000 to the government on gas guzzler's tax! Heck, if I consider the 550 I might as well consider the M5!

[puck724]

Originally Posted by mikekao

Hmmm, now you guys got me thinking about a whole nother option!... although I'd reallly rather not go over 60k on this purchase... and no one likes shelling out an extra $1,000 to the government on gas guzzler's tax!

haha, true that...i wonder if the prices of the 545's will let up at all becasue of the introduction of the 550? did something like that happen for the 745 when the 750 was introduced? if it does you might same some $$$....

[Atty]

I would definitely do the new 530 over the used 545...if for anything else because I hate the Used Car Smell.

Especially if you buy a used car from a dealer, they will almost always steam clean the carpets. This creates a permanent, moldy smell that you can't get rid of.

[David328M-Sport]

yes, i agree with eveyones consensus.
A fully loaded M5!!!!

all the best with whatever you choose.

[wrtworld]

You sould test drive a 330 with sport package and manual tranny before you place the order for the series 5.

:rocks:

[Wolf359]

True, Sport package really transforms the car and for the seats alone is great!

[Nikki]

i would never get a 530, not enough power.

[mikekao]

Originally Posted by Nikki

i would never get a 530, not enough power.

The 530 shares the same exact engine as the 330. Speced @ 6.4 0-60 compared to 6.1 on the 330, yet the 530 is only 50lbs heavier... most come down to aerodynamics.

Still, the new 530i is quick enough IMO

[Nikki]

Originally Posted by mikekao

The 530 shares the same exact engine as the 330. Speced @ 6.4 0-60 compared to 6.1 on the 330, yet the 530 is only 50lbs heavier... most come down to aerodynamics.

Still, the new 530i is quick enough IMO

6.4??? where did you get that number?


I looked it up and found numbers ~7.2

[mikekao]

BMW USA... 7.2 is probably the spec for last years model. They have since revamped the engine and added a little more power

[lux.sh]

Don't let the biased and "too-positive" opinions/reviews fool you.
That applies to ANYthing.

I read reviews/opinions about BMWs before I even considered an E90.
(I first thought it was the ugliest BMW ever made. just cause of the rear)
After so many good reviews by owners, magazines, newspapers, just about
everywhere, I decided to consider one. I didn't expect much at all though.
All I said to myself was "hey, its a bimmer and soak yourself in".

When I saw it in real life, it looked much better than in pics.
When I got inside, it was much better quality interior than I expected.
When I drove the vehicle, it was just as good as what reviews have said.

.... and signed the papers. Enough said. Don't have too much expectation
for anything. Makes your life easier.

[Nikki]

Originally Posted by mikekao

BMW USA... 7.2 is probably the spec for last years model. They have since revamped the engine and added a little more power

Interesting, I didn't know slight modifications could bring it down 0.8s Not bad.

[Accounting4Speed]

As another point, I always prefer the Car and Driver numbers. According to their records the 330i manual gallops to 60 in just 5.6sec while the 530i manual takes just more than a second longer at 6.7sec. I'd consider that a substantial difference. Anyone else think that BMW under rates their power outputs? I am not sure about import taxation and such in the industry, but it seems like a good deal of asian cars are built in America, so they are subject to less taxes and thus higher outputs (ie worse emissions and import restrictions are more lax) compared to that of the German built machines. So would it make sense to BMW to under rate it's cars to make them more affordable for American consumers? If you know anything about this feel free to chime in.

[CC 330i]

Originally Posted by Nikki

i would never get a 530, not enough power.

You mean not enough power for the size... The 3 liter in the 530i is still the old engine I think, meaning it still has 225 hp, but that still moves the 530i out pretty well. You'd be surprised....

The old 525i was kind of a dog, but not too bad.

[Nikki]

Originally Posted by CC 330i

You mean not enough power for the size... The 3 liter in the 530i is still the old engine I think, meaning it still has 225 hp, but that still moves the 530i out pretty well. You'd be surprised....

The old 525i was kind of a dog, but not too bad.

Yeah, I meant for the size. Now that I see the numbers for the '06 though, not too bad. However, IMO, the 525i is definitely out of the question.

Well what am I saying anyways, I doubt I'd ever get a 5 series. I'm more into smaller cars.

[E90-4life]

Originally Posted by Nikki

I doubt I'd ever get a 5 series. I'm more into smaller cars.

Same, and I'm 6'6".

[CC 330i]

Originally Posted by Nikki

Yeah, I meant for the size. Now that I see the numbers for the '06 though, not too bad. However, IMO, the 525i is definitely out of the question.

Well what am I saying anyways, I doubt I'd ever get a 5 series. I'm more into smaller cars.

I hear you. The nice thing about our E90s is that they are pretty close to the size of the old 5 series inside, and they perform on par with the E36 M3 (or better). You've gotta love progress...

[Nikki]

Originally Posted by E90-4life

Same, and I'm 6'6".

lol I'm 5'0"

teheeeee