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Sedans BMW 5-Series BMW 5-Series Sedans
12657 messages, Last post on Nov 05, 2009 at 6:14 PM
You are in the BMW 5-Series Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
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Replying to: kcx (Jun 20, 2007 5:23 pm) If you truly have no intention of pushing the car, get the 528ix. If you think you might be kicking yourself in 6 months, well... Either is a great car, in any case. I'd rather drive an underpowered bmw than a overpowered lexus. 
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Replying to: dhanley (Jun 20, 2007 8:54 pm) So, can I assume the 535xi is also "less sporty" than the 535i although the 535xi is 0.1 second faster than the 535i from 0 to 60mph? (with automatic transmission) |
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Replying to: sdg380 (Jun 19, 2007 5:43 am)  Not to make any Lexus fans out there jealous, but I have yet to drop a dime into my car for maintenance outside of my summer tires. Doesn't mean I don't take it in - just have had a bullet-proof car and performed all required maintenance. Originally leased in 2003, then CPO'ed and purchased in Jan '06 since I knew more engine in the 5er was on the way. Drove the 535 and loved it, but may just hold on until the next series change in 2009 or so. I'm looking into the iPOD adapter and docking station for the center console ashtray from DICE and will call it a day with this terrific machine.
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Replying to: lovemyclk (Jun 21, 2007 6:51 am) Funny, I actually have fantasies of buying a clean 2003 530i SP 5-Speed and putting in the twin-turbo I6 and 6-Speed from the 535i. For my needs, wants and desires, it simply couldn't get better than that. Best Regards, Shipo |
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Replying to: kcx (Jun 21, 2007 6:26 am) By and large, yes. The AWD will help a little 0-60, and perhaps powering out ot turns, but in general the RWD cars are a little sportier and more fun to drive than the AWD versions. Are you sure you want AWD? Putting on snow tires is a better option in many ways, in my opinion. You get RWD sportiness, better fuel economy, and snow tires help you turn and stop in snow/ice; AWD just helps you accelerate in incliment conditions.
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Replying to: dhanley (Jun 21, 2007 8:14 am) Yes, I see it as a compromise, a "swiss army knife" approach A car to me is not so much a hobby. It provides my basic transportation needs plus a little more. I have to admit I like gadgets, and I am sure a BMW will give me more than what I need when I want to have some fun:) I don't want to have to change in and out of snow tires if I don't have to because it doesn't snow all that much here (relatively speaking). But when it snows heavily, I have a better chance of "surviving" - less chance of getting stuck in snow. I am sure AWD will be better in wet pavement too. I owned 2 FWD's (Acura), 2 RWD's (Mercedes) and 1 AWD (Lexus), and it looks like AWD is a trend in luxury cars. Like I said, I like gadgets, so if I can have the most fun-to-drive car (BMW) with AWD (safety and good traction in bad weather), then I will very happy. This will be my first BMW, and I am looking forward to it
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Replying to: dhanley (Jun 21, 2007 8:14 am) I'm ordering a 535 because for 5 grand more, I will be driving a luxury sports sedan, rather than a luxury sedan. The 528ix is 2 seconds slower to 60 than the 535ix. That is a big difference. 60mph = 88 fps, so the 535 would be at least a 150 feet further down the road in a 0-60 drag. (I don't know enough math to really pin it down, as I realize that when the 535 hits 60, the 528 won't be near that at all, and when the 528 hits 60, the 535 would be well ahead of that speed.) |
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Presently, almost all countries outside North America require that all front, side and rear turn signals produce amber light. In North America the rear signals may be amber or red. International proponents of amber rear signals say they are more easily discernible as turn signals, and US studies in the early 1990s demonstrated improvements in the speed and accuracy of following drivers' reaction to brake lamps when the turn signals were amber rather than red. US regulators and other proponents of red rear turn signals claim there is no proven lifesaving benefit to amber signals. http://www.answers.com/topic/turn-signal#wp-_note-26 or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automotive_lighting#Turn_signal_colour OK, I personally prefer amber rear turn signal light because I agree, it is "easily discernible". I never understood the reason for using red turn signal light. I was very disappointed when Honda started using red years ago, followed by Acura. To my surprise, BMW followed with red on their new 3 and 5-series in the USA, but apparently stayed with amber in Europe. Does anyone know why? Apparently I am not alone in the disappointment http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2438 |
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Replying to: kcx (Jun 21, 2007 6:26 am) The 535xi is also 243 pounds heavier than the 535i, and total final drive is slighty taller in the first two gears. I doubt whether it is really .1 second faster to 60 and would like to see this verified with tests. If you don't crave the extra power in the 535 I wouldn't hesitate to get the 528. It's similar to the E39 530 and that was the cat's meow not long ago. I would also have concerns about the newness of the twin turbo 6 in addition to potential issues over the long haul. $5K extra is a lot to pay for something you don't want. Gotta want it and appreciate it, not just feel good about the acceleration numbers. |
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My wife and I had a chance to test drive a 535 yesterday. It was every bit as good as I had read about (and a lot more fun to drive than to read). Before the '08's came out, I had been leaning toward the 550. But with the 535 available, I didn't even bother test driving the 550. The dealer did not have the 535 with a sport pkg so we test drove a 528 with sport. I found the 528 underpowered, as did my wife. She preferred the ride of the non-sport. I could go either way, but the multi-contour seats were amazing. I tend to be picky about the seats, but with the adjustments available, these were clearly the most comfortable I have tried. We are leaning toward the 535 with premium but not the sport pkg, but will add the seats. We are pretty set on the options we want. But does any one have a comment on the rear-side impact airbags? Edmunds stated in their review that do to safety concerns, you have to request to have them activated. Are these a true safety option or is it unnecessary, or even potentially a safety concern. Thanks for any comments. Lastly, I am in central Texas. Anyone have experience with pricing in Austin/Waco/Houston/San Antonio/DFW etc?
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