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Sedans BMW 5-Series BMW 530xi - 2006
252 messages, Last post on Sep 17, 2006 at 7:19 PM
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Replying to: markcincinnati (Nov 07, 2005 12:24 pm)
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Replying to: anthonyp (Nov 07, 2005 3:10 pm) I believe that $4+ gallon gas is in the near term. The 3.2 engine (at the point in time that I bought mine) was a sipper compared with the then current 4.2 (I think the upcoming FSI 4.2 will improve mileage) -- my money would have gone for the diesel if but it were avail here in the US. Moreover, if the 3.2 would be mildly turbo charged and/or offered with a slightly shorter final drive ratio and a 6 speed manual, it would be both a sipper and a much better performer. Somehow, I find the V6 quite satisfying and a small concession to conservation. On the other hand, with an MSRP of $53,286, you would think a V8 would be included. I hate to sound like I am complacent -- but I am NOT displeased with the 3.2 V6 in the A6. This exact car with a stick would be, I am certain, a blast. As it is it is luxurious and adequately powered. Hard to believe, at times, I have very few times that the need for the V8 would be evident. I thought, however, for "this much money: perhaps I should get an S4. |
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Replying to: markcincinnati (Nov 03, 2005 7:58 pm) Because I have to commute to Boston and would be between 1st/2nd gear for two hours every day, five days a week, and would end up with a sore left calf every day. There are valid reasons to getting an automatic, Mark. We all know how you feel. Please just let it go. |
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Replying to: bdkinnh (Nov 11, 2005 10:31 am) Mark, Sorry for the snippy response. In my defense, I had just traveled 32 hours from Australia, and then gone into work. That, and I'm bitter that my commute means I can't get a manual. 
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Replying to: bdkinnh (Nov 14, 2005 6:03 am) But, as I may have related, the largest BMW dealer in Ohio is here in Cincinnati and he has NONE, ZERO, ZIP, NADDA 5 series manuals (other than special order ones). The head buyer in fact told us "period. . .there will be no 5x's [and no 525 or 530's either] in inventory with stick shifts; they just sit and sit and sit on the lot." When we first went down the path of looking at BMW's we found it almost impossible to find the then current 3x's in anything other than automatics. I'm trying to remember, in fact, if we EVER were able to test a 3x car other than automatics. My wife's almost first choice was the A4 3.2, which for 2005.5 could ONLY be had in auto also. I am (and my wife is) in such a small minority, I do understand. Yet, I tested my wife's X3 3.0 yesterday and it is completely comfortable in 2nd gear from speeds of 8 mph to 42 mph -- what is the difference if you are "always stuck in second gear" (the Rembrandt's) if it is in a stick or an auto. The frustration of put putting along in a wonderful German car would be the same, I assume, with either transmission. I have transmission envy and I just wonder if automatics have not been foisted upon us by our public education systems that seem to offer driver's education ONLY in automatics. When I was growing up and walking uphill both ways to school, the cop cars were sticks, my parent's had a Plymouth Valiant stick shift and a VW bug (ditto), my dad did have a 1953 automatic Hudson Hornet but the main car I got to use (legally) was the VW bug (for insurance reasons); 36 hp and a stick shift WOO WOO! Today, my wife cannot use a full service car wash unless she drives the car, none of the high school kids (mostly boys) can figure out how to drive a stick. More's the pity, I say. For, stick shifts are fun, improve performance and control and other than perhaps some hairy hills in San Francisco, seem to be no more work than an auto in 10 - 35 mile an hour traffic, since you would literally always be in 2nd gear (my A6, 6spd auto, seems hell bent to remain in second gear unless I get to a full-stop.) I need someone to remind me that I am a screaming voice in the wilderness. I just wish I were king of the car world for a day and could entice every single auto buyer to take a test drive of a stick shift. Frankly, I think many folks might find them delightful -- even if their first reaction would be doubt. Drive it like you live. 
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Replying to: markcincinnati (Nov 14, 2005 7:54 am) |
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Replying to: markcincinnati (Nov 14, 2005 7:54 am) |
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you mentioned in an earlier post that you would have gotten the 530xi over the Audi if the 530xi was available. What I was wondering is would you have gotten the 530xi over the X3? Even though they are completely different vehicle types with a sizable price difference, I find myself leaning towards one, then the other, then back again, and so on and so forth. Make no mistake, I think the X3 has the proper pedigree on the spec sheet, and is probably more practical than the 5, but somehow, it doesn't have that upscale and hunky look that all BMW's have. It almost could pass for something the Japanese would produce. Whereas the much-maligned styling of the 5 series keeps growing on me. Everytime I see one on the road now, I find myself staring and salivating. (I guess maybe it should be more desireable given the price difference). Still, I wish the X3 would have inherited more of the X5's hunky, and upscale looks. As an aside, I find it amazing that the 530xi is actually lighter than the 325xi Touring by a good 30kg, and is only 15 kg heavier than a 330xi.
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| It is a very nice driving car, and gets pretty good fuel economy 26 + at or above eighty....I really don`t care for the idrive as it involves so many steps just to change stations, and further is intrusive to the driving experience....Maybe this is the future, but it could surely be refined....I found the seats for a long trip to be way superior to my ls430 seats..Tony | |
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Replying to: bodble2 (Nov 14, 2005 11:17 pm) Indeed in terms of being engaging, the X3 in gloss black with Premium, Sport and the Terracotta leather interior, is IMHO, hunkier than the stoic 5. The Audi A6 interior in Amaretto, however bests both. The 5, despite my comments, is a true LPS vehicle and the X3 lacks some of the lux treatment I wanted. However, at this point, if someone gave me a 2006 X3 equipped just like my wife's, I would miss but ONE thing -- voice control, but I might be OK without it if I bothered to program my phone with all the numbers I have in my head. The X3 even with ONLY 225HP but with the 6spd manual is pretty peppy and it sure is a blast to drive. A trip from Cincinnati to Pittsburgh is, mostly, easy and enjoyable -- the upgraded sound system and Sirius sure help this. The only 530xi I have driven had the automatic and it was, almost anemic -- my tubby A6 3.2 seems peppier even with its auto trans. In the heat of the momemnt, I would say, go with a $47K X3 over a $57K (similarly equipped) 530xi and pocket the diff. I may change my mind but that is the emotion du jour.
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