DavidNJ

Ok, I've posted this on two other BMW boards. I didn't get the result I expected (and I guess I hoped for). BMW people were no recommending what I thought they would.

My wife and I have had 2 consecutive 5-series, a '98 528 and an '01 530. We have been waiting for a September build 530 so we could get sat radio with nav and the bluetooth phone.

However my wife has problems with the 530. And I guess I do to. They mainly revolve around the style, fit, and finish of the interior. The rear seat with exposed cup holders in the armrests. The plastic plugs (covering cigar lighter holes) in the console. The fake look of the wood trim.

Against this are a well balanced chassis, best in class electronics (bluetooth, HUD, now a nice nav, integrated antenna), 6-speed trans, aggressive BMW lease, etc. What is an alternative.

Well the E320 CDI is one. BMW doesn't bring its outstanding 3 liter diesel to the US. So the MB is slightly faster and has significantly better fuel economy. The BMW has better throttle response.

The W211 has a beautiful interior; it looks like an excellent knock-off of the E39. The BMW seats are better though. The ride and handling a similar; the MB has an edge in ride (probably due to 16" wheels), the BMW has an edge in handling (probably due to increased roll stiffness).

Equipment is similar, better in some areas (fold down seats, power seat controls) but not in others (no HUD, no bluetooth, low nav screen). Exterior styling is not as dramatic as an E60 (I love the cat eyes), however it has the subtle elegance of the E39.

Now if we where comparing a 545 SMG to an E500 as our only car, it would be the 545 hands down. However we also have a Honda S2000, Toyota Supra Twin Turbo, and GMC Yukon XL 2500 4WD. As a 4-door sedan, that we use for 20k miles year, may 1k with my mother-in-law along, is the 530 really the better choice?

So do we get the MB, a luxury 4-door sedan? Or the sportier BMW with a severely compromised interior? Please, tell me why the E60 is a good decision? Or why the MB is the way to go for now?

Thanks,

David

Casper

It is too bad that BMW does not import the E60 Diesel to the us, I hope they will do so in 2005. Attached a link to a comparison between MB, Audi and BMW diesels.


http://germancarfans.zeroforum.com/zerothread?id=8215

In your case, you are comparing a MB diesel with a BMW gasoline, I haven't driven the MB, but I am biased because I chose the 545i over the MB E500.

Doctor Diesel

As a lover of the wave of creamy smooth torque, I would always pick (and did) the 530d, but in your case where the bmw is not an option, I'd rather have a MB 320 diesel over a BMW530 petrol(gas) .that is ignoring the rest of the deal!

it pains such a dyed-in-the-wool bm fan such as me to admit it but diesel is the way of the future in my mind and I'd rather drive diesel MB's than gas BM's

Kiasu King

It depends on what you want. If you are going for styling and quality of interior trim, go for the MB. But if you are going for the driving feel, MB is no fight for BMW. I have driven the MB and it is totally unexciting. I guess God is fair and nothing is perfect. So, you need to decide what is more important to you and your wife and make a decision. However, if the decision matters whether you get to keep your wife or make her happy for the rest of your life, then the choice is clear - it is the MB and you must keep your silence forever . My sife is still nagging at me after I chose E60 over the MB but she has come to term with it and I did not regret a single bit choosing the E60. The drive feel is fantastic and MB is not even close.

545i2b

I have on order a 545i (pretty well loaded-up) - I have at the house a 2002 Porsche 911 Targa. After driving a 2004 S500, a 2004 E320, a 2004 530, the car that both surprised and excitied me was the 2004 545. It was a GREAT car to drive - far superior to the MB models -- and isn't that why one buys a car? for the driving experience????

Guest

In this case, less so. It is being compared to a standard 530. A sport 545 is a vastly different animal, and if that was my main and only car, that is what we would get.

This is a closer decsion, where all of the BMW's faults are on important criteria. Which is why this is a closer decision.

David

Rudy

But how does it compare to the Targa?

545i2b

"But how does it compare to the Targa?"

That's what blew me away the first time I test drove a 2004 530i with SP - I was SHOCKED at how it cornered somewhat like the Targa - then when I test drove the 545i and accelerated onto a freeway, I was like "wait a minute??" this (the 545i) is gonna be a FUN car to own!