CVTBenhogan

i didnt say those exact words, but my point on the new R6 is that even though BMW went thru all the trouble of creating this newer/lighter engine, they did not up the torque??? Now even though the hp increased, the power that most people feel when driving day to day has everything to do with torque. The new R6 is 258bhp/225nm while the new MB E350 is 268/258, so thats 30nm for the MB which is considerable since it will be felt the most day in and day out

...as for the E90 use, i'd say firstly that the E60 is a higher class car so they shouldnt be compared as equal needs, but as many E90 test drivers/potential owners have reported, the E90 330i feels no faster that the E90 325i which both feel no stronger, if not weaker than the former E46 330i. The E90 330i is way behind the numbers game with the competition and it will affect sales in that market segment here in the US, especially with infiniti upping the G35 to 299hp.

on the canabilization, i dont think this is a big issue as the 545i doesnt sell a whole lot compared to the total of the other models in the line up, there will always be those who want the top car (other than M of course) and if the car starts off 3K higher, its no loss of customers.
On the positive, they can possibly increase market share as there is a big gap in performace in todays MY06 530i and the upcoming 550i. Why wouldnt they fill the center of the gap with the 540i?

The 525i in the US makes no sense to me. With the new, bigger E90, BMW NA can push those on the fence to the 330i, and leave the E60 as a higher class car (price speaking) and start with the 530i. Theres only a few thousand between the 525/530 anyway so I can see it happen.... (I hope of course since this is what I specifically want)

I understand some of your frustration, as I got caught the last time around when engines changed and I didnt know everything that was on the horizon, so thats why I made it my goal to gain as much info as possible before commiting for another 5-6 years of ownership...i've had to patiently, sometimes painfully wait over the last year, but knowing that changes were happening in the fall has forced me to do such.

Now its up to BMW NA as to what I am allowed to buy....
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I agree with you on the possibility of the 525i being phased out and being a bad fit for this market. Your also right in pointing out the narrow performance gap between the 325 and 330, same as the 525 and 530. Stupid to detune a 3.0 engine. In 04, many BMW lots had plenty of 525s with 16s gathering dust.

A nicely loaded 330 (looks great with the 18s sport package) pushes the mid to high forties, making the plain jane 525 as a replusive option. However, I'm not sure they can take the 550 way up the price chain, as there is plenty of good V8 competition from Infinity, Lexus and Audi. At least I hope so because I'd like to ED the 550 in October. That said, it makes sense for the 530 to become the entry level machine, and a 540 as the middle option. Maybe widen the range, making the 530 cheaper and 550 more expensive. I just don't think BMW has the exclusive market power it once had to really play around.


CVT Benhogan

joebel

With the US numbers, there does appear to be room for a 540. I don't have official prices on the 550i (not yet available) but my dealer indicated the price would be about $1k more than current. So for Canada at least it doesn't make sense for a 540. However, if my dealer is wrong about 550 pricing by a wide margin, then it might make sense. I still don't see BMW offering 4 engines in NA. They've never been over three that I can remember. Maybe if they drop the 525??

heezy545i

Is this a common assessment of the new engines? I don't have that much seat time in the e90, but the e90 325i had some decent pep and would at least be comparable to the e46 330 in my eyes.

Haven't looked into in awhile, but a I believe the e90 325 actually has a detuned 3.0L

joebel

Yes, all three engines will get start/stop button. Only 550 gets 'Comfort Start' and it's not available as option on the other two. Dealer unable to clarify what this is. I'm confused between comfort start and comfort access.

heezy545i

The 525 may not compete powerwise, but I doubt bmw would discontinue a model which "pays the bills" so to speak.

530iii

Oh well, guess i'm gonna wait until Oct. 2009 for an ED 2010 550i with rear and forward x-ray vision.

For now i'll try and get the minor interior changes, i.e. leather i-drive knob etc.

ipse dixit

According to this night vision will be available on all 5, 6 and 7 models beginning 2006.

From GermanCarFans.com night vision article

m630

comfort access is the option that allows you to open/lock doors as well as use the push/start WITHOUT using any key type device. All you need to do is have the 'key' in your pocket (within a range)

the keyless push/start is just a key type device that you still need to put in the steering column in order to start the car, as well as use to open and lock doors

i think your dealer is incorrect on this, and this does speak to the possible move up market in price more than what we saw between the 745 and 750..

all E60s will have the option of comfort access, if it is standard in the 550i, then you are talking about another $500-$750 built into the base to make up for this cost, so if you add this to the base, along with the new engine and a few more of the other upgrades we have seen, i can easily see them charging 2-3k base more here in the US, making plenty of room for a possible 540i...

if your dealer is quoting you less than 1K increase in canadian dollars, i would get it in writing, and ask him what happens if he is off by a couple of thousands....

CoolTones

Thanks for the night vision link, ipse dixit.
Really an interesting article -- Cool how BMW continues to innovate with 'safety enhancements'!

I'm a techno geek at heart so this sort of stuff fits in my "coolness" category.

I just informed my 'significant other' that if I had the night vision option that it would help me avoid running into cats (she's a cat lover, but so am I!)

Looks like she wants me to get this option too!
Some times it's way too easy....

-Tony

Member545

It seems like it would make more sense to put the night vision in the HUD like Caddilac had it. It would be to difficult to look to the screen when driving at night.