Hormazd

Funny, I had the the exact opposite reaction. I first drove a 530iA with sports package. I liked the handling but the power and engine was, uh OK. Not bad. There were no 545s out at the time. Several months later I drove a 545iA. My reaction was WOW. Imagine that with a 6speed. I the drove a 525i 6speed just to get a feel for the tranny. Nice but woefully underpowered. Well the 545i definately has the WOW factor.

Aaron

OK, I did a quick analysis.

Down Payment: $7,500
Options: SP, PP, PS, CWP, Xenon, Nav, Shades, 6 spd, no PDC
Criteria: US spec, 4.65% APR, 5% state tax,
Price shown: Price negotiated 1/2 way between MSRP and Invoice with options.

545 - $61,925 - $1076.29 per month

530 - $54,478 - $929.96 per month

525 - $50,465 - $851.14 per month

For me, the difference between the 525 and the 545 is significant and could be put away for college, savings, retirement, etc. Even the difference between the 530 and 545 is significant to me. It is easy to say that the differenct is only a little over $7,000, but add years and interest to that, and it is significant. As most of us know, for investing time does matter, so it may be important to put the extra 200 or 150 bucks away sooner than later.

Now I have been driving big GM vehicles the past two years, and before that I had a 318i which worked for me OK. I have a motorcycle, and even that is a 600cc, so acceleration may just not be that important to me, but I do understand peoples love for the larger engine. My wife for one enjoys the power, but she is part of the reason I am not getting the 545...she also likes other niceties!!!

I am only 28 and God willing, I have plenty of time to get more horsepower, SMG, M5, etc. later on in life. Right now, I want my 5 series BMW, and I want to continue putting money away as well as living comfortably. Take a look at the costs, and like many others have said, the choice is yours.

phatrosh

if you can just waitt....the MY06 530 with the R6 258hp but if you must get it now... i would say get the 530 and get every gadget, option, package avaliable

Jimbo

I bought an '04 Corvette Z06 for the zoom factor. Now I get both the elegance of the 5 series (for my wife) and more zoom than the 545 can provide.

a061444

Here are the two cars that I have decided on:

2005 545i (Titanium Gray / Gray Leather)
with ZSP (sport pkg.) and 205 (6 speed steptronic).

According to www.edmunds.com:
MSRP=$59,795 Invoice=$54,640 TMV (true mkt. value) =
$55,243

w/ $1500 over invoice = $56,140, leasing (60% residual, 12k miles/yr, 0 down, .0015 money factor, 3yr. lease) = $825.65 <- Includes CA Tax per month for Orange County.

or a 4yr. lease at $874.64.
__________________________________________________ _____

My second option:

2005 530i (Titanium Gray / Gray Leather)
with ZSP (sport pkg.), ZPP (premium pkg, incl. leather),
522 (Xenon lights) and 205 (6 speed steptronic).

According to www.edmunds.com:
MSRP=$53,270 Invoice=$48,755 TMV (true mkt. value) =
$52,756.

w/ $1500 over invoice = $50,255, leasing (62% residual, 12k miles/yr, 0 down, .0015 money factor, 3yr lease) = $710.64 <- Includes CA Tax per month for Orange County. (

or a 4yr. lease at $782.96.

The above monthly payments were checked against http://www.leaseguide.com/calc.htm and they were within a few dollars.

Although the price difference is about $115 more per month for the 545i, I am strongly considering it. It would mean that I would have to have a down payment or capital reduction payment to get the payments of the 545i to the level of the 530i. This would require $5885.

If someone wants to check my figures, please do so.

Also, I have a few local dealers that have confirm that they will sell me either one of these car for $1500 over invoice.

Leonard.

urbo73

As others have said it's a personal choice whether you want a larger engine/faster acceleration or lower monthly payments. What may seem like a no brainer to some may in fact a big brainer to others. So it really is a personal choice. And the best way to decide is to simply drive them back to back. Do YOU see a difference? WOULD you see it and use the extra power in your daily driving?

I have a question for 530 owners who say they now have regrets in not getting the 545. Why now? Just curious. Is it that you've driven other 545s in the meanwhile and want that power? Is it simply the thought of having more power?

In my case I opted for the 530 non-sport for several reasons. With the options I wanted the difference would come out to about 6K. Since I'm not financing it and paying it all at once, 6K is a lot - even in that price range. Second, I won't be driving this car in a manner where a V8 would show it's benefits 90% of the time. Also to me this will be my luxury/sports sedan rather than my sports/luxury sedan. I consider the 5 more luxury than a sports car. I will one day get a sports car again, and the 530 will remain in the fleet as the sedan. As for opting for non-sport, I hate active steering. And if I really want to tune this car, I can always mess with suspension, but I doubt I ever will since like I said, I'm not looking for a sports car.

My 2 cents.

tcumbo

I agree. I opted for the 530i because th $6k was significant for me, unlike many others on this board. I love the 530i's everyday power, and don't regret it at all.

Think of it like this: $6,000 for 1 more second off 0-60mph. (Is it actually a whole second quicker?) Oddly, not worth it to me.

Buster

I don't get emotional about cars, but each day with this car I get more attached. I've never owned a vehicle that was so much fun to drive, so my V-8 envy is just to get more of a great thing. There are no regrets with the 530. The engine is fabulous - especially over 3500rpm.

Leonard, good move on the sport package. I don't understand why anyone would buy an E60 without the sport package. You could pay alot less for the plush ride and reliability of a Lexus if luxe is your priority. The handling is what makes the E60 extraordinary - regardless of the engine. It eats pavement like no other - .90g on the skidpad. Has there ever been another production sedan to match this?

You can't go wrong with either choice.

Hormazd

The second is really not the issue. Its how you get there. As you and URBO said. Its a personal issue and both cars need to be driven back to back before making the decision. Oh and If you do decide to go for the 545i, I would not throw your money away up front (Cap reduction). Its not worth it if you are leasing and definately not worth it if you can expense the lease.

urbo73

Two words - Active Steering!

I can't stand it, have driven several 5s with it, and by making part of the sport package, I opted not to get it. IMO it should have been just a separate option. I can also tune the suspension with aftermarket parts for an even sportier feel if I choose.

But the E60 w/o sports is in NO WAY plush like a Lexus. The BMW sports suspension, bars, etc. are not THAT drastic a change. The car handles the way it does due to many other factors, such as RWD, near 50/50, etc. Try an aftermarket suspension and you'll see what drastic is.

Also, I can see some people not buying the sports package for winter reasons.