pharding

Both are great engines. I have had both.

The big questions are: How often are you going use to the horsepower of the 545? How often do you floor it for fun? Do you like to zoom by people when passing? I have the 545 and generally do not use all of the horsepower. But when the need or the urge is there the extra horsepower is wonderful. For me, I like having the extra horsepower. Is it absolutely necessary? No. The answer to your question is not black or white. Both work. It just goes back to your priorities and resources.

Buster

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Two words - Active Steering!

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No offense intended - the comparsion to Lexus is a bad one. I know there are some strong opinions about AS - love it or hate it. I was no fan of AS at first, but have grown to like and enjoy it as I push the car harder. It gets better with speed. For me it did not make sense to spend this much on a car and then spend throusands more on aftermarket suspension mods and bigger rims and tires. I assume this also impacts warranty coverage.

Living in coastal California, I forget that in many other parts of the US cold and snow are part of life. The temp here dipped below freezing last night for the first time -very cold for us but toasty by New England standards.

bdoviack

I'd say definitely get the 545. I went from a 5.0 mustang to a 328i and the one thing I always missed was the power and grunt of a V8. Another thing you should consider is if you live in a hilly area (or if you visit the mountains often). The power and torque of the 545 are great (especially for passing slower moivng traffic). The 530 I'm sure has decent power up hills but it has to work much harder and you have to keep the revs much higher.

Another way to think about it that some 530 owners have regretted not getting a 545 while I don't think any 545 owners have claimed they should have gotten a smaller motor.

I know many people will say that you should invest the $6000 (or whatever it is) difference into a solid investment but how many people have really put the money they saved into something worthwhile. Most people I believe would blow that money somewhere else like a Plasma TV, Home theater etc.

bmwin14rsm

Go for the 545, and join us in Malibu this Sunday.

John W

If you lease, I agree in not basically pre-paying the lease payments, by plunking down a big payment up front. You're giving them a bunch of the money in advance, and not really saving much overall.

speedracerF4i

Leonard, after reading all the posts I bet you're still not sure about getting the 545i right?. No matter what we all say, you already have a bias towards a particular car. I am guessing the 530i. Go ahead and get it. I bet this is what you want to hear. A little support that's all.

pennetta

You say both cars have their strenghts and weaknesses, what was the weakness of the 545? My 545 gets 1 mile per gallon BETTER gas mileage that my previous 525, I think its because I floored the 525 all the time to get decent acceleration.

a061444

I am actually leaning toward the 545i. I think the majority here have suggested this car. The more I think about it, the more I of a chance that I will regret getting the 530i later. I would say now, that it's up to the dealer to see if he/her can give me a great deal on the 545i.

I will let you all know soon.

Thanks, for all the responses.

Leonard.

akirax

yeah, i wouldnt put too much down on a lease...

akirax

yeah, i wouldnt put too much down on a lease...
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when I go to get my 530 R6 next year, I will actually reconsider a 545i by testing driving a 05 530 and 05 545 and guess at what I think I should expect in the R6 engine... don't think i'll wait to test drive an actual R6....i've waited long enough....

if the mpg on a R6 comes close to a hybrid (35/38 maybe??), the 530 will definitely get the nod...