Hi everyone,

I am in the market for a new e60. I am a local socal resident and was wondering what people thought about the 07' 530 vs the 08' 528, I ask because I feel like I could get a better deal on price on an 07 vs the new 08.

Any suggestions or remarks are greatly appreciated.


-SAM

 

Not sure if you can get 07 530i anymore. Most dealers are out of these since these are the best sellers. If you can find one on the lot I'd jump on it. It'll have more hp than the 08 528 and if you are planning on lease a great MF.

 

Great question. I went through the EXACT same scenario. In December, 2006 I knew I wanted a new car and wanted to replace my E39 with an E60. I went to my dealer, he had a new '07 in Alpine White, sport, premium, etc sitting in the showroom. I fell in love with the color and look, loved the engine and drive, but had some issues with the interior (mostly aesthetic, mind you, but still things that bothered me). While doing research on it, I stumbled across E60.net and learned of the hints and gossip on the LCI which was "soon to be announced." The LCI was going to have new engines, it was going to refine the inside and perhaps address my exact problems, possibly going to have an ipod adapter, etc. The news then broke, I officially joined this forum after watching it for a month (which is the absolutely the best thing I did as this forum rocks), and rolled the dice on waiting for the US '08 528i. Compared to the '07 530i, research showed good horsepower, good price, and great updates throughout.

Long and the short: Sooooooo happy I waited. The 0-60 of my 6M 528i (which I bought) is better than the automatic 530i (which was in the showroom). The interior upgrades were as if I designed them myself. The ipod adapter is fantastic. I love the exterior tweaks. I got a fantastic deal (900 over invoice). Apparently I have the updated and improved i drive program (as I never had a previous e60 I can't compare). And now I have an '08.

I am thrilled with my choice. Of course there are lots of bright minds and enthusiasts on this forum that prefer the previous interior, so you should look for yourself. But engine to engine, and car to car, I couldn't be more happy with my choice.

AND, having this website makes life with it, and all the questions so much easier--so just after I bought the car, I contributed here.

This is just my story. Best of luck to you.

 

Actually cars have exact same engines and hp is pretty neglible-it is 30hp difference or something? Sure not eve noticable with the way bmw rates hp-probably the 528 has closer to the 255 that a 530 had anyway.

If a dealer has an 07 sitting around than by all means get on that. You will get a WAY better deal. I did this-There was one 07 530 on the lot in the 3 dealers where i live. I happened to walk in and they really wanted to get rid of it and I got a 450/month lease payment with 5k down for 3 years only because they were so flexible--and this was 4 months ago so I cant imagine a dealer has one left but go for it they do.

Personally I have seen the lcis and as far as appearence I cannot tell the difference from the outside and some minor things on the inside.

Now if this were a 535 v. 530 choice than it would be a whole different story but the 530 is still a better car pound for pound engine/hp wise and if you get it for less dough go for it

 

Have to add to this as I have a 328 loaner today which is probably a bit quicker than a 528 due to being a tad lighter and it is a total slug-so if you can get the 530-I mean the 530 is a slug but the 28 is even more of a slug-I guess 30hp is noticable.

 

Unlike you, I have actually driven both the 530i and the 528i, and I can tell you that my 6M 528i is quicker than the auto 530i, both on paper and in person. The 30 hp difference simply disappears. IMHO, BMW wanted to call it a 528 and not a 530 to keep a clear distinction between the 528 and the 535 in the minds of buyers who simply look at the badge. To an inexperienced buyer, the difference between a 530i and 535i may not be that big a deal, whereas changing to a "528" drops the car out of the "53_" range, and makes a difference. Just like people who say they paid $22 for something that was $22.99, BMW knows that the way a badge appears, regardless of the actual engine, is an important factor.

 

sorry bro-a 328 IS identical in performance if not quicker since it weighs less to a 528 so what are you talking about. Any stick is gonna feel faster and you cant compare a stick manual to auto-auto to auto the 530 feels noticably quicker. I never said I drove a stick shift-you have to compare apples to apples bro

also I debadge so I could care less but you can't erase 30 horsepower-it is noticable but not very much so like I said. There is NO advnatage to getting an LCI 528 over a 530 which would be cheaper.

 

??
I never said the 328 wasn't faster than a 528---I wasn't even talking about the 328--so don't feel the need to apologize to me. Even comparing auto to auto, the times are pretty close on paper, with a small edge to the 530i. I've never driven a 528 automatic, so I was only speaking from my experience. In my experience, with the cars I have driven, the cars are identical in terms of engine.

Maybe YOU should start comparing apples to apples by first driving a 528 automatic, and then you at least have some credibility when declaring that there is "NO advantage" to getting an LCI 528.

To me, and perhaps only to me (hence the "IMHO"), the 528i is an '08 530i that BMW felt the need to call a 528 so that inexperienced buyers wouldn't opt for the 530 over the 535 just because the "53_" numbers looked so similiar.

And, engine is only one aspect: there are distinct differences and upgrades inside to the LCI. Cosmetic upgrades, extra leather, i drive upgrades which seem to be loved here by those who upgraded from your program, new options, new features included in packages, and some nice LEDs and night time tail lights on the outside. And, an '08 classification in the US which never hurts with resale value.

I'm not taking the preposterous position that there is "NO advantage" to buying either a 528i or an '07 530i, because it is a matter of opinion only, with each side having pros and cons. Some things are worth the extra money though, and if the OP is paying cash, like I did, the deals on the 2 cars are probably pretty similiar. Give the guy some facts instead of telling him what his opinion should be.

 

Point taken man but driving an auto 328 is comparing apples to apples performance wise as it is the same as driving a 528 as far as speed/engine/performance stuff goes-so I think I was.

Hey man bottom line is the 2 will feel virtually the same and indistinguishable I am sure-take the one for less cash-if you are buying it get the 528 as probably better for resale. If it is a lease than get the cheaper car.

I mean lets not kid ourselves-facelift cars are never really a heck of a lot different (other than engine in the 535) on any cars other than to boost sales in the last couple years of a production run so the 528 equals a 530 for all intents and purposes.

But come on 30 horses is 30 horses. I honestly do feel a difference in the 328 I am driving compared to mine-however I modded mine so I probably am not remembering correctly initial feel.

But 30 horses SHOULD feel somewhat different-that is a decent difference so maybe bmw underesimated and most likely did-so I am sure a 528 is a 530 like the man said

Bottom line-take the cheaper car

 

BMW engines are rated in kW at the design stage.

For local marketing, a conversion is made to PS, sometimes to HP. Sometimes HP and PS (metric HP) are confused by the reader.

http://www.mr2ownersclub.com/converter.htm

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