IrishEyes

Have a 523i demonstrator out on loan until Tuesday. Don?t even know why I?m considering changing my 520i as it is only 9 months old and less than 7K Km?s. I was at the E90 launch in March and had a drive in the 325. I thought the engine was incredible and I was curious to see what it was like in 523 form. The engine capacity is 2497cc in both cases but the 523 power and torque is detuned as it is now the lead-in 5 series model on sale. They probably wanted to keep it to similar values to the 520 and at least make someone paying the extra ?4K for the 525 feel as if they got something extra for their extra dosh. For comparison the engine specs are:

Engine cc BHP NM
520 (2171cc) 170 210
523 (2497cc) 174 230
525 (2497cc) 215 250

The engine refinement is on to the next level. It is quieter and smoother than the 520 and it races around to the red line as if it was a smaller brother to the M5's V10.

It had the standard 16" wheels (don't know why) with non-run flats and the ride is smoother than my 520 with 17" run flats. And noticeably quieter over speed bumps. However, it did seem a tad bouncier.

Servotronic steering appears to be standard and is lighter than my 520. Not sure if it was the steering, but it definitely felt more chuckable when blasting through corners.

The car was a met black with black leather and black wood inserts. After my own (Silver-Grey with beige leather), I though the interior was too dark. Too much black all around. And it felt smaller. Not even sure if I like the metallic black paintwork, I think the body shape of the E60 requires a lighter colour to show up the details in the metal pressings.

Overall it is a very very impressive machine and am very tempted to change but would only consider it if the price was right. I just need to decide on what a realistic value is. And hope the dealer is somewhat below that. We shall see.

Lomag

Hey! 523, cool! Granted the engines look exactly the same between the 523, 525, 530 -- can you take an engine picture for me? Just like all the other ones on the main site.

Thanks

EBMCS03

You want to trade for another BMW already? Just like the people here who want the 550 when it comes out when they already have a 545.

Let us know if you do trade. but not for those wheels...

Merv the Derv

Irish,

Have you tried a 525d or 530d yet? If so how'd the 523i compare.

ac388

The wheel did not look good !!!

Merv the Derv

[/quote]

BMW choose that wheel to make buyers upgrade. They're not daft.

IrishEyes

Did indeed try a 530d. Grin inducing torque. Constantly pressing the loud pedal just to get the back-end squatting and squirming. And a 535d. A permanent grin on my face. And it's still there. For some reason, the 530d seemed faster than the 535d probably because I think the power in the 530d comes in with more of a bang. The 535d is more linear but feels unburstable. However, it did seem to sound more diesel-ey (is that a word) than the 530d. Overall the 535d is a stunning machine and the 530d not far behind.

The 523? Obviously cannot compare to the 530d never mind the 535d for power and torque. But what an engine. When getting back in to my 520 (now the old in-line6 ) after driving the 530d a few weeks ago, the refinement and quietness of the petrol puts the diesel in to the - how should I say - agricultural arena. (relatively speaking). The BMW diesels are class/world leading but so is their petrols. Less noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), and more refinement, quietness, smoothness and more soothing. No contest. Diesel has to take last place here. It will take some time for diesel technology to come anywhere close.

And the 523? It's on another plane. I can't wait to get my 520 back on Tuesday just to compare. I think it's going to feel old and uncultured. This new engine takes the NVH to a new level. Astonishing. Don't know how the engineers made such an improvement to an already well renouned engine. Even when accelerating with foot to the floor you had to ask - is that the engine I hear. And when u do hear it it sounds fantastic. And it revs so eagerly. It was on 16" alloys with non runflats and it was more comfy on the road no doubt. Servotronic steering made the car feel more agile and felt smaller when hustling along small country type roads. Overall very very impressive.

What didn't I like? The black paintwork and all black interior. My own colour scheme is much more refined and elegant looking. I don't think the E60 shape is sympathetic to many colours. It IS very colour sensitive. And, I assume for marketing reasons, they detuned the 525 engine to power and torque levels similiar to the outgoing 520. Is the 525 worth the extra ?4K over the 523.

Would I buy a diesel? I had an E46 320d and thought it was fantastic. My mileage is not sufficiently high to warrent the extra spend for a 530d. And I'd probably lose more in depreciation. I could afford to buy one but not necessarily prepared to take the hit when changing. Before buying the 520, I did consider the 525d but the price difference in Ireland between a 525d and 530d wasn't great enough to consider a 525d. I think they got their pricing structure wrong here on that one.
Part of my criteria for buying is to get a reasonably decent machine and try to minimise the loss when selling. By putting the right options on it. Unfortunately for me it's my own money I'm spending and want to protect my investment as much as possible. So I'm not willing to put options on it that are worth nothing come trade-in time. If I can change to a 523 for less than ?10K I'll consider it. I know someone with a similiar aged 530d and it's looking like he's loosing about ?15K for less than a year. So was the extra power and torque worth what appears to be an additional ?5K. ?

I hope I answered your query ?

IrishEyes

I was certainly thinking of you because I looked in the gallery and noticed a gap in the proceedings. When it stops raining and the sun comes out I'll take a few snaps for you.

andy545

nice readup, makes sense regarding the trade-in.

paasan

Good and informative writing. Really makes me wonder how the 523i engine is IMHO our 520i is extremely quiet and good to drive.. but yes.. not awfully quick.