523 test drive
#11
Senior Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Dublin, Eire
Posts: 2,279
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: Collected Sept 2009 - BMW E90 M3, Silverstone II, Novillo Black leather, 19" M Double-Spoke alloys, High Beam Assist, Electronic Damper Control, Voice Control, PDC, USB, DAB, High Gloss Shadowline, Sliding armrest, Trim Finishing in aluminium grey.
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by paasan' date='Jun 4 2005, 03:29 PM
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.
![Smile](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/smile.gif)
[snapback]136120[/snapback]
![Smile](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/smile.gif)
#12
Senior Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Dublin, Eire
Posts: 2,279
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: Collected Sept 2009 - BMW E90 M3, Silverstone II, Novillo Black leather, 19" M Double-Spoke alloys, High Beam Assist, Electronic Damper Control, Voice Control, PDC, USB, DAB, High Gloss Shadowline, Sliding armrest, Trim Finishing in aluminium grey.
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
On another thread, (can't remember who posted) they queried whether cars manufactured after March (with the new I6 engines) had DSC+ (soft stop etc).
On the 523 demo I have, the botton only has DTC and it definately DOESN'T have soft stop. If it does it doesn't work. I tried. So I suspect that the other electronic functions are missing as well. The drawer that replaces the small cubby hole beside the steering wheel is there so that part is correct. So why not the DSC+ features.
Wonder when it will make it to production ?
EDIT - Just found the other thread.
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=...ndpost&p=133492
On the 523 demo I have, the botton only has DTC and it definately DOESN'T have soft stop. If it does it doesn't work. I tried. So I suspect that the other electronic functions are missing as well. The drawer that replaces the small cubby hole beside the steering wheel is there so that part is correct. So why not the DSC+ features.
Wonder when it will make it to production ?
EDIT - Just found the other thread.
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=...ndpost&p=133492
#13
Contributors
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Philly,PA now Berlin,Germany
Posts: 817
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: E60 Limo with M-Sport package(m5 mirrors,m5 trunk finisher,m172 summer wheels,blk front grills,m5 paddle shift kit(my530i),m pedal covers,m floor mats,
E87 2005 The Misses car
E39 2002 Touring with M-Sport package/family wagon(gone but not forgotten)
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I did some checking here in Germany, and the new 3er has this feature on the 6cyl. models. I am still looking into the feature for the 5.
Regards, Berlin.BMER
Regards, Berlin.BMER
#14
Senior Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Dublin, Eire
Posts: 2,279
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: Collected Sept 2009 - BMW E90 M3, Silverstone II, Novillo Black leather, 19" M Double-Spoke alloys, High Beam Assist, Electronic Damper Control, Voice Control, PDC, USB, DAB, High Gloss Shadowline, Sliding armrest, Trim Finishing in aluminium grey.
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by Berlin.BMER' date='Jun 6 2005, 01:06 PM
I did some checking here in Germany, and the new 3er has this feature on the 6cyl. models.? I am still looking into the feature for the 5.
Regards, Berlin.BMER
Regards, Berlin.BMER
[snapback]136646[/snapback]
![Thumbsup](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/thumbsup.gif)
#15
Senior Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Dublin, Eire
Posts: 2,279
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: Collected Sept 2009 - BMW E90 M3, Silverstone II, Novillo Black leather, 19" M Double-Spoke alloys, High Beam Assist, Electronic Damper Control, Voice Control, PDC, USB, DAB, High Gloss Shadowline, Sliding armrest, Trim Finishing in aluminium grey.
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
As an update to the 523 test drive, I drove a friends year old E60 525 (M54 engine) with only 4K miles back to back with the 523i I have on dem. His E60 has 17" 138 alloys with runflats while the 523 has 16" non run flats.
Might be unfair to say the differences is like chalk and cheese but the older car is noisier, less refined, harsher, more road noise and the steering is SOOO heavy. Now I know I'll re-acquaint myself with my own car after a day or so but with the new engine, servotronic steering and non-run flats, it makes it a REALLY REALLY nice car. This is what the E60 should have been when it was launched at the end of 2003. I didn't think the progress the E60 made over the E39 was as great as the advances of the E39 over the E34 but with this engine in the 523 it certainly has. I'm sold on the engineering itself but it's now down to what the dealer wants to change. Money factor so to speak.
Might be unfair to say the differences is like chalk and cheese but the older car is noisier, less refined, harsher, more road noise and the steering is SOOO heavy. Now I know I'll re-acquaint myself with my own car after a day or so but with the new engine, servotronic steering and non-run flats, it makes it a REALLY REALLY nice car. This is what the E60 should have been when it was launched at the end of 2003. I didn't think the progress the E60 made over the E39 was as great as the advances of the E39 over the E34 but with this engine in the 523 it certainly has. I'm sold on the engineering itself but it's now down to what the dealer wants to change. Money factor so to speak.
![Smile](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/smile.gif)
#16
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Thanks for the review. I've also been considering an upgrade to the 523 but haven't had the opportunity to drive it yet. I'm actually very fond of the engine in our 520 - it's not very quick but very smooth.
It's a funny thing, I've driven the M5 (it's beyond words) and actually felt ok getting back into my car. Crazy?
It's a funny thing, I've driven the M5 (it's beyond words) and actually felt ok getting back into my car. Crazy?
#17
Senior Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Dublin, Eire
Posts: 2,279
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: Collected Sept 2009 - BMW E90 M3, Silverstone II, Novillo Black leather, 19" M Double-Spoke alloys, High Beam Assist, Electronic Damper Control, Voice Control, PDC, USB, DAB, High Gloss Shadowline, Sliding armrest, Trim Finishing in aluminium grey.
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by geneclark' date='Jun 7 2005, 08:55 AM
Thanks for the review. I've also been considering an upgrade to the 523 but haven't had the opportunity to drive it yet. I'm actually very fond of the engine in our 520 - it's not very quick but very smooth.
It's a funny thing, I've driven the M5 (it's beyond words) and actually felt ok getting back into my car. Crazy?
It's a funny thing, I've driven the M5 (it's beyond words) and actually felt ok getting back into my car. Crazy?
[snapback]136988[/snapback]
He had a black M5 with auburn and what looked like light poplar wood.
Absolutely DISGUSTING. Nausea inducing. The car looked and felt so ordinary. No visual treat that u would expect when getting in to a ?150K car. No sense of occasion. Thats the only thing I have against the M5.
![Frown](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/sad.gif)
#18
Contributors
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: So Cal, USA
Posts: 14,776
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 545iSMGSilver GrayAuburn Dakota LeatherLogic 7 Premium SoundSports Package
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by IrishEyes' date='Jun 7 2005, 02:58 AM
Thats the only thing I have against the M5.? ![Frown](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/sad.gif)
![Frown](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/sad.gif)
[snapback]137033[/snapback]
Against that M5 or M5s in general...
#19
Contributors
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: So Cal, USA
Posts: 14,776
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 545iSMGSilver GrayAuburn Dakota LeatherLogic 7 Premium SoundSports Package
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by IrishEyes' date='Jun 7 2005, 02:58 AM
I want the 523 back. It's old technology now.? :'(
[snapback]137033[/snapback]
Oh no that bad... I dont want to feel that way when the 550 comes out.. :'(
#20
Senior Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Dublin, Eire
Posts: 2,279
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: Collected Sept 2009 - BMW E90 M3, Silverstone II, Novillo Black leather, 19" M Double-Spoke alloys, High Beam Assist, Electronic Damper Control, Voice Control, PDC, USB, DAB, High Gloss Shadowline, Sliding armrest, Trim Finishing in aluminium grey.
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by EBMCS03' date='Jun 8 2005, 01:16 AM
[quote name='IrishEyes' date='Jun 7 2005, 02:58 AM']I want the 523 back. It's old technology now.? :'(
[snapback]137033[/snapback]
Oh no that bad... I dont want to feel that way when the 550 comes out.. :'(
[snapback]137358[/snapback]
[/quote]I don't think the differences between the 545 and the 550 (other than the additional power) will be as pronounced as the changes made when going from M54 to the N52 engine. The N52 is a new engine with valvetronic, magnesium bits and all the other paraphernalia required to help keep it ahead of the opposition.
![Smile](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/smile.gif)
PS
Lucky you considering a 550i.