Guest_skier566

I'm ready to order a new 5 but have the following dilema and am looking for some opinions.

My budget permits me to order either a 525, 6 speed, leather, SPORT PACKAGE, cold weather and xenon or option #2 is a 530 with 6 speed, leatherette, cold weather and xenon. I know the differences between the stock wheels and the black shadowline trim and have no preference on those, so that is not an issue for me. Leatherette is also no an inssue since I have it in my 02 325i and like it. Quite honest, no one can tell the difference on the leatherette.

I'm leaning towards the 530 for stronger acceleration with more HP. Is there a noticable difference in the power from the 525 to the 530? I drove them both, but not at seperate times, so I can't make a firm evaluation. I prefer more HP with the 530 over the lesser HP 525 with the sport package. I just wish I could afford the sport package on the 530. What would you do?

///M

I had the same problem before I ordered my car. After driving both cars for fairly long periods of time I couldn't really notice much difference most of the time. The only time when you feel the extra power is at high speeds. In favor of the 525 is much better fuel economy with little loss in power. I know there is an appreciable difference in the figures on paper but in the real world, not so much of a difference. The other thing I wanted to say is that the sport package IS DEFINATELY worth it, and makes a lot of difference to the ride and performance of the car. I went for 525i with sport package, and I LOVE it Hope this helps.

nick

go for 530i

I like more Hp.

555

The 525 has surprising "get up and go", but leathette??? DON'T get a luxury car with leatherette.

Guest

You could do European Delivery, if you're willing to wait and get the 530. I have the 525 and really don' t miss the 12% of HP. In fact, today's 525 has better performance than the early E39 528s. One advantage to leatherette is you are saving an animal (tree huggers love it), and if you are already happy with it on your 3 series, you'll be happy with it on your 5.

paasan

Eh, I seem to have missed out on this... does BMW provide Leatherette as an option for any of its 5series cars??

To me there seems to be dakota leather, exclusive leather, nasca leather and the leather/textile combination...

555

Only in certain countries. Not available as an option in the U.S., for example.

tdocz

GO FOR THE 530I

Get the leather not leatherette. This car deserves more and so do you!!!

silver4evr

The sport package will add about $50 bucks a months to your loan payment if it financed over 60 months.

The sport package with the xtra HP is great. I chose the 530 after test driving it and the 525 within the same 1/2 hour. I could definitely tell the difference.

Of all the options I have, the sport package adds the most to your driving pleasure. If you have bad roads in your area, the non-sport 530 may be a better choice for safety reasons.


Hope this helps.

chrisg

Leather is such a status thing! Why? Just so you can say it?s leather. If you really can?t tell the difference than it?s a no brainer! Leatherette will last longer and require less care.

I really wanted a 530i with sport and SMG but just couldn?t imagine paying over $800 month on a lease. I was going to settle for a 330i and in the paper that morning was a 525i auto with premium and xenons for only $459 a month (one at this price) It definitely wasn?t my first choice in engine, color or options but, I just couldn?t pass it up. I had to change the 16? wheels to 19? but other than that I just LOVE the car. I don?t miss the bigger engine, the sport or the SMG. You can?t miss what you never had. I?ve always had sport seats and I love these comfort seats I don?t think I could go back now. No sport and only 184hp and it still performs like crazy.

Go with your gut, you can?t go wrong!