silver4evr

Seems you got a good deal.

Good driving to you and yours.

laet

they both do 150 mph

pennetta

I have a 525 and love it. If you floor the car often, get the 530 as the maximum HP of the 530 is apparent. If you usually drive more normally you just have to rev the 525 a little higher to get similar acceleration. Since the engine is so smooth up to redline and the steptronic transmission in sport mode is very lively.

MrMack

I purchased my 530I in January (I love it). The only comment I will make is that if you you're buying the BMW for luxury and are wanting to minimize the effect on your budget..... stick with the 525. However, if you want performance...... and really don't care about all the luxury..... then you should option up to the 530I...... better power at higher speeds. In either scenario.... I think you should definately opt for the sport package. The car just looks better with it..... and the tires do make a difference in the handling.

If you want performance and are REALLY budget-sensitive..... consider the new 3-series with the larger engine. They have made the back seats a little more accomodating. It's not the 5.......... but it will definately zoom and hug the road like a BMW should.

Just my thoughts......

MrMack

Don Juan

Go for the 530I. You will miss the extra HPs. If you normally only cruise and think of your car to go from point A to point B then same the bucks and get the 525. I personally drive my cars a bit agressive and like the extar powere from stop to roll and passing while on the highway. I'm not sure if you take people with you or not but definately you will feel the difference when you have extra passengers and cargo in the 525.
Not too long ago I got a 325I as a loaner. The car felt very underpower. It feels it has a good acceleration but it dies after 3000rpm.
Me personally would have wish to get the 545 but an extra 8K with similar options was out of my budget. So far I'm happy with the engine performance for the size of the car, i wish i could extract a few extra HPs with a chip upgrade and an intake but none of those optons are avaialble yetl bummer.
I have had chip and intake in my2 previous car and makes a big dfference in feel...common DINAN start working on it..

svbmw

Get the 530i, I couldn't imagine spending 40K+ and not have at least 200hp. For example , a fully equiped Acura TL is about 40k and has 270 hp

laet

get the 525 it's all about the toy's

heezy545i

I'd much rather have a 530i with minimal options than a loaded 525i.

The only real must have is the sports package and xenon. Premium sound is alright and I could do without the cold weather package. I'd like to have lumbar and park control though.

Just get the bigger engine, save up for some wheels and your set.

pbarch1

Don Juan,
The 03 DINAN 530 chip did nothing for the HP all they could do to improve the car was knock up the rev limiter a bit and take out the top end limit. I hope they have better luck with the 04 530. hell the 545 too
BTW do you know anything about DINAN's transmission chip?

Don Juan

pbarch1, I had the Dinan Stage II chip with the M Group Carbon Fiver Intake in my old E46. It made a big difference. In relation to the stage 1, yest Dinan claims it only raised the rpms and removed the speed limiter. hopefully that is different now. I heard good and bad things about the trasnmission chip. As it is the the trasnmission in sport mode is perfect in my E60 which I use 99.99% of the time. I hate the way the D drive shifts and reacts.