bankerboyz

I recently had a 525xi as a loaner and was quite suprised at how peppy it was. I found that it was more than enough to get me around in the spirited was I drive. Just throw it in the DS mode and you are good to go.

Herwig

With respect to all US Forum members I think you may be a bit biased by the fact that the 525i is the basic model available in the US - and on paper it is clearly inferior to all other E60s.

However, I've tested an E60 525i and frankly found it to be a very good car / engine combination. Smooth, silent and quick (without being brutally fast though).

You need to experience the car and judge yourself if you like it in terms of its main characteristics. The badge value of course is another thing and owning a big engine E60 is something else to tell a friend.

Think about it in another way - in Germany where you have miles of motorway without any kind of speed restriction there are more 6 cylinder E60s on the street than 8 cylinder models. And BMW drivers are not known (or noticed) to be the slowest ones on the road.

Ray Hull

My insurance company bought me a 525 auto when my 535iS 5 spd was totaled; (it was during the mid 90s-- a very dry time for late model used 5s as they skipped a 5 series production year). Anyway, to say that I was disappointed was an understatement. It was bad enough around town, but once summer came and I had to turn on the AC, forget it. I could pedal my bike faster. The crowning disgrace was the imperative to feed it high-octane fuel, something my 535 didn't even require.

So, it all depends on what you are coming from and WHY you buy BMWs. Sorry,but I wouldn't, under any circumstance, consider it an "ultimate driving machine."

Cheers,
Ray Hull

hmc

06 525 is almost as powerful as, if not more, any I6 5 series models in the past. It cannot be underpowered.

mr_grinche

The 2.5l is great and not underpowered. The speedlimits are the same whether you drive V6 or V8. If you have the cash splash out and get an M5

SergeyM

US 525 has 3.0 litre engine.

amigo525

I think i know what he means the pull back power. You know when you hit the pedal to the medal and you feel something is pushing you back to your seat?

You dont feel that much with the 525 (MHO). I am on my third 525i. 02, 04, and 06.

that is my 2 cents.

Mr 5er

Gentlemen....not to be-labor the point on power. I wrote in another thread about 1st cars, In that, I stated that I had a 1968 Plymouth Road runner with a 426 Hemi and then a 1970 Dodge R/T 440 Magnum Engine. Now there was power in the true sense of Muscle cars. Take my word for it, my 525i, or a 530 or 545, 550 does not compare. M5 Different story

When you look at power, take it for what its worth. The BMW's are strong, efficient and fast. We all look at our cars and see what we want to see and evaluate what we feel power is. I look at my 525 with 184 ponies and at this stage of my life is good for me.

I expect no more than of the car, than what I purchased. Its one man's opinion.

LowOrbit

Could not agree more. 0-60 in 7.3 seconds is not slow unless you make it a habit to drag race teenagers in their Evos. If I lived in L.A., I would have bought a 525/530i instead of my 545i - where can you really unleash the power on a regular basis? Plus the fuel economy is much better than a 545.

Two potential negatives:
1) If you drive with 2+ people alot, you may feel the weight sapping the performance - in this case, I would get a 530.
2) Negative perception from other drivers. Others (especially in status-oriented L.A.) may think you are stretching financially to buy a 5 series rather than the 3-series. I guess it depends on how secure you are.

jvjr9902

Excuse me......you cant compare a BMW to a honda or toyota.....its like comparing apples to oranges. And you cannot judge a car based on its horsepower alone.You can get a KIA that has 230 HP but it doesnt mean that KIA is better than a basic 3 or 5 series BMW. One more thing if you are on the freeway it doesnt matter if u have a v8 or v6 , we are all required to obey the speed limit.....and dont forget the horrible traffic specially here in Los Angeles! If you are into racing ,yeah you would need that kind of power but for everyday transportation a 525 will do after all its still a B M W ! The ultimate driving machine!