525 owners, I need your help.

I love the new E60 and I want to buy one, but I am having a real difficult time with 184 HP (or 225 for that matter).

I am currently in a Volvo S60R 300HP, and while that is nice, the car is harsh and handles nothing like the 525 non sport I took out for a day.

I am more concerned with ride quality, a smooth engine, interior room, fit and finish, ect. Drag racing can be fun, but it is pretty stupid. I do like the Rs power on the highway getting around people that camp out in the fast lane and speed up when they see someone is going to pass them.

The 525 I drove got up to 85 MPH real quick and was a blast to drive on the highway. It would have cold, premium, step and xenons. Of course if money was not an issue, it would be a 545, but I am on a budget, and the 525 lease price is right where I need it to be.

Are you guys satisfied with the 525 power, or is it an issue? Is the 530 that much quicker? It seems like 1 second difference in the 0-60 times, but like I said, that is becoming less important to me. getting old maybe?

 

I'll tell you what.. Wait for another 3 months and get the new engine for 525i. You may in the end catching up those 2004/early2005 530i models. (including mine ) If not, you may look at the new A6. But IMO E60 is still a better car. Good luck.

 

The problem is I think it will longer than 3 months. March production(march what) then 30-60 days to reach dealers? Also, the great lease factors and residuals may go away if BMW perceives increased demand for 5s with the new engines + a potential price increase. The dealer told me that they have people that have put deposits on the new cars and have obviously piut off purchasing the E60 until the engine upgrade happens. I need to be at 600 per month on my 36 month 15K lease.

 

Man,

I agree with soc_fans wait about three months and get the new engine, you won't be disappointed. Also, the engineers at the BMW factory told me that BMW uses very conservative horsepower ratings. He explained that each engine produces about 10 and in some cases up to 15 percent more hp.

Just my 2 cents.

 

So 545 has about 357HP now??? No way......................

 

So 545 has about 357HP now??? No way......................
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I think they meant 10-15 more HP. Not 10% more, which would be an extra 34HP in the case of the 545i

 

welcome aboard, man !

 

something I read <german car fans?> about the new engines and the M54 suggested that the HP numbers were only realized with 98 RON gas?

Like I said, HP is not the most important thing to me. I think the 2.5L six was smoother than the 3L. I had the 2.5 at redline and smooth as glass. The 3L at redline, I detected some harshness.

 

Ok I have a E60 525i sp and have driven a E39 530i (E39 i think). THere is a pretty big power difference. The 525 is not slow but not quick at all. Its also a little slow on highway acceleration. After 60-70 accelation become really slow. The 530 bridges that gap. Take both of them up to speed on the highway. You will see the difference.

 

Even with 530i, I still feel sluggish. I am having a 330xi for a week now, and I am still not satisfied. I don't care much for the HP number as long as it satisfies my thrill. I am not an agressive driver at all, but I do love merging onto highway quickly. Try 525, 530, and 545 to see how it goes when merging onto highway, this will make you like that car or not. That's the only time you need power/torque the most, and you will feel frustrated if you cannot merge easily.