To the 525i/530i Owners: Would you be happy with a 330i?
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Central California. Plenty of sunshine. Hot in Summer, but NO humidity. :)
My Ride: In the process of buying the right 2006 530i
Originally Posted by Evenflow545' post='235408' date='Feb 5 2006, 08:11 PM
It's sort of a no brainer, Doug, and that's why you're here. Right? Because you don't want to be tooling around in a car half your size?
Now, as far as tooling around in a car that is considered half size or compact; well, I sure would not mind tooling around in an Aston Martin or Porsche 911.
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 601
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From: Silicon Valley Area
My Ride: 2008 M5 -- Exterior: Silverstone, Interior: Black. Fully Loaded. That just about sums it up! :-)
My last BMW was a 3-Series. My motivation for pursuing was getting a bigger car. Now I can pack 4 golf bags in the trunk and haul my buddies to the golf course. There's also the cabin spaciousness that I like in the 5.
If I had only enough $$ for a 3-Series I would have picked one up. Thank goodness I had a bit more $$ to get a well equipped 5-Series.
You can't go wrong with either one.
-Tony
If I had only enough $$ for a 3-Series I would have picked one up. Thank goodness I had a bit more $$ to get a well equipped 5-Series.
You can't go wrong with either one.
-Tony
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: New York, NY
My Ride: '05 545i - scheduled for ED pickup in Munich on 7/22!
Originally Posted by PoliticalAid007' post='235290' date='Feb 5 2006, 04:58 PM
Just curious, any current 525i/530i owners; do you think you would be happy with a 330i? Why or why not? I am asking because the 330i is getting some unbelievable press. Edmunds just called it "The Perfect Sports/Luxury Sedan". They said it the first time, they have used the word, "perfect" to describe a car.
Please understand this post is not designed to undermine either the 525i or 530i. I love them both! I am just asking a question.
Please understand this post is not designed to undermine either the 525i or 530i. I love them both! I am just asking a question.
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Honolulu, HI
My Ride: 2006 JET BLACK on BLACK SPORTS PACK 5ER, with RADENERGIE R-10's @ 20"
I actually almost got a e90 330. It was nice, though it looks kinda stubby (roof height).
Also the fact that in my area at any light there are at least 2 e36's, 3 e46's, and 2 e90's.
I have no regrets on getting the e60.
Also the fact that in my area at any light there are at least 2 e36's, 3 e46's, and 2 e90's.
I have no regrets on getting the e60.
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: sofia / london
Originally Posted by PoliticalAid007' post='235290' date='Feb 5 2006, 04:58 PM
Just curious, any current 525i/530i owners; do you think you would be happy with a 330i? Why or why not? I am asking because the 330i is getting some unbelievable press. Edmunds just called it "The Perfect Sports/Luxury Sedan". They said it the first time, they have used the word, "perfect" to describe a car.
Please understand this post is not designed to undermine either the 525i or 530i. I love them both! I am just asking a question.
Please understand this post is not designed to undermine either the 525i or 530i. I love them both! I am just asking a question.
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Prague, Czech Rep. - Europe
My Ride: 2004 BMW 530I steptronic, Orient Blue, Dakota Black Leather, Finishers Aluminium with Wave Cutting interior, NAVIgation, Radio PROFESSIONAL, CD in-dash, Hi-Fi extended sound system, PDC system, Bi-Xenons lights with washers, cruise-control, heated seats, Extended AC, auto"shade" mirrors, auto lights sensors, rain/wiper sensor, M-tech leather multifunction steering wheel, side airbags rearseats, sliding armrest, smoker's package (I don't smoke!), velour floor mats, spare wheel and jack, 122 style rims winter setup, M135 style rims summer setup
[color=red]Mods:[/color]
[color=blue]M tech sport steering wheel with M5 SMG paddles working retrofit done !
Trunk lid opening button retrofit done.[/color]
[color=blue]3M window 35% tint done
Chrome grilles
E60.net Clings
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uhmm well I agree it is more about obsession with V8 then some reasonable thinking.... in this E90 case hi-tech German V6 or R6 in BMW case is much more power productive and efficient anyway....
and besides it is not just the egnine. it is the car as a whole :thumbs:
.......but if you have a gas dependent state run economy.... that is a different story
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,298
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From: Winter Park, FL
My Ride: 2005 545i (SMG)
Titanium Gray
Black Interior, Anthracite Trim
M-tech kit
Sport Package
Premium Sound
Satellite Radio
Active Cruise
Comfort Seats
Navigation
Folding rear seats
When I got my 15,000 service on my E60, I was given an E90 loaner car. It was a base model, 325i.
Simply put.... I HATED it. I can't explain why exactly, but it just felt cheap. It did not feel like a BMW compared to my E60.
However, since then.... my parents bought a 325i, but got it loaded.
iDrive + Nav
Premium Sound
SAT radio
Comfort Access
Cold Weather Pack
Xenon lights
etc.. etc.. etc..
It has every single option on it... except for Active Steering.
I drove this 325i from the Performance Center to Washington, DC .... and I loved it. The experience was 180 degrees opposite. When you put the options on the E90, it is an excellent car. Granted, it is smaller than the E60... and some of the appointments are not quite on the same level... but it drives great.
In fact, I felt like the car was even more stable at high speeds. I felt more in control when driving above 80 mph than I do in my E60. I think this might be because of Active Steering on my E60.
Simply put.... I HATED it. I can't explain why exactly, but it just felt cheap. It did not feel like a BMW compared to my E60.
However, since then.... my parents bought a 325i, but got it loaded.
iDrive + Nav
Premium Sound
SAT radio
Comfort Access
Cold Weather Pack
Xenon lights
etc.. etc.. etc..
It has every single option on it... except for Active Steering.
I drove this 325i from the Performance Center to Washington, DC .... and I loved it. The experience was 180 degrees opposite. When you put the options on the E90, it is an excellent car. Granted, it is smaller than the E60... and some of the appointments are not quite on the same level... but it drives great.
In fact, I felt like the car was even more stable at high speeds. I felt more in control when driving above 80 mph than I do in my E60. I think this might be because of Active Steering on my E60.
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Pennsylvania, USA
My Ride: 2005 BMW 545i, Sport, NAV, Steptronic
Every time I drive my wife's E46 (04 330 with Sport Package) I catch myself on thinking that it's more fun to drive than mine. For me the biggest enjoyment is in handling, how you control a car not just a straight-line acceleration. And for this matter there is no substitute for the lightweight. I also had a chance to drive E90 330 with Sport Package and it's even better. As for practicality - 90% of time I'm alone in the car and there are only three of us in the family. And I don't want to buy another big car in the future. My wife is going to get E90 330 and I'm thinking about upcoming Z4 Coupe M ( less then 3000 LB!!!!!!!!). IMHO of cause.
Contributors
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 110
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From: Western PA
My Ride: 2005.5 545i, Silver Grey, Dakota Black, Anthracite, Premium, Cold, Sport, L7, Nav, Fold Down Seats, Sunshades, Sirius.
2006 330i, Silver, Black, Natural Poplar, Sport, 6 speed, Cold, Premium
2002 330xi Black, Black, Premium, Cold, Premium Sound. (Sold)
1997 540i (sold)
1985 635i Euro (sold to family)
1985 535i (sold)
I just bought a 330i sport manual on Saturday "for my wife" and also have a 545i sport with a steptronic.
The 3 is much more engaging to drive and sport seats are much more comfortable. The 3er's supension also seems more refined (both have run flats) If you don't need the extra couple of inches of space, save the $20K, you won't be sorry with the 3.
I didn't get nave and thought I would miss I-drive, but the sytems are pretty comprehensive. Bluetooth is faster on the e 90 as the software seems a little more refined.
The 3 is much more engaging to drive and sport seats are much more comfortable. The 3er's supension also seems more refined (both have run flats) If you don't need the extra couple of inches of space, save the $20K, you won't be sorry with the 3.
I didn't get nave and thought I would miss I-drive, but the sytems are pretty comprehensive. Bluetooth is faster on the e 90 as the software seems a little more refined.