525i impressions from a 545i owner
#1
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Portland, Oregon USA
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2004 545i
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
My 545i is in the shop for some various minor stuff (brake squeal, door seal replacement, passenger airbag light, possible CIP upgrade too) and I was given a loaner '06 525i.
As any self respecting BMW would do with a loaner car (and as I've done with my loaner 325i, 330i, and X3) I drove the car like I was very mad at it. The first thing I noticed was the power. Not a V8 by any means, but I was pleasantly surprised with the acceleration of the little 2.5L, especially once rolling. The downfall was the acceleration from a stop going uphill (but how often is that really all that important). The car was more than adequate. Still sporty, still capable of getting a nasty fine from the policia. Thumbs up.
The loaner was pretty loaded up, but there were a few things that I really missed. The biggest was the absent sport package. If I had never driven the Five with sport, I may not have missed it - though I have been living the good life on my 545i. This car needs it. Body roll is there, feels more floaty Benz-luxuryesque than sport lux. The sport package is worth every penny to me, it (among a few other things) makes the BMW a BMW. W/o sport makes the car feel more grown up, less aggressive, less fun. Also missed was active steering - I couldn't believe how much I had to crank the wheel at low speeds, made me feel like a bus driver.
I miss my car, and am anxious to go get it back today. However it's been a good two days with the loaner.
As any self respecting BMW would do with a loaner car (and as I've done with my loaner 325i, 330i, and X3) I drove the car like I was very mad at it. The first thing I noticed was the power. Not a V8 by any means, but I was pleasantly surprised with the acceleration of the little 2.5L, especially once rolling. The downfall was the acceleration from a stop going uphill (but how often is that really all that important). The car was more than adequate. Still sporty, still capable of getting a nasty fine from the policia. Thumbs up.
The loaner was pretty loaded up, but there were a few things that I really missed. The biggest was the absent sport package. If I had never driven the Five with sport, I may not have missed it - though I have been living the good life on my 545i. This car needs it. Body roll is there, feels more floaty Benz-luxuryesque than sport lux. The sport package is worth every penny to me, it (among a few other things) makes the BMW a BMW. W/o sport makes the car feel more grown up, less aggressive, less fun. Also missed was active steering - I couldn't believe how much I had to crank the wheel at low speeds, made me feel like a bus driver.
I miss my car, and am anxious to go get it back today. However it's been a good two days with the loaner.
#2
Contributors
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Nice report. While your comments make me feel great about ordering my E60 with the sport package,
I feel as though I may regret not adding the Active Steering.
But if I 've never experienced AS, how can I miss it? Right?
![Smile](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/smile.gif)
![Frown](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/sad.gif)
But if I 've never experienced AS, how can I miss it? Right?
#3
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Portland, Oregon USA
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2004 545i
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by tachyon' date='Sep 22 2005, 01:31 PM
Nice report.? While your comments make me feel great about ordering my E60 with the sport package,?
I feel as though I may regret not adding the Active Steering.?
But if I 've never experienced AS, how can I miss it?? Right?
![Smile](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/smile.gif)
![Frown](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/sad.gif)
But if I 've never experienced AS, how can I miss it?? Right?
[snapback]173702[/snapback]
Just be sure you never get a loaner with the active steering (or drive a friend's car with it).
#4
Contributors
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Chicago
Posts: 493
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: #1: 2004 545i; 6-speed manual; Sport Package; Mystic Blue with a gray leather interior and Anthracite wood; CWP; Logic 7.
#2: 2010 535xi Touring; Automatic.
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by Fullspeed' date='Sep 22 2005, 02:37 PM
[quote name='tachyon' date='Sep 22 2005, 01:31 PM']Nice report.? While your comments make me feel great about ordering my E60 with the sport package,?
I feel as though I may regret not adding the Active Steering.?
But if I 've never experienced AS, how can I miss it?? Right?
![Smile](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/smile.gif)
![Frown](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/sad.gif)
But if I 've never experienced AS, how can I miss it?? Right?
[snapback]173702[/snapback]
Just be sure you never get a loaner with the active steering (or drive a friend's car with it).
[snapback]173704[/snapback]
[/quote]I thought the sport package in the US automatically meant AS?
#5
Members
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 05 545i silver
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by Fullspeed' date='Sep 22 2005, 04:21 PM
My 545i is in the shop for some various minor stuff
[snapback]173699[/snapback]
![Nono](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/nono.gif)
Originally Posted by Fullspeed' date='Sep 22 2005, 04:21 PM
I was pleasantly surprised with the acceleration of the little 2.5L, especially once rolling.? The car was more than adequate.?
[snapback]173699[/snapback]
Originally Posted by Fullspeed' date='Sep 22 2005, 04:21 PM
The sport package is worth every penny to me.
[snapback]173699[/snapback]
Originally Posted by Fullspeed' date='Sep 22 2005, 04:21 PM
miss active steering
[snapback]173699[/snapback]
#7
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Portland, Oregon USA
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2004 545i
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by tab545' date='Sep 22 2005, 02:25 PM
[quote name='Fullspeed' date='Sep 22 2005, 02:37 PM'][quote name='tachyon' date='Sep 22 2005, 01:31 PM']Nice report.? While your comments make me feel great about ordering my E60 with the sport package,?
I feel as though I may regret not adding the Active Steering.?
But if I 've never experienced AS, how can I miss it?? Right?
![Smile](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/smile.gif)
![Frown](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/sad.gif)
But if I 've never experienced AS, how can I miss it?? Right?
[snapback]173702[/snapback]
Just be sure you never get a loaner with the active steering (or drive a friend's car with it).
[snapback]173704[/snapback]
[/quote]I thought the sport package in the US automatically meant AS?
[snapback]173731[/snapback]
[/quote]Nope. In the US, the sport pkg is the suspension, the ARS stabilization, 18" wheels w/ runflats, shadowline trim, and sport seats (according to bmwusa.com). The active steering is a seperate option.
#8
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Portland, Oregon USA
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2004 545i
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by kryptokat' date='Sep 22 2005, 02:28 PM
[quote name='Fullspeed' date='Sep 22 2005, 04:21 PM']My 545i is in the shop for some various minor stuff
[snapback]173699[/snapback]
![Nono](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/nono.gif)
Originally Posted by Fullspeed' date='Sep 22 2005, 04:21 PM
I was pleasantly surprised with the acceleration of the little 2.5L, especially once rolling.? The car was more than adequate.?
[snapback]173699[/snapback]
Originally Posted by Fullspeed' date='Sep 22 2005, 04:21 PM
The sport package is worth every penny to me.
[snapback]173699[/snapback]
Originally Posted by Fullspeed' date='Sep 22 2005, 04:21 PM
miss active steering
[snapback]173699[/snapback]
[snapback]173732[/snapback]
[/quote]Kryptocat, wait for the 530d to come to the states. If you drive like I drive, you'll only save about 4mpg from your V8 (smaller motor works harder to get the mass moving).
#9
Members
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Florida
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2002 325i - SOLD
2006 525i - PCD in August '05
1999 CVPI - My work car
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Good review Fullspeed! I love my 06 525i, when I had it serviced a couple weeks ago they gave me a 2004 325i loaner. I thought they were supposed to give you a car the same class as yours? I was dissapointed but still happy I had a car! I had an 02 E46 before my E60 and boy did I miss my 525i that week!
#10
Contributors
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Sunny California
Posts: 651
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2005 545i with everything
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by Fullspeed' date='Sep 22 2005, 01:21 PM
? Also missed was active steering - I couldn't believe how much I had to crank the wheel at low speeds, made me feel like a bus driver.
[snapback]173699[/snapback]
![Tongue](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/tongue.gif)