6spdMan

I lived in HKG for 9 years, on the peak and in the mid-levels. Trust me the 545i is nice to have. Even with the new N52 R6 3.0l, you're still going need to kick down a couple of gears before it really flies because the 6 sp steptronic is quite overgeared for low down response. The 4.4l's torque makes kick down uneccessary. Besides, what's HK$150,000 for the pleasure of owning all that on-demand grunt?

bene60

I'm from HK too and having fun with my 525i (new engine). I found that this is the best buy in HK as this is ONLY US$8300 expensive than 523i and US$14600 cheaper than the 530i. This is also the best selling 5er model in HK. With the saving I could buy a nice 2nd hand Mini for my girlfriend!

I am also living on the hill and having no problem with the power, but of course the more the better.

With the money you pay for 545i you can also consider 730i, the badge effect is even greater.

swajames

[/quote]
judging by the 330i data, the R6 car shouldn't be slower by more than a few tenths of a second in most performance metrics compared to the 545i.
[/quote]

I don't think so.

pennetta

I Drive it like I just stole it.

speedracerF4i

I on the other hand, drive like someone is trying to steal it.

pennetta

I on the other hand, drive like someone is trying to steal it.
[/quote]
I like your avatar, I have a Ninja ZX-1000R. I wish bikes had the SMG tranny.

UUronL

judging by the 330i data, the R6 car shouldn't be slower by more than a few tenths of a second in most performance metrics compared to the 545i.
[/quote]

I don't think so.
[/quote]


I guess it depends on who you trust. Car and Driver's times for a 6spd manual 545i were 0-60 in 5.5sec - quarter mile in 14.1. The 2006 330i they tested (which is only 24 lbs lighter than the 2006 530i with a manual and has worse gears than the 530i) did 0-60 in 5.6 - quarter mile in 14.3. I stand by the "few tenths" metric. The gap should widen at uber high speeds, or things like 0-100 or 0-120, but that's hardly stuff you can do in populated US cities.

alpineweiss

There's plenty of places in HK to stretch out the 545, in the NT areas. Also, if you look closely, many of the speed cameras in tunnels are just dummies. How does Happey Valley to Lok Ma Chau in 15 mins sound.. If you have the money for the 545, get it!

swajames

judging by the 330i data, the R6 car shouldn't be slower by more than a few tenths of a second in most performance metrics compared to the 545i.
[/quote]

I don't think so.
[/quote]


I guess it depends on who you trust. Car and Driver's times for a 6spd manual 545i were 0-60 in 5.5sec - quarter mile in 14.1. The 2006 330i they tested (which is only 24 lbs lighter than the 2006 530i with a manual and has worse gears than the 530i) did 0-60 in 5.6 - quarter mile in 14.3. I stand by the "few tenths" metric. The gap should widen at uber high speeds, or things like 0-100 or 0-120, but that's hardly stuff you can do in populated US cities.
[/quote]

I stand by my I don't buy it. BMW US are showing 6.6 (0 - 60) for the 2005 530 versus 5.8 for the 545 (both auto). BMW's official quotes are always on the conservative side as evidenced by countless road tests, and both cars will be quicker. A recent R&T tested a 545 AUTO at 5.2 0-60, and there are countless tests that place the 545 at 5.5 and under. I can't see the 06 530 making up that difference. BMWUSA is showing 6.3 for the auto 330i, so officially 3/10 quicker than the 5 which I assume must be down to gearing if the 24lbs weight difference is right. Either way - they're all pretty quick and we love 'em.

UUronL

I stand by my I don't buy it. BMW US are showing 6.6 (0 - 60) for the 2005 530 versus 5.8 for the 545 (both auto). BMW's official quotes are always on the conservative side as evidenced by countless road tests, and both cars will be quicker. A recent R&T tested a 545 AUTO at 5.2 0-60, and there are countless tests that place the 545 at 5.5 and under. I can't see the 06 530 making up that difference. BMWUSA is showing 6.3 for the auto 330i, so officially 3/10 quicker than the 5 which I assume must be down to gearing if the 24lbs weight difference is right. Either way - they're all pretty quick and we love 'em.
[/quote]


Come on, at least quote the manual/SMG figures for the 530i. 0-60 in 6.4. BMW USA has 6.1 for the manual 330i. It's close. I know that R&T did 5.2 on the 545i, but C&D does speed runs in both directions, averages them and corrects for barometric pressure, etc... In other words, they're not printing their fastest run but what is likely a more credible metric - especially for the purpose of comparisons like we're engaging in right now. Like I said, it's all about who you trust...

RE: Gearing, the 530i has a final drive ratio of 3.23:1 and identical individual gears compared to the 330i with a 3.15:1 final drive ratio. If anything, the 530i should be better than the 330i (as long as the larger fuel tank isn't full).

I agree they're all quick and the 545i is the best - I never said otherwise.