525d MSport

Go and test drive a 550i Msport and really confuse yourself - 27.4mpg on combined UK cycle, Vs 42.2mpg for the 535d Vs 22.8mpg for the M3.

Of course as the 535d is auto only you really can't compare with the M3...

If you could manage with a 2 door, you could go 335i coupe and save a packet! And then again they do do a 335i saloon...

Have fun deciding!

E60BEEMER

looks like the 535d is looking to be the best chioce my fellow member!!

535d better option

rsyed

i know money/running costs is not an issue here, but keep in mind, the USD is in the celler compared to the other currencies. crude oil is dealt in usd, so when the usd becomes stronger, price of gas is going to go up... because of that, and because of the shorter range (more frequent visits to the gas station), i would take a diesel...

GarryF

Went for the test drive and was simply blown away, the best fun I can remember having in a car for years the M-Drive button is great, there's various performance settings you can tie into the M-button on the steering wheel and this meant it drives like two different cars as and when you want it. On the Dual carriage way at 75 it was just as smooth a ride as my 530D yet press the M-button on a back road and the car came to life.

In my head I made a list of things I'd be loosing out on
1. Fuel economy
2. Auto box
3. Size

Then I convinced myself that I could live with all the above and placed an order for the M3 , I'll miss the E60 it was probably the best car I've ever owned but it was my first auto and never a car I just jumped into and went for a drive just "for fun"

Now if only I could have both.....

rxlee

Well done! I'm still very tempted too....

What lead time were you given on the new M3?

GarryF

On the coupe I think your in for a long wait, dealer said he'd had 5 so far since launch start of september and has 20+ on a waiting list. The 4 door is a different list though and hardly anyone knows about it so he thinks may/june at worst with it launching in March.

He could actually take the order on the bmw system with options etc even though the model builder isn't on the uk website yet for the 4 door, I think the only differences I noticed were fold down rear seats are option on 4 door and you get manual side blinds on rear windows, basically same differences between the normal coupe & saloon.

redwhiteblue

Not really sure why so many people say you wont be able to enjoy it much because of its high revving engine and the power peaking up high.

I have a 530i with a redline of 7k and peak power at 6800. I have a step and live in a city.

You simply have to adapt your driving style a bit if you want to keep your revs high driving. Obviously not in bumper to bumper but you just keep a lower gear with the tach needle nice and high at whatever speed your going and you have all your available power just waiting to unleash. Plus an engine designed to rev high is built to do that. Any kind of aggressive driving and the tach wont drop below 6k every shift so its not really "tough" to get the power because its not hard to keep the tach revving high-you simply drive in lower gears when you want power available.

Plus its got 420hp-not like the thing will be slow in any gear folks