Anymore advise?? Getting closer......

 

Yes, buy my car
Don't have all the options that you are looking for, but close. BTW, Hamann rear spoiler has been added since I posted it for sale. I think the next mod will be rear bumper with carbon fiber diffuser...Don't ask me why if I am going to sell the car, just can't resist looking at all the mods posted by other members

 

I would highly suggest the 545 or 06-07 530. I recently drove an 05 530 with the 225 hp and it was a complete slug compared to my 07 with 258. You would not think 35 hp would make a huge difference but it does-enough so that I would never buy a 225 hp car. The 258 is enough power to have fun with especially if you primarly want good gas milage for the trips you speak of.

If you want to have even more fun go for the 545 but you will suffer a bit of gas milage and warranty will be gone which means costly repairs. I would pick up an 06 530i-you will get good power for the fun aspect, great gas milage for trips and warranty for all those expensive bimmer repairs. Especially if it will be more a family car you will not need the power of a 545 believe me the 530 is plenty.

 

hard to find a loaded up 530 compared to the 545.

BUT, I woudl still get the 530 in your case. The engine is better smooth, plrenty power when rev'd up, and has AMAZING MPG. I get 33mpg on the higway in my e90 330i (cruise set at 75-80)

 

I just bought an 04 545 with SMG and sports. I drove plenty of E60's in the process of making my purchas and they all drive and handle great. You can not beat the extra power you get from the 545. If you are driving on roads with minimul traffic the MPG is close and once you get on the open road the difference is even less. The problem is stop and go traffic. The kind that you only move 10' before you stop again. This is were the fuel consuption is much graeter in the 545. But you can't beet the 325hp and the bucket full of torque!!!!!!

You will also generally get more options in a 545. Most of the 530 I tested lacked the Logic 7, SMG, Sports, 18" rims ect.....

 

Indeed. Like I said in a different thread, I was looking at the 530i exclusively, and just happened to have a chance to drive the 545i. I knew within the first few minutes that I could never drive a 530i knowing that I could've had a 545i for not that much more. This is not to say the 530i is a bad car - it isn't!! I just know myself. It would always stick in the back of my mind and taunt me!

That said, I chose the 545i. I am very happy.