535i(3.0L I6 + TT, est 300hp)

 

Taking a balance between up-front cost, likely running costs and performance, I would have to say the 535i - for me the attraction of the Turbo charged unit is the difference in the way Torque is produced over the NA unit - I love 'big' Diesels for exactly this reason; when you munch a lot of long distance miles, Torque is a far better companion than bhp (obviously accepting you can never have one without the other)........lots of Torque gives for a more relaxed drive (when you want it of course!!!!) If the 3 litre petrol unit performs the same way as the 3 litre diesel unit it will be an excellent long term ownership prospect - IMHO of course.

 

It's a pity that BMW limits your choices!

Lou

 

Why would one choose that underpowered embarrassment to E60 family over 535? Anything less than 535i/d is just inadequate in US. Most mid-priced cars have now 250+ bhp and finally BMW too has a decently powered 6-cyl in US.

My choice would be for sure - M5.

 

For US I would say 535i/d, 550 (needs 40 more hp) and M5 (would like to see 50 more hp here) are enough. E60 is too big, heavy and expensive to have underpowered engines.

 

You need to pic the one that you can comfortably afford. Of course, most of people would pick M5 if money is not a subject.

 

M5 6-speed.

 

Why??? You have a 55mph speed limit! I have a 520D which has plenty of power for everyday driving either in town or on long runs. It's time the US market matured and realised you don't need as much power in all your cars. If petrol was $2 a litre (as it is here) I'm sure you'd have a different view.

The 520i/D brings the E60 to a whole new market. I could not afford a bigger engine, so I for one am glad it's available.

 

I answered this question many times. In Europe most cars on the road have much smaller engines with less power than cars in US. You may feel just fine driving 520 in UK. In US the most common engine now is 3.5 liter V6 (Toyota Camry/Avalon, Nissan Altima/Maxima, Infiniti G/M, Acura TL-S, Lexus IS/GS/ES and so on and so on). All of them have 250-300 bhp and are much cheaper that E60. With a car like 520 I would feel very uncomfortable in US. BTW the speed limits and top speed are relevant when talking about rather underpowered cars. With more power you talk acceleration numbers not speed. I have no idea what the unrestricted top speed of my 550 would be (175mph?) but I am very well aware that it is not quicker that Lexus IS350 ($40K car) and it makes me want more power. 400 bhp would be about right. I do agree though that if fuel prices in US one day become $8 per gallon we will all be driving diesel or electric cars.

 

Price is no object: M5
M5 is too expensive: 550i (in non-US models Euro 540i)
Reasonaly priced: Euro-spec LCI 530i (272hp NA) - not in the list
Reasonably priced from US MY 2008: nothing, would buy Audi A6 instead. No, I don't want turbo.
Ideal car: 540xi (does not exist).