Which E60 would you pick?
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 215
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From: Seattle, WA
My Ride: 2007 530xi
Originally Posted by SergeyM' post='402647' date='Mar 14 2007, 09:12 AM
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.
I think it is a cultural thing: I must have bigger one, whatever it is: house, TV, car, dinner... People in US compare how much horsepower car has. No one compares how it drives. Do you think 240hp '98 M3 is less pleasant to drive than 300hp Infiniti GS? I don't think so. Did roads change since 98? Speed limit was abolished? No. BUT IT HAS LESS HP THAN HONDA ACCORD!!! And that is all that matters - mine MUST be bigger than YOURS.
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,180
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From: Oxfordshire, UK
My Ride: E61 535d Apr 05. UK spec + Media Pack, Luxury Pack & Visibility Pack
Just to add to the slightly off-topic diatribe. The question is whether power is really so important - even in the US? A Rolls Royce or a Bentley (saloon/sedan) - true luxury cars, both - have comparable power-to-weight ratios to top (or possibly even mid-line) BMW, and therefore by implication below "cheap" cars. Yet they have a market. Because they are not simply selling straight line performance.
To me, BMW is not selling straight line performance either, which is why I find Sergey's argument a little specious.
Personal vote: LCI 535d, or 535i if I have to stick to what's available in the US right now.
To me, BMW is not selling straight line performance either, which is why I find Sergey's argument a little specious.
Personal vote: LCI 535d, or 535i if I have to stick to what's available in the US right now.
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,186
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From: UK
My Ride: Jan 2006 E63 650i Sport
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Options:
Sport version (includes: sport-seats, sport-suspension, M-Sport steering wheel, Anthracite headliner, Shaddow Line), Saphire Black, Black Dakota Leather, Anthracite Maple Wood trim, Steptronic Auto, Xenons, NAV-Professional with Voice Control, TV, CD-Changer, Bluetooth, Logic7, Head-up Display, Comfort Access, Seat Heating front, Auto Dimming & Folding Mirrors, Extended Auto Air Conditioning, PDC.
.
Mods:
Spacers 5mm front & 15mm rear
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Wheels:
20" Alpina Softline (Classic) with Dunlop Sport Maxx non-RFT (255/35/20 & 285/30/20)
Black M5 with Full Merino Individual Leather and all the toys!
Now just need those Lottery numbers to roll in...
(The more practical / realistic answer if buying privately would most likely be a 530d M-Sport)
Now just need those Lottery numbers to roll in...
(The more practical / realistic answer if buying privately would most likely be a 530d M-Sport)
Members
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 197
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From: The Netherlands
My Ride: '12 BMW 520d Touring
As I'm a student, I also need to take costs of the car into account. Because buying a car is one thing, maintaining it, fueling it etc. also takes up quite some money (varying on engine size). I do not drive that much, that it would justify the costs to buy a diesel car.
So I would take the face-lift 523i (190hp):
- Saphire-black;
- Styling 124 rims;
- Dakota Beige leather;
- Pappel Maser Braun trims;
- Comfort seats;
- Xenon headlights;
- and maybe a few other small options;
That would all that I wish for at the moment, if I can get my hands on such a car I would be really happy.
Dream car? BMW 550i with the M-sport package (M5 is also really nice, but I'm too lazy to gas her up every other day).
So I would take the face-lift 523i (190hp):
- Saphire-black;
- Styling 124 rims;
- Dakota Beige leather;
- Pappel Maser Braun trims;
- Comfort seats;
- Xenon headlights;
- and maybe a few other small options;
That would all that I wish for at the moment, if I can get my hands on such a car I would be really happy.
Dream car? BMW 550i with the M-sport package (M5 is also really nice, but I'm too lazy to gas her up every other day).
Members
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 182
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From: Staffordshire, UK
My Ride: 545i SE Oct 03 (53 plate) 19" Alpina Classic rims
I would say that my second choice would be a 535i - Easy to increase the power and fuel consumption not massively worse than the diesel.
However, my 1st choice would have to be the M5 - But worried about that depreciation
However, my 1st choice would have to be the M5 - But worried about that depreciation
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 978
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From: Chicago
My Ride: 2006 BMW 550i "Ben Hogan's 5 Iron"
SilverGrey/Black Sport, L7, NAV, CW, AS, Split FR
2003 Audi A4 3.0 CVT "Part of the Moniker"
Silver/Ebony, Prem, CW, Star 17s
Your list is pointless in that who wants to revert to the older variants. Romantic memories? Um, I really liked that underpowered 525 back in 04 and its fuel economy has a decided advantage over the V8 models. Just poking alittle fun here.
For USers the only versions to consider are:
M5(5.0L V10, 507hp)
550i(4.8L V8, 360hp)
535i(3.0L I6 + TT, est 300hp)
I'd probably still go for the 550 with M-sport suspension. The 535 is best new deal. A 545 is the best used deal. The M5 is for, um, the elites.
CVT Benhogan
For USers the only versions to consider are:
M5(5.0L V10, 507hp)
550i(4.8L V8, 360hp)
535i(3.0L I6 + TT, est 300hp)
I'd probably still go for the 550 with M-sport suspension. The 535 is best new deal. A 545 is the best used deal. The M5 is for, um, the elites.
CVT Benhogan
Members
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 227
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From: Warfield, Bracknell, Berkshire UK
My Ride: F11 520d white, auto, professional sat-nav with internet, variable damper control, sports steering wheel, extended lighting, retractable tow bar, wing mirrors with dimming & folding, full electric seats with memory & lumber adjustment, etc.
The debate unless purely considering the M5 is redundant. The US does not have the option of diesel powered cars so cannot reasonably comment on them. Likewise whilst we do have the option of petrol powered cars the majority bought are now diesels as performance for a given engine size is similar whereas economy is not.
Whilst we all aspire to the M5 I cannot say Im unhappy with the 530D its plenty powerful enough for everyday real world driving and kinder to the environment.
Be interesting however for BMW to bring out an M5 diesel powered car as at present JCB hold the diesel speed record!
Whilst we all aspire to the M5 I cannot say Im unhappy with the 530D its plenty powerful enough for everyday real world driving and kinder to the environment.
Be interesting however for BMW to bring out an M5 diesel powered car as at present JCB hold the diesel speed record!
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7
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From: Westchester NY
I would pick a 530xi Wagon, Black Sapphire w/ Auburn Leather, medium window tint. Oh, wait, that's what I have. Strange poll, if I wanted something else, I would have bought it.
And yes, I know that I have a problem, and yes, I do realize that I need professional help, but as Popeye said, "I am's who I am's, and that's all that I am's". I will now slink back to the forum for "my kind of people".
And yes, I know that I have a problem, and yes, I do realize that I need professional help, but as Popeye said, "I am's who I am's, and that's all that I am's". I will now slink back to the forum for "my kind of people".
Thread Starter
Members
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 105
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From: S.CA, U.S.A.
Originally Posted by CVTBenhogan' post='402830' date='Mar 14 2007, 05:41 PM
Your list is pointless in that who wants to revert to the older variants. Romantic memories? Um, I really liked that underpowered 525 back in 04 and its fuel economy has a decided advantage over the V8 models. Just poking alittle fun here.
For USers the only versions to consider are:
M5(5.0L V10, 507hp)
550i(4.8L V8, 360hp)
535i(3.0L I6 + TT, est 300hp)
I'd probably still go for the 550 with M-sport suspension. The 535 is best new deal. A 545 is the best used deal. The M5 is for, um, the elites.
CVT Benhogan
For USers the only versions to consider are:
M5(5.0L V10, 507hp)
550i(4.8L V8, 360hp)
535i(3.0L I6 + TT, est 300hp)
I'd probably still go for the 550 with M-sport suspension. The 535 is best new deal. A 545 is the best used deal. The M5 is for, um, the elites.
CVT Benhogan
