sleeperz321

I am new to this forum an d i hope to provide as well as learnlots of valuable information.
My current BMW lease is coming to an end on my 2003 325CI and i was shopping for a new car and got an good quote on a 5 Series. I would like you opinions on this price and other questions i have.

2006 525i
Black Saphire Metalic
Black Leather

Premium Package
Steptronic Transmission
Navigation
Comfort Package (keyless entry)
Xenon Headlights
Park distance control


24 month lease
10,000 miles per year

0 Down except basic fees totaling to $1500

$550 Per month

Concerns:


I was considering the comfort seats but i sat in the floor model which had the standard seats and they were pretty comfortable, Is is worth the extra bucks though??

If they(comfort seats) are, would it pay to take out the premium package and just pay for leather seats alone?

How is the keyless entry, any problems or concerns?

IF there is somethign i missed please let me know

Also the saleman said i need to sighn by the 31st of this month and take delivery of the car by march 31 in order for this price to take effect. If there is a delay i am going to have to pay the rates at that time.

If i take delivery around march that would leave me with the last month on my current lease and i really dont want to eat that cost, the dealer said there is nothing he can do, is this true??

sleeperz321

Anyone???????????????????????????????????????/

Merv the Derv

Welcome to the forum Sleeperz321.

I don't live in the States so can't tell you whether its a good deal or not. It certainly would be in the UK!

tomwid

I think this is a fair deal. 10k miles a year is not much if you drive it daily, keep that in mind though.

Comfort seats are awesome, they (to me) are much more comfortable than the standard or sports seats. Is this car @ the dealer? If not, I would consider the Sport package and HUD after the Comfort Seats. Not too crazy about the comfort access, not worth it IMHO for 1k.

Also, the Premium package is a must IMHO. Don't forget xenons as well.

CVTBenhogan

The lease rates on the 530 can't be too bad??? I thought the money factor was .0014 with decent residuals. IMHO, too much performance is lost by not getting a 530i. Almost 1 sec slower 0-60? Another $100 per month or $650 total puts you in range.

No matter what, I'd highly suggest the sports package, and I'd kill in a heart beat the comfort access and NAV to get it. Heck, I'd kill everything (not people) to get the sports package including the prem package. The sports package gets the better handling, better seats, and awesome 18 wheels. NAV is cool but how often do you really need it? Keyless is nifty but hardly a must have unless your loading up.

Get a lease calculator and think hard.

Just a thought.


CVT Benhogan

dgjk

always willing to give my $.02.

Where do you live? Cold weather package should be considered.

Also, I got an xi, so there was no true sport package, but from what everyone here says that should almost be the first option - even above the premium package (which should be standard on a car in this price range anyway)

As far as 525 v 530 - I got a 530, but in test driving never really noticed a difference between the two..

Navigation also gives the voice commands - cool toy, but how often will it really be used?

The price sounds excellent - I was getting quotes of $560 for a 525xi with only premium package - the 530 was actaully only a $40/month upgrade

sleeperz321

thank you very much guys for all your suggestions

1. the navigation is a must for me, i tend to drive to far away places and feel like it will be used often.

2. i really like the comfort package, i think its a fun feature to have

3. What does teh sports package actually consist of?

4. Would it be wiser to just purchase leather seats rather than the premium package?

5. i have read mixed reviews on the comfort seats, what you duys think about them?

6. i am going tomorrow to test drive the car and look into teh 530 ( maybe if i take off an option here or there i can get away with the 530)

7. What are the diffrences between the 525 & 530 (large and minor cosmetic diffrences)


Thanks

CVTBenhogan

I can help with these.

2. Comfort access? Fun yes, apply $1K to the premium package instead.

3. The sports package consists of better supportive seats, 123 runflat 18's, active roll stabilization, sport suspension tuning, and shadowline window trim. Not to mentioned a 100% better looking car. It?s the best value for a package IMHO.

4. I think the premium package would be better than just leather seats. Grouped items tend to be a better bargain as a rule.

5. They are very nice and many here say awesome. I'm not getting them, as saving little $$ and prefer the look of the sports seats. If I drove longer distances, I would seriously consider them.

6. You will find that the 530 with the new engine feels much quicker than the 525. The older engines in the 525 and 530 might have been closer in hp. The main question is whether you want more performance or comfort. If you want comfort, maybe a 530 with NAV and premium package would suffice. Or a 530 with sports package and NAV. 06 sports package is less expensive as it no longer includes active steering.

7. Only the engine.


PS The MF for 36 months is .0014 for 530i and .0016 for the 525. Less interest cost in your lease payment going with the 530. Drive both cars back to back, and drive a non-sport and sport too. Remember, sometimes its better to bite off little more than your comfortable with as you'll have fewer regrets down the road.


CVT Benhogan

dgjk

Actually the main difference between the 525 and teh 530 is the engince, but there are a few other things

530 has
1. standrad lumbar supprt (Part of the premium package in the 525) - so the premium package on the 530 is slightly cheaper
2. Xenons are standrad on the 530
3. interior lighting package - not sure what this is becasue I never looked in the 525, but I think it is the tiny prange lights on the ceiling of the 530
4. There is one more small thing I am forgetting

This was the case when I ordered my 530 in Oct 05 - So I assume still true

As far as performance there have been many posts about this, but
05 motor 525=184hp 530=225hp (differenct size motors)
06 motor 525=215hp 530=255hp (same motor different intake)

but if you look at the 0-60 times of the 05 530 it was significantly quicker than the new 525 states - more than 10hp worth

Again I haave to agree - the sprots package in the BMW that you can get in the non xi seems to make the performance even better - though I can not confirm this with personal experience - I think it should be a must - and consider the active steering

I got a 530xi with only the premium package - due to my self stated budget, but I often wonder as I drive the speed limit if I would have been happier taking the $2800 difference and getign teh Nav and the HUD or someother options

CVTBenhogan

Ah, your right. Not a big deal, but agreed the 530 is quicker. One last thing, the mileage on the 530 is better too.