pennetta

Gas mileage depends on how you drive. My 525ia got worse gas mileage them my 545is, 19 vs 20mpg. I was much deeper into the gas pedal and shifted at higher rpm's with the 525. The 545is doesn't have to be pushed to go as fast.

Guest

My only regret is not having Bluetooth, DVD/TV viewing, MP3 play (should be fixed soon, I hope), HUD (ordered too early!) In-dash CD changer and Comfort seats.
I will pay double (or triple) the gas amount just to drive the 545 .

Rizbel

Ooops! Forgot to log-in.

tab545

The 545i with the manual gets nice mileage on the highway. My computer says 26 or 27 going 78 mph on cruise control in 6th; and 30 or 31 going 65 in 6th. That's pretty sweet for 325 horses.

Around town, I, too, tend to drive somewhat aggressively (for my own fun, not to anybody else's detriment, of course), and see mid-teens.

I agree that a 530 all loaded up with a sport package isn't that far from a 545 loaded sport. I seriously plan to keep mine forever, so I didn't want any regrets. (Despite this thinking, I did not take this to its insane but logical conclusion of waiting until next spring for an M5. But I have to say I have my wife secretly convinced of the coolness, and OK-ness, of my fascination, because she recently said she seriously thought I would dump my 545 next year, give it as a hand-me-down to her, and get the M5. I promise I won't. I promise....)

Jimbo

I went out looking at the 3 series and ended up with the 530. The 525 didn't have enough low end oomph. The 530 was just right. Plus the 545 with all the options I (my wife) wanted was not in my(our) budget at that time.

I have my wife driving it most of the time as she loves it. (as I wait for a couple of years talking up the M5....slowly....we'll see. Or maybe the new M3 or a used Dinan M3...mmmmm

The 530 is plenty fast with the steptronic in manual mode. On the street or the highway. I'm sure it would be as quick or quicker as 6 speed manual as well.

So it comes down to your budget, what options you want and whether you have the need for the big V8 torque.

Hartge530

A great dilemma that many of us would like to have! I think your decision should be made in accordance with your priorities. If fuel economy is a factor, then there is no doubt that you should go for the 530 (if possible, maybe wait for the valvetronic engine). However, if performance is your thing, then 545 may be the way to go. For me seeing as how I am constantly in stop-and-go traffic over here, I really had no choice but to go for a 530. I am completely satisfied with my selection but there are times when I wish I had the V8 OOOMPH! Good luck with your choice......

jamespratt

Beware of the residuals!!!

What Car magazine in the UK lists the 5 series models as all having a residual value of 60-61% after 3 years. Except.... the 545 which will only retain 47%.

The 545 seems pretty unpopular. Even the dealers here don't seem terribly complimentary about it, so my view is: If you want the logical decision, then don't go with a 545. If you intend to keep it for many years, then go with your heart.

Personal view is that a 530 has enough power/speed etc. for 99% of us for 99% of the time.

James

DaveR

Having owned both for several months each (4 on 530i, 3 on 545i), I have to say that 530 power is adequate, but to me really does need a manual tranny (I had step), there were enough times when I'd really wanted to have a bit more oomph -- this may have been me just switching out of a '01 530 stick (and having driven stick only for 10+ years). With the 545, there is just so much power that it really spoils you -- my second car that I drive 1 mile to the train station daily is a 2.0L Jetta wagon stick with 115hp, so I feel the difference on the daily basis).

545 is so rewarding to drive, that I'm almost happy those bastards got my 530 in the first place I upgraded to 545 because the lease came out to only about $80/month more (in the E39 days the difference used to be much bigger).

One other thing to keep in mind though is that 545 is more expensive to insure (~$500 more / year for me in NJ) as Liberty Mutual classified it as high performance sport sedan.

Thanks,
Dave

pennetta

The residual factor is important. I have not checked but will accept your numbers but not your reasoning.
Many more people can afford a new 530 vs. a 545. Many people aspiring to a 5 series, would buy a used 530. If you would buy used a 545 there is a strong tendancy to get a new 530 instead, so I think many people would get the 530. Also since they sell many more 530's than 545's to begin with there is always a bigger resale market for a 530.
People that would buy a new 545 generally won't consider getting a used one.
They 545 is a better car but, even new, they sell the smallest percentage of the 5 series 525/530/545. A 545 buyer does not care about saving a few hundred a year on car insurance or some money on gas either.
I remember posted here some months ago the average household income for a typical 530 buyer is $150,000 and $250,000 for a typical 545 buyer.
The average annual household income for buying a used 530 or a 545 is probably very close.

E60-530d-London

Dear Mr Attack

Do please take the advice of brother NorthernMonkey - diesel is the way of the future here in Europe where a humble gallon costs US$7 and change. The new 535d will match the driving experience of the 545 with comparable torque & power but cost much less to run in terms of gas consumption and residuals. I am kept awake at night wondering how to bambozle the wife into letting me upgrade the current wheels.