Is is just me? Or, is anyone else impressed with the 06 525i? I test drove one last night for the second time, and i was blown away by the power, pickup , and handling. I thought it was just as powerful as my buddy's 2004 530. I was going to go with a 2006 530, but now I may be going with the 525i. I can save $4500 with the same options. $4500 is $4500!

I am glad I went for a test drive last night. The 2006 525i is now a strong contender on my list!

 

Comparing to my 525 04..she is so sweeeeeeeeeeeeeet!..well..i am doing wrong comparing...the 06 has SPORT PKG..that explains why the 06 handles better

 

If the power is adequate for you, then it will be a wonderful car for you. And, you'll save enough for wheels and tires--if you want them.

 

it's not really $4500. The 530 has the Xenon's standard (about 900$ option), lumbar support standrad (which takes a few hundred off the preium package price), and the paint colors are all standrad (instead of 495 for the metallic paints) -
So the engine is really $3000 - depends upon options and colors

I think that I am becoming an encyclopedia of useless knowledge

BTW - I drove the 525 and 530 and really noticed minimal difference in performance - but I got the 530 anyway

 

Nice post. Yes, I thought the difference would only be about $3000 as well. But, for the same options, same colors, it was a $4500 difference between the 530i and 525i out the door price. The options are: sport, premium, automatic, navigation, xeons on the 525i. On the 530i, the options are: automatic, sport, premium, navigation, power shades. So, I need to deduct the $500 for the rear power shades, so it would be a $4000 actual difference OUT THE DOOR price. By the way, the price on the 525i was $1200 over invoice. I think it is a pretty good deal.

 

Yup thats cuz, I'm sure you already know, but thats cuz the MY04 530 had 225hp and the MY06 525 has 215 hp only a difference of 10hp and the MY06 has the new R6 engine which is newer and might even be smoother.

 

2006 525i is only 10HP less than 2004/2005 530i. So the performance difference is minimum.

BMW is always expensive but 06 525i is relatively a good value in 5 series IMHO.

 

It is not just you, but I would still go for the 530i.

$4500 will be reduced to maybe $2,500 when you trade your car to the new F10-model.

I got my new 525iA MY '05 (in US MY '06) practically free, since a
complained about my ol' E60 525iA, so I did not have an option...

 

It is not just you, but I would still go for the 530i.

$4500 will be reduced to maybe $2,500 when you trade your car to the new F10-model.

I got my new 525iA MY '05 (in US MY '06) practically free, since a
complained about my ol' E60 525iA, so I did not have an option...
[/quote]

I love mine. I find it has exceptional power. My only issue is that it quite often is slow to shift to first gear on a slow rolling stop, which affects the initial acceleration.

BTW, the price difference between the 525i and 530i in Canada is quite significant. If you add leather to the 525i (premium package), the MSRP is CDN$61,800. The MSRP for the 530i is $67,800. The only difference between the two that I can find is the engine and Adaptive Headlights. (The 525i in Canada has Xenon's as standard equipment).

There are some options that they don't offer on the 525i (Comfort Seats, HUD, M-Sport Package, Active Cruise Control, etc). IMHO, the only compelling reason to order a 530i over a 525i in Canada is if you want some of these extra goodies.

 

Honestly, I noticed a difference in power from the 525 and 530. I think 0- 60 they feel even, even though on paper, they have a second difference.

It was really it 2nd and third gear I felt the 525i didn't have the balls the 530 /545i had. This was an 06 530 and a 2005 545i.

and the passing power of the 525 isn't quite as intense as the 255 hp version. IS it worth the extra 4000...I don't know... the lease payment was only 20 dollars more a month for a 530.

Maybe if I was buying the 530, i would think differently, but 20 bucks times 36 months really isn't a big deal.

On the other hand, the 550 was 100 plus more a month, horrible lease deals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If leasing go 530...a no brainer