LCI 528i Drivers!
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Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Seoul via Singapore and Vancouver
My Ride: 2014 530d XDrive M Sport
Those of you who own/drive the LCI 528i, your opinions/thoughts on your car, engine power wise would be appreciated.
I have a 528i M Sport on order in Korea, and I am contemplating on changing the order to a LCI 530i M Sport with the same options (options are listed on my sig below). If I do change the order, the upgrade in the engine would cost the equivalent of US$9000 more. This would be for a gain of 40 bhp and an increase in torque of 32 lb/ft.
Like all 5 Series, I know the 528i handles very well, but what I need to know is if the standard 230 bhp and 200 lb/ft is enough to put a smile on your faces when you press the accelerator.
Or if I should spend the extra US$9000 for the power increase. Your input would be greatly appreciated! 
The 535i is not available in my market (Korea). The models available are: 520i, 528i, 528i M Sport, 530i, 550i (double the price of a 528i), and the mighty M5 (almost 3 times the price of a 528i).
I have a 528i M Sport on order in Korea, and I am contemplating on changing the order to a LCI 530i M Sport with the same options (options are listed on my sig below). If I do change the order, the upgrade in the engine would cost the equivalent of US$9000 more. This would be for a gain of 40 bhp and an increase in torque of 32 lb/ft.
Like all 5 Series, I know the 528i handles very well, but what I need to know is if the standard 230 bhp and 200 lb/ft is enough to put a smile on your faces when you press the accelerator.
Or if I should spend the extra US$9000 for the power increase. Your input would be greatly appreciated! The 535i is not available in my market (Korea). The models available are: 520i, 528i, 528i M Sport, 530i, 550i (double the price of a 528i), and the mighty M5 (almost 3 times the price of a 528i).
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Abbotsford
Originally Posted by seoulman' post='654749' date='Aug 26 2008, 01:25 PM
Those of you who own/drive the LCI 528i, your opinions/thoughts on your car, engine power wise would be appreciated.
I have a 528i M Sport on order in Korea, and I am contemplating on changing the order to a LCI 530i M Sport with the same options (options are listed on my sig below). If I do change the order, the upgrade in the engine would cost the equivalent of US$9000 more. This would be for a gain of 40 bhp and an increase in torque of 32 lb/ft.
Like all 5 Series, I know the 528i handles very well, but what I need to know is if the standard 230 bhp and 200 lb/ft is enough to put a smile on your faces when you press the accelerator. Or if I should spend the extra US$9000 for the power increase. Your input would be greatly appreciated!
I have a 528i M Sport on order in Korea, and I am contemplating on changing the order to a LCI 530i M Sport with the same options (options are listed on my sig below). If I do change the order, the upgrade in the engine would cost the equivalent of US$9000 more. This would be for a gain of 40 bhp and an increase in torque of 32 lb/ft.
Like all 5 Series, I know the 528i handles very well, but what I need to know is if the standard 230 bhp and 200 lb/ft is enough to put a smile on your faces when you press the accelerator.
Or if I should spend the extra US$9000 for the power increase. Your input would be greatly appreciated! I test drove the 528xi, its way too slow in my opinion so i got 535 model
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From: Seoul via Singapore and Vancouver
My Ride: 2014 530d XDrive M Sport
Originally Posted by gs_535xi' post='654826' date='Aug 27 2008, 04:57 AM
I test drove the 528xi, its way too slow in my opinion so i got 535 model
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From: Seoul via Singapore and Vancouver
My Ride: 2014 530d XDrive M Sport
I don't think the hp numbers are as important has the torque figures. The 530 may have 40 hp on the 528, but only 32 lb/ft of more torque. 32 lb/ft isn't a gargantuan difference, like the jump between say a 528 and 535 (which isn't available where I live) which has 300 lb/ft, a 100 lb/ft difference. I guess that's why the difference in 0-100kph (0-62mph) between the 528 and 530 isn't huge. It's like 0.5 or 0.6 second difference. Do you think the extra US$9k worth that?
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From: St. Louis Burbs, USA
My Ride: 2007 530i. Purchased 6/28/07. Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Dark Poplar Trim, Steptronic, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, Bluetooth, Adaptive Control Xenons. 10/30/07 Added OEM 124s with 245/40/18 & 275/35/18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. Installed red Cal Covers� from BavAuto. 11/21/07 Added OEM all-weather floor mats (for winter, carpet in summer) and coat rack. 6/26/08 installed M5-style rear spoiler. 6/30/08 put on red reflectors. 8/22/08 Euro turn signal stickers applied. 3/20/09 Installed Shadowline Trim. 3/27/09 Added Matte Black Kidney Grilles from Trinity. 4/03/09 Installed Bimmian Shadow Matte Black 530i Badges. 4/04/09 Installed LED license plate lights from Trinity. 5/01/09 Installed Brabus Interior LED Kit and White Angel Eyes. 5/02/09 Put in Brabus 6K Fogs. 5/14/09 Removed charcoal filter. 5/15/09 Installed light smoke LED side marker lamps from Trinity. 5/21/09 Sprint Booster. 6/12/09 Painted exhaust tips flat black. 6/13/09 Pulled red Cal Covers and painted calipers low gloss black. 6/27/09 RPI Ram Air Scoop from Trinity. 8/15/09 Installed Brabus's silver invisibulbs front and rear. 9/24/09 Installed R-Dash license plate LEDs from Brabaus (John).
Originally Posted by seoulman' post='654870' date='Aug 26 2008, 03:51 PM
I don't think the hp numbers are as important has the torque figures. The 530 may have 40 hp on the 528, but only 32 lb/ft of more torque. 32 lb/ft isn't a gargantuan like the jump between say a 528 and 535 (which isn't available where I live) which has 300 lb/ft, a 100 lb/ft difference. I guess that's why the difference in 0-100kph (0-62mph) isn't huge. It's like 0.5 or 0.6 second difference. Do you think the extra US$8k worth that?
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,998
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From: St. Louis Burbs, USA
My Ride: 2007 530i. Purchased 6/28/07. Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Dark Poplar Trim, Steptronic, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, Bluetooth, Adaptive Control Xenons. 10/30/07 Added OEM 124s with 245/40/18 & 275/35/18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. Installed red Cal Covers� from BavAuto. 11/21/07 Added OEM all-weather floor mats (for winter, carpet in summer) and coat rack. 6/26/08 installed M5-style rear spoiler. 6/30/08 put on red reflectors. 8/22/08 Euro turn signal stickers applied. 3/20/09 Installed Shadowline Trim. 3/27/09 Added Matte Black Kidney Grilles from Trinity. 4/03/09 Installed Bimmian Shadow Matte Black 530i Badges. 4/04/09 Installed LED license plate lights from Trinity. 5/01/09 Installed Brabus Interior LED Kit and White Angel Eyes. 5/02/09 Put in Brabus 6K Fogs. 5/14/09 Removed charcoal filter. 5/15/09 Installed light smoke LED side marker lamps from Trinity. 5/21/09 Sprint Booster. 6/12/09 Painted exhaust tips flat black. 6/13/09 Pulled red Cal Covers and painted calipers low gloss black. 6/27/09 RPI Ram Air Scoop from Trinity. 8/15/09 Installed Brabus's silver invisibulbs front and rear. 9/24/09 Installed R-Dash license plate LEDs from Brabaus (John).
Originally Posted by seoulman' post='654874' date='Aug 26 2008, 03:56 PM
Short and sweet answer. I like that!
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From: Seoul via Singapore and Vancouver
My Ride: 2014 530d XDrive M Sport
Originally Posted by CWS530' post='654881' date='Aug 27 2008, 06:07 AM
That's like $1500 per tenth of a second. Besides, who's going to notice 1/2 a second under normal driving conditions? Just doesn't make sense to me. If later you develop the need for speed, there always will be mods to give you more kick. I can think of a lot better things to drop $8K on for sure.
in me says, "Order the 530! It has 40 more hp and there are mods available for it right now!" 
I'm sure in the end common sense will prevail, but I want to get a consensus to make me feel better about my more 'sensible' purchase!
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From: Enschede, Holland
Strange that they only have 528i and 530i, and then M5 over there. It'd be more logical to have a model between 530i and M5...
Personally I wouldn't spend $9K for a 530i over a 528i, sounds like a lot of money for only a couple of extra HP. Both are sweet I6's, so you'll enjoy them.
Good luck with your choice.
Personally I wouldn't spend $9K for a 530i over a 528i, sounds like a lot of money for only a couple of extra HP. Both are sweet I6's, so you'll enjoy them.
Good luck with your choice.