My opinion for 545 v 530
12-07-2004, 01:53 PM
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My Ride: 2008 535i: June 6th start build, complete June 17th, at NY Port July 5th, at dealer July 10th, took delivery Friday July 13- Plantimum Bronze/Natural Brown Leather/Light Poplar, Sport Package, Sport Auto, Active Steering, Premium Package, CWP & PDC. Dinan Performance Software 384hp & 421 ft/lbs.
My 545is went in for service yesterday so I had a 530ia for two days as a loaner. My following opinion is independent of the additional dollars (or euro's for you over the pond guys) to buy a 545. But since this is a common question here is my opinion.
POWER-The power difference is tremendous everywhere and at every speed. As lame as I thought my 545's exhaust sounded, it is throatier than the 530.
SMG over Steptronic-I always manually shift my car with paddle shifters. I put the 530 in manual mode and shifted with the stick, I had it in sport mode and was surprised on how fast it did shift. It does kind of slurp into the next gear while the SMG gives you a direct mechanical link which feels connected, which I like much better.
Sport vs Non-Sport Pkg- I've had three 5 series cars and my 545 is the first with the sports pkg. The "non-sport" felt very "non-special", while I remember my previous BMW's were great handling cars, the sports package transcends the car into a very elite high performance level and a treat to drive.
I hope everyone's mind is made up now.
POWER-The power difference is tremendous everywhere and at every speed. As lame as I thought my 545's exhaust sounded, it is throatier than the 530.
SMG over Steptronic-I always manually shift my car with paddle shifters. I put the 530 in manual mode and shifted with the stick, I had it in sport mode and was surprised on how fast it did shift. It does kind of slurp into the next gear while the SMG gives you a direct mechanical link which feels connected, which I like much better.
Sport vs Non-Sport Pkg- I've had three 5 series cars and my 545 is the first with the sports pkg. The "non-sport" felt very "non-special", while I remember my previous BMW's were great handling cars, the sports package transcends the car into a very elite high performance level and a treat to drive.
I hope everyone's mind is made up now.
12-07-2004, 04:22 PM
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My Ride: 2005 525i, Logic 7, PDC. Prem Pkg, Cold Weather Pkg, Sirius, Automatic, Titanium Gray, Blk Leather
I'm working out a deal with Competition BMW. for an 525i
12-07-2004, 04:36 PM
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My Ride: 2009 550i sports, Nav, logic Best E60 yet
2004 545i, sports pkg, logic 7 steptronic, rear shade,orient blue with beige interior, blue tooth enabled Razer Phone. 2004 X5 3.0, sports pkg, stepronic, summer pkg. imola red.
2006 Mini Cooper S, manual, sports, prem pkg, nav and kitchen sink.
Originally Posted by pennetta' date='Dec 7 2004, 06:53 PM
My 545is went in for service yesterday so I had a 530ia for two days as a loaner. My following opinion is independent of the additional dollars (or euro's for you over the pond guys) to buy a 545. But since this is a common question here is my opinion.
POWER-The power difference is tremendous everywhere and at every speed. As lame as I thought my 545's exhaust sounded, it is throatier than the 530.
SMG over Steptronic-I always manually shift my car with paddle shifters. I put the 530 in manual mode and shifted with the stick, I had it in sport mode and was surprised on how fast it did shift. It does kind of slurp into the next gear while the SMG gives you a direct mechanical link which feels connected, which I like much better.
Sport vs Non-Sport Pkg- I've had three 5 series cars and my 545 is the first with the sports pkg. The "non-sport" felt very "non-special", while I remember my previous BMW's were great handling cars, the sports package transcends the car into a very elite high performance level and a treat to drive.
I hope everyone's mind is made up now.
POWER-The power difference is tremendous everywhere and at every speed. As lame as I thought my 545's exhaust sounded, it is throatier than the 530.
SMG over Steptronic-I always manually shift my car with paddle shifters. I put the 530 in manual mode and shifted with the stick, I had it in sport mode and was surprised on how fast it did shift. It does kind of slurp into the next gear while the SMG gives you a direct mechanical link which feels connected, which I like much better.
Sport vs Non-Sport Pkg- I've had three 5 series cars and my 545 is the first with the sports pkg. The "non-sport" felt very "non-special", while I remember my previous BMW's were great handling cars, the sports package transcends the car into a very elite high performance level and a treat to drive.
I hope everyone's mind is made up now.
[snapback]66267[/snapback]
12-08-2004, 03:35 AM
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My Ride: 2008 535i: June 6th start build, complete June 17th, at NY Port July 5th, at dealer July 10th, took delivery Friday July 13- Plantimum Bronze/Natural Brown Leather/Light Poplar, Sport Package, Sport Auto, Active Steering, Premium Package, CWP & PDC. Dinan Performance Software 384hp & 421 ft/lbs.
Originally Posted by evperry' date='Dec 7 2004, 08:05 PM
what dealer in Long Island gave you a 530 as a loaner?
[snapback]66351[/snapback]
12-08-2004, 03:54 AM
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Originally Posted by pennetta' date='Dec 7 2004, 04:53 PM
My 545is went in for service yesterday so I had a 530ia for two days as a loaner. My following opinion is independent of the additional dollars (or euro's for you over the pond guys) to buy a 545. But since this is a common question here is my opinion.
POWER-The power difference is tremendous everywhere and at every speed. As lame as I thought my 545's exhaust sounded, it is throatier than the 530.
SMG over Steptronic-I always manually shift my car with paddle shifters. I put the 530 in manual mode and shifted with the stick, I had it in sport mode and was surprised on how fast it did shift. It does kind of slurp into the next gear while the SMG gives you a direct mechanical link which feels connected, which I like much better.
Sport vs Non-Sport Pkg- I've had three 5 series cars and my 545 is the first with the sports pkg. The "non-sport" felt very "non-special", while I remember my previous BMW's were great handling cars, the sports package transcends the car into a very elite high performance level and a treat to drive.
Agree 100% on the V8 and sports package.? When I think about all the things you can spend $5K-$6K on in your life, the upgrade to the 545 with sports package has to be near the top.
I hope everyone's mind is made up now.
POWER-The power difference is tremendous everywhere and at every speed. As lame as I thought my 545's exhaust sounded, it is throatier than the 530.
SMG over Steptronic-I always manually shift my car with paddle shifters. I put the 530 in manual mode and shifted with the stick, I had it in sport mode and was surprised on how fast it did shift. It does kind of slurp into the next gear while the SMG gives you a direct mechanical link which feels connected, which I like much better.
Sport vs Non-Sport Pkg- I've had three 5 series cars and my 545 is the first with the sports pkg. The "non-sport" felt very "non-special", while I remember my previous BMW's were great handling cars, the sports package transcends the car into a very elite high performance level and a treat to drive.
Agree 100% on the V8 and sports package.? When I think about all the things you can spend $5K-$6K on in your life, the upgrade to the 545 with sports package has to be near the top.
I hope everyone's mind is made up now.
[snapback]66267[/snapback]
12-08-2004, 04:45 AM
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Originally Posted by Stevies3' date='Dec 7 2004, 08:22 PM
I'm working out a deal with Competition BMW. for an 525i
[snapback]66359[/snapback]
12-08-2004, 04:55 AM
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Originally Posted by Guest_BMWfan_*' date='Dec 8 2004, 08:45 AM
[quote name='Stevies3' date='Dec 7 2004, 08:22 PM']I'm working out a deal with Competition BMW. for an 525i
[snapback]66359[/snapback]
[snapback]66493[/snapback]
[/quote]Id recommend Hassel BMW to all on LI or in the NYC area, their service is great, the people are always friendly and accomodating, and they are one of the first dealers approved for the new BMW showroom, they have a $10million expansion going on right now to expand thier showroom and a brand new state of the art service center...They are always a 5 on my scale...
