New 525i
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From: Gloucestershire, UK
Originally Posted by Casper' post='529414' date='Feb 10 2008, 04:37 AM
Great looking car, how is the engine? Is the car too heavy for such a small engine? Is the acceleration acceptable? What is the rated HP? 160?
The 525i in the LCI model is a 218hp 3.0litre, so isn't underpowered at all. 0-60 is in 7.1 secs and top speed 154mph. Not a slouch in anyones book!
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From: Thousand Oaks, California
My Ride: 2008 550i Jet Black on Black Leather, SAT with Paddles, Logic 7, Comfort Seats, NAV, Sport Package, PDC, Xenons, Sirius, Trinity 12W LED Angel Eyes, RPi GT Exhaust, M rear spoiler, ACS Roof Spoiler, Tinted Tail Lights, Bimmian Carbon Fiber Pillar Trim, Bimmian Shadow 550i emblem, RPi Scoop, E60 Forum Cling, Mtec bulbs in fog lights, Mtec 2W LED for License Plate Light Bulbs, K&N Filter, Bimmian LED Smoked Side Markers, Blackout roundels, Carbon Fiber Kidney Grills.
Retired Rides - 1989 325i convertible, 1995 M3, 2002 X5, 2005 545i, 2008 X5 (Lemon)
Congrats on the car and welcome to the forum! 
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Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Melbourne, Australia
My Ride: 1996 525 M Sport
Silver Grey on Beige
Originally Posted by Chef' post='529458' date='Feb 10 2008, 06:47 AM
Yes, performance isn't exactly earth shattering. Just adequate is how you would describe it. Engine is rated as 160kW, just enough to keep up with traffic! But love the handling and general feeling of quality. I thought the ride would be hardsher with run-flats, but the sales lady said tyre technology has improved since the model was first released. Ride is fine. In Australia they also offer the 523i, which has 140kW. Now that would be sluggish!
My previous car was a Subaru Forester XT Turbo. The 525i acceleration is certainly a let down in comparison, but its fine for city driving.
My previous car was a Subaru Forester XT Turbo. The 525i acceleration is certainly a let down in comparison, but its fine for city driving.
I am surprised you find the car a bit sluggish, perhaps it will come alive with some more kms. I went from a 2006 Liberty GT into mine and the performance is not miles behind and the rest is of the car is in a different league. The car performs much better in DS (sport) mode around town and the fuel usage does not suffer much either - it will just feel much crisper and more responsive. I always drive in DS in sub 80k areas. I also have a sprint booster installed but DS was fine before I added that.
I had the interior protection done as mine is beige! I didn't worry about paint protection as I like to keep it well waxed. I ditched the runflats as they were awful on Melbourne?s crap roads but it was more to do with the 18?s and the MSport suspension as my colleagues 530 with standard suspension and 17?s and was much more compliant then mine.
Anyway enjoy and let me know if you have any questions.
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Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Melbourne
My Ride: MY08 525i, platinum grey, black dakota leather, black trim, sunroof, HUD, bluetooth, TV, phone, 70% tint
Originally Posted by poleposition' post='529653' date='Feb 10 2008, 05:44 PM
What is paint protection?
Paint protection is a seal coat which is applied to the paintwork. You never need to wax again as the car always has a nice lustre. Washing involves 1 x bucket of cold water and a micro fibre cloth - that's it. No need for detergents. Paint protection seals against the effects of bird shit, tree sap etc so they just wash off without eating into the paint work. I understand that there is also a sealant for the alloy wheels where the brake dust just hoses off. It currently takes me ages to clean the brake dust off the front wheels.
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From: Australia
My Ride: 2004 BMW 545i, M-Sport Bodykit, Sports Suspension, Sports Seats, Active Steering.
Originally Posted by UK 5 Series' post='529581' date='Feb 11 2008, 05:33 AM
The 525i in the LCI model is a 218hp 3.0litre, so isn't underpowered at all. 0-60 is in 7.1 secs and top speed 154mph. Not a slouch in anyones book!
BMW Australia Website
However, according to the UK BMW Website, the UK 525i SE has a 3.0 litre 6 with a power output 160kW/218 BHP.
BMW UK Website
Surely there must be an error with the engine capacity of the UK spec 525i.
Congrats on your new car. BMWs are my passion.
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From: Essex, UK
Originally Posted by stavros' post='529874' date='Feb 11 2008, 10:18 AM
Surely there must be an error with the engine capacity of the UK spec 525i.
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From: Melbourne
My Ride: MY08 525i, platinum grey, black dakota leather, black trim, sunroof, HUD, bluetooth, TV, phone, 70% tint
Originally Posted by colejl' post='530070' date='Feb 11 2008, 03:06 PM
Nope, the 525i and 530i (and 535i if it were available in the UK) are all 3 litre. As are the 525d, 530d and 535d...
525i Maximum Power: 160 kW / 218 bhp / 6500 rpm Maximum Torque: 250 Nm / 2750 rpm
523i Maximum Power: 140 kW / 190 bhp / 5900 rpm Maximum Torque: 230 Nm / 3250 rpm
Only the 530i is a 3.0 litre.
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From: Essex, UK
Originally Posted by Chef' post='530104' date='Feb 11 2008, 09:36 PM
Down here, both the 523i and 525i are 2.5 litres.
525i Maximum Power: 160 kW / 218 bhp / 6500 rpm Maximum Torque: 250 Nm / 2750 rpm
523i Maximum Power: 140 kW / 190 bhp / 5900 rpm Maximum Torque: 230 Nm / 3250 rpm
Only the 530i is a 3.0 litre.
525i Maximum Power: 160 kW / 218 bhp / 6500 rpm Maximum Torque: 250 Nm / 2750 rpm
523i Maximum Power: 140 kW / 190 bhp / 5900 rpm Maximum Torque: 230 Nm / 3250 rpm
Only the 530i is a 3.0 litre.
I suspect it's do to with local economics and legislation... The 3 litre engine is a little bit torquier than yours (+20Nm)
I also note that the 530d is way down on power (218hp), the UK model is now 235hp...
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From: Sweden, EU
My Ride: 07' 530d - M-Sport - Titanium Silver / Black Dakota leather
08' 120i - M-Sport - Alpine White III / Black Sensatec
Originally Posted by colejl' post='530117' date='Feb 11 2008, 11:00 PM
Interesting... Our 523i is 2.5 litre...
I suspect it's do to with local economics and legislation... The 3 litre engine is a little bit torquier than yours (+20Nm)
I also note that the 530d is way down on power (218hp), the UK model is now 235hp...
I suspect it's do to with local economics and legislation... The 3 litre engine is a little bit torquier than yours (+20Nm)
I also note that the 530d is way down on power (218hp), the UK model is now 235hp...