Second Test Drive, 530i vs. 545i - Still Undecided
12-04-2004, 10:57 PM
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My Ride: Soon to be 2005 5-series
Being still undecided, I went on Friday to do a second test drive between the 530i sports, premium vs. the equivalent 545i. Both automatics, driven in steptronic manual mode.
I drove the 530i first and acceleration was good, handling and overall driving was excellent. Better then my current 01 A6 2.7t.
Then, I drove an 04 545i since they didn't have an 05 on the lot. Same features and with sport suspension. Acceleration was much better, exhaust was very throaty but not loud. But the handling and balance of the car was not the same. It felt very heavy on the front end and wasn't as well balanced as the 530i. I felt like driving my Audi A6. I actually enjoy driving the 530i more but I obviously liked the acceleration of the 545i.
So, it came done to how much do I want to pay for this good acceleration as everything else was the same as far as options. The dealer said:
530i = $665/month, 36 months, 0 down, $1600 over invoice.
545i = $825/month, 36 months, 0 down, $2500 over invoice, since he didn't have any on the lot.
So, is it worth the extra $160 per month. Now I am thinking - NO.
What do you all think?
Leonard.
I drove the 530i first and acceleration was good, handling and overall driving was excellent. Better then my current 01 A6 2.7t.
Then, I drove an 04 545i since they didn't have an 05 on the lot. Same features and with sport suspension. Acceleration was much better, exhaust was very throaty but not loud. But the handling and balance of the car was not the same. It felt very heavy on the front end and wasn't as well balanced as the 530i. I felt like driving my Audi A6. I actually enjoy driving the 530i more but I obviously liked the acceleration of the 545i.
So, it came done to how much do I want to pay for this good acceleration as everything else was the same as far as options. The dealer said:
530i = $665/month, 36 months, 0 down, $1600 over invoice.
545i = $825/month, 36 months, 0 down, $2500 over invoice, since he didn't have any on the lot.
So, is it worth the extra $160 per month. Now I am thinking - NO.
What do you all think?
Leonard.
12-04-2004, 11:21 PM
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My Ride: 545iSMGSilver GrayAuburn Dakota LeatherLogic 7 Premium SoundSports Package
So extra $5760 total... thats about right for the difference... its really up to that nifty thing every 2 weeks that automatically inserts more money into that building with that huge steel room... does it insert enough into your account?? 
12-05-2004, 12:57 AM
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My Ride: 04 525i w/ sports and premium pakage, titanium silver, gray dakota leather w/ polar grain wood trim, steptronic
damn-ur gettng a gud deal...im payng my 525 $600+ $4000 down
.
12-05-2004, 05:25 AM
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My Ride: 2005 530i - Alpine white with auburn interior; tip, xenon, pdc, sirius, prem, cold weather, red reflectors and xpel.
I agree...go with the 530i. Its the car you enjoy driving. At this point, you have driven them twice & your still not convinced of needing more power. Why spend more money and not be totally happy. Just enjoy.
macct
macct
12-05-2004, 05:37 AM
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My Ride: 2005 545i 6-speed, Orient Blue, blk interior, sport pkg, cold weather pkg, navigation, bluetooth, Sirius. Euro Delivery 1/14/05
Get the 545. I have a 2002 530 that I really like, but I always wished I'd bought the v8. Now I'm upgrading to the v8. I hope to have this car for a very long time.
Check out the European Delivery. The cost savings is great and now BMW is giving you two free tickets to Munich until the end of March. I couldn't pass up the great deal.
Check out the European Delivery. The cost savings is great and now BMW is giving you two free tickets to Munich until the end of March. I couldn't pass up the great deal.
12-05-2004, 06:27 AM
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My Ride: 2008 550, Carbon Black Metallic, Natural Brown Dakota Leather, Sport Package, Sport Automatic Transmission, Cold Weather Package, Power Rear and Manual Side Sun Shades, etc.
Retired - 2004 545 SMG, Black Sapphire Metallic, Auburn Dakota Leather, Cold Weather and Sports Packages, Power Rear and Manual Side Sun Shades
I currently have the 545. Before this I had an E39 530 for 30 months. While the E39 and E60 are different cars, I think it is still a good comparison. The 530 is lighter and thus the handling will feel different. But, while different, I think the the 545, especially with the sport, is just as responsive. In other words, the feel is slightly differnt, but handling performance is the same.
On the other hand, there is no comparison as to power and acceleration. After driving the E39 530, and test driving both the E60 530 and 545, I chose the 545 and have not regretted it a bit, even when writing the larger check each month.
On the other hand, there is no comparison as to power and acceleration. After driving the E39 530, and test driving both the E60 530 and 545, I chose the 545 and have not regretted it a bit, even when writing the larger check each month.
12-05-2004, 06:53 AM
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My Ride: Now Driving a Freakin' Prius!
Was...
2004 545i | SMG | White/Black | Sport | NAV | Logic 7 | PDC | Fold-down Seats | Adaptive Headlights | Cold Weather Pkg | Clear-again Bra | Mud Flaps | Bluetooth | Coat Hangar | Aux Input | All Weather Mats | 18"X8.5" BBS RK w/ Michelin Pilot Alpin's (winter) | New steering rack @ 1.2K & 17K miles| Software V.19.1 | B&B Exhaust (vrrrroooooommm!) <---Click.
WELCOME!
I came from an '01 2.7T 6-speed Sport and now drive a 545i smg. I find that the 545i is not as heavy in the front and handles MUCH better. Overall it is a far better car to drive.
The 530 or the 545 will feel quicker that the 2.7T because of the low-end torque that is not found in the 2.7T.
If you prefer "sporty" driving and like the V8 rumble, then I'd lean toward the 545 for the extra $$.
If you are looking for a nice driving, well balanced car with sporty tendencies then save the $$ and enjoy a great car.
I came from an '01 2.7T 6-speed Sport and now drive a 545i smg. I find that the 545i is not as heavy in the front and handles MUCH better. Overall it is a far better car to drive.
The 530 or the 545 will feel quicker that the 2.7T because of the low-end torque that is not found in the 2.7T.
If you prefer "sporty" driving and like the V8 rumble, then I'd lean toward the 545 for the extra $$.
If you are looking for a nice driving, well balanced car with sporty tendencies then save the $$ and enjoy a great car.
12-05-2004, 12:21 PM
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I agree too, if you are still undecided go for the 530 and save a few bucks for upgrades. For me.... the second I pulled off the dealers lot I was sold. The 530 would never do once I knew the beast was out there.
12-05-2004, 12:31 PM
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Well for me the 545i was a no-brainer winner, but then I was coming from a 540i. I wasn't going to go backwards.
I suspect you'll enjoy the 545 a lot more but it will come with a hefty price tag. Are you ready to pay that? I asked that question with the M5 and decided the M5 will have to wait. Sure, I'd have more fun with an M5 (and I'd probably kill myself in the process) but that can wait another five years, or ten years or whatever. You can ask the same question with the 545 and decide you'll worry about it in three or five years or move on to something else altogether.
Peace.
I suspect you'll enjoy the 545 a lot more but it will come with a hefty price tag. Are you ready to pay that? I asked that question with the M5 and decided the M5 will have to wait. Sure, I'd have more fun with an M5 (and I'd probably kill myself in the process) but that can wait another five years, or ten years or whatever. You can ask the same question with the 545 and decide you'll worry about it in three or five years or move on to something else altogether.
Peace.