Some of us have bought 525's and 528's because we wanted the BMW handling without getting a gas hog. Some of us are more into the high end speed rather than the quick power burst. Either way, the well-trained driver can smoke a non-trained driver in just about any car. All E60's are top speed limited at the same speed (145MPH) while the M5 gets an extra 10 MPH.

 

I just went through the same debate over the 528i & 535i... I test drove both and got the 535i. About 2 years ago, I had driven the 525i & 530i and got the 525i... Back then the difference was not as noticeable (at least in my opinion).... But there is a significant difference between the 528i & 535i IMHO.

I never regretted getting the 2007 525i, but I know I would have always regretting it if I had gotten the 2009 528i... So, I decided that it was definitely worth the extra $$$ to get the 2009 535i.... AND I LOVE IT.

Hope this helps....

 

Corgidog in his 535 vs. Mario Andretti in a Ford Fiesta. I'll blow his doors off in a 0-60 run.

 

i was thinking 525XI more mileage, less weight toward the front, less trouble without turbo, save 6000 etc..

all because of you guys, i decided to go with 535XI, thanks all, you are very helpful
look at couple white with navigation now

i have some parts in my mind already
m-tech front, hartge lip and vmr v715 black wheels with polish lip

any recommandation are welcome and thanks

 

Sure, a few girl friends in the car with you and you are all set. =) gl with the buy

 

Are you ordering a new 2010 one? If so, I think you can order the M Sports package on the 535s.

 

I never had the 53'y always lease 52'y (525 and 528). Yes the 53's is a great machine but it depends on your style of driving. For me, the 528 is more than enough. Well, I am a conservative driver. If you are too, then you will understand.

If you are a Mario Andretti wannabe you better get your 53'y.

I am a Sunday driver who knows how to enjoy curves and soft bumps I hit on the roads while traveling. Like walking on the air if you know that style of driving. I bet you dont . It takes some art to understand it. That is why the 52'ys can provide that and very well. Hey your high performance 5' can do that too. Your problem is that you like to use yours as a racing machine. Nothing wrong with that

 

I have a 530xi and I love how seamless the awd system is. I'm definitely a big fan of xi. If I were to get anything rwd, it would have to have lsd which is only available on an M car. If your budget allows, just get a 525xi as a beater and a e46 m3 on the weekends. once I'm done paying off the 530xi, I'll keep it as beater and hopfeully I can get an M car or a 911.

 

I brought my 530 xi in to the dealership for a wheel (I bent & cracked it) replacement. Good thing I got the 5 year In-Tire Insurance plan. My loaner is a 20-10 535xi with 2000 miles on her. No Sport package. If it really matters. I have been standing on it to 6000 revs in 2nd through 4th and into 5th and 6th gears I cruise in lower rpms. I do like the way the motor grunts/groans in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gears when i get her up to higher Revs. I was doing up to 60 mph in 2nd. I am standing on her to see what she can do. The extra 45 hp does seem to rev higher, quicker, and well the proplusion / thrust if I may say is just a tick faster to me anyway compared to the 530. I know the 535 is faster than the 530, but a tick to me at this early of a running/try out (tick = 1 second) is hard to measure since both rides are so silky smooth and seamingly effortless. Now like everyone says here; if you can chip up the TT to 360 hp and get away with it on a CPO, then do it. If not then do the 550. Sorry I had to say. Ohhh I see I am running hard with 18.5 mpg on the 535. Running as hard on the 530; I get 21 mpg. What does the 550 burn? 535 does seem to make sense over the 550 if you can get away with chipping her. (You know i am talking about racing here). Most deffinately forget the 528. NO FUN!

 

Actually, with an ECU reflash that turns up the boost in the 535, you can easily get the motor up to over 400 bhp -- a number that you cannot achieve with the regular performance mods to the 550.

My 550, over 12K miles, has averaged 16.3 mpg. At meets, the mpg is about 10-11.