MaxBuck

OK, so I have my 545i sport back. (I need to take it back next week for a new phone module, but that's another story.) But I have some reflections on my non-sport 2005 530i that the dealership kindly loaned me. A very fine auto, but also a very different car, indeed, from my own.

1. I never felt at all threatened in traffic by the power available to me, but there was very little "thrill" on tap from the abilities of the motor.

2. Handling was just OK in my judgment. Responsiveness was good, but the handling limits are very far short of the sport package. Again, very little "thrill" in my view.

3. I really missed Active Steering. AS is unobtrusive at high speeds, but it really makes parking a breeze; low-speed maneuverability is the real forte of this option. I would never pass it up when buying a new Bimmer if it were available.

4. This car had few options, but the one I missed the most (aside from those mentioned above) was satellite radio. With only AM, FM, and weather band I was jonesin' for some Sirius jazz!

Bottom line for me was, had the V8 not been available, or if the sport package not been available, I would not be driving a BMW right now; probably would have ended up with the Acura RL or the Caddy STS. With that being said, the 545i is (for me) the ultimate driving machine. I have a refreshed appreciation for that now!

mullman

It is all in the perspective I guess.

I came from a 2000 540i6 (V8) to a 2007 530i6.
Even after taking a 330i6 & 550i6 home for a weekend test drive I choose the 530.

All cars manual w/ sports packages (as God intended) of course which I know make a difference.