What makes you pick 5 instead of 3
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 347
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From: Proud citizen of THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and MORGANTOWN, W.V.
My Ride: '05 530i, Premium, Steptronic, Logic7, Silver grey-black leather. Build date 12/7/04.
I am truely fortunate to have both. I much prefer the Five. You know, even here in North and Central West By God Virginia I seem to see Five series cars everywhere.
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 50
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From: Tampa Bay
My Ride: 530i Monaco Blue/Auburn/Poplar/6MT/Prem Pkg/Sport Pkg/Prem Sound/Act Steering/Nav/Comf Seats/ Folding Rear Seat/HUD
I was close to buying the E90, but....
1) The 5er is just a damn good looking car. Far better looing from all angles; Rear, Front and Side (in that order.)
2) It's far roomier inside and provides a much larger trunk.
3) For 330 vs. 530, same engine with only about 70lb. weight differential.
Gosh I love this car. 8 months of ownership, 6 months of driving (2 months in transit after ED. :thumbsdown: ) and 20,000 miles on the car already. Absolutely the best car I've ever owned.
1) The 5er is just a damn good looking car. Far better looing from all angles; Rear, Front and Side (in that order.)
2) It's far roomier inside and provides a much larger trunk.
3) For 330 vs. 530, same engine with only about 70lb. weight differential.
Gosh I love this car. 8 months of ownership, 6 months of driving (2 months in transit after ED. :thumbsdown: ) and 20,000 miles on the car already. Absolutely the best car I've ever owned.
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,102
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From: Northern NJ, USA
My Ride: 2011 M3 Convertible, Alpine White/black, 6 speed
2011 535xi Tasmin Green, Venetian Beige
Originally Posted by Merv the Derv' post='302595' date='Jun 24 2006, 07:21 PM
3 series IMHO is just so low rent compared to 5 series.....probably same difference between 5 and 7 series.
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 1
From: L.A., California
My Ride: 2013 535i (White with Oyster Interior. Premium Package, Navigation, Technology Pacakge, Park Distance Control, and Rear View Camera)
3 series is too small for my age. When I am 40, I want something like 7 series.
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5
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New guy here. First post.
I haven't actually picked a 5 over a 3 yet. I'm at least 13 months away from buying. I used to be dead set on an E90. Then, today I drove both the E90 and the E60 at a Susan G. Komen Ultimate Drive for the Cure in Bloomfield Hills, MI.
I drove the E60 530i and 550i, the E61 530xi (I think), the E90 330i with sport package and 330xi, and the E61 325xi. I was very surprised that the E60 530i and E61 530xi felt so peppy. The E90/E91 didn't really feel as peppy. I don't know why. This is, of course, all subjective. I just liked the E60s better for the way they responded. I don't know why, but the E90/E91s all felt sort of sluggish while the E60/61s were on the attack. Unfortunately, I did get stuck behind some slower traffic in the 3s, but I did get a chance to floor them every now and then. I still liked the 5s better.
My favorite car all day was the 550i, followed by the Z4 3.0si and the 650i convertible. I don't know what it was with that 550i. Maybe, the difference was active roll stabilization. It just seemed to have an overall more aggressive feel to it.
Of course, there is the matter of the 550's 360hp vs. the 330's 255hp, but the thing that really won me over was the way the car just stayed flatter than the 3. I don't know why, but it felt more agile to me. I could be totally wrong when one looks at objective measures, but, man, the 550 just felt a lot more like what I want of a car.
We'll see what happens when the 335i and M3 come out. I will probably like those better than the 330s/325 I drove today, but I just can't get that 550i, the Z4 3.0si, and the 650i out of my mind.
I haven't actually picked a 5 over a 3 yet. I'm at least 13 months away from buying. I used to be dead set on an E90. Then, today I drove both the E90 and the E60 at a Susan G. Komen Ultimate Drive for the Cure in Bloomfield Hills, MI.
I drove the E60 530i and 550i, the E61 530xi (I think), the E90 330i with sport package and 330xi, and the E61 325xi. I was very surprised that the E60 530i and E61 530xi felt so peppy. The E90/E91 didn't really feel as peppy. I don't know why. This is, of course, all subjective. I just liked the E60s better for the way they responded. I don't know why, but the E90/E91s all felt sort of sluggish while the E60/61s were on the attack. Unfortunately, I did get stuck behind some slower traffic in the 3s, but I did get a chance to floor them every now and then. I still liked the 5s better.
My favorite car all day was the 550i, followed by the Z4 3.0si and the 650i convertible. I don't know what it was with that 550i. Maybe, the difference was active roll stabilization. It just seemed to have an overall more aggressive feel to it.
Of course, there is the matter of the 550's 360hp vs. the 330's 255hp, but the thing that really won me over was the way the car just stayed flatter than the 3. I don't know why, but it felt more agile to me. I could be totally wrong when one looks at objective measures, but, man, the 550 just felt a lot more like what I want of a car.We'll see what happens when the 335i and M3 come out. I will probably like those better than the 330s/325 I drove today, but I just can't get that 550i, the Z4 3.0si, and the 650i out of my mind.
Members
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9
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From: Chicago,IL
My Ride: 2007 525xi (Ordered 4/10, delivery 5/31)
Premium, auto, cold weather, folding rear seats
Size does matter... That's why I'm in a 5 series now upgrading from a 2002 3 series. Just not enough room (leg and head room) especially in the back seat on the 3 series. I can now drive 5 normal size people in my new car (4 abnormal). The 5 series also has a smoother and more comfortable ride. 
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 332
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From: Singapore
My Ride: Black 520i, Black leather interior, Active Steering, DSC, PDC, Ornamental grille, Audio Aux Input
Originally Posted by kkte' post='302407' date='Jun 24 2006, 02:16 AM
what makes you pick 5 instead of 3? 
the 3 has a "small car feel"
bumping around too much on uneven roads
not so well composed as the 5
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,298
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From: Winter Park, FL
My Ride: 2005 545i (SMG)
Titanium Gray
Black Interior, Anthracite Trim
M-tech kit
Sport Package
Premium Sound
Satellite Radio
Active Cruise
Comfort Seats
Navigation
Folding rear seats
Well.... like I said, I own both.
The 325i is pretty much loaded. I got every option except for the Active Steering.
I obviously prefer the 545i.
Here's what I like/dislike between the models:
545i Pro's:
1. Look (It's dead sexy)
2. Engine (duh)
3. Steering (I love the light feel of the power steering, and the Active Steering)
4. Ride (I have Michelin PS2 tires, and they ride like a dream)
5. Size (The interior is just the right size for 4 adults to be comfortable)
6. Comfort seats (duh)
7. SMG is sweet.
545i Con's
1. Cupholder suck
2. Storage compartments in front are not great
325i Pro's:
1. Gas mileage.
2. Feels more solid/stable on the highway. (Maybe because no A/S?)
3. Center console storage (much nicer than 545i. It has AUX input jack, and an air conditioned cupholder)
4. iDrive is slightly better. (Has minor features which are improved)
325i Con's:
1. Trunk is too small (I can't put my golf clubs in trunk unless I take the Driver out of the bag)
2. Seats are not as nice as 545i
3. Glove box is too small.
4. Back seat is small.
The 325i is pretty much loaded. I got every option except for the Active Steering.
I obviously prefer the 545i.
Here's what I like/dislike between the models:
545i Pro's:
1. Look (It's dead sexy)
2. Engine (duh)
3. Steering (I love the light feel of the power steering, and the Active Steering)
4. Ride (I have Michelin PS2 tires, and they ride like a dream)
5. Size (The interior is just the right size for 4 adults to be comfortable)
6. Comfort seats (duh)
7. SMG is sweet.
545i Con's
1. Cupholder suck
2. Storage compartments in front are not great
325i Pro's:
1. Gas mileage.
2. Feels more solid/stable on the highway. (Maybe because no A/S?)
3. Center console storage (much nicer than 545i. It has AUX input jack, and an air conditioned cupholder)
4. iDrive is slightly better. (Has minor features which are improved)
325i Con's:
1. Trunk is too small (I can't put my golf clubs in trunk unless I take the Driver out of the bag)
2. Seats are not as nice as 545i
3. Glove box is too small.
4. Back seat is small.