Nick heres the deal, i had a 2002 540i 6 speed all the bells and whistles, then i traded up to a M5 in 2003 that i couldnt get out of 2nd gear cause it was too fast and there was always someone in the way.....so this time around i went for a 530i, mind you a would have got a sports pkg but it wasn't available, anyway....the bottom line, the only difference between all of these BMW's i had in the last 3 years is the engine, they all turn on a dime, the ride is great and the 18's feel like the 19's.
But do miss the 8 cylinder but and im trying to control myself, be an adult and stick with this car.

 

Until you drive the E60 with the Active steering and active suspension found in the sport package It feels like driving the Montoya F1. If you have a chance, buy the Last bimmer mag, where they test drive an 04 530I with Sports pacakge.
I tell you, I had an M3 convertible,538I (SPP) & 330ci and after driving my e60 those cars feel like the suspension is too soft and antique.

Drive one

 

Those SSR GT3's are very nice. The gunmetal finish looks nice.

 

JIMM

Interested in your comments on the ride quality of the 19' wheels. I'm currently in an M3 on 19' and one of the reasons I want to change is the crashy ride. I'm thinking about ordering a 545i on 18' but really like the look of your car on 19'.

Is the ride genuinely same as on 18'? Features of the ride that are important to me are bump absorption and the general smoothness of the ride. The M3 is quite nuggety!

BTW looking at pics of the new 6 series I noticed it runs on 19' (style 121) - do you reckon you could get BMW to fit these as an optional extra??

jonboy

 

I might have read that one, Overall Im sure theres a difference between the sports susp and active steering, and i think if i go drive one with it i'll go and upgrade..... so im gonna try and live with what this car delivers, which isn't bad at all......my only regret so far is i should have paid the extra 10k and went with the 545.

The ride is very nuggety, thats what u get with 18 and 19 inch wheels i have found, u have to sacrafice the look for the comfort.......and the nuggety ride isn't painful so its worth it....Im sure the BMW dealer will do those wheels as an extra, they usually do.

 

Jimm,

I really like your SSR GT3 19". I was wondering since, the e60 can take a 20" rims with 245/35/20 fr - 275/30/20 Rear, I should be able to increase the 19" by 5mm in tire size.


My thoughts are to order 245/"40"/19 -275/"35"/19, hopefully this will decrease my chances of rim damage and increase quality of ride.

The standard 124 style BMW rims runs 245/40/18 fr - 27/35/18 re.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this matter/advice?

thanks.

 

Of course adding tire size to the car will lesson the chance of damage, no question.....but when you have 18 or above theres always the shot, hell i scraped one of my rims on the curbs just parking......rude awakening.