523i vs 525i
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My Ride: 525i M Sport Touring (E61): Mystic Blue with Beige Leather and Light Poplar Wood Trim | M Sport Package: Anthracite Headlining, Dechroming, 18" M Spoke Alloy Wheels (135) & RFT's, M Sport Steering Wheel, Sports Seats, M Door Entry Sill Trims, M Sport Suspension Settings, M Aero Bodykit I | Pro NAV | Bluetooth Prep | Xenons | Adapative Headlights | Headlight Washers | HUD | PDC | Automatic Air Con - Advanced | Automatic Tailgate Operation | Heated Front Seats | Sun Protection Glass | Non-Smoker Package |
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The 523 & 525 petrol engines are both 2.5 L but the 523 is 177BHP whilst 525 is 218 BHP. BMW 0-62 mph figures quote it as 1 sec faster (7.8 to 8.8 on Tourer).The price difference is ?1615.
Surely the difference is negligble for the extra price?
Comments please.
Surely the difference is negligble for the extra price?
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Comments please.
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The E61 is a heavy car at just over 4000 lb (US version). My 530xiT has 255 hp which seems about right. I can't imagine it with almost 80 hp less although in the real world, torque is more important than horsepower. The 3.0 is only 220 lb-ft. If the 2.3 isn't a whole lot less, then it might not be a big difference.
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My Ride: e39 525i Touring, will order e61 as soon as I can decide on engine and options...
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Hi,
the other day I drove the 523i with Steptronic and M sport package. Really nice and smooth engine, fell in love immediately. Chassis superb. Whatever you do, go for the m-package or at least sports suspension, gives so much better damping control and imho, better comfort.
All above compared to my current 525i Touring with standard chassis.
/M
the other day I drove the 523i with Steptronic and M sport package. Really nice and smooth engine, fell in love immediately. Chassis superb. Whatever you do, go for the m-package or at least sports suspension, gives so much better damping control and imho, better comfort.
All above compared to my current 525i Touring with standard chassis.
/M
Originally Posted by Allymunro' post='269824' date='Apr 16 2006, 01:21 PM
The 523 & 525 petrol engines are both 2.5 L but the 523 is 177BHP whilst 525 is 218 BHP. BMW 0-62 mph figures quote it as 1 sec faster (7.8 to 8.8 on Tourer).The price difference is ?1615.
Surely the difference is negligble for the extra price?
Comments please.
Surely the difference is negligble for the extra price?
![Unsure](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/unsure.gif)
Comments please.
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My Ride: E61 525i SE Touring Automatic - Titanium Grey II, Auburn-Dakota Leather, 17" Light Alloy Wheels Star-Spoke Styling 138, Anthracite Headlining, Maple Wood, Electric Front Seats, Front Seat Heating, Automatic Air Conditioning Advanced, Navigation System Professional, Bluetooth phone prep, Professional radio, Hi-Fi Loudspeaker system, Park Distance Control, Rear Side Airbags, Side Blinds
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Test drove both, loved both and decided in favour of the 525i.
The difference is noticeable when you compare them back to back which is what I did. The 525i is more effortless and and powerful. That said the difference is not that massive - both engines are similar in terms of their characteristics.
For the relatively small difference in price between the two I believe the 525i is the better engine to have in the E61.
But then again will you feel having made the wrong choice buying a 523i and using it on UK motorways under normal conditions ? No is the answer.
Without getting too philosophical here - its easy to believe a bigger engine is always better. And once you have an engine in the car which is bigger than another one and you get used to it its even easier to imagine the smaller engine would simply be not powerful enough. Foolish.
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The difference is noticeable when you compare them back to back which is what I did. The 525i is more effortless and and powerful. That said the difference is not that massive - both engines are similar in terms of their characteristics.
For the relatively small difference in price between the two I believe the 525i is the better engine to have in the E61.
But then again will you feel having made the wrong choice buying a 523i and using it on UK motorways under normal conditions ? No is the answer.
Without getting too philosophical here - its easy to believe a bigger engine is always better. And once you have an engine in the car which is bigger than another one and you get used to it its even easier to imagine the smaller engine would simply be not powerful enough. Foolish.
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#5
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My Ride: e39 525i Touring, will order e61 as soon as I can decide on engine and options...
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Originally Posted by The Hollies' post='269912' date='Apr 16 2006, 04:57 PM
For the relatively small difference in price between the two I believe the 525i is the better engine to have in the E61.
/M
#6
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Originally Posted by Allymunro' post='269824' date='Apr 16 2006, 07:21 PM
The 523 & 525 petrol engines are both 2.5 L but the 523 is 177BHP whilst 525 is 218 BHP. BMW 0-62 mph figures quote it as 1 sec faster (7.8 to 8.8 on Tourer).The price difference is ?1615.
Surely the difference is negligble for the extra price?![Unsure](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/unsure.gif)
Surely the difference is negligble for the extra price?
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But I wasn't willing to give up my extras so I couldn't reach to the 3.0. All the new I6's are as smooth as silk and a delight to spin to the red line, so you can't go too wrong with either.
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Originally Posted by tcoz' post='269838' date='Apr 16 2006, 07:55 PM
The E61 is a heavy car at just over 4000 lb (US version). My 530xiT has 255 hp which seems about right. I can't imagine it with almost 80 hp less although in the real world, torque is more important than horsepower. The 3.0 is only 220 lb-ft. If the 2.3 isn't a whole lot less, then it might not be a big difference.
523 / 525 comparison is only really valid for the UK version where both have 2.5 litre displacement.
523 is just a detuned version, which is great cause it keeps the refinement of the straight 6.
Personally, I think a manual 523 would perform similarly to an auto 525.
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My Ride: E61 525i SE Touring Automatic - Titanium Grey II, Auburn-Dakota Leather, 17" Light Alloy Wheels Star-Spoke Styling 138, Anthracite Headlining, Maple Wood, Electric Front Seats, Front Seat Heating, Automatic Air Conditioning Advanced, Navigation System Professional, Bluetooth phone prep, Professional radio, Hi-Fi Loudspeaker system, Park Distance Control, Rear Side Airbags, Side Blinds
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Originally Posted by the_dr' post='270560' date='Apr 18 2006, 01:45 PM
All the new I6's are as smooth as silk and a delight to spin to the red line, so you can't go too wrong with either.
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#9
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Originally Posted by The Hollies' post='270686' date='Apr 18 2006, 02:26 PM
Absolutely true ![Roll Eyes (Sarcastic)](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/rolleyes.gif)
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thanks
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My Ride: 2005 E60 525i - 77 chevy blazer-78 Chevy Camaro
Model Year: 2005
Engine: M54b25
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525i after 2005 gained to 3.0 as N52 .
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