Well here it is…….
I’m 3 weeks away from the end of my lease on my current Infiniti G35. I’ve taken the time to look around and decided….I want a BMW 5 Series !!!!!
So here’s my dilemma.
Based on my available monthly car budget, I can only afford a 2006 3.0L 525i. I test drove the 530i and noticed a considerable difference in power with the 525i.
What’s the overall opinion on the 525i. There are very little posts on that vehicle, mainly 530 and 550. Should I only move into the BMW realm when I can afford the 530 or is the 525 adequate. It seems the 525i is a little underpowered. Granted the 2006 now has a 3.0L engine (vs. the 2.5L pre 2006) and I want it with a manual transmission but 215hp is a little weak for a car this size?
What do you guys think?
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| Reply » 525i...Should I get one ? |
I think the most importnat thing is what you think. If you drove it and feel that its underpowered, you're always going to feel that way. What are the other things that are attracting you to the 5 series over competitor's cars? I guess you have to ask yourself if those other aspects outweight the feeling that the car is underpowered. Objectively speaking, the 525 w/ a manual has enough power--youll be able to keep up on the highway, merge, etc. It does 0-60 in a little less than 7 seconds. Keep in mind that a few years ago this would've been sports car territory.
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| Reply » 525i...Should I get one ? |
You're still going to be able to get into a lot of trouble in the 525, it will hit the rev limiter in 6th w/o a problem  , so it is by no means a lesser car than any other BMW. FYI the current 525i has about the same power output as the 2005 530i. Good luck whatever you decide, and you'll love the BMW no matter which model you choose!
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| Reply » 525i...Should I get one ? |
I would not buy a 5 series without a V8 if you plan on hauling around 4 passengers a lot.
If you are not needing the extra room for 4 passengers I would get a 3 series.
If you need room for 4, and plan on having passengers on a regular basis I would get the 5.
However, remember when you test drive, it is usually you and the sale person in the car, not 4 passengers. Once you add a few hundred more pounds, the car is only going to get slower.
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| Reply » 525i...Should I get one ? |
Very true….I couldn’t agree more. I’m very tossed up about this decision.
The power on the vehicle is not cutting it. My G35 with its 260hp 3.5L V6 and smaller size/weight has amazing acceleration and when driving on the highway a little push on the accelerator will give me a serious boost giving me all the power I need to overtake someone or merge into traffic.
Having said that, after test driving BMW’s……..wow !!! What a beautiful, smooth, well crafted machine. I mean, this car is phenomenal !!!!
I wish I could have my cake and eat it to!! Like a 550 !!!
What I’m a little confused about is whether my feelings about the power issue are accurate. I understand that the 525i is still a relatively powerful car. I also believe its power is probably delivered in a different way than what I’m used to. A dealer test drive is too short to truly determine accurately how this car drives. Only ownership over a certain period of time would clarify this. From what I understand the powerband on BMW’s is very consistent at all rpm’s. On the other hand my G35 really kicks in around 3500 rpm.
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| Reply » 525i...Should I get one ? |
Quote: | From what I understand the powerband on BMW’s is very consistent at all rpm’s. On the other hand my G35 really kicks in around 3500 rpm. | That's certainly true; and its part of what you're feeling. Some reviewers have even commented that the M5 doesn't feel as fast as it should due to its smooth powerband. That being said, your G35 is faster and more powerful than the 525; no getting around that.
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525i...Should I get one ?