Hey guys,
Finally after a long time, I decided to get a BMW ( my first German car). I currently have a 2004 Nissan Maxima SL which is a very nice car but the handling is sloppy and the quality of material is poor in respect to other japanese cars. When I test drove the 530xi, i felt like I was in dreamland, it is nothing compared to the maxima. However, i felt the 530xi was slower off the line than the 265 hp maxima. Do you guys think that the car needs to break in more?? Is it the 530xi really fast than what the specs say or is it slower? I am not trying to be whiny or anything, I love everythign about the car but I want to make sure that the car will be more quicker once the break-in period is over. Tell me your opinions and comparison to other cars with similar horsepower. Thanks!!
Dave
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| Reply » Planning on getting a BMW 530Xi |
Yes, the Maxima is faster. Way more torque (too much to the wrong wheels) and an edge in hp and possibly lighter car lets the Maxima (0-60 in 6.1) accelerate faster than a 530xi (6.6-6.9 secs). The biggest reason the maxima may feel faster is due to torque, which is the "seat-of-pants" feel, and it has like 255 lb/ft versus 220 lb/ft in the 530xi.
That said, do you feel straight line speed is that important? Power is nothing without control. The specs in BMWs often understate the performance of BMW, so the cars tend to feel stronger than they really are. Trust me, the 530xi is no slouch; you just gotta get used to the more linear power curve as opposed to a chunk of torque off the line.
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| Reply » Planning on getting a BMW 530Xi |
I also traded a 2004 Maxima SE for the 530xi and agree that there is no comparison. The Maxima is fast but you can't really unlease its power with all of that torque steer. I am completely satisfied with the power of the 530xi because it is a complete package. I also felt that the Maxima had a very "jumpy" throttle. P.S. I do think that the 530xi gets better with mileage. I have 2,700 miles on mine.
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| Reply » Planning on getting a BMW 530Xi |
Yeah, the Maxima is really torquey but it has a terrible tendency to go left and right if I push hard on the accelerator; thus its no fun. I have hold on the steering like a mother controling the crazy child! The BMW 530XI has a great way of delivering the power to all 4 wheels and thats more important. Thus, there might be some less torque, but teh BMW delivers a better power band I think. So, I am gonna stay with the 530xi and order one in April. Thanks!!
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| Reply » Planning on getting a BMW 530Xi |
IMHO German cars inherently just have something special.
I've had the pleasure of driving everything from a stripper VW Golf to a 911 Turbo.
It is like the designers of these cars know without a doubt, that at some point during their life they will be driven WOT on the Autobahn. That single strand of DNA, again IMHO, makes them something special.
The FWD Maxima and the power-plant you mention attributes to some of that L & R tendency. Torque...
You can only put so much twist to the front wheels and still engineer a well balanced automobile.
The 530 in current form is definitely NOT the hp king in the market segment at 255.
But all in all comes out a quicker car in daily driving and still yields 20/30 which is amazing.
Stoplight racing is for high school kids. You are looking at a car that you could drive coast to coast at very high speed in superb comfort and retain very good gas mileage...
Good luck in your quest.
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Planning on getting a BMW 530Xi