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1 October 2009, 01:38 AM | #1 |
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BMW 5-Series
Anyone have one? Thoughts?
I have 2 small kids (5 and 7) and I usually only have 1 with me, or I'm commuting, so I could do with either a 3 or a 5-series, but would prefer a hair more room. Both are in backless boosters right now and the seats don't really fit properly in the 3. Engines - I've driven the 335/535's extensively, and they are great. I've driven a 328i in automatic transmission and it was miserable. Are the normally aspirated engines tolerable in manual transmission? |
1 October 2009, 03:58 AM | #2 |
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Hello. I have a 2007 328 Auto. Mine is pretty quick in DS mode, and handles like a dream. The Man 328s are a favorite among BMW fans, and makes a great car. Yeah i like the room in the 5 much better, but a 3er handles better in the turns. The 528 will be slower then a 328, due to weight wise. Also the 335 and 535s have some problems with the fuel pumps, and have to replaced. I wished BMW would bring back the 330, which i would order after my lease is over. If you also look at the 1/4 mile times of the 328, and the 300 hp CTS, they are almost the same. So i belive the 328 has more HP then the 230 hp listed. I have had my 328 2 years now, and i will be getting another one next March. I have had faster cars, but im very happy with the 328. Ron
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1 October 2009, 04:00 AM | #3 | |
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1 October 2009, 04:01 AM | #4 |
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Being that you have 2 little ones, the 5 series might be a better fit with more cabin/trunk space. If I was getting one, I'd opt for the 3.5L variant with turbo.
Good luck
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1 October 2009, 04:05 AM | #5 |
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1 October 2009, 04:07 AM | #6 |
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1 October 2009, 04:11 AM | #7 |
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I can heartily recommend the 535d estate.
Endless acceleration and a pretty damn good loading area with decent room in the rear for 3 passengers. As will all RWD cars it was no good for us in winter once we moved to a more mountainous area otherwise I'd still probably have it. It did also bring me 6 points on my driving licence.
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1 October 2009, 04:11 AM | #8 |
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1 October 2009, 04:23 AM | #9 | |
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1 October 2009, 04:32 AM | #10 | |
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Such a shame because the 535d trounces the 535i petrol version.
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1 October 2009, 05:24 AM | #11 |
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I thought that all fuel, gas or diesel, was subject to a road tax. In fact, isn't roughly 40% of your at-the-pump cost for gas all just taxes?
Anyway, I had a new '09 5 series with all the bells and whistles as a loaner for almost a month while BMW was figuring out how to fix a water leak in my wife's X3. She loved it. Personally, I prefer my older style cabin -- the interface for all the GPS and crap is too fiddly to operate. What especially sucks is having to use that stupid wheel thingy to find a radio station. Also, on the new models, you can't even hear the turn signals. I kept double-checking to make sure I had properly engaged the blinkers. Unerving. Ok, now I'm soundling like an old fogey. The car had power forever, all you could want, had a ton of room, was super attractive. My 2 yr old misses it the most and still asks about the silver car. |
1 October 2009, 05:31 AM | #12 | |
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I get far better fuel economy too. Diesels are the short term answer, IMHO. Having said all that - consider the 335d. It has so much power that BMW "neutered" it with a taller rear drive ratio. It gets stellar mileage and it performs. |
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1 October 2009, 05:35 AM | #13 | |
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Not true. However, both can be modded quite extensively. Stock 535i engine: According to BMW, the N54B30 produces 306 hp (228 kW) and 295 ft·lbf/400 N·m. Third party testing has revealed the engine is significantly underrated, producing 332 hp (248 kW) and 311 ft·lbf/422 N·m Stock 535d engine: M57TU2D30-TOP: 286 PS (210 kW; 282 hp), 580 N·m (430 lb·ft) I have had a 2006 530i for about 4.5 years. Zero problems, it's fantastic. FYI though, the new body style (F10) is coming out next fall (2010). So... if you buy the current car (E60) you're buying it in its last year. |
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1 October 2009, 05:38 AM | #14 | |
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I simple rear drive gear swap makes a dramatic improvement in off the line performance with either the 535d or the 335d. I'm awaiting a gearset from my differential builder to test the differences in the 335d. |
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1 October 2009, 05:40 AM | #15 | |
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Car and Driver covered the 335d and calculated how long it would take to recoup the extra cost of the car. I too believe in diesel, but the premium is quite staggering. The 335d "as-tested" price was $55,000 USD. It would take 960,000 miles of driving in a 328i to recoup the extra cost. It would take 193,333 miles of driving in a 335i to recoup the extra cost. Outlined in this .pdf. http://www.caranddriver.com/var/ezfl...cfb884a66d.pdf |
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1 October 2009, 05:42 AM | #16 | |
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EDIT - 335i = 3593 lbs. 535i = 3660 lbs. 335d = 3825 lbs. *PORKER* I have no doubt that the torque feels really great, but the test data just doesn't warrant using the word "trounce". The point is moot in the US... you can't get the diesel in a 5 series. |
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1 October 2009, 05:43 AM | #17 | |
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My local dealers cannot keep diesels in stock. I own two |
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1 October 2009, 05:46 AM | #18 | |
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Okay, so the 328 vs 528 is only a 130lb difference. The only 5s I'm used to in my shop are M5s and they tip my scales at over 4200 lbs with fuel. That's a heavy beast! The 335s I see often are only 3600 lbs with fuel. |
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1 October 2009, 06:07 AM | #19 | |
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I agree with your observations though - the big displacement engines really weigh a lot more. So do the diesel engines. You're also carrying around 5.4 gallons of urea (AdBlue) - the additive that lets the diesel pass 50 state emissions. The manual for my 530i from 2006 says its curb weight is 3472 lbs. That's with all the operating fluids and fuel! Regardless, I only wanted to demonstrate that the differences are small. |
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1 October 2009, 06:40 AM | #20 |
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and I thought I knew cars Thanks Bruno
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1 October 2009, 06:52 AM | #21 | |
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Internationally, a ton of other displacements and configurations exist. Also, the US nomenclature is a little off. The engine in the 335d is a 3.0L, and when so equipped, the same car with that engine in non-US markets is the 330d. |
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1 October 2009, 07:02 AM | #22 | |
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Yes, my 530i (258 hp) is quite good with the 6 speed manual. However, I believe the 328i/528i is only rated at 230 hp. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to find a manual car to test drive. |
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1 October 2009, 07:31 AM | #23 | ||
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I owned the 535d for 2 years and had the 535i as a loan car for 10 days whilst mine was in the bodyshop as a result of a lorry drivers lack of reversing skills. Quote:
It's all about the torque. I live in a hilly area, even the dual carriageways and motorways have sharp inclines. The difference was absolutely enormous all the way up to 80mph. Above that the petrol engine probably comes into it's own but that's fairly irrelevant.
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1 October 2009, 07:41 AM | #24 |
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I had the 335i sedan as a loaner this pass weekend and that car is fun to drive. I was up to 80 MPH within seconds without even knowing it. If you need the extra space, go with the 535i. I would recommend the M3 or M5, but those are not practical at all.
The only concern is that you may want to upgrade the oil cooler system since the turbos get hot. Something to consider if you want to upgrade the software to unleash the additional horses. |
1 October 2009, 08:05 AM | #25 | |
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Bottom line, I'd buy my 530 again and again. Fits people easy, quiet on the inside, louder with windows down, plenty of power to drive around crappy drivers.
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1 October 2009, 08:23 AM | #26 |
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Get the 550- a beast. Maybe more than you need. But fast, man!
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1 October 2009, 09:00 AM | #27 | |
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I felt the same way you did when I ordered my car - I didn't need a racer, just "enough" power. My car corners @ .90g, and does a low 6.something second 0-60. Top speed in excess of 150. Smooth smooth smooth. |
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1 October 2009, 09:24 AM | #28 | ||
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You do know alot about cars. BMW just confuses everybody. Quote:
When the new 335 came out about two years later I was ready to dump my car and get a new one but then there were tons of problems with the HPFP's so I balked. Now I'm starting to research what I will get next but my car only has about 33,000 miles on it. |
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1 October 2009, 09:48 AM | #29 |
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if u need the space, go with the 750Li. the V8 & 360 horses will supply you ample power & torque. surprisingly for a car that size, it picks up very fast & gas mileage is pretty good.
the best thing is BMW NA is offering unbelievable 0.9% financing for 3 yrs for 2006 model & 3.9 for 2007. u can get an 06 750Li fully loaded for around 43k to 46k with very low miles. |
1 October 2009, 09:50 AM | #30 |
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I honesty think a stripped down, 328i is the purest driver's car of the bunch.
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