Anyone go to buy 3 Series and buy 5 Series?

Looking at the two cars, the 5 is a nicer car, but is it worth the extra cash?

Did you go for a 3 and buy a 5?

Why

MP

I went to buy at 330i 6Spd and ended up getting the 550i spd. For me it came down to:

1. 5 has much better space. The 3 seating is very tight and felt a little bosed it.
2. 5 is just builit stronger than the 3 and has a very different driving feel, especially with respect to flat cornering.
3. Interior looks more upscale.

Well it had better be more upscale for the extra $20,000!!!!

Originally Posted by csav

3. Interior looks more upscale.

CUrious-- what about the 5's interior did you find more upsale? Personally, i think all the recent BMW interiors look and feel sort of cheap--bbut the 5's seems the worst of the lot. What did you find superior about the 5's interior?

I don't think the 5 is a better car, only a bigger car. I'd even go so far as to say the 3 is better if the space is satisfactory.

Originally Posted by robg

CUrious-- what about the 5's interior did you find more upsale? Personally, i think all the recent BMW interiors look and feel sort of cheap--bbut the 5's seems the worst of the lot. What did you find superior about the 5's interior?

I compared the two interiors and the 3er had slightly better materials and appearance all in all.

It is hard to say there is a big difference in material qualtity. I think mine was a true subjective rather than objective observation based on overall execution. I think space had a lot to do with it.

I terms of which is the better car, both are the best cars in their respective classes, there is no true way to compare them. They are different animals. If you are looking for primarily a sporty car the 3 is better, if you want a luxury car which can be sporty you are looking at the 5.

Originally Posted by csav

It is hard to say there is a big difference in material qualtity. I think mine was a true subjective rather than objective observation based on overall execution. I think space had a lot to do with it.

I terms of which is the better car, both are the best cars in their respective classes, there is no true way to compare them. They are different animals. If you are looking for primarily a sporty car the 3 is better, if you want a luxury car which can be sporty you are looking at the 5.

Nicely said.

I was going to wait for the 325xiT (drove 330i & 325i), but when I saw & drove the 530xiT, it was a no brainer in my case. More passenger room, more luxury (but still sporty) and I liked the interior better although I don't know if I'd say it was more upscale. IMO, BMW interiors are best described as "spartan" which is what I prefer. My neighbor has a Lexus and I can't help but feel that I'm riding in a "pimpmobile". Steering wheel is half wood, little chrome strips everywhere and the seats, although they look nicely padded and supportive, are extremely uncomfortable to me. Remember, this is just my subjective opinion. Hope I didn't offend anyone.

What's up with wood steering wheels anyway.

I think they look rather odd in any modern day car.

Originally Posted by tcoz

I was going to wait for the 325xiT (drove 330i & 325i), but when I saw & drove the 530xiT, it was a no brainer in my case. More passenger room, more luxury (but still sporty) and I liked the interior better although I don't know if I'd say it was more upscale. IMO, BMW interiors are best described as "spartan" which is what I prefer. My neighbor has a Lexus and I can't help but feel that I'm riding in a "pimpmobile". Steering wheel is half wood, little chrome strips everywhere and the seats, although they look nicely padded and supportive, are extremely uncomfortable to me. Remember, this is just my subjective opinion. Hope I didn't offend anyone.

I completely agree. It's a new RX330. I don't remember whether the sides are wood and the top & bottom are leather or vice versa. In any case, my grandfather would've loved it.

Originally Posted by MadelinePaige

Looking at the two cars, the 5 is a nicer car, but is it worth the extra cash?

Did you go for a 3 and buy a 5?

Why

MP

I waited for the new 3 to come out before I went shopping. I drove the 330i and absolutely loved it. Except for the engine, the 330i with sports package felt every bit as flickable to me as my M3. Obviously the M3 has higher limits and is MUCH faster but on public roads the 330i felt every bit as good - actually better - considering the ride was so much better (highly subjective - there's a million M-car owners out there that would say I smoke crack for such a statement). BUT, then I put my two boys in the back seat and realized that, as far as I could tell, the new E90 didn't have any more room than my E46. I know it's supposed to be an inch bigger in back but I sure couldn't see it.

So I drove the 5-series with and without sports package. I was really impressed with the flat corning/handling and feel of the 5-series with sports package. I put the kids in back and there was a ton of room back there for the kids and the car is so much wider - much much more room compared to the 3. I then went and drove the competition (GS300, E350 and M35) and quickly realized there was no comparison in handling and feel. The M35 is getting closer but has a ways to go IMO.

That's a long winded answer to your question but I thought you might want more information on my decision.

Originally Posted by chuck92103

What's up with wood steering wheels anyway.
I think they look rather odd in any modern day car.

I have one in my 2003 GS430 and I HATE IT!! Why on earth would you make a critical part of the car slippery? Plus the thing is HOT in the Summer and COLD in the Winter - brutal. But people do seem to love them. No clue why.

I recently test drove an A6 4.2 with the S-Line package. Car was BEAUTIFUL - everything about the car was perfect except....
1. Power (car needs another 50hp)
2. They ordered it with the optional ($440) wood steering wheel - which BTW deletes the heated steering wheel option on the A6. I explained to the dealer that I would have been tempted to make a deal on that exact car had it NOT had the wood steering wheel. His comment was "Well we thought people would like them cause Lexus has them, but you are like the fourth person to tell us that you will never purchase a car with a wood steering wheel again - so we are going to stop ordering them".

But what do I know, my neighbors 996 turbo has a wood steering wheel.

Maybe not applicable to the current models.......... but....

In 1999 I went to turn in my 1996 328 (lease) for a 1999 330. I just didn't like the dash of the 330.....so...I took a (new) 1999 528 for a spin, I equipped it with just what I wanted, nothing extra, just to see what the payments would be....... and went with a 528.

So.. I did go for a 3er and came away with a 5er (just a different era) but it really is the same issue, LOOKS! They all are incredible to drive.