POLL: 2006 330i or 530i?

2006 e90 FULLY loaded....or 2006 e60 530i Prem/cold/auto(those are the only options I can afford within my price range.)

Originally Posted by MAC5217

2006 e90 FULLY loaded....or 2006 e60 530i Prem/cold/auto(those are the only options I can afford within my price range.)

Haven't seen the E90 yet but it looks good from press pics. Its a matter of choice really if you need more of a sporty and toseabile car, than go with the E90. If you need more room, stronger, and more luxurious car go with the E60. Personally i would wait until the new more powerful 3.0L engine comes out producing 255hp. The E90 should do about 0-100km in 5.6, and the 530i would be a tat slower. See which car feels right for you. I should also mention that the BMW 3 series has incrediable market value, better than the 5 series.

Originally Posted by MAC5217

2006 e90 FULLY loaded....or 2006 e60 530i Prem/cold/auto(those are the only options I can afford within my price range.)

If you really want the 5 series but can't afford all the options because you hit your $$$ ceiling, why don't you do European Delivery? The money you save should be good for at least a sport package and rear shades or maybe NAV + HUD.

I'd make sure you drive both before making your final decision. I've had 2 E39 5'ers with sport pkg and was seriously unimpressed with the E60 530i without sport pkg. It depends on what kind of "drive" you're looking for.

These are two VERY different cars. They handle different and they feel different. You must drive one of each for your own good. This will help make your decision easier.

In a nutshell, the 5ers tend to be larger cars but still retain a fair amount of sportiness intermingled with ride comfort and luxury.

The 3ers tend to be smaller cars and therefore don't quite have that smooth, luxury feel as they are more sporty.

I went with the 5er due to me having a family and needing to take lots of driving family vacations. The 5er beats any 3er for that. On the other hand, the 5er is larger/heavier and so it isn't necessarily as "tossable" as a 3er.

Like I said, two very different cars.

Just like Agent99, I also opted for the 530 for exactly the same reason. Interesting to note that all this talk about size and weight differences between the new 330 and 530. According to the specs, the tale of the tape reads:

330: 3,417 pounds and 178.2 inches
530: 3,472 pounds and 191.1 inches

Net/net, about a foot difference and only 55 pounds difference.....absent the different gear ratios, the performance should be about the same I would think - though I agree the they somehow feel completely different.

Cheers,

OnOn

Originally Posted by OnOn

Just like Agent99, I also opted for the 530 for exactly the same reason. Interesting to note that all this talk about size and weight differences between the new 330 and 530. According to the specs, the tale of the tape reads:

330: 3,417 pounds and 178.2 inches
530: 3,472 pounds and 191.1 inches

Net/net, about a foot difference and only 55 pounds difference.....absent the different gear ratios, the performance should be about the same I would think - though I agree the they somehow feel completely different.

Cheers,

OnOn

WOW, only a 55 pound difference?! Somebody could have won a lot of $ off me with that as a bet...

330i or 545i; nein on the 530i

Hi,
I too am struggling with the same 2 choices. I have a 2002 530 and am giving it back (it's a lemon) and am now thinking of a loaded 330. I like the prestige of the 5 but the drive of the 3.

Also am concerned about ordering the 3 without seeing colors in person. Am think of the sparkling graphite. Has anyone seen it? Some said that the 3 looks better in a light color so if you have advice, I would relaly appreciate it.
Thanks

Originally Posted by sue

Hi,
I too am struggling with the same 2 choices. I have a 2002 530 and am giving it back (it's a lemon) and am now thinking of a loaded 330. I like the prestige of the 5 but the drive of the 3.

Also am concerned about ordering the 3 without seeing colors in person. Am think of the sparkling graphite. Has anyone seen it? Some said that the 3 looks better in a light color so if you have advice, I would relaly appreciate it.
Thanks

Frankly, I don't think the "prestige" of the 5 is worth the price of entry. Is it really worth $10K more for a bit more space? The 5 is a nice car, but the interior is a bit poor.

As for color, I'm ordering one in Silver. Yes, it is a common color. But based on pics I have seen so far, the lightest colors do seem to work best. I think it would look great in Alpine White or Titanium Silver. The Sparkling Graphite sometimes looks nice, and sometimes it makes the car look like a blob. I think the Titanium Silver really shows the large character line down the side of the car, where the SG hides the line and makes for a slab sided appearance.

You can see sparkling graphite on E46's at your dealer now, if they have one. I happen to like it and have a 330ci being built next week with that color. I decide on what I like first, then think about how much time the car will spend outside in the elements. Lighter colors do better on cars that are outside all the time. Darker colors like to be babied and under cover. It depends on how OCD you are about the finish on your car.

Most importantly get what YOU like and don't worry about what other people think. As they say, opinions are like ... everybody has one. Yours is the most important opinion tho.

I don't know that the 5-series has more "prestige" than the 3-series, they are totally different cars from the driver seat. At a time there were big differences in equipment in the cars, not anymore. My new E46 has every convenience feature that my 5'er has except the power adjustable steering wheel. The main difference now is the driving experience.

530 sport pack

2004 530i. Proven motor, conventional tires, less money. After several three series cars, that's what I did. Wonderful car - glad I did it.

Jim

I'd have to say there IS a prestige factory in a 5 over a 3 and this is coming from a current 2003 330i Sport Owner. I will make exceptions if you drive an M3.

I love my 330i, however everyone and their mother is driving a 3 series these days, from a 323, 325 to a 330. Even though I drive a fully loaded sports package 330i version (higher end 3 series), it is noticeably different than your run of the mill 3 series, but not THAT much different, so I still feel that I am driving the entry level BMW sedan.

There is something about the 530 / 545 (especially the 545) that shows not only that you are a different driver, but also in a higher tax bracket. The 5 series is your step up from the 3 if you want more room for your clients or kids in the back and you still don't sacrifice too much (except for money), since you have the 5 series sport's package options.

As you can see I am looking to upgrade to the 530 after 3 wonderful years with my 330i (lease ends this year).

Personally I think the 3 series are comparable to an extremely nice Ford Escort. Sorry to offend anybody, they look really nice but the overall quality of the car and build is very cheap. BMW is really pushing their 3 series, it's their best selling line so they are cutting corners to get an edge on in the market.

However the 5 series doesn't have the corners cut and does have more craftmanship and higher quality parts in it.

The 3 series is in fact the entry level, it's resale value is lower. If you buy a 3 series BMW is hoping you become a life long driver and graduate to the 5 series or better.

Don't get me wrong, it is a nice car, but riding in it does remind me of a Ford Escort, just with nice interior and exterior.

However, it's your pocketbook, do what makes sense to you. I know a few people who have bought BMW's but they can't afford to take care of them or do things right. Whatever floats their boat I guess, I bought mine because I spend a lot of time in cars and I'd hate to admit it, but it helps me in my career as well.

Why is a 530 that weighs only 44 pounds more than a 330 .3 seconds slower to 60??? I just don't get it. Essentially the same weight, and exactly the same trans and final drive. The drag cd is even lower on the 530i. OK so I will say it one more time WHY is the 5 series slower????

JB-From-FL

Originally Posted by sehiser

Personally I think the 3 series are comparable to an extremely nice Ford Escort. Sorry to offend anybody, they look really nice but the overall quality of the car and build is very cheap. BMW is really pushing their 3 series, it's their best selling line so they are cutting corners to get an edge on in the market.

However the 5 series doesn't have the corners cut and does have more craftmanship and higher quality parts in it.

The 3 series is in fact the entry level, it's resale value is lower. If you buy a 3 series BMW is hoping you become a life long driver and graduate to the 5 series or better.

Don't get me wrong, it is a nice car, but riding in it does remind me of a Ford Escort, just with nice interior and exterior.

However, it's your pocketbook, do what makes sense to you. I know a few people who have bought BMW's but they can't afford to take care of them or do things right. Whatever floats their boat I guess, I bought mine because I spend a lot of time in cars and I'd hate to admit it, but it helps me in my career as well.

You guys/girls crack me up.

Heck, the 3-series is really the same as a Kia, isn't it?

And ohhhhh, the 5-series is such a prestige-mobile, I can hardly stand it.

I've got news for you, the E60 is fugly. I'll take the M45 (Infiniti) over it any day (and I probably will put my money where my mouth is, unless I decide to go with an IS350 this Fall instead).

2006 E60 550i...

Actually I would probably go with the 530 myself...with BMW's history of 1st model-year woes, I would certainly not want one with all the 'toys'. With the 530 you get a package that has been out a couple of years and had some time to get the bugs worked out.

Greg

Originally Posted by JB-From-FL

Why is a 530 that weighs only 44 pounds more than a 330 .3 seconds slower to 60??? I just don't get it. Essentially the same weight, and exactly the same trans and final drive. The drag cd is even lower on the 530i. OK so I will say it one more time WHY is the 5 series slower????

JB-From-FL

Well, the E60 is a little bit taller. Which doesn't explain a lower coefficient of drag.

Originally Posted by MAC5217

2006 e90 FULLY loaded....or 2006 e60 530i Prem/cold/auto(those are the only options I can afford within my price range.)

If to commue, I would suggest the E90. I have a E60 545i w/ all options except dynamic cruise or heads-up display. If you are going to be doing alot of driving the 330i will save you alot of $ versus the 530i or 545i. In either case consider Eurodelivery, it saved me around 8% and I negotiated an aditional 3% so I paid 60k for a 67k car, and got to visit Germany for less than 1k in expenses. This way if there are some other options you want in the E60 such as sport package you may be able to afford them.

Originally Posted by RichReg

Well, the E60 is a little bit taller. Which doesn't explain a lower coefficient of drag.

Could it be possible that the onboard chip has something to do with shifting times / points to effect 0-60 times?

This is a good thread...really brings out everyone's opinions. It just goes to show you that cars are viewed very differently by everyone.

Some like the prestige...some only look at weight...some look at ride comfort...some only look at straight-line acceleration...some look at power. The interesting thing is that in 5-10 years, I bet you that they all will have formed new/different/altered views of what they want from a car....

We all categorize cars as they fit us and that is the most important thing when you are shopping for a car or deciding between two or three models.

You'll get all kinds of opinions all day long and some will be quite passionate about their opinions. That is fine but at the end of the day, YOU need a car that fits YOUR needs.

apples and oranges really. the new 3 series looks great. so does the 5. i think it is an issue of size and feel. 3 series is about sport (more so), 5 is about luxury as well as sport. there is a reason the 5 is more money. it is more car. in every way. it is true that the 3 is more nimble but the 5 is probably more comfortable. in past versions the 3 series feels a bit choppy driving around town. i imagine the 5 to feel smoother in city driving although it is of larger...

Originally Posted by JB-From-FL

Why is a 530 that weighs only 44 pounds more than a 330 .3 seconds slower to 60??? I just don't get it. Essentially the same weight, and exactly the same trans and final drive. The drag cd is even lower on the 530i. OK so I will say it one more time WHY is the 5 series slower????...

The test driver in the 5 Series is fatter? .3 sec could be due to anything, from a slightly worst launch, to a slightly slower shift, to a tighter engine, to a fatter driver.

Ed

Originally Posted by HS

You guys/girls crack me up.

Heck, the 3-series is really the same as a Kia, isn't it?

And ohhhhh, the 5-series is such a prestige-mobile, I can hardly stand it.

I've got news for you, the E60 is fugly. I'll take the M45 (Infiniti) over it any day (and I probably will put my money where my mouth is, unless I decide to go with an IS350 this Fall instead).

Not a fan of the asthetics of the E60.

The E90 hasn't exactly grown on me yet either.