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11-16-2009, 09:35 AM
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Location: San Francisco
2,333 posts, read 3,534,273 times
Reputation: 1619
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anyone understand the differences between BMW 528, 535, 550 (i, etc)
After testdriving every car I could think of I have decided I prefer the drive of BMW and Lexus. Was considering XF until the day I had an appt at Jaguar, an article from Consumer Reports described the XF as #4 in expensive clunkers to avoid. That turned me off considerably. I don't love the drive of the Audi or Mercedes as much. I like the drive of the 5 series and have narrowed it down to Lexus GS or BMW 5 series. I don't need a boat of a car, I like sports cars, but I carpool kids, so I need a midsize 5 seater (though a 2 seater coupe is really what makes me happy).
So give me your thoughts on the 5 series, 528, 535, 550 and how they compare....maybe it will help me decide between lexus and bmw.  |
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11-16-2009, 09:41 AM
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Location: Texas
22,198 posts, read 13,589,723 times
Reputation: 23132
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One of my best friends has a 550 sedan - nice car. I enjoyed it (as much as I can enjoy a sedan).
The difference is engine size/horsepower.
528 - 239hp
530 - 300hp
550 - 360hp
You have to drive 'em and decide. Don't forget to drive the M5 while you are there. May be something you'd like.
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11-16-2009, 10:17 AM
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Location: Central Texas
8,979 posts, read 7,091,670 times
Reputation: 4804
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I am surprised you like both BMW and Lexus -since they are very different in feel. I assume you compare the 5 series to the GS. Lexus is softer, more luxurious, and isolates you from the road. The BMW is almost the opposite.
I do not think CR actually called the XF a clunker at all. The XF is a terrific car but will probably have some of the usual Jaguar issues. But I owned a S-type 4L for 127K miles and enjoyed every mile. It was not troublefree but it was hardly a clunker. I think the XF is distinctive and worth re-considering.
I would choose Infiniti M, Jaguar XF, or Audi A6 over the 5 series and GS. The 5 series is almost a "herd" car these days. Unless you drive an M (a $$ beast) they are as common as Tahoes. The GS is beautifully finished but again too soft for me.
Other against the grain choices might be the Hyundai Genesis and even the Taurus SHO.
I didn't exactly answer the question I suppose - but that's because the 5 series just doesn't do it for me. I think the 528 will seem lethargic. The 535 much better.
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11-16-2009, 10:21 AM
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Location: San Jose, CA
6,293 posts, read 12,322,827 times
Reputation: 1974
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It's the motor. The first number is the car series. The next two used to represent the displacement of the motor, but they've gotten really loose with that. The 528i has a 3.0L inline six; the 535i has a twin-turbo 3.0L inline six; the 550i has a 4.8L V8. Then the M5 has a beastly V10.
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11-16-2009, 12:08 PM
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Location: Eastern Washington
8,235 posts, read 14,015,549 times
Reputation: 3949
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Another way is to see who drives it:
528 = normalny brat
535 = brigadier
550 = boss
M5 = avtoritet 
Seriously the main difference is under the hood, but you do get some other "stuff" like uprated suspension, etc. with the higher-zoot models. |
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11-16-2009, 12:14 PM
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Location: Mountain Home, Arkansas
436 posts, read 417,242 times
Reputation: 126
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Many people say if you buy a foreign car...well lets just say it's expensive to fix.
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11-16-2009, 12:42 PM
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Location: Vancouver, B.C., Canada
7,964 posts, read 8,584,879 times
Reputation: 2995
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Quote:
Originally Posted by iColt1
Many people say if you buy a foreign car...well lets just say it's expensive to fix.
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your not making any sense of course it is expensive to fix it's a higher end BMW I like them but for the price would rather find a used 02-08 745IL
http://silomjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/BMW-5-Series-CAR.jpg (broken link)
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11-16-2009, 12:47 PM
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Location: Vancouver, B.C., Canada
7,964 posts, read 8,584,879 times
Reputation: 2995
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11-16-2009, 01:05 PM
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Location: San Francisco
2,333 posts, read 3,534,273 times
Reputation: 1619
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iColti- I am pretty sure the maintenance is covered.
GTOLover, Thanks for the youtube video, it was interesting 
Hoffdano, where I live 750's are a dime a dozen, dont actually see any 5's, just 7's and 3's.
I'm thinking 535 or 550 with M Sport Package. It depends on if the rear assist in the 550 is an actual camera view or just a 'beep'. Any thoughts? |
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11-16-2009, 03:13 PM
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Location: The Big D
14,874 posts, read 21,585,621 times
Reputation: 5787
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Quote:
Originally Posted by iColt1
Many people say if you buy a foreign car...well lets just say it's expensive to fix.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Davachka
iColti- I am pretty sure the maintenance is covered.
GTOLover, Thanks for the youtube video, it was interesting
Hoffdano, where I live 750's are a dime a dozen, dont actually see any 5's, just 7's and 3's.
I'm thinking 535 or 550 with M Sport Package. It depends on if the rear assist in the 550 is an actual camera view or just a 'beep'. Any thoughts? |
Yes, the maintenance is covered  . One reason why I've gone BMW over the others. Didn't care for the ride in the Lexus. Too much like a grandma car or Cadillac. Not me. M-B dropped their maint. program when I bought my BMW so that kicked them out of the running. Had nothing but great things to say about the BMW. The current BMW is a 3 series w/ the sports package so that I can hand it down in a few months to my daughter. LOVE the M5 and it is a contender to replace the lose of my current BMW. Would love an M6 convertible next though and just might talk dh into it. Since I'd only be having to haul around 1 kid with the other driving  .
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