Obsessing About a 5er

[MexicoCityM3]

Recently I've been obsessing about getting a 5er. A 528i. I had the chance to drive one for a couple of laps at our recent club anniversary event. I found the power more than enough and the handling very nice too. I just don't get all the whining about the EPS.

I just checked and there is a 2014 M-Sport on the lot in Space Grey/Cinammon Brown combo that is basically the color I love. As a 2014, it has a 4K discount.

I am going to take a look at it.

There is no way i could get it without selling one of my cars. The 1M is worth almost as much as this new 5er, probably would be only about 5K out of pocket. The M3 is worth less, so I'd be down for about 20K. I'd pay cash, no financing this time.

I know my cars are better enthusiast cars but for some reason the 5 appeals a lot to me. It's the BMW design I like the most today and I dream about being comfortable every day in it and weirdly, sipping little gas.

The logical trade (if any) is the M3 because it has 50K miles. And the 1M is rarer and a better complement to the 5er. I can unload my M3 easily quickly at a good price privately among club members.

Pics (from configurator):






Being on the lot, the car is missing a few options that I'd like. It has passive M-Sport suspension and the shittiest audio system. Suspension I can do nothing about, audio system can be upgraded after market for $1K.

[Lebowski]

I like the current 5 a lot. Didn't like the previous one.  I'd prob sell the M3 if I were you as you say the 1M is a better compliment size wise.

I hear you on wanting something comfortable. We're getting old.  Pretty soon we'll be as old as Dazzleman was when carspin first started and I made fun of him for being an old fart then.

[MrH]

I also love the current 5-series.  One of the my favorite designs out there right now.

You might be able to add adaptive damping after purchase, but I kind of doubt it.  It looks like the system for the 5-series requires a lot of sensors and wiring that isn't in place unless you order from the factory that way.

[12,000 RPM]

I can understand a 5, but not new. You will get washed bad on depreciation. Might as well buy an older one and a (very) extended warranty.

[MexicoCityM3]

I also love the current 5-series.  One of the my favorite designs out there right now.

You might be able to add adaptive damping after purchase, but I kind of doubt it.  It looks like the system for the 5-series requires a lot of sensors and wiring that isn't in place unless you order from the factory that way.

Adding that is impossible to do right. I think I can live with the passive suspension for a 15K savings over a 2015 with the option.

[MexicoCityM3]

I can understand a 5, but not new. You will get washed bad on depreciation. Might as well buy an older one and a (very) extended warranty.

Financially I of course have no argument. But you know, new is new :)

[68_427]

Why no CTS V Sport?  XD

[MexicoCityM3]

Why no CTS V Sport?  XD

Because not available in Mexico. Otherwise it would be a serious contender.

I can get a CTS V6 N/A for about the same as this 528i. I test drove the CTS recently and liked it very much. It's sportier than the 5er. But the things that I value in a car are changing. The 528i trumps the CTS on the following:

- Fuel economy
- Interior design (not necessarily quality)
- Comfort (probably, not 100% sure)
- Image (yeah, I care)
- Warranty (3yrs vs 2 yrs)
- Depreciation
- Quality of on board electronics (iDrive vs CUE) by a country mile
- 8 Speed excellent tranny
- Exterior design (subjective)

CTS is sportier to drive, has a much better sounding engine. Not faster especially at MC's height above sea level.

[CALL_911]

Fuck the 528i, go get yourself a GS350!

[MexicoCityM3]

Also, before Dave suggests A6:

No competitive engine here. It's either the 1.8T with a puny 180hp, FWD and crap multitronic transmission, or jump to a TDI Quattro (245hp) for about 10K more than the 528i.
The A6 2.0T is not available here. I'd never get a FWD A6.

The 3.0T is 15K more (as is the 535i).

[MexicoCityM3]

Fuck the 528i, go get yourself a GS350!

No Lexus in Mexico. Only Infiniti & Acura.

[CALL_911]

Could you find yourself a 2012 or 2013 535i? My dad has a 535i, the N54/55 is so well suited for a car like the 5-series.

[MexicoCityM3]

Could you find yourself a 2012 or 2013 535i? My dad has a 535i, the N54/55 is so well suited for a car like the 5-series.

I've looked at a few online. For some weird reason before 2014 the M-Sport was sold heard with cloth interior and I don't like that. I really liked the 528i I drove at a track. It felt light on its feet on turn in.

[mzziaz]

Love that brown interior. Shame it isnt available for Adam's M3

[12,000 RPM]

This is kind of a tough one. 328i wagon?

[MexicoCityM3]

This is kind of a tough one. 328i wagon?

No wagon available here. I'd dig it.

[12,000 RPM]

Thats a bummer. 4 Gran Coupe?

[Xer0]

I think the 5er is probably the best looking German and most likely has the best base engine.  How are prices in Mexico in comparison to the US?

[cawimmer430]

Man, you're really getting old. 

What comes after the 5er? A used 2011 Mercury Grand Marquis?     

[dazzleman]

Man, you're really getting old. 

What comes after the 5er? A used 2011 Mercury Grand Marquis?     

No, an A6...

Or maybe a 1972 Chevy Impala....

[dazzleman]

Also, before Dave suggests A6:

No competitive engine here. It's either the 1.8T with a puny 180hp, FWD and crap multitronic transmission, or jump to a TDI Quattro (245hp) for about 10K more than the 528i.
The A6 2.0T is not available here. I'd never get a FWD A6.

The 3.0T is 15K more (as is the 535i).

The A6 is more fun to drive than the 5er at this point.  The 5er has moved in the direction of being more solid/comfortable as opposed to sporty and fast.

But you're getting older and you'll be getting a ball and chain soon, so maybe it's the better option....

[Raza]

The current 5 series is larger than my first apartment. And Giant Nose Syndrome.

[cawimmer430]

Or maybe a 1972 Chevy Impala....

Excellent choice - very stylish and comfortable. 

[MexicoCityM3]

The A6 is more fun to drive than the 5er at this point.  The 5er has moved in the direction of being more solid/comfortable as opposed to sporty and fast.

Not necessarily. C&D tends to agree with you but not the euro mags or MT here: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1206_six_cylinder_midsize_luxury_sedans/

And the 528i is nimbler than the 535i. The comparable A6 in price here has a wheezy 1.8T engine, FWD and a fucking CVT.

[MexicoCityM3]

The current 5 series is larger than my first apartment. And Giant Nose Syndrome.

Raza, to you an Abarth is the paragon of practicality and your Z4 is a very reasonable daily driver (an Elise too). I have the 1M for fun.

[MexicoCityM3]

Thats a bummer. 4 Gran Coupe?

I don't think I can make myself spend that much for a reskinned 3 series. Might as well go with a 328i or an ActiveHybrid 3 then. Especially the latter which I test drove and loved.

[dazzleman]

Not necessarily. C&D tends to agree with you but not the euro mags or MT here: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1206_six_cylinder_midsize_luxury_sedans/

And the 528i is nimbler than the 535i. The comparable A6 in price here has a wheezy 1.8T engine, FWD and a fucking CVT.

1.8T would not do.  The salesman told me about it first, and I immediately vetoed it.

So Audis there are more expensive than BMWs for a comparable-sized engine?  Interesting.

[12,000 RPM]

I don't think I can make myself spend that much for a reskinned 3 series. Might as well go with a 328i or an ActiveHybrid 3 then. Especially the latter which I test drove and loved.

Doesnt the 4GC come better equipped than the 3 though? The practicality of the hatch + the nimbleness of the 3 sounds like a win to me.

[MexicoCityM3]

1.8T would not do.  The salesman told me about it first, and I immediately vetoed it.

So Audis there are more expensive than BMWs for a comparable-sized engine?  Interesting.

Not really, it's more of a gap in Audi's range here.

BMW offers 520i, 528i, 535i, ActiveHybrid, 550i and M5

Audi only sells 1.8T, 3.0 TDI, 3.0T, S6, RS6

Nothing from Audi matches the 528i. On levels where there is a match, like 3.0T vs 535i or S6 vs 550i, the BMW is always slightly more expensive.

[MexicoCityM3]

Doesnt the 4GC come better equipped than the 3 though? The practicality of the hatch + the nimbleness of the 3 sounds like a win to me.

The 4GC will cost the same as the 5er (prices are not final yet, but going from the 4 coupe pricing)

This time around I care more about luxury and comfort than nimbleness. Remember there is still the 1M for ultimate handling, hooliganism and fun.