530 vs 525

[Frankie L]

Ok .......Here's one for the 5 ers, I met a guy at the USA auto parts store yesterday. He has a 2005 530i with the premium package, auto trans and thats it. I have a 2005 525i with the premium package and auto trans. We have everything the same. He asked me what I paid for mine and I told him, he told me what he paid for his...........I was totally stunned that he paid about 5k more for his than I did for mine.

Now let me tell you, when we both sat there and fiqured it out, he paid that much more for 39 more ponies. How can that be. I don't belive his car is that much quicker than mine with 39 more ponies. Whats up with that?????? Is that what BMW charges for the same car, with the same package but 39 more more ponies.

So I called a friend of mine who has a 2004 525 and he was told by a person at the dealership, the reason for the difference was that BMW had to compete with Mercedez and all their different models. I say what thats fine in theory, but c'mon now, 5 thousand more for 39 ponies, who's kidding who on this one!!!!!!!!!

 

[MrElussive]

It is certainly a good question, but nothing new. The previous-generation 5-Series was offered in 3 models as well: the 525i, the 530i, and the 540i. For the new 5-Series vehicles, the 525i and 530i have a price difference of a bit less than $5,000, which essentially only gets you 40 more horsepower. But this 40hp makes for a 1-second difference in 0-60 acceleration times. The 525i does 0-60 in 7.3 and 7.6 seconds (manual and auto), and the 530i does 0-60 in 6.4 and 6.6 seconds (manual and auto), which is significant when getting onto the highway.
Most people usually go for the 525i from what I have seen, but personally if I wanted a 5-Series I would pretty much only go with the 545i. My friend has a previous-generation 530i and although it is quick, my friend does not have a heavy foot and the auto tranny makes the motor work quite hard for even normal driving. The 545i would have much more low-end power for driving around town, while offering explosive power when you put the pedal to the metal.

The 525i is completely fine for normal driving and it is easy to say the 530i is not worth its $5K price increase, but what it comes down to, when choosing your 5-Series, is what your budget allows and how much you value raw acceleration.

 

[Frankie L]

525i vs 530i

Thanks Mr. E.............A reasonable explanation, but still... 5k FOR 40 extra ponies, I really have to think about that one, in any event, you have satisfied my question and I thank you.

 

[KentW]

Thanks Mr. E.............A reasonable explanation, but still... 5k FOR 40 extra ponies, I really have to think about that one, in any event, you have satisfied my question and I thank you.

Looking at it another way, it's only $125 per pony. Pretty cheap, for horseflesh. ;-)

 

[epj3]

Thanks Mr. E.............A reasonable explanation, but still... 5k FOR 40 extra ponies, I really have to think about that one, in any event, you have satisfied my question and I thank you.

In the end it does make the car quite a bit faster. Probably not $5,000 faster, but still quite a bit faster.

 

[Frankie L]

A Bit Quicker

Since I didn't pay the extra 5 large for the 530, is there anything I can do with my 525i, 184hp ride to make it a bit stronger. I now use premium 93 octane gas, but I don't know what else I could do to increase power. Exactly what is a software upgrade I alway hear peopole talk about. How does it affect HP's.......and my car. First of all, would my 05 qualify for such an upgrade.

Appreciate any suggestions................

 

[DRWWE]

Looking at it another way, it's only $125 per pony. Pretty cheap, for horseflesh. ;-)

Very cheap. An average horse will cost several thousand dollars. A good one will cost more that a new 530i...

 

[MrElussive]

Since I didn't pay the extra 5 large for the 530, is there anything I can do with my 525i, 184hp ride to make it a bit stronger. I now use premium 93 octane gas, but I don't know what else I could do to increase power. Exactly what is a software upgrade I alway hear peopole talk about. How does it affect HP's.......and my car. First of all, would my 05 qualify for such an upgrade.

Appreciate any suggestions................

Normally, there are a decent amount of options but there isn't too much out there for the new 5-Series vehicles. Dinan offers a High Flow Throttle Body for your car which costs $600 and gives you 8 horsepower and 8 foot pounds of torque. That's a good start right there, and if you go with an aftermarket exhaust system and aftermarket air intake, you'll get a bit more power at the cost (or pleasure) of increased noise.

 

[Frankie L]

Warranty

Thanks E for the suggestions, one thing you didn't touch on, does any of those changes invalidate my original warranty in any way if, BMW recognizes some alterations have been made.

P.S. I guess a couple of extra ponies couldn't hurt......LOL

 

[MrElussive]

All parts from Dinan maintain your BMW factory warranty. As for the aftermarket exhaust and air intake, they CAN affect your warranty. For example, if you get the exhaust and air intake installed, and later down the road your transmission or electric seats start having problems, there is no way that the exhaust or air intake could have caused that, so the problem(s) would be fixed under warranty. Your warranty is never actually "void" when you perform modifications to it - if your car experiences a problem which the dealership proves to be caused by a modification done by you, then you have to pay to fix the problem.

 

[Pete K]

What about the difference between the 530 and the 545? It's at least $10K isn't it? I think that's even more puzzling even though it about 75 horses.

 

[Frankie L]

Warranty

Thanks again E, I was hoping to hear from some others with an 04 525 to see if they have had any Dinan work done, especially if they felt it was worth the bucks to gain some extra ponies. I really don't have a problem with the way my 5 handles now, but it doesn't hurt to gain some more power.

When I driving on the Long Island Expressway doing about 70-80, it handles like a dream with power to spare. When I get onto a parkway, etc, it does pull with no hesitation when entering the highway and I'm surprized at the power it does have. A Eurpoean doctor friend of mine who races MG's says we are to concerned about horsepower as opposed to the way Eurpoeans cars are built for high acceleration and top end power.

I for one am impressed with my 525 but I'll wait and see if any other 525 owners jump into this thread with their thoughts before I make a decision. This is what its all about. I'm glad to be part of this forum, you get truth as opposed to BS stories. Thanks again E.

 

[MrElussive]

No problem, Frankie. If it helps you out at all, Dinan is typically pricey for the performance upgrades they offer, but they are always quality and it preserves the BMW warranty, which is a big selling point for Dinan.

Pete K, the 545i is definitely very expensive and I do not think many people will opt for it. But you do get a much bigger motor which absolutely hauls ass in straight-line acceleration, and you get larger standard rims and tires, auto transmission as a no-charge option, and some other minor features. It mainly comes down to whether you need or want the power or not. Both the 525 and 530 are extremely willing to deliver solid power but the 545 is substantially faster and therefore substantially more expensive.

 

[stiffy]

In CDA, the 525i hasn't been available until now, as a 2006. 215hp vs 255hp in the '06 530i ('05 530i had 225hp). Otherwise, with Prem Pkgs, the only diff is the 530i gets PDC, HK Logic 7, Through-load and rear heated seats. Price diff: CDN$61000 vs CDN$71400. Add $790 for the through-load. That equates to about $8000 USD!! I took the 525i, and am very happy with the performance. Plus...better lease rates and residuals on the 525 to boot!

 

[ddone]

Are the brakes, suspension and tire/wheel combo's the same in the 525i and 530i?

 

[Frankie L]

Brakes, Wheels and suspension

To the best of my knowledge DDone, they are all the same, 17 inch rims and the same suspension except maybe for the sport package. The 04 5's had 16 inch rim , then in 05 they change to 17 on the 525 and 530. I believe the 545 has either 18 or 19 inch rims. I think the 06's are the same.

 

[stiffy]

In Canada, the wheels/tires, brakes and suspension are identical. I went through the set-up with a fine-tooth comb, and the previously mentioned differences are all there is. I would image the same holds true on both sides of the border. I suspect BMW is simply trying to beat down all the other mfgrs...our benefit...

 

[PeterB]

I recently chose the 530 over the 525.

My reasons? More bhp and more torque (I use the car for towing); insurance much the same, fuel consumption much the same, performance of the 530 lifts it above routine level.

I was also trading a 528 and was looking for something with more 'pep'. The newer 525 is within one bhp of the old 528.

Peter

 

[navdhanju]

Hey guys... me = newbie here on this board.

I currently own a 04 Acura TL w/NAVI. The NAVI is great in teh Acura. Lacking in the BMW. But im thinking of trading in the TL for either the 525 or the 530. Dont know which one. As well im torn between the 40 more HP the 530 has to offer.

What else i like about the 530 is the fact that it has the option of adding the M sport package where as the 525 does not. Is it possible that i can purchase these afterwards, say from ebay, and if yes,... what are the addons that make the M package the M.

Thanx for all help.

 

[navdhanju]

For $5000 what kind of mods can u guys suggest to make it faster than the 530i.

I would most likely not mod my car since it is a lease, but you never know. If i can throw on a CAI and get sufficient gains i might just do that.