The difference between a 3 series and 5 series is apparant to a lot of people of course. But is there anything in the 530 that would make one choose it over the 330 besides the size etc. I mean it's basically the same car only different in size and thus room. What I'm looking for is whether the 5 series is quieter than the 330 etc. There's a difference in size that it doesn't seem to be too much. There's a price difference too but they virtually have the same options.

 

Test drive wouldn't hurt, sir. I'm sure it would answer all of your questions.

Personally, I wouldn't go for the 530. It'll get no respect. The 540i, though, is very nice.

Go for the 330. But if you can stretch a little more, get the 540 six-speed.

 

It's not for me. And ya test drive is the way to go for everything. There's a big difference b/w the 540 and 530. But would the 530 get more respect than the 330?

 

If you go for the 540 6-speed, toss in another 10K or so and get the M5...that'll get you respect!

 

Yeah big difference there. 330 is a 'sports sedan' while 530 is a 'luxury sedan'. 330 is aimed at the 'performance market' - it's for people who want to have a nice car that is comfortable and good for the family but they want to be able to throw it aroud a bit and expect some performance (which it has plenty of).

The 530 on the other hand is a 'luxury sedan' and that's all. It handles well for one and as far as 'luxury sedans' go, it's pretty sporty, but taking it on a track or fanging it on a twisty road is not it's fortay and is not what it was made for. Even 540, no mater how fast and how well sorted is a big heavy car that goes very fast - performance car it is not, it's more of a 4 door GT (very good one at that).

Yes, 530 is quieter, more comfortable and less involving than a 330. It is also less rewarding that ther 330. It also weights about 150 - 200kg more. 330 will not be out of place on a twisty road or even on a track - it is a one fine performance automobile - actually it is not really any worse (and in some ways better) that the US spec M3 (not the brand new one). That's what 330 reraly is, replacement for the US spec M3. The 330 is a respectable performance car that even the S2000 needs to respect while the 530 is almost the other end of the scale of aotomobiles - a 'luxury' car ... it will never 'hang' with the S2000.

 

Well we're looking at the bimmers as a family car. Luxury is important. But luxury wise, I can't think of any difference in terms of luxury between the 530 and 330 besides the extra room in the 530. That's why I want to ask weather there are things thrown ino the 530 that one might miss. I guess it comes down to whether you need the extra room?

 

Another car to consider is Audi A6 2.7T. This car comes with 2.7T Biturbo engine and the 6-speed manual from S4. The engine is easily upgradeable to 300+HP with an aftermarket ECU. Chipped A6 is faster than a S2000. Sadly I can bouch for that. For $45,600 you get sport package with 17" BBS RC wheels, premium package, luxury package and all wheel drive standard.

Similarly equipped 530i cost 47,170, and comes with 225 HP V6 and 5 speed manual.

I would never buy a 330i over a S4. I feel the same way about 530i and A6 2.7T. IMHO, most BMWs are over priced. Audi not be as sporty, but they are a much better deal.

 

I love the Audi 2.7 bi-turbo engines, but... damn the S4 seems to have a lot of issues with leaking turbos, transmission failures and poor treatment by AofA.

It's deterring me from getting the S4 and siding with more reliable cars.

 

I've been looking at the A6 too. But BMW's prestige has something to do with our decision to look at bimmers. Audi's reliability has been bad lately as well. The A6 may be a bit too long for our tastes.

So it's 330 or 525 or 530 I guess.