2006 530i v. 2006 325i

bpbenda · 03-27-2006, 01:55 PM

I have my 2006 325i being serviced today by the dealer because the air conditioner has never blow cold air and thus never really worked. Anyway, I was given a 2006 530i, and I must say that I am so glad I got what I did and not that vehicle.

Granted, the 530i is nice, but I personally think the inside of the e90 is much nicer and, to me, feels much higher quality. A couple things, having a 325i with navigation and the widescreen is much nicer than the stock iDrive on the 530i. In comparison, the screen seems very small and the knob in the 530i both feels and operates comparitively cheaper. The cigarette lighter (phone charger) by the transmission shifter in the 530i feels like it is spring-loaded and, again, just seems very cheap. Furthermore, the center console in the 325i is way nicer than what they have in the stock 530i.

Driving-wise, maybe it was just the particular vehicle that they gave me, but the automatic transmission pause when gunning the pedal seemed much longer in both D and DS than my 325i. Overall, it just did not seem as responsive as the 325i. I don't know whether it is designed to be or not, but it is not nearly as fun a ride. Otherwise, I thought everything else was fairly similar.

So, overall, from cost to performance, I am so glad that I loaded up a 325i and chose not to pay more for something larger. Yes, the 530i is a bigger vehicle, but it is not nearly as big as I thought it would be in comparison to the 325i. I suppose sometimes you wonder if you should have gotten this or gotten that, but after today I know I made the best choice for me and that makes me happy.

bpbenda · 03-27-2006, 03:04 PM

I will say this about the 530i, however, and that is that I really like the powered steering column. That is a really nice feature, and for nearly $3000 should be part of the e90s Premium Package.

E24 · 03-27-2006, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpbenda

I will say this about the 530i, however, and that is that I really like the powered steering column. That is a really nice feature, and for nearly $3000 should be part of the e90s Premium Package.

A premium package 3 should include power wheel as well as power headrests. A sport package 3 w/ power seats should have a power adjustable thigh support. It's just cheap shit short cuts in my opinion. You're talking to the former owner of an E39 5-series that had all of these items. I don't think that the "entry level" model should be spared these items. Just bump the price by a few bucks and make the car "right". I hate nickle and diming.

younghov85 · 03-27-2006, 09:30 PM

PLEASE SEND THAT DIRECTLY TO BMW HEADQUATERS. PLEASE!!

bpbenda · 03-28-2006, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E24

A premium package 3 should include power wheel as well as power headrests. A sport package 3 w/ power seats should have a power adjustable thigh support. ... Just bump the price by a few bucks and make the car "right". I hate nickle and diming.

I agree with you 100%. I did not realize that the 530i had the power headrests until I had to adjust mine and couldn't figure out how to get it to go up or down. Haha. Finally figured it out. Very nice feature.

I did think it was funny that my power seats in the e90 have lumbar support and those in the 530i do not. For the price, if you are buying power seats, give us power seats. Although this is my first BMW and will likely not be my last, I am quickly beginning to learn that with BMW you pay for a nickel and only get back about 3-4 cents in return. It is either that scenario or all you want is a nickel, but end up having to pay 7-8 cents for it plus some additional pennies you never wanted from the beginning.

turbotention · 03-28-2006, 10:00 PM

If I am not mistaken the sport package equipt 3 does come with power thigh support

StevoSEA · 03-28-2006, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbotention

If I am not mistaken the sport package equipt 3 does come with power thigh support

Negative-the side bolsters are power-the thigh support is manual (pull out-push in) (I have the SP)

ages944 · 03-28-2006, 10:46 PM

i have to totally agree. I had an '04 5 series as a loaner once. Felt quite large by comparison, and not nearly as light on its feet. Makes sense though, as its purpose is not the same as the 3's.

03-27-2006, 01:55 PM	#1
bpbenda Private First Class 16 Rep 170 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 325i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Nashville, TN iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW 325i [0.00]	2006 530i v. 2006 325i - Impressions I have my 2006 325i being serviced today by the dealer because the air conditioner has never blow cold air and thus never really worked. Anyway, I was given a 2006 530i, and I must say that I am so glad I got what I did and not that vehicle. Granted, the 530i is nice, but I personally think the inside of the e90 is much nicer and, to me, feels much higher quality. A couple things, having a 325i with navigation and the widescreen is much nicer than the stock iDrive on the 530i. In comparison, the screen seems very small and the knob in the 530i both feels and operates comparitively cheaper. The cigarette lighter (phone charger) by the transmission shifter in the 530i feels like it is spring-loaded and, again, just seems very cheap. Furthermore, the center console in the 325i is way nicer than what they have in the stock 530i. Driving-wise, maybe it was just the particular vehicle that they gave me, but the automatic transmission pause when gunning the pedal seemed much longer in both D and DS than my 325i. Overall, it just did not seem as responsive as the 325i. I don't know whether it is designed to be or not, but it is not nearly as fun a ride. Otherwise, I thought everything else was fairly similar. So, overall, from cost to performance, I am so glad that I loaded up a 325i and chose not to pay more for something larger. Yes, the 530i is a bigger vehicle, but it is not nearly as big as I thought it would be in comparison to the 325i. I suppose sometimes you wonder if you should have gotten this or gotten that, but after today I know I made the best choice for me and that makes me happy.
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03-27-2006, 03:04 PM	#2
bpbenda Private First Class 16 Rep 170 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 325i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Nashville, TN iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW 325i [0.00]	I will say this about the 530i, however, and that is that I really like the powered steering column. That is a really nice feature, and for nearly $3000 should be part of the e90s Premium Package.
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03-27-2006, 09:30 PM	#4
younghov85 Captain 65 Rep 889 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 black 325 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Lanham, Maryland iTrader: (0)	PLEASE SEND THAT DIRECTLY TO BMW HEADQUATERS. PLEASE!!
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03-28-2006, 10:00 PM	#6
turbotention New Member 0 Rep 5 Posts Drives: white e90 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: L.A. CA iTrader: (0)	If I am not mistaken the sport package equipt 3 does come with power thigh support
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03-28-2006, 10:46 PM	#8
ages944 Captain 99 Rep 990 Posts Drives: E90 325i Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chicago 'burbs iTrader: (0)	i have to totally agree. I had an '04 5 series as a loaner once. Felt quite large by comparison, and not nearly as light on its feet. Makes sense though, as its purpose is not the same as the 3's.
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