CD Article: 2006 BMW 530xi

[CD_Editor]

Test Drive:

Bigger is often considered better, Assistant Editor Jil McIntosh says, but when it comes to the BMW 5 Series, she prefers the 530xi's six-cylinder to the 550i's V8. It's a super-smooth and delightful vehicle - but what's up with an M trim package on anything but an M?      More...

[SIVIC]

Very nice car...  But if you're already 7/10ths the way to an M5 by price, go the whole way man..



I wonder if Jil was able to see if the car had a oversteering tendancy at all like the RWD model - although she probably didn't push it too hard.
Seems to me like all BMW's including this one, are better off RWD unless you HAVE to drive in real winter.

[mdxtasy]

It's a nice car.  I like the new 5 series design.  Priced out of reach for the common family, the puppy isn't cheap at 70K....base price.   

Family down the street has the 545 in black....it's striking. 

I agree with Jil in that the M badge stays with M cars.....

[tpl]

I sat in a 530xit with the M pack at the dealer yesterday... I'd buy one if I needed or wanted or felt comfortable in a car that big.

I suspect that getting a manual transmission one would require a 3 month wait and a special order.... which of course makes me think of a euro vacation to pick it up.....hmmmmm 

I still have a problem with a car with no engine oil dipstick and run flat tires tho'

[Bullet Blue]

I think I would just stick with the RWD version. Don't know if the M package is really necessary either. I have always been a fan of the 5 series and I love the looks of this one. You gotta pay to play though 

[a4_tom]

I would stick with RWD and Touring, too bad BMW Canada decided only X-Drive Touring available.

[Howswedeitis]

Nice ride to be sure. I guess gone are the days not so long ago when
a base 5 series went for a tick over 50k. At 70 odd K you have to wonder
whether the car is worth that money...I guess all is relative.

[safristi]

Why the 5 when ya have ta JIVE the 3 is ME..............................PURE SHOW_MAN_SHIP....in most cases
mines' 5  yers just a 3..... ...yeah BUT it's an Mmmmmmm 33333333...........

[sirAQUAMAN64]

All the mid-luxo cars seem to be in that price territory now. After all, 7's and S's now both start above $100.

I would definitely go for that M option package. The front bumper looks superb to me, and the seats and other goodies are very welcome. Whether badged M or not, I feel it's worth the cost.

I'm a fan of the Touring myself as well.

Great cars, these are!    Fantastic.

[haris]

The test car was over $80,000 and didn't include a CD changer. It's optional.   

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Nice trunk size on those 5-Series too, tho you wouldn't know it from the outside.

[G0dspd]

The test car was over $80,000 and didn't include a CD changer. It's optional.

I wouldn't even want to CD changer 

[initial_D]

I like the look of the 5. But geeweez, $70G just to start, that is Mad-Money territoy, regular sane folks need not apply. 

The E46 325XiT is a good vehicle, considering it in a year or 2. It will be a bargin comparing to the new E90 Touring.

[JSCC]

Most BMW "OWNERS" are just leasees, they are renting the car! 
Sales people (specially real estate) and company owners who can write off with tax benefits, NEED these cars to get their jobs done.

With BMW's insane residuals, no one would buy it after the lease, unless you are dumb.
Purchase a 760i and lose $90,000 in 3 years, LOLz!

[G0dspd]

So there great used cars! 

[initial_D]

Most BMW "OWNERS" are just leasees, they are renting the car! 
Sales people (specially real estate) and company owners who can write off with tax benefits, NEED these cars to get their jobs done.

With BMW's insane residuals, no one would buy it after the lease, unless you are dumb.
Purchase a 760i and lose $90,000 in 3 years, LOLz!

The max allowance for lease write off is $800. Even for a well equipped 3-series to fit under that cap, one still have to pony up a few G-Bills up front. $10G+ for a 5-series, I figure. Unless the business can pay for it before  the tax mantakes his share, it is still mad-money for those of us who punches a card into a clock day-in and day-out.