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I am looking for some advice on the engine size of this vehicle. I am looking at 1999 BMW 520ia model for sale but i'm afraid of the small displacement engine. I doubt it will be big enough to push the car around efficiently, more rpm's mean more gas guzzling. Also what of the "A" descriptor in the 520ia badging?
You already know the answer. I have a 525 and that isnt even strong enough to push my tank very fast at all. Test drive it and faster models and make your decision based on your need, interests, and price range. It sounds like you want a faster car... so pass this one up and get a different one.
I know big assed cars are the norm in the states, but the Bahamas???? The 520i was the biggest selling model of the e39 here in the UK. The a means Automatic. Smaller engine obviously means BETTER fuel economy - that's why they were so popular here where petrol prices are so high. Below are the specs for all pre 2000 cars (except the odd special edition). I have highlighted the 0-60 and mpg figures as they seem to be the most important issues to you. It's always the same, you will have to decide which is more important power or mpg - the 520 is certainly not looked upon as a slow car over here and the 540 is well out of most normal peoples price ranges to BUY let alone run. Also remember the 520 averages 31mpg the 540 23mpg - put them both in a city and you will still get 27-28 from the 520 and perhaps 15 from the 540 long runs you should expect nearer 40 mpg from the 520. BTW the 520 was never meant to be a sports car just an economical and useable intro to the world of the 5er - almost everything apart from engine size is the same across the range so you still get the handling, luxury etc.
At the end of the day it's your choice and I hope the figures below will help.
This was a spot on post beelz, I really appreciate both points of view and it totally answered my question as to what to get and more importantly for what reason. The island I live on is only 21 miles long with the longest strainght road being 2.6miles lol.
I like the styling of the E39 and I do believe it will be a better upgrade to my 92 E36! 520ia it is then!
Cheers!
Quote:
Originally posted by BeelZibub@Oct 25 2004, 01:50 AM I know big assed cars are the norm in the states, but the Bahamas???? The 520i was the biggest selling model of the e39 here in the UK. The a means Automatic. Smaller engine obviously means BETTER fuel economy - that's why they were so popular here where petrol prices are so high. Below are the specs for all pre 2000 cars (except the odd special edition). I have highlighted the 0-60 and mpg figures as they seem to be the most important issues to you. It's always the same, you will have to decide which is more important power or mpg - the 520 is certainly not looked upon as a slow car over here and the 540 is well out of most normal peoples price ranges to BUY let alone run. Also remember the 520 averages 31mpg the 540 23mpg - put them both in a city and you will still get 27-28 from the 520 and perhaps 15 from the 540 long runs you should expect nearer 40 mpg from the 520. BTW the 520 was never meant to be a sports car just an economical and useable intro to the world of the 5er - almost everything apart from engine size is the same across the range so you still get the handling, luxury etc.
At the end of the day it's your choice and I hope the figures below will help.
Originally posted by BEX+Oct 27 2004, 12:00 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BEX @ Oct 27 2004, 12:00 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'>This was a spot on post beelz, I really appreciate both points of view and it totally answered my question as to what to get and more importantly for what reason. The island I live on is only 21 miles long with the longest strainght road being 2.6miles lol.
I like the styling of the E39 and I do believe it will be a better upgrade to my 92 E36! 520ia it is then!
Cheers!
<!--QuoteBegin-BeelZibub@Oct 25 2004, 01:50 AM I know big assed cars are the norm in the states, but the Bahamas???? The 520i was the biggest selling model of the e39 here in the UK. The a means Automatic. Smaller engine obviously means BETTER fuel economy - that's why they were so popular here where petrol prices are so high. Below are the specs for all pre 2000 cars (except the odd special edition). I have highlighted the 0-60 and mpg figures as they seem to be the most important issues to you. It's always the same, you will have to decide which is more important power or mpg - the 520 is certainly not looked upon as a slow car over here and the 540 is well out of most normal peoples price ranges to BUY let alone run. Also remember the 520 averages 31mpg the 540 23mpg - put them both in a city and you will still get 27-28 from the 520 and perhaps 15 from the 540 long runs you should expect nearer 40 mpg from the 520. BTW the 520 was never meant to be a sports car just an economical and useable intro to the world of the 5er - almost everything apart from engine size is the same across the range so you still get the handling, luxury etc.
At the end of the day it's your choice and I hope the figures below will help.
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