528i/525i Comparisons?

[MrPoonerson]

hey guys, im new to these forums, im an avid vw guy but time has come for my want to move up in the german car class. im looking at getting a 528i or 525i, im not so sure to what the differences are , im assuming the face lift. any pros and cons you guys have had with these cars? id really like to get a 540 but with gas prices and current salary id like to have some playing money too.

btw im moving from a turbo 90 jetta coupe to this so.. its gonna be a whole new ball game

[agoff7]

What are you expecting? If you are expecting superior off-the-line performance forget it. I recently bought a 1998 528 and love it. It handles very nice and off the line acceleration is acceptable, but not great.

[MrPoonerson]

im not expecting a rocket at all.. im saying comfort, reliability, costs of maintenance. that kind of stuff. its a car im getting to drive every day... so id like to know some background on it.

[agoff7]

Originally posted by MrPoonerson@Nov 17 2004, 01:20 AM
im not expecting a rocket at all.. im saying comfort, reliability, costs of maintenance. that kind of stuff. its a car im getting to drive every day... so id like to know some background on it.

[snapback]232473[/snapback]

My experience so far (3 months) has been very good. All maintenance done so far was oil change, manual trtansmission fluid, and differential fluid for $186.

My shop recommended replacing the entire cooling system every 7 years, which is right about where I am, they quoted $1100 for all of it. You will read about bursting radiators and resevoirs and water pumps failing. The water pump was replaced by the previous owner so I am going to buy the other items off the internet and do it myself.

[wiseman168]

Welcome!!

I recommand you to get 525i sport.. 2001 - 2004.
525i =
New head light & tail light
Nice set of tires
Better interior
If you like give me your email address and I will send you the owner's manul you can compare yourself. :-)

Wiseman168

[DWNG715]

Go with the 540i man. If you really want that vehicle then you might as well get it. One thing to watch out if you're getting a used bmws are that the previous owners might have driven it pretty hard. I mean anyone would right? if you had a M5 or 540i you would drive it pretty hard! so just watch out.

[BeelZibub]

Originally posted by MrPoonerson@Nov 16 2004, 07:50 PM
hey guys, im new to these forums, im an avid vw guy but time has come for my want to move up in the german car class. im looking at getting a 528i or 525i, im not so sure to what the differences are , im assuming the face lift. any pros and cons you guys have had with these cars? id really like to get a 540 but with gas prices and current salary id like to have some playing money too.

btw im moving from a turbo 90 jetta coupe to this so.. its gonna be a whole new ball game

[snapback]232018[/snapback]

Pre 2000 were 520 (2.0ltr - 150bhp), 523(2.5ltr - 170bhp), 528(2.8ltr - 192bhp), 535(3.5ltr - 245bhp) and 540(4.4ltr - 286bhp)

2000 - 2003 520(2.2ltr - 170bhp), 525(2.5ltr - 192bhp), 530(3.0ltr - 231bhp) and 540(4.4ltr 286bhp)

So the 525 has the same bhp as the earlier 528 BUT is slightly slower (0.5 secs 0-60 slower) and has the facelift - angels, wider grill etc.