Change Model Number - BMW Forum

bmwnew · 01-20-2005, 03:52 AM

hello, i just got my first bmw, a 2005 525i - my boyfriend wants to change the model number on the back to 530i, he says this is very common as the body of the car is the same. i didn't really care for more performance and instead wanted to spend the extra money on options. do people change the numbers? how? where do you get the parts from? are the numbers attached or placed on one by one? please don't criticize, im very new to all of this car business.

sp0rky · 01-20-2005, 08:39 AM

Its just a stick on badge for the back that says either 525 or 530.. Why not just go for the 540 badge then?

Either way dont do it. Be happy with what you have, dont try to show the rest of the world that you have something that you dont. There are fanatics out there who will notice and will laugh.

Leave it be. Get the 530 badge when you buy a 530...

bmwnew · 01-20-2005, 12:12 PM

B)

Quote:

Originally posted by bmwnew@Jan 20 2005, 03:52 AM
hello, i just got my first bmw, a 2005 525i - my boyfriend wants to change the model number on the back to 530i, he says this is very common as the body of the car is the same. i didn't really care for more performance and instead wanted to spend the extra money on options. do people change the numbers? how? where do you get the parts from? are the numbers attached or placed on one by one? please don't criticize, im very new to all of this car business.

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thanks for the information -- i tend to be on your side but being as he is the car person and i am not, this is an area where i am not too opinionated -- out of curiosity, what did you mean about fanatics -- how can people tell the difference? the guy at the car dealership said that the 525i and 530i were exactly the same to the T from the outside -- the 545i has different tires. thanks for the information!

billB · 01-20-2005, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bmwnew+Jan 20 2005, 07:12 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bmwnew @ Jan 20 2005, 07:12 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'>B) <!--QuoteBegin-bmwnew@Jan 20 2005, 03:52 AM
hello, i just got my first bmw, a 2005 525i - my boyfriend wants to change the model number on the back to 530i, he says this is very common as the body of the car is the same. i didn't really care for more performance and instead wanted to spend the extra money on options. do people change the numbers? how? where do you get the parts from? are the numbers attached or placed on one by one? please don't criticize, im very new to all of this car business.

[snapback]275459[/snapback]

thanks for the information -- i tend to be on your side but being as he is the car person and i am not, this is an area where i am not too opinionated -- out of curiosity, what did you mean about fanatics -- how can people tell the difference? the guy at the car dealership said that the 525i and 530i were exactly the same to the T from the outside -- the 545i has different tires. thanks for the information!

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[/b][/quote]

BMWNEW

to our forum:

I tend to agree with Sp0rky and there is a difference between the two models see the specs on both models below:
The 2005 525i has Inline-6, 2.50 L | 152.6 cu in. | 2501.1 cc.; 184 BHP @ 6000 RPM, 175 Ft-lbs @ 3500 RPM.

In contrast the 2005 530i has Inline-6, 3.00 L | 183.1 cu in. | 3001 cc.; 225 BHP @ 5900 RPM, 214 Ft-lbs @ 3500 RPM.
The 540? well it is entirely different animal

As Sp0rky said why convince yourself that you have something you don't!

regards
billb

Torque · 01-20-2005, 03:24 PM

A fanatic can pinpoint the exact model from far away without ever seeing a badge... exhaust tips, door mouldings, headlights, wheels, how low/high the car sits... once you get the hang of BMWs you can just tell those things.

Don't do it... if the 525 really bugs you, then remove it completely and leave it badgeless... there is a writeup on how to do that in the FAQ forum.

The Deuce · 01-20-2005, 03:25 PM

The numbers are easy to change, but I would agree with sp0rky and Billb that it is something you should just leave alone.

I have to wonder what kind of "car guy" is concerned with image over function in such a way as this. I would think that most 'car guys' would push for more horsepower and less options, rather than trying to fool people into believing you have something you don't.

bmwnew · 01-20-2005, 04:23 PM

i agree with you guys -- it's something i probably won't do -- but now im interested in these differences -- headlights, exhaust tips, etc. i want to make sure the guy at the dealership wasn't lying to me. he said the only differences between the 525i and 530i were under the hood and that there were no physical differences to the body of the car. is this true or not?

billB · 01-20-2005, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Torque@Jan 20 2005, 10:24 PM
A fanatic can pinpoint the exact model from far away without ever seeing a badge... exhaust tips, door mouldings, headlights, wheels, how low/high the car sits... once you get the hang of BMWs you can just tell those things.

Don't do it... if the 525 really bugs you, then remove it completely and leave it badgeless... there is a writeup on how to do that in the FAQ forum.

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Hey Torque: you've redefined the meaning of a fanatic. As always Excellent job.

Torque · 01-21-2005, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bmwnew@Jan 20 2005, 06:23 PM
i agree with you guys -- it's something i probably won't do -- but now im interested in these differences -- headlights, exhaust tips, etc. i want to make sure the guy at the dealership wasn't lying to me. he said the only differences between the 525i and 530i were under the hood and that there were no physical differences to the body of the car. is this true or not?

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well there is no difference between the 2 from the outside, but I swear I can still tell them apart even if you remove the badges. lol

mrogers · 01-21-2005, 01:59 PM

Doesn't the 525i have smaller wheels than the 530i? That's the only difference between the '05s that I thought existed...or I could have dreamed that up.

Torque · 01-21-2005, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mrogers@Jan 21 2005, 03:59 PM
Doesn't the 525i have smaller wheels than the 530i? That's the only difference between the '05s that I thought existed...or I could have dreamed that up.

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yeah 16s vs 17s on the '30

billB · 01-21-2005, 02:18 PM

This is it from the horse's mouth, just plug in you model number and compare them.
http://www.bmwusa.com/BMW2003/Templates/Ve...CACHEHINT=Guest

Note: you may compare non-BMWs as well but once you plug in the 525 vs. 530 the data shows a better MPG on the 3.0 engine. One would think the smaller engine is the more economical one. The difference is only by ONE mile/city; and TWO miles/hwy. Does the smaller guy in the 525 works harder in moving the same mass? Interesting indeed.
And Torque is right again it is 16" vs. 17" STOCK Wheels.
regards
billb

schilke · 01-21-2005, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bmwnew@Jan 20 2005, 05:23 PM
i want to make sure the guy at the dealership wasn't lying to me

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First off,

Second off, if there is one thing you learn from this website is that the guy at the dealership is ALWAYS lying to you.

Before all you techies and stealership workers flame me, keep in mind, YOU, the honest dealership employees, are A MINORITY.

That being said, never trust the dealership on their word. Always find everything out for your self

-- enter shameless plug here -- This website is a great way to learn about your car! I suggest you refer to it often!!

billB · 01-21-2005, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bmwnew@Jan 20 2005, 11:23 PM
i agree with you guys -- it's something i probably won't do -- but now im interested in these differences -- headlights, exhaust tips, etc. i want to make sure the guy at the dealership wasn't lying to me. he said the only differences between the 525i and 530i were under the hood and that there were no physical differences to the body of the car. is this true or not?

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Looking at the data provided by the link above, it seems that your guy was telling the truth as far as the exterior/interior dimentions are concerned.

The Deuce · 01-21-2005, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by billB+Jan 21 2005, 04:39 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(billB @ Jan 21 2005, 04:39 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-bmwnew@Jan 20 2005, 11:23 PM
i agree with you guys -- it's something i probably won't do -- but now im interested in these differences -- headlights, exhaust tips, etc. i want to make sure the guy at the dealership wasn't lying to me. he said the only differences between the 525i and 530i were under the hood and that there were no physical differences to the body of the car. is this true or not?

[snapback]275735[/snapback]

Looking at the data provided by the link above, it seems that your guy was telling the truth as far as the exterior/interior dimentions are concerned.

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[/b][/quote]

While I agree that based on the data provided there, it appears there are no differences.

I would still be inclined to think there may be something the comparision page does not denote, such as wheel options, or interior trip packages.

It seems strange, to me at least, that in these times of people trying to stand out from base models that the only difference would be two digits on the back of a car. Call me crazy, but I would even measure the exhaust tips to see if there wasn't a .25" difference.