Can someone please tell me what the difference is between: 525i, 528i, and 530i???

[RiChi]

Hi, I am a newbie to this board so please work with me. I am in the market for a new BMW but cannot figure out what is the difference between these models. I know they 528i was discontinued in 2001 by the 530i but what are the "main" outside diffirences? I noticed that the new 525i and 530i have different headlights and tailights compared to the latest model 528i. What else is different on the outside? Which year and model BMW would you get? Helpp....

[stingraysvc270]

Hi, I am a newbie to this board so please work with me. I am in the market for a new BMW but cannot figure out what is the difference between these models. I know they 528i was discontinued in 2001 by the 530i but what are the "main" outside diffirences? I noticed that the new 525i and 530i have different headlights and tailights compared to the latest model 528i. What else is different on the outside? Which year and model BMW would you get? Helpp....

You must look at the first number alone. That tells you what the body style of the car is. 3, 5, 7. Then you look at the next 2 numbers for the engine size. 2.5, 2.8, 3.0

[RiChi]

Yes I want a 5 series not a 3 or 7. I just want to know the outside differences on those models partically. I do understand the second set of digits pertain to the engine size, I was just wondering what the outside differences are. :95

[stingraysvc270]

Yes I want a 5 series not a 3 or 7. I just want to know the outside differences on those models partically. I do understand the second set of digits pertain to the engine size, I was just wondering what the outside differences are. :95

You are looking at different generations of cars. The E39 body ran from 1997 to 2003. In 2004 the E60 body came out.

[Mike95]

There are no differences on the outside, except for maybe the wheels. That's about it. In 2001 all 5 series got new head and tail lights.

[RiChi]

Thanks. Yeah the wheels, headlights, and tailights. Might be a slight difference in the front bumper too.

[trk]

The 528i has a 194 hp engine, and ugly wheel choices imho.... the 530i has 225hp and it looks a LOT better bc of the taillights and especially headlights and wheels, as well as coming with steptronic... the 525i has the looks but a 184hp engine...

[e32 lover]

what a question!!!

the 520 i believe has a M50 engine (130hp or thereabouts), the 525 has m20 or m50 depending weather it was made before 92, 530 and 540 get the m60 v8's.

I'd say the pick of the pack is a post 92 525i, it packs a fair bit of power (190hp) and is pretty cheap these days. It would also be a bit lighter on fuel.

Although I am actually not to sure, I am a 7 boy, the 5 is really not my fort'e



DISREGARD EVERYTHING I JUST SAID, I THOUGHT WE WERE TALKING E34's

[MaloventEvil]

^ why didnt you just delete the post?

[Steve530]

Uh, the 530 is a 6 cylinder.

The 2.8 6 cylinder was in the early e39s 97-00. The 3.0 is in the e39 from 01-03, and continues in the new e60 body. I guess BMW increased the displacement.

The 2.5 6 cylinder was also used in the e39 and continues in the e60. I don't know, but I assume it was also used in the earlier 5 series e34 body.

So the bodies are the e34, e39, and e60. The engines are the 2.5, 2.8, and 3.0 6 cylinders. Then there are the v8s.

IMHO, you want the latest model, lowest mileage e39 530i 5 speed you can afford. But that's just my opinion.

[Phat Ham]

The e39 5 series (1997-2003) got a midlife makeover in 2001. From 1997-2000 There were two models available in the 5 series lineup: The 540 and 528. In 2001 The 528 was discontinued and the 525 and 530 were added to the lineup. The midlife makeover brought some changes to the car, mostly cosmetic. As previously mentioned the headlights and taillights were updated, as were the fog lights. The molding that goes all the way around the car was painted to match the body color. Previously the modling was black.

The 2.8 motor used in the 528 was the same motor used in the 3 series 328. The 2.5 and 3.0 motors are shared with the 325 and 330. The 2.5 motor is not the same motor used in the earlier e34 525.

[E34Hairpinner]

As for 5er steez... the E34 has the cleanest lines and is the best updated version of classic bmw style, in my opinion of course, I have owned three of them. The 528i E39er is one of the uglyiest updates so far. At least the 530s have clear corners. If you are wanting to know about E39s, the best out there is the 540i. Any smaller engine with that big body and you will be disappointed.

[cesspenar]

as a 528 owneer... i cant say im disapointed, changeheiadlights and some other cosmetic parts and your fine :), peraonnally the car is fast enough for what I need and the sport pkg makes it handle good...If i want to go fast I can jump on my bike :) engine size is more a matetr of what you want the car for imho.

[bimmer540wsubs]

fuck all those other cars, go w/a 540, it will rape any 530, and rape and rape again any 525 or 528, plus it is one of the most sought after BMWs in history (excluding ///Ms), get either a 97-00 and fix up the headlight/tailliight, paint shadowline (if you must), and any other cosmetics, or get an 01-03 and Dinan that monster out....

[Scott528iM]

fuck all those other cars, go w/a 540, it will rape any 530, and rape and rape again any 525 or 528, plus it is one of the most sought after BMWs in history (excluding ///Ms)

Wow....sounds a bit arrogant there man. I didn't read anything about his desire to "rape" one car or another. And I don't know where you got your stat that the 540 is one of the most sought after in BMW history, but it seems a bit far fetched to me.

[cesspenar]

I dont see how the 540 is one of the most sought after bmws...

I got a 528 sport and its a damn nice car... nowhere close to be as fast as a 540 but still nice... and wait.. there are MANY cars that wouldnt even waste gas racing a 540 because it would be too slow for them...
no need to bash cars man... all it comes down too is money and big engine or turbos...

[RiChi]

I am EXTREMELY IMPRESSED with the responses I received in this thread! Very helpful information! This vehicle will be my daily driver. I already have a weekend monster that I take out on the weekends or race at the track occassionally. I just want a sweet BMW to get me around during the week.


Thanks again guys!!!! :)