523i & 525i Pushed to the Limit!

1100D · 7th August 2007, 19:53

Nice test drive report. However its not surprising that the 523 will smoke the E200 Kompressor at every light, given the actual engine displacement of each car. A BMW is all that more special, an Audi of the same category will have more speciality in the coming years.

CrAzY dRiVeR · 7th August 2007, 20:00

Nice write-up!

Sure the ride quality is better than the Mercs?

Sahil · 7th August 2007, 21:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Nice write-up!

Sure the ride quality is better than the Mercs?

Yes. Well, i drove it around BKC for the most part which has very good roads and took it on some of its back roads which have a couple of potholes. But i cannot say i did a rigorous test on bad roads so i might be wrong. For the most part i felt the ride quality was better than the C or E-class.

I forgot to mention that the music system did not sound as good as the E-class. I only heard the radio as there was no CD but i couldnt feel much punch or anything special belting out from those speakers.

BUSA · 7th August 2007, 22:41

Nice review Sahil.

What i cant understand why do all these cars come with Auto tranny, come on give us Manuals.

Sahil · 9th August 2007, 16:47

Alright, round 2 of the BMW 5 series test line-up.

Since the 523i and 525i are primarily the same cars, i will stick on highlighting the main difference between the two- the Performance!

The minute i set my foot lightly on the accelerator i knew this engine is a different ball game all together. The smooth power delivery and refinement of the 525i makes it feel light-years ahead of its younger sibling.
Throw it into sports mode and your adrenaline rushes instantly, the rev-happy engine unleashed the true BMW engine note distinctly at high rpms, which was not evident in the 523i.
The power band is pretty well distributed, the car pulls away effortlessly and does not make you feel like it is running out of steam at any point.
Engine felt very smooth too, tho i must add that this version was the pre-facelift import.

Besides the engine, this car boosted a few more features such as sun-roof,TV and cruise control which were absent in the 523i. Although i did not use the cruise control, i was very impressed with the TV clarity, DD news was crystal clear. As soon as the car is in motion the TV shuts off and switches back on when the car comes to a halt. Pretty useful in Bombay as you could actually watch an entire show in our bumper to bumper traffic.

An interesting feature pointed out to me was that the car applies only the rear brakes in slow traffic to avoid braking jerks. Also, there is a brake drying system which switches on when the wipers are turned on to enable better braking in monsoons.

Conclusion: Booked the 525d

Unfortunatly delivery will only be in OCT...Sept end if i am very lucky!

Mod:Can u please add 525i to the thread title.

Rtech · 9th August 2007, 16:52

Congrats Sahil! Great choice! The number of 5 series sure are increasing. Yesterday on my commute back, I saw 5 of them within the 6 km stretch itself. Mercedes sure has a fight on their hands.

Mpower · 9th August 2007, 17:56

Are the 523 and 525 just 200 cc apart or is it that they are also from totally different engine family. 525 sold here is the 3 liter N-series engine with single stage intake.

Rtech · 9th August 2007, 18:17

I think they are the same engine but with different ECU maps to vary the HP figures. Sort of like the E270/280 from Mercedes or the Skoda/Audi 1.8TPI producing 150 or 180 HP.

GTO · 10th August 2007, 11:15

Quote:

Conclusion: Booked the 525d

Sweet! After testing both the petrols, you go ahead and book the diesel? Nothing beats German diesel engines....very good choice. The 525 was once the fastest diesel sedan in the world. Did you test it too?

@Mpower & Rtech : Yup, they have the same engine but different mapping. The 523 churns out 177 BHP and the 525 has 215 horses. The 525D has 197 BHP.

iraghava · 10th August 2007, 12:16

Congrats Sahil! Looking forward to a nice report when you get the delivery!

P.S. What colour, interiors & wheels? Black with 17/18" looks fantastic or for that matter any dark colour with big wheels really goes well with Bangle designs!

Sahil · 10th August 2007, 12:28

@GTO: No 525d test drive cars available with any of the dealers. Just booked it with my blind belief in German diesel...My dad and me need to shuttle between bombay-pune a couple of times a month so a diesel is a no-brainer.

@iraghava: White is a favourite in the family and since white is not available in the 5, the silver it is! Choose grey interiors coz it matched well with the silver test drive car that i got, besides most of my other cars have biege interiors so grey is a good chance from the conventional.
The 525d comes with the standard multispoke radial 17inchers, similar to the M5 design if i may say so

They look pretty good actually...putting 18inchers will hinder my ride comfort and thats a strict no-no. Will consider some other design 17inchers closer to the time of delivery if need be.

GTO · 10th August 2007, 12:46

Quote:

Choose grey interiors coz it matched well with the silver test drive car that i got, besides most of my other cars have biege interiors so grey is a good chance from the conventional.

Great choice! Silver and beige dont really match. On the other hand, silver with black / grey looks great!

Quote:

White is a favourite in the family and since white is not available in the 5, the silver it is!

Another reason to opt for the 5 with the M!! Its available in white too!

Sahil · 10th August 2007, 13:30

@GTO- I told you, you wire me the Ms for the M and i will buy it tomo itself! White with red interiors or whatever you might like

Black interior would definatly match well with silver but they make the interiors look very cramped. The grey is pretty light, give a classy and spacious look to the interior.

speedzak · 10th August 2007, 17:00

Congrats Sahil!
We are waiting to see the car here soon.

BMW diesels are very fine, Fun to drive and also has some eye popping power delivery!

Mpower · 10th August 2007, 19:25

Whats the $$$ damage. Someone mentioned that A6 is costing more than E280D. Should be in the 50L range.

7th August 2007, 19:53	#16
1100D Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calcutta Posts: 4,390 Thanked: 4,096 Times View My Garage	Nice test drive report. However its not surprising that the 523 will smoke the E200 Kompressor at every light, given the actual engine displacement of each car. A BMW is all that more special, an Audi of the same category will have more speciality in the coming years.
	() Thanks

7th August 2007, 20:00	#17
CrAzY dRiVeR Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bangalore / TVM Posts: 17,181 Thanked: 73,507 Times View My Garage	Nice write-up! Sure the ride quality is better than the Mercs?
	() Thanks

7th August 2007, 22:41	#19
BUSA Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bombay Posts: 5,130 Thanked: 20 Times View My Garage	Nice review Sahil. What i cant understand why do all these cars come with Auto tranny, come on give us Manuals.
	() Thanks

9th August 2007, 16:47	#20
Sahil Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 6,292 Thanked: 7,607 Times	Round 2: 525i Tested Alright, round 2 of the BMW 5 series test line-up. Since the 523i and 525i are primarily the same cars, i will stick on highlighting the main difference between the two- the Performance! The minute i set my foot lightly on the accelerator i knew this engine is a different ball game all together. The smooth power delivery and refinement of the 525i makes it feel light-years ahead of its younger sibling. Throw it into sports mode and your adrenaline rushes instantly, the rev-happy engine unleashed the true BMW engine note distinctly at high rpms, which was not evident in the 523i. The power band is pretty well distributed, the car pulls away effortlessly and does not make you feel like it is running out of steam at any point. Engine felt very smooth too, tho i must add that this version was the pre-facelift import. Besides the engine, this car boosted a few more features such as sun-roof,TV and cruise control which were absent in the 523i. Although i did not use the cruise control, i was very impressed with the TV clarity, DD news was crystal clear. As soon as the car is in motion the TV shuts off and switches back on when the car comes to a halt. Pretty useful in Bombay as you could actually watch an entire show in our bumper to bumper traffic. An interesting feature pointed out to me was that the car applies only the rear brakes in slow traffic to avoid braking jerks. Also, there is a brake drying system which switches on when the wipers are turned on to enable better braking in monsoons. Conclusion: Booked the 525d Unfortunatly delivery will only be in OCT...Sept end if i am very lucky! Mod:Can u please add 525i to the thread title. Last edited by Sahil : 9th August 2007 at 16:51.
	() Thanks

9th August 2007, 16:52	#21
Rtech Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 5,770 Thanked: 359 Times View My Garage	Congrats Sahil! Great choice! The number of 5 series sure are increasing. Yesterday on my commute back, I saw 5 of them within the 6 km stretch itself. Mercedes sure has a fight on their hands.
	() Thanks

9th August 2007, 17:56	#22
Mpower Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 10,409 Thanked: 1,730 Times View My Garage	Are the 523 and 525 just 200 cc apart or is it that they are also from totally different engine family. 525 sold here is the 3 liter N-series engine with single stage intake.
	() Thanks

9th August 2007, 18:17	#23
Rtech Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 5,770 Thanked: 359 Times View My Garage	I think they are the same engine but with different ECU maps to vary the HP figures. Sort of like the E270/280 from Mercedes or the Skoda/Audi 1.8TPI producing 150 or 180 HP.
	() Thanks

10th August 2007, 12:16	#25
iraghava Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bhaiyyaland Posts: 8,033 Thanked: 265 Times View My Garage	Congrats Sahil! Looking forward to a nice report when you get the delivery! P.S. What colour, interiors & wheels? Black with 17/18" looks fantastic or for that matter any dark colour with big wheels really goes well with Bangle designs!
	() Thanks

10th August 2007, 12:28	#26
Sahil Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 6,292 Thanked: 7,607 Times	@GTO: No 525d test drive cars available with any of the dealers. Just booked it with my blind belief in German diesel...My dad and me need to shuttle between bombay-pune a couple of times a month so a diesel is a no-brainer. @iraghava: White is a favourite in the family and since white is not available in the 5, the silver it is! Choose grey interiors coz it matched well with the silver test drive car that i got, besides most of my other cars have biege interiors so grey is a good chance from the conventional. The 525d comes with the standard multispoke radial 17inchers, similar to the M5 design if i may say so They look pretty good actually...putting 18inchers will hinder my ride comfort and thats a strict no-no. Will consider some other design 17inchers closer to the time of delivery if need be.
	() Thanks

10th August 2007, 13:30	#28
Sahil Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 6,292 Thanked: 7,607 Times	@GTO- I told you, you wire me the Ms for the M and i will buy it tomo itself! White with red interiors or whatever you might like Black interior would definatly match well with silver but they make the interiors look very cramped. The grey is pretty light, give a classy and spacious look to the interior.
	() Thanks

10th August 2007, 17:00	#29
speedzak BANNED Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: India Posts: 4,347 Thanked: 27 Times	Congrats Sahil! We are waiting to see the car here soon. BMW diesels are very fine, Fun to drive and also has some eye popping power delivery!
	() Thanks

10th August 2007, 19:25	#30
Mpower Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 10,409 Thanked: 1,730 Times View My Garage	Whats the $$$ damage. Someone mentioned that A6 is costing more than E280D. Should be in the 50L range.
	() Thanks