[EdmBimmer]

So I've finally given in to the wife's request and took the dealer up on there offer to test drive the 535i for a few days. My daughter was asleep in our 330i so the wife took her home and I got to drive the 5 home. AW 535i with M-pkg in auto.

Wow. The loaner 335i I got a few months ago has the same throttle feel, but the overall drive is better. It might be the M-pkg the car has. PDC is a bonus, esp the way my wife parks.

So, no more M3 for me . Saw a few at the dealer with sold tags already.

Will this be a good enough substitute? I'm not 30 yet, but my two brothers have told me that I need to be over 40 for that car. One thing that is making it easier is that I'm getting a pretty good deal.

Oh, looks like the 19's I just got will have to go. Will probably not work with the 5 series offsets.

Pics of car:

[e92phreak]

You have had an eclectic selection of cars in the past!

I think for an under 30 person, the 5 is just not exciting enough, even with the N54 engine.

[SLCGoonski]

Old man's car in my book...give yourself another 10 years and go for it.

[ehhhwik]

i love the look with the 5 series with the m package, looks hot, so i would say go for it!

[ctgazer]

how'd u swing it to get a loaner from the dealer for couple days?

[ians]

When I was 2X, I still driving a Civic and working hard toward the down payment for my house!

[EdmBimmer]

Originally Posted by e92phreak

You have had an eclectic selection of cars in the past!

I think for an under 30 person, the 5 is just not exciting enough, even with the N54 engine.

Originally Posted by SLCGoonski

Old man's car in my book...give yourself another 10 years and go for it.

Yea, that was my initial thought. I couldn't see myself behind a 5 series. Almost like I couldn't see myself behind the wheel of a MB.

Originally Posted by ehhhwik

i love the look with the 5 series with the m package, looks hot, so i would say go for it!

It would be the only way I would get it. The wife will only take it in the AW. The dealer knew what we wanted.

Originally Posted by ctgazer

how'd u swing it to get a loaner from the dealer for couple days?

Friends in high places....

Originally Posted by ians

When I was 2X, I still driving a Civic and working hard toward the down payment for my house!

Let's see, got my first house when I was 25 and I was rocking in my Acura. Looks like we got something in common!


Fits the garage nicely...The car seat also goes in nicely too. Geezz this is hard. I look at my 3 and still think it is more sporty. But the trunk on the 5 is HUGE!!! I'll take some pics tomorrow. My daughters stroller looks tiny in the trunk of the 5.

[scooby9]

It's all about priorities... go with what is most important to you in your life...

a) A good family car that your wife and child(ren) will be comfortable with. Good for touring and city driving.

b) A dream car for many that will really only be enjoyed by you and the envy of many...

[Chiggy]

535i is nice but it's not an "M" car. Just order the M3 sedan (as space is a consideration I guess), I'm sure in a few months it will be easier to get your hands on one. Best of both worlds? Plus your daughter is still young. Not like she needs the extra head/leg room for a while. By then you can upgrade to an M5.

[MOAB]

Originally Posted by Chiggy

535i is nice but it's not an "M" car. Just order the M3 sedan (as space is a consideration I guess), I'm sure in a few months it will be easier to get your hands on one. Best of both worlds? Plus your daughter is still young. Not like she needs the extra head/leg room for a while. By then you can upgrade to an M5.

Sorry, but a 3 series, imo, is not big enough to be considered a family sedan. Even with a one year old, I find that when I'm out with the wife and kid, the car is cramped. I'm 35 but still not ready for a 5 series, so I'm sort of stuck now. When I'm 40, I'll move up to a 5, so for now, long family trips are in the wife's car.

[ians]

Originally Posted by MOAB

Sorry, but a 3 series, imo, is not big enough to be considered a family sedan. Even with a one year old, I find that when I'm out with the wife and kid, the car is cramped. I'm 35 but still not ready for a 5 series, so I'm sort of stuck now. When I'm 40, I'll move up to a 5, so for now, long family trips are in the wife's car.

I have been with the 3-series as family car for >8yr now. From E46 sedan to E92 Coupe. When I first have my E46, I also considered the E39 528i too but found out actually the rear room was some how less practical than E46 because of the more cushy seat and non fold down rear seat on the E39. I have been fine with the space on my E46 and even the E92 today to have 2 kids in the back. I dunno about E60 but if E39 is not really more roomy than E46 inside, I doubt E60 will. My kids are now 11 & 6 and they never complaint about the room of the bimmer.

[achien]

screw the wife, go for the M3..

[GAM3OVR85]

I'd say go for the m3

[who's ur daddy?]

Originally Posted by achien

screw the wife, go for the M3..

screw the wife and go for the M3.

[ctgazer]

Originally Posted by who's ur daddy?

screw the wife and go for the M3.

screw the wife and go for the m3.

[who's ur daddy?]

Originally Posted by MOAB

Sorry, but a 3 series, imo, is not big enough to be considered a family sedan. Even with a one year old, I find that when I'm out with the wife and kid, the car is cramped.

I'm with you MOAB. The rear seats are quite cramped. I usually have the seat all the way back, and whichever child is behind me usually has little room for their feet (they are both in car seats right now).

A 535 would not be a bad thing to settle on!!!

[T i h o r]

The 5-series is by no means a downgrade. If it wasn't for the fact that the e92 is a 2 door, it'd be a toss-up between the two X35i's.

For what it's worth, I always thought the new 5 series were pretty pimp. Don't worry about your 19's 'cause you gotta grab some 20's now man!

[BMdblU]

I think you're too young to a 5'er! If you dont mind a car of its size, go for it, it is an awesome sedan especially with the M package.

[Zeeman]

The E60 (current model) is getting to the end of its life cycle - new 5 is due out in 2009. I like the current 5, but I don't like the idea of buying a car that is so late in its model cycle. Just something to consider.

Also, the current model look terrible in white (imo, anyway).

[ians]

Originally Posted by Zeeman

The E60 (current model) is getting to the end of its life cycle - new 5 is due out in 2009. I like the current 5, but I don't like the idea of buying a car that is so late in its model cycle. Just something to consider.

Also, the current model look terrible in white (imo, anyway).

I think a black E39 with M package or E39 M5 looks better than ne E60 including E60 M5

[EdmBimmer]

Update...

Went back again to the dealership. The wife was loving the car a little too much.

Looks like I'm giving in, what didn't help was the M3 sedan being PDI'd. I was offered a test drive but I stupidly declined. It would have gave me a night in the dog house if I did. But it looks soooooo beautiful. The deep throated exhaust note was pure sex.

scooby pretty much hit it on the nose with this statement. Hence why I think I'm going to do it.

Originally Posted by scooby9

It's all about priorities... go with what is most important to you in your life...

a) A good family car that your wife and child(ren) will be comfortable with. Good for touring and city driving.

b) A dream car for many that will really only be enjoyed by you and the envy of many...

My wife and daughter are the middle of my world right now. Plus, we just bought a business in which the wife will be putting most of the work in. She deserves this car. In a few years I'll get my 3 back, but this time it will be the 2 door version.

Anybody need a set of 19"'s? Also have a set of 17" Dunlop winters which might be for sale really soon, not like we're going to need it with summer coming.

Thanks for the input though, I showed the wife the thread and she laughed at the guys who said a 5 was for old people. Told me to expect some white hair soon to match the colour of the car.

Originally Posted by ctgazer

screw the wife and go for the m3.

Originally Posted by who's ur daddy?

screw the wife and go for the M3.

Originally Posted by achien

screw the wife, go for the M3..

I screwed the wife since I let her test drive the car for the day. The M3?

I did take a picture of my daughter in the driver seat of a 135i with the M-pkg in the showroom. I think she likes it.....

[BMdblU]

Cute kid!

I think she's reaching for the clutch!