amiras

I've a 2002 C230K and I'm looking into getting something new.
I came across the BMW website and I was checking out the 525i. What do you guys think? Any experiences with the car?
Main questions I have are:

1) C230K vs 525i. Handling, speed, riding comfort, gadgets and interior quality (leather, plastic parts, etc). Which one is better and why?

2) Overall desing and aspect.

3) Keep the C230 (no major problems so far) or jump into a fairly new car with a lot of potential problems?

4) What;s the best way of getting more money for my car? Ebay, trade-in, private party, etc.

I'll really appreciate your comments !!!

Angel

MJ50

two totally different cars...
of course, 525i is better...
but i don't like the design of it...
for that money, i'd get e320

victor20170

Agree... you would have to compare your car with a 325i

FossilFuel

I agree with mj50 as well - although I hate the interior of the new 5. It feels so damned cheap - I cant believe that interior will one day be in an 70k+ M5. Go for an E320, or wait for the E350, then sell your car privately.

dswildfire

well, if you were goin for the last body style 525, i'd say go for it. otherwise, go with an e320 cdi. yes, it's the diesel version, and it should be here soon enough if not now as a 2005 model. but seriosuly, how can you go wrong with that? still an e-class, but gets 27mpg city and 37 hwy.

s4iscool

getting the 525 is like sporting a 318ti bmw...sorry but i fyour gonna get a bmw, get one that can move properly. Youll be getting smoked by accords, camrys and maximas all day long (your pocket will be $5000 or more lighter too)

mbtech208

My girlfriend's grandfather has an '02 525i. It has no guts at all. Go with at least a 530i if you want a 5-series.

Keithb

525 is way too heavy and way underpowered.

I tested a 525 and a 540 before buying my C320 coupe. The 540 has more power but is still pretty heavy for the power and way too big for me...

If you want something faster look at the C320 Coupe. If you want something bigger - check the e series.

FrankW

what year are you talking about for the 525?

anyways, if it's me, I'd skip the 525 and go for the 530. I haven't drove the new 525 yet, but I've drove the 325i which has the same power plant and even in the smaller 3-series, the 2.5 liter engine feels under powered.

BUT I'm sure the new 5-series will drive very nice tho and even though it's under powered, the 5-series will always be better built than the C-class or 3-series.

supershyguy

C VS 3-------- I will pick MB
E VS 5---------I will pick MB
S VS 7---------I might pick 7 (this is a hard call)
C32 VS M3-------- I will pick M3

But if you put C class and 5 Series to the test.....
ya for sure the 5 Series man lol.

FrankW

i'll take 330i over any regular C-class anyday.

5 series over E anyday unless it's E55.

S-class over the 7 because the Bangled 7 is ugly and a little too over engineered.

C32 vs M3, you know my pick. In a perfect world, I would have both.

dead_eye

You can get the sport package 330i for that kind of money. However, since you're considering the 5-series, I'm guessing you want a bigger car? In that case, I'd go for the E320, although it's hard to compare since the E is more expensive. For that 40K, you can probably get an Acura TL.

supershyguy

lol it would be nice to have both wouldnt it

Outland

525? Ick! The damn thing looks like a rejected Pontiac design from the front, and a Kia from the rear. And its slow!

New 5 series is the worst 'new' BMW. Until the 1 series hatch shows up anyway. And who wants a four door...bleck. If you have to have four doors and a big car, go E class.

I'd take the 7 series over the S class...the S class is getting rather long in the tooth.

3 series...everyone drives one. Its the Accord or Camry of premium cars. Interior is cramped. No thanks.

supershyguy

I though I was the only one that thinks the e Series looked ugly lol. I look at it exactly the same way you do

JayinLauderdale

I drove the 2004 525 manual and thought it had an excellent feel to it. The car is only 100 pounds heavier than the 325, unknown to most people. I also thought the stock stereo and the idrive setup were impressive both in sound and feel. The car was also suprisingly quiet and smooth. The steering though feels heavy after you drive one with the sport package steering. It is my second choice to the mercedes only because of price.

HITMAN

My brother bought an new jetblack 325ci today very nice car!!

I had a chance to sit in a new 530i in the showroom and i really thought that the interior looked very cheep

I think a 525i wouldnt have enough power but thats just me

JayinLauderdale

Yes the 525 interior is minimalistic in design featureless and lacks panache. 325i , 2004, I have and it is an excellent value compared to other brands. I think it is the best value for 30k. It has perfect torque in all the right areas and the most precise steering/brakes I have ever felt in a car of this type/class.

HITMAN

my brother hasnt let me drive it but he says the same things about his 04 325ci but it stickerd for 38 something.....The motor is amazing in it very very quite and smooth like silk

FrankW

I hope ur bro didn't pay sticker for a 325Ci. You can get a 330i performance pkg for $41-42k with the discount a lot of the dealer are giving right now.

HITMAN

No he didnt pay sticker and he put 24,500 in cash down on it. BMW wanted to give him 16,000 for his trade (TAHOE) so he said he would sell it himself and that day he got an offer for what he was asking in cash (24,995). I think they came about 2 or 3 of the sticker

amiras

I'm looking into the new 5 series (new body). I really like the design and how it looks.
I totally agree that they are 2 different cars (230 vs 525i) but I think is a really nice looking luxury car for 40K.

amiras

Well, I don't really need more room but I've got a bit tired about driving my car for 2 years (yeahh.. I'm an idiot who likes to change cars every couple of year and loose money )
E vs new 5 series ? I really like the BMW look. On the other side I don't think buying a car based on how it looks its fine. Or is it?

Acura vs BMW.... Mmmm..... I still go with the BMW.

Maybe I can wait and get the SLK350
That would be sweet !!!!!

amiras

I disagree on this one, but I've to admint that it is slow. But living in the VA/DC/MD area makes you think twice before you put some pressure on the gas pedal

Quote:

3 series...everyone drives one. Its the Accord or Camry of premium cars. Interior is cramped. No thanks.

lol... I think the same but the 3 series looks nice and is a nice car for under 30K

amiras

On a separate note, I contacted a BMW dealer yesterday and they told me that would trade my car for 15K-17K
Are they nuts? Or is that a good-fair estimate?
I was thinking about getting 20K-22K on a private sale ... oh well.... eBayMotors here I come !!!!