[st8800]

Originally Posted by enzeru

your mod list is complete, add exos then it would be complete ++ cant wait for a build thread

Already ordered the supersprint exos. Short of a BBK now. It will have to wait. Need to take a breather first.

[st8800]

Originally Posted by Jacky328

Congrates for getting treasure-horse
ST you really a mod-freak indeed

Not really... My first time installing coilovers. Previously only on lowering springs.

[jxnco]

Congratulations on your decision!

Now we will need some pics once the modding begins

[RC3]

That's cool, st. Too bad 528 costs a lot more than 523 in Singapore. When I got my 528, it's only US$6,000 difference. So it was a no brainer.

I'm sure you'll love the quad. My Hamann is basically the same as your Supersprint with different brand. The more I drive mine the more I love my quad. Sweet sound and vibration. Low tone and not too loud. More aggressive in sport mode. Really cool.

KWV3 is on my wish list. Good decision for you to have coilovers instead of lowering springs.

[st8800]

Originally Posted by RC3

That's cool, st. Too bad 528 costs a lot more than 523 in Singapore. When I got my 528, it's only US$6,000 difference. So it was a no brainer.

I'm sure you'll love the quad. My Hamann is basically the same as your Supersprint with different brand. The more I drive mine the more I love my quad. Sweet sound and vibration. Low tone and not too loud. More aggressive in sport mode. Really cool.

KWV3 is on my wish list. Good decision for you to have coilovers instead of lowering springs.

Thanks for the reassurance, I was a bit skeptical on the quads. My previous ride the merc C200 w203 had lorinzer mufflers. After installation I can feel n hear the exos quite clearly in the cabin. End up had to spend another 1.8k to sound proof the whole car. Hope it doesn't happen this time around.

No turning back now... Full steam ahead. Will post pictures later to track progress.

[grimlock]

Originally Posted by st8800

Now for a review and decision on 520 and 528

It was already raining when I arrived at the dealership. The BMW salesman drove out the 520 and came out of the driver's seat to let me drive it. Immediate I can hear a noticeable clatter from the engine, sounds not unlike a taxi! I was amazed and ask him why. He replied that this is the trait of a Beemer 4 potter.

Then I drove into the main road and immediately rev the engine hard. I heard a long whine but the car hardly accelerated. The reply was because this is the characteristic of a 520 with detuned engine. When I moved off again at the traffic lights, this time slowly increasing the throttle and revving it high gradually, the engine sounds much better. Using paddle shifters at the steering wheels also yielded good results. Engine don't sound whiny like earlier.

Stop/start function was a constant pain in the butt for the salesman who couldn't stop complaining about it. I was ok with it, maybe because he disable after 2 stops. Need getting used to I guess.

The 520 felt relatively more powerful than my merc E200k. Engine is smooth and relatively torquey when not push hard at low speed. Surprise, surprise, it now comes with GPS and 10" screen. Rejoice for those eyeing this model. However, I made my decision there and then that I won't be changing my creamy i6 523 for this.

When I asked to test drive the 528, I was told it already conked out. What?! In less than 1 week? So much for a reliable new N20 turbo engine. Anyway, we had to proceed to another branch for the test drive.

The 528 comes with additional soft close door and electric curtains. Other than that, just the usual bells and whistles of the 523 high line, GPS, internet, 18" rims, wood trims, etc. Before the test drive, I already gave it big discount due to earlier 520 test drive. However, I was pleasantly surprised. The engine tune seems a whole lot better. This is definitely a quick and fun car to drive. Engine sound is pleasant when pushed hard but still a notch below the i6 acoustics. The test drive didn't last too long.... mainly because of the non stop rain.

My final evaluation:

1) 520 - Good for those who wants the BMW marque but seldom drive above 3k RPM. Suitable for the people who are not into pushing their engine much. 180 bhp is enough for them.

2) 528 - Great and fun car to drive. Powerful engine. 240 bhp on the tap.

3) 523 - Very suitable for singapore city driving, sounds wonderful when pushed hard. Makes u want to rev all the way to the redline. Great for the auto purists. Award winning i6 engine is not be scoffed at even if just 206bp.

So the 64 thousand dollar question: will I opt for the 528? The answer is no. Not worth the USD18k premium I have to cough out... considering I already have a fantastic deal on the 523 and now need to give it all back and on top of that, pay a premium for buying a new model. Not wise.

This is my final answer! I have slain the demon in the 528!

Love the review!

So you drove the new 528 right after the 520? You didn't seem too impressed? I had reread to catch that you drove it.
I'm curious, how does the 528 tune differ from the 520, at low/high revs?
I'm surprised you choose the 523, i thought you would choose the 520 after saying the engine was ok after you got used to how it drove.
It's listed at 270nm, the MB 200K was at 250nm, new 1.8T is at 270nm..
How about turbo lag? Important, important
Did the 528 feel like a crazy amount of torque compared to the 520?
Already bust? Haha
Why you guys get crazy specs? Its not included in the tax calc or something?
So glad the 528 here had like no options and only the few that are important to me ie. no sunroof, no comfort stuff like softclose/tailgate/blind CA,. but have Sportauto,xenon,usb .. thats all i need! (Actually i could still use tailgate..)
So the 520 price was no below your offer for the 523? A no brainer then
Refinement vs power ..
Congrats !

[st8800]

Thanks Grimlock.

Yes, I test drive 528i after the 520I... was I impressed? Yes... But not enough to fork out another 18k, I guess u could say common sense prevailed. Huge discount on 523i vs new model price on 528i. Now, if I had deep pockets, perhaps I would opt for 528i.

It came to my mind to take up the 520i instead of the 528i as they should be no need for top up. However, the disappointment already sank in before I step inside the car. That engine clattering really put me off. Then when I step hard on throttle during move off, the engine just whined like a CVT... thinking back it could be gearbox didn't engage to 2nd gear and not a tuning issue. Not very sure here but the sales guy said it was because of tuning.

My merc E200K is rated at 240nm/3000 vs 520I 270nm/1250. So naturally the 520 wins hands down on the torque dept. The 523i on the other hand is rated at 270nm/1500, which is quite similar to 520i. Then if I compare an award winning iL6 N52 engine vs the 520i N20 which still haven't pass the test of time, the choice is easy.

The 528i on the other hand, is really lively. Undoubtedly better tuned with a big increase in torque at 350nm/1250, u can really have fun with the small engine. I didnt get a chance to test the paddle shift due to big paddles already forming on the road from the rain but i'm pretty sure it will perform admirably. Same concern here though, N20 still haven't pass the test of time. The sales guy reckoned 3 yrs at most, once warranty over, probably need to change car. I have read reports on 4 cylinder turbos having vibrations in cars after awhile, not sure how true but still a niggling concern there. Let's put it this way. If the 528i was only a 7k difference with the 523i, I would have taken it up in a flash. But because I got a clearance price discount on the 523i, the difference is 18k, just a bit too much to stomach with everything taken into consideration. Of course there are added features like soft close and electric curtains... nice but not necessary.

Why do we get crazy specs? Would u pay close to 200k for a car with low specs? Specs are not included in tax calculation here. In fact, a better spec car would usually mean higher OMV (open market value) for us and less margin for the dealership. It is the value of the car when imported into singapore. We then have to add in ARF which is 100% of OMV, customs duty at 20% OMV, GST (goods & services tax) 7% and COE (certificate of entitlement) S$75,000 this month. Rest will be dearlership margin. COE is basically a 10 yrs life span cert for a new car based on balloting system. It has sky rocket from S$7k to recently $75k this month.

Oh yes, I also have the auto tailgate in my higher specced 523.

[jxnco]

The guys in the US have the best deals. For the price you paid for a 523i in Singapore, you can get 2 M5s in the US.

[grimlock]

They just came out with pricing for the 520i -HKD453k vs. 528k for the 523 when it first came out, the last batches had a lot of free options and the very last went for 499k (no options i think)
Next will see where the 528 prices, i guess 540-ish ! .. wonder if we get 530i, but i doubt it, i think its only N53.. is not, then there is big gap with 535 at 750k+

ST,
Ha, that sales guy really talking down the new engine isnt he?
One more plus for you, don't have to press the button for auto on/off everytime, and one more thing to break

So how much is effective tax on options?
Here is 85%-110% (depend if you 52x or 550 bracket) so a double, but the first bracket for the car itself is much lower, so option are relatively more expensive than the car, especially for the lower models ones.
Does a 550 even exist in SG?

Too bad you can't spec active ARBS for 520i.. if you could i would go out and get a 520i with DHP + IAS .. and it wouldn't cost a lot more than hkd500k

[st8800]

Ya Grimlock, the sales guy is actually a classmate of a close friend... so he was very open in his opinion. Very old school and purist... doesn't believe 5 series should be powered by 4 cylinders.... 3 series yes... but not the 5 series.

He also thinks the N20 engines will start giving trouble after the standard 3 yrs warranty here. Who knows.... we 'll see somewhere down the road.

As for 550.... just take a guess how much it costs here? US$310k... probably close to 300k after discounts.

mlai.... wanna move over here and buy another 550?

[tinybeammer]

Hey welcome c u at the meet up at turf city this Sunday...

[st8800]

Hi Tiny

What's your nick in BMWSG? Don't see same nick in meet up list. Anyway, will look forward to seeing u.

[grimlock]

Originally Posted by st8800

Ya Grimlock, the sales guy is actually a classmate of a close friend... so he was very open in his opinion. Very old school and purist... doesn't believe 5 series should be powered by 4 cylinders.... 3 series yes... but not the 5 series.

He also thinks the N20 engines will start giving trouble after the standard 3 yrs warranty here. Who knows.... we 'll see somewhere down the road.

As for 550.... just take a guess how much it costs here? US$310k... probably close to 300k after discounts.

mlai.... wanna move over here and buy another 550?

550 is only 50% more than a 523/520? Here its 100% .. and still not many get 550 .. If the base model is already so expensive in SG, would it comparatively mean that the higher models is more worth it? I mean you get more than 100% more cyl capacity for only 50% price .. and thats not include the 10yr road licence thing right?

The 3 series is going to cost the same as the 520/528 here soon, because the 5 gets hkd75k eco tax rebate because its heavy enough but the 3 doesnt cuz its too light.

[st8800]

Originally Posted by grimlock

550 is only 50% more than a 523/520? Here its 100% .. and still not many get 550 .. If the base model is already so expensive in SG, would it comparatively mean that the higher models is more worth it? I mean you get more than 100% more cyl capacity for only 50% price .. and thats not include the 10yr road licence thing right?

The 3 series is going to cost the same as the 520/528 here soon, because the 5 gets hkd75k eco tax rebate because its heavy enough but the 3 doesnt cuz its too light.

It's including then 10 yrs validity COE. However, whether more worth it or not is subjective if u are comparing it to percentage of 523 price in HK. One can also compare to a porche or maserati and find them more worth it.

It's crazy if 3 series cost same as 5 series. Something is wrong somewhere.

[grimlock]

Originally Posted by st8800

It's including then 10 yrs validity COE. However, whether more worth it or not is subjective if u are comparing it to percentage of 523 price in HK. One can also compare to a porche or maserati and find them more worth it.

It's crazy if 3 series cost same as 5 series. Something is wrong somewhere.

Yes, and E200 is same price as C200 .. and the E is newer also!
So wrong..

[st8800]

Hmmm... So does anyone buy 3 series n C class in HK?

[grimlock]

But only recently the E and 5 got the hkd75k rebate .. going forward, maybe they have to focus more on c180 and 316 318 to become cheap enough to attract buyers

[st8800]

Ah I see....

Well looks like my ride is gonna end up more or less similar to RC3. Discard Kerscher because someone says look like merc W212... and I think it does too after looking closely. M-Sport seems to have longer lasting good looks.

Some delay in delivery though and supersprint exos will only come in mth end... F14 just before X'mas... just too long to wait!

[RC3]

Originally Posted by st8800

Ah I see....

Well looks like my ride is gonna end up more or less similar to RC3. Discard Kerscher because someone says look like merc W212... and I think it does too after looking closely. M-Sport seems to have longer lasting good looks.

Some delay in delivery though and supersprint exos will only come in mth end... F14 just before X'mas... just too long to wait!

Worth the wait. Good choice with the M sport.

[mlai]

Originally Posted by st8800

Hmmm... So does anyone buy 3 series n C class in HK?

Yes. Tonnes of C63 and M3 in HK.......

[st8800]

Hehe... Ok... Only the AMGs and Ms.