[morrisond]

Today I drove a 528. I drove the 535 two weeks ago and really didn't like it as it was too isolated, felt like a Lexus, throttle tip in was mushy even in Sport + and I didn't like the powerband of the engine which fell off after 5,000 rpm. In short it didn't feel like a classic BMW that relied on Revs and short gearing to provide performance.


Witihin 2 minutes I fell in love with the 528. It seems to have a little less sound insulation so you can actually hear the engine (they had to save 280 lbs somewhere), you feel a very nice subtle vibration through the wheel so you can actually tell it's turned on, and it just keeps pulling to redline, it doesn't sign off at 5,000 rpm, you get a reward for revving it and holding gears.

The shorter gearing was nice too as throttle response was immediate, it paired really nicely with the 8sp, shifts were instant in manual mode.

The steering was nicely weighted for normal driving and body roll was minimal (probably another benefit of it being 280 lbs lighter.

In short it felt like a bigger more comfortable 3 series vs. a downsized 7.

It felt like a real BMW, and more than enough performance for real roads in North America, you can use a lot more of the throttle than the 535 which to me makes it a lot more fun.

Price independant, I think I would choose the 528. Nice car.

I also had it confirmed that Canada at least will get the 528Xi early in the new year.

Does anyone know how they saved 280 lbs?

[BimmerGuyFL]

It's lighter due to the 528i engine using both magnesium and aluminum making it a lot lighter, doesn't have the inter coolers or turbo hardware from the 535i. Brakes are smaller, 17" rims vs. 18" narrower tires as well.

[akhter]

I can see that. Coming from first a 328i and then a 335i, I loved the low-end torque of the twin turbo, but I found the NA engine to be noticeably smoother in power delivery. I drove the 523i and that worked so well with the 8sp sport that I ordered the 528i without driving. To be honest I haven't driven the N55 engine (had the N54) but after the 335i, I promised myself to try to get a BMW NA engine if possible. Now I did drive the 750i which shares the same engine as 550i and that engine was smoother than N54.

[morrisond]

Originally Posted by BimmerGuyFL

It's lighter due to the 528i engine using both magnesium and aluminum making it a lot lighter, doesn't have the inter coolers or turbo hardware from the 535i. Brakes are smaller, 17" rims vs. 18" narrower tires as well.

I can't remember where I saw it, but I think the 528 has the same brakes as the 535, I drove the 528i with Sport pack and 18's.

In previous 5's BMW went to great lengths to make the NA 5's lighter including a lot more aluminum in the front end and suspension, lighter axles etc.., maybe they have done the same thing this time.

Or could the engine really save 250+ lbs?

The nice thing is the 528i is a perfect 50/50(3814 lbs total) weight distribution(vs 50.9/49.1 535 - 4090 lbs and 52.4/47.6 550 4376 lbs +576 lbs over a 528i), you wonder if the BMW engineers like the 528i better as well to optimize it so much, to make it so light and have the much vaunted perfect 50/50 BMW weight distribution?

[Robin_NL]

I think the weightdifference is a lot smaller:
528i weighs stock about 100lbs less than a 535i according to the dutch brochure: 'Ledig gewicht' means stock weight:
http://www.bmw.nl/nl/nl/newvehicles/...ml?currPage=42

fwiw, I think a .35i is more suited to that kind of car and also revs easily to 7000rpm(max power is @ about <6000rpm, true), coming from a E90 M3 and having had a E90 330i/335i(335i way better irl imo) as well, but just my 2 cents

Cheers
Robin

[MarkyMarc]

Having driven them both also, I felt that the 535 had a big advantage in normal driving and a wider middle range. I really studied the 528 while driving it, and for me I felt I was constantly pushing the engine to it's limit to keep up.... and in the end it did keep up!! I just felt that the car was working too hard to do so, whereas the 535 effortlessly maintained the speeds I wanted and comfortably accelerated when needed, with power to spare. Better too much than not enough! The throttle note was much louder and more throaty in the 528! For all the extra noise, you would think it was as powerful.

[morrisond]

According to BMW USA the 528 is 3814 lbs and 535 4090 a difference of 276 lbs.

My whole point about the 528 is that you get to floor it a lot more(without going to jail) and that it is throatier it's more enjoyable to drive at Posted North American limits +30-40%, as your actually working it.

A BMW should not be like a Bentley and just waft you forward on a wave of torque.

[blackberrycubed]

Are you sure you are not trying to justify the 528i to yourself and wanting approval, for your choice, from the community?

[morrisond]

No, I'm trying to get others to listen so eventually BMW will listen and go back to it's roots and start building "Ultimate Driving Machines" again and stop building Lexus's with a a sport button.

Look at Porsche, no one considers the 911 Turbo to be the best Drivers Car, the less powerful lighter non-turbo GT3 is the more rewarding car for real drivers.

Ideally BMW would go back to making 3.5L+ NA In-Line 6 engines and focus on taking weight out and making the cars more responsive.

If I didn't need 4wd I would just go get a 4 door M3 or E60M5, however in BMW's wisdom you can't even get a 3 or 5 Xdrive with proper sports suspension in North America.

Perversely the Car that may come closest to classic BMW atributes(if you need 4wd - I know not classic BMW but almost neccessary for those of us in northern climes) may be the New X3 2.8 with M-Sport which looks like it may get the real M-Sport Suspension.

Audi seems to be taking over as the Ultimate Driving Machine, I'll be very surprised if you can't get the new A6 with Quattro and a proper Sports Suspension.

The next M5 will probably weigh more than the 550 and in my opinion that is the wrong way to go.

I know they are dropping the V10 for fuel efficiency, but an M should be Naturally aspirated, focus on making the V10 more efficient and then take as much weight as possible out of the car. Spend your engineering time on getting the basic car right and stop with all the technological junk that does little to improve the driving experience.

[HighlandPete]

Being a diesel user here in the UK, the 535i is the car that gets nearest to the 530d feel, mid range is where I like the power...

Horses for courses...

HighlandPete

[Robin_NL]

Originally Posted by blackberrycubed

Are you sure you are not trying to justify the 528i to yourself and wanting approval, for your choice, from the community?

+1

At the end of the day: A F10 5series with whatever kind of engine is more of a small 7 series than a big E90. Even a tiny 2.0 inline 6 with 300BHP @ 9800rpm won't help the car being 'agile' like you wish. It's a big heavy comfy car. And imo the only advantage of a 528 vs a 535 is its price and maybe its mpg(?)

Cheers,
Robin

[dpwr]

yah i'm loving gas mileage, coming from 335 i see a difference in that department

[morrisond]

You guys just aren't getting it what I'm trying to say.

If the 535 or 550 felt like(and weighed the same) as the 528 in my opinion they would be the ones to get as who doesn't like more power.

What I'm trying to say is that as a result of what ever BMW has done to them they just feel a lot more isolated. With the turbo's they can run taller gears, so there is less 'Good' vibrations etc..and the throttle tip-in isn't as good either. I think they also have more sound insulation, there just too isolated, too Lexus Like.

And the weight difference is noticeable as well, the 528 is just that much more chuckable, the 535 and 550 have just gotten too heavy. The mid 80's M5 was only 3,412 lbs.

With a real sport suspension on the 528i it would be the back road handling champ.

Go try a 528i back to back with a 535 or 550 and take it for a long drive and try to ignore what it says on the back and your ego, it's just nicer to drive on normal roads.

I would hope on an Enthusiast site like this, I would be preaching to a sympathetic audience, but if you want BMW to continue down the path of Lexus domination keep talking about awesome Nav systems and stuff that dilutes the driving experience.

There is a reason our M-Sport pack doesn't include a proper M-Sport suspension.

[akhter]

Originally Posted by morrisond

According to BMW USA the 528 is 3814 lbs and 535 4090 a difference of 276 lbs.

My whole point about the 528 is that you get to floor it a lot more(without going to jail) and that it is throatier it's more enjoyable to drive at Posted North American limits +30-40%, as your actually working it.

A BMW should not be like a Bentley and just waft you forward on a wave of torque.

This is the reason I went with 528i. Unless I was in a track, the throttle in 335 with its torque had to be feather 90% of the time. With the 528i I felt there would be far more WOT moments

I spent more than the price of a 535i loading the 528i with options so money wasn't an issue. Also the NA is just a bit smoother IMHO.

However, there is no arguing with the torque of the 535 engine but I can imagine there is a group out there who enjoys the more WOT 528i provides.

Originally Posted by blackberrycubed

Are you sure you are not trying to justify the 528i to yourself and wanting approval, for your choice, from the community?

I don't think so. This is a forum where people share their experiences. Also--most people here haven't driven a 528i--this is for them to drive one before dismissing it for a 535i.

[dpwr]

i got 528 but let's be real here, if money was no issue i'd be in 550 no question asked... what you talking about is like saying 328 is better then 335 because it weights 100 pounds less... 528 is pretty isolated as well, stop justifying your purchase

Originally Posted by morrisond

You guys just aren't getting it what I'm trying to say.

If the 535 or 550 felt like(and weighed the same) as the 528 in my opinion they would be the ones to get as who doesn't like more power.

What I'm trying to say is that as a result of what ever BMW has done to them they just feel a lot more isolated. With the turbo's they can run taller gears, so there is less 'Good' vibrations etc..and the throttle tip-in isn't as good either. I think they also have more sound insulation, there just too isolated, too Lexus Like.

And the weight difference is noticeable as well, the 528 is just that much more chuckable, the 535 and 550 have just gotten too heavy. The mid 80's M5 was only 3,412 lbs.

With a real sport suspension on the 528i it would be the back road handling champ.

Go try a 528i back to back with a 535 or 550 and take it for a long drive and try to ignore what it says on the back and your ego, it's just nicer to drive on normal roads.

I would hope on an Enthusiast site like this, I would be preaching to a sympathetic audience, but if you want BMW to continue down the path of Lexus domination keep talking about awesome Nav systems and stuff that dilutes the driving experience.

There is a reason our M-Sport pack doesn't include a proper M-Sport suspension.

[akhter]

Originally Posted by dpwr

i got 528 but let's be real here, if money was no issue i'd be in 550 no question asked... what you talking about is like saying 328 is better then 335 because it weights 100 pounds less... 528 is pretty isolated as well, stop justifying your purchase

Actually--I don't agree. I could afford a 550 and a 740 as well, and could probably stretch to a loaded M3 as well.

I also had a 335i and and 328i before that. When I moved to 335i from 328i, I found the 335i more frustrating to drive than the 328i in the city with stop and go traffic and barely any open road. In the track the 335i was more enjoyable (but more difficult to drive) as was the few times a month I got to a wide open country road with more than 5 sec for WOT.

I paid more than a 535i than my loaded 528i on order because I found the NA engine more enjoyable to drive. Doesn't mean you (and everyone else) should find it as well since you may live in a different city and your driving pattern may significantly differ.

Its similar to the 335i vs M3 arguments on e90post. In certain conditions the 335i is actually better than the M3 due to the low end torque, but on the track the M3 will smoke 335i everytime. so if you buy a daily driver with zero track time, the 335i may be a better car for you even if you can afford the M3.

[morrisond]

Originally Posted by dpwr

i got 528 but let's be real here, if money was no issue i'd be in 550 no question asked... what you talking about is like saying 328 is better then 335 because it weights 100 pounds less... 528 is pretty isolated as well, stop justifying your purchase

I haven't bought anything yet. I was ready to buy a nicely optioned 535 but was very underwhelmed by the testdrive. I've had 4 other BMW's before and liked them all (98 Z3 2.8, 99 M3, 02 X5 4.4 and 06 330 with a sport pack). What I'm saying is that the 528i, other than power, feels more like a sports sedan should, it's less isolated, more M like to a degree.

In normal driving the 528 may be the more entertaining and purer car.

[Mr. Magic]

One could remove a spark plug from one of the cylinders and drive it (take your pick of any engine).

It would be louder, it would force you to rev higher, and it would shake much more - maybe resemble an M tearing down the streets????

I just would not agree to any of this, and I'd strongly suggest all potential buyers drive it and decide on their own and not base decisions - even in part - to posts on this board.

[akhter]

Originally Posted by Mr. Magic

One could remove a spark plug from one of the cylinders and drive it (take your pick of any engine).

It would be louder, it would force you to rev higher, and it would shake much more - maybe resemble an M tearing down the streets????

It never ceases to amaze me the dumb things I hear in these forums sometimes. I guess that the price of a public forum.

Originally Posted by Mr. Magic

I just would not agree to any of this, and I'd strongly suggest all potential buyers drive it and decide on their own and not base decisions - even in part - to posts on this board.

That goes without saying--infact the drive is what convinced the OP to go with the 528i.

[Robin_NL]

Originally Posted by akhter

It never ceases to amaze me the dumb things I hear in these forums sometimes. I guess that the price of a public forum.

If you don't see the sarcasm.....

Cheers
Robin

[LuvMyE92]

Originally Posted by morrisond

You guys just aren't getting it what I'm trying to say.

No, I get it. I'll suggest this as an alternative to your point:

No true sports sedan comes only with an automatic transmission.

There. End of story. In the USA, the 528 is not available with a manual. I'm not sure about Canada.

You know... people bitched and moaned about how ugly the E65 7 series was, but it turned out to be a great seller for BMW. Right now, BMW's biggest competitors are not just Mercedes, but also Audi and especially Lexus. People vote with their feet, and Lexus didn't get where they are today by building tight handling responsive sport sedans. No, they've got soft, isolated luxury cars. That's what people want, and so that's what BMW delivers.

If I could buy a new E39 today instead of an F10, I'd do it in a heartbeat. But I can't. Those were superlative cars, especially with a sports suspension or in the M format, and with a proper manual transmission as well!

By all means speak your mind and state your opinion! But don't get angry if not everyone agrees with you.

[akhter]

Originally Posted by LuvMyE92

No true sports sedan comes only with an automatic transmission.

So no new Ferraris are sports cars? Oh you said sport sedan not sport cars