Though my E90 is still a great machine, and I know there are things I can do to make it more fun, I am still always out on the look for something different. Either something more family oriented, or something sportier for me to drive until I do have to buy an X5 or similar.
Today I went to check out an E82 2011 128i 6MT (a fun car BTW), when on the lot I saw a manual 5-series.
This is roughly what it looked like, but it is manual and I think the automatic would be too lethargic on this size of a car.
I was quite skeptical of this car, but something drew me to drive it. I know if it was an automatic, it would have felt really underpowered and anemic. Kind of like when I bought my E90 323i, there’s no way an AT would have been interesting. And it was X-Drive, which I figured added weight and reduced performance (which is true). But coming from the bar I set with the 323i, the extra .5L and 30hp makes up for the added weight and driveline losses of the 528xi. I have to say I was impressed and this car is worthy of consideration.
The 3.0L N52B30 sounds a lot better then the N52B25 little brother. This one is just begging for a muffler (or muffler delete – how about that for a family car). Like for like, I definitely found my E90 lacking when I got back in it after my 15 min ride. I can imagine that with a tune (+25hp), intake (+ sound & 5+hp), and an exhaust or delete (hp? +sound!!) that this car is right on the money in terms of being a reasonable performer (though won’t be winning any races).
The Dakota leather interior, sport suspension, and iDrive system all added to the experience. The X-drive was not intrusive and did not take away from any driving enjoyment. 60/40 fold down rear seats, lots of rear leg room, and a much larger trunk add to the usefulness.
For the price point, an E60 528i would be a good daily driver, cruiser, and family car.