Tag: N52B30

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.