Difference between 05'' 520i and 05-07' 523 (E60)

[leekokshiong]

I'm planning of upgrading to 5 series and was looking at 520i and 523i (E60) between 05 to 07. May i find out from the GURU here what are the difference between these 2 models beside the engine cc. Beside the common wear and tear, is there any car problem which I should look out for in selecting the car?

Cheers!

 

[detach8]

Re: Difference between 05'' 520i and 05-07' 523 (E60)

The engine is a MAJOR difference. The old 2.2L is an inline 6. The new 2.0L is an inline 4. IMHO the old engine is much better -- more torque at lower RPMs. The 520i E60 with N46 2.0L is underpowered.

 

[leekokshiong]

Re: Difference between 05'' 520i and 05-07' 523 (E60)

Thanks Bro. How about the iDrive and the functionality of these cars? Any difference?

 

[golilok]

Re: Difference between 05'' 520i and 05-07' 523 (E60)

if possible look for a 530, it may cost marginally more than a 523/525, but with exponential songess.

 

[MapleLeaf]

Re: Difference between 05'' 520i and 05-07' 523 (E60)

if possible look for a 530, it may cost marginally more than a 523/525, but with exponential songess.

Insurance higher, road tax higher, FC higher, wheels bigger - replacement cost higher....

I am using a 2008 525 and I feel it's an overkill on Sg roads. It's more for status and pride. It is more of emotional, psychological satisfaction than practical needs.


When you are crusing down Lornie Road at 120km/h and enjoying the smoothness of the ride... and the next moment, you see this white-ant on the overhead bridge ahead aiming a what looks like a M16 rifle at you.... f--king shit.

 

[Algino]

Re: Difference between 05'' 520i and 05-07' 523 (E60)

When I was buying my first e60 3 years ago , I went for a test drive on both 520 and 525.. Before the test drive of 520 , I told the SA that I am driving Camry 2.4 now and would it be underpowered if I drive 520 compare to my current ride , the SA was kind like banging the table and told me no problem ! Sure much better than your Camry 2.4 .. However , during my test drive , I even pressed the accelerator all the way to the floor ( with sport mode Some more ) but the weird thing was the car doent feel like accelerating at all ... I told the SA that were sitting me and said my Camry will speed like a crazy horse if I were pressing this way compare to your " super power " 520 : ) the SA felt vy pai sei and immediate said maybe 520 wasn't good enough to suit your requirement and u should try 525i instead .. And Upon sitting on 525i and tested drive it for approx. 10 minutes , immediate on the spot with no doubt I had confirmed the order and walked out with a smiling faces till now and I still do ... Sorry if I had offence any 520 brother here and I apologise for it ... If u only wanted the appearance , go 520 and save u fuel and road tax bla bla bla .. But if u r looking at performance like what we always say " ultimate driving machine " then 525 or 530 is your only choice I can ensure u with swear of my life ... NO REGRET !!!!!!!!


QUOTE=leekokshiong;882080]I'm planning of upgrading to 5 series and was looking at 520i and 523i (E60) between 05 to 07. May i find out from the GURU here what are the difference between these 2 models beside the engine cc. Beside the common wear and tear, is there any car problem which I should look out for in selecting the car?

Cheers![/QUOTE]

 

[golilok]

Re: Difference between 05'' 520i and 05-07' 523 (E60)

Coming from a n52b25 (with powerbox) to a n52b30, and I dun speed beyond 110, and I only cruise to taste the smooth cream, the every extra cent spent is well worth imho.

Definitely not for status pride for me, but tasting the sweetness of a strawberry is just the top of my priority.

Still of cos the 525 is good enough!

Insurance higher, road tax higher, FC higher, wheels bigger - replacement cost higher....

I am using a 2008 525 and I feel it's an overkill on Sg roads. It's more for status and pride. It is more of emotional, psychological satisfaction than practical needs.


When you are crusing down Lornie Road at 120km/h and enjoying the smoothness of the ride... and the next moment, you see this white-ant on the overhead bridge ahead aiming a what looks like a M16 rifle at you.... f--king shit.

 

[Red_Bean_Bun]

Re: Difference between 05'' 520i and 05-07' 523 (E60)

Agree that the 525 is good enough. What about the 523 ?

 

[MapleLeaf]

Re: Difference between 05'' 520i and 05-07' 523 (E60)

Coming from a n52b25 (with powerbox) to a n52b30, and I dun speed beyond 110, and I only cruise to taste the smooth cream, the every extra cent spent is well worth imho.

110km/h along 70 km/h Lornie Road, it's 12 points and $400. Two times, and your 525 is grounded. Even at 83 km/h, white Ant sent me an "Advisory Letter".

 

[leekokshiong]

Re: Difference between 05'' 520i and 05-07' 523 (E60)

Thanks for the valuable feedback. So how about 523i, is it good enough? I was speaking to Calvin few days ago at 2277 and he discourages me from buying E60, saying that gearbox is one of the major problem in this E60 model. Any bro can advise?

 

[Jason8822]

Re: Difference between 05'' 520i and 05-07' 523 (E60)

Insurance higher, road tax higher, FC higher, wheels bigger - replacement cost higher....

I am using a 2008 525 and I feel it's an overkill on Sg roads. It's more for status and pride. It is more of emotional, psychological satisfaction than practical needs.

525 called overkill ? in what sense ?
QQ can hit 110km/h also ......

 

[Jason8822]

Re: Difference between 05'' 520i and 05-07' 523 (E60)

I'm planning of upgrading to 5 series and was looking at 520i and 523i (E60) between 05 to 07. May i find out from the GURU here what are the difference between these 2 models beside the engine cc. Beside the common wear and tear, is there any car problem which I should look out for in selecting the car?

Cheers!

Seems like nobody answer TS specifically on the 2 models he asking about.
520 and 523 have different cc, 520 is 2.2L while 523 is 2.5L .

Other than the early batches with lots of electrical and mechanical glitches the rest are quite ok, its more of a heng suay issue.
You may like to read up more in the 5 series section to find out more about this car.

 

[Algino]

Re: Difference between 05'' 520i and 05-07' 523 (E60)

523 & 525 paying the same road tax but 523i - 192 bhp ( correct me if wrong ) 525i - 218bhp

So .... figure it out yourself bro ....

Seems like nobody answer TS specifically on the 2 models he asking about.
520 and 523 have different cc, 520 is 2.2L while 523 is 2.5L .

Other than the early batches with lots of electrical and mechanical glitches the rest are quite ok, its more of a heng suay issue.
You may like to read up more in the 5 series section to find out more about this car.

 

[Jason8822]

Re: Difference between 05'' 520i and 05-07' 523 (E60)

523 & 525 paying the same road tax but 523i - 192 bhp ( correct me if wrong ) 525i - 218bhp

So .... figure it out yourself bro ....

Your figures are for LCi cars after mid 07 , pre LCi 523 about 170+hp
Your 523 and 525 comparo makes sense but TS is asking about 520 vs 523
Roadtax is only a small part in car ownership, but car price differences is quite significant (budget)

my 2 cents

 

[Jason8822]

Re: Difference between 05'' 520i and 05-07' 523 (E60)

523 & 525 paying the same road tax but 523i - 192 bhp ( correct me if wrong ) 525i - 218bhp

So .... figure it out yourself bro ....

Just to OT a bit, but if you are going to compare like this then ... bro golilok should be going for 730 instead of 528?
There are ppl buying 335 and M cars , they know something extra within which they want. Overkill is too superficial.
End of the day diff stroke for diff folks

 

[MW]

Re: Difference between 05'' 520i and 05-07' 523 (E60)

Only ONE person is qualified to talk abt 05 520..TERRY

 

[pongster]

Re: Difference between 05'' 520i and 05-07' 523 (E60)

Never get the under-power 05' 520... confirm regret!!! Gearbox problems anot... depends on luck when u buy pre-owned.

 

[Ricky Hoo]

Re: Difference between 05'' 520i and 05-07' 523 (E60)

I total agree what bro ( Algino ) ..!! Pay for something that you will never regret . I am currently driving a 09 ( 525i ) and the feeling is so great . Compare to 530 thats the best but I would say not neccessary unless you like during fast car or enough budget to own it .
Go for something that is comfortable to your need . 520i is still good but power wise will be losing out .

 

[leekokshiong]

Re: Difference between 05'' 520i and 05-07' 523 (E60)

Many thanks to the advises. So between 520i, 523i or 525i the only difference is their bhp right?

 

[IS250C]

Re: Difference between 05'' 520i and 05-07' 523 (E60)

Many thanks to the advises. So between 520i, 523i or 525i the only difference is their bhp right?

Anyone know why the bhp of the 523 in difference year and 525 is different with the same engine?
If you have the lower bhp, possible to uprate to higher bhp? How?
Also what is the publish bhp for all these variant?
Thanks.