Once you go from a 3 Series to a 5 Series, you won’t want to go back?

jpdchicago · 02-19-2019, 03:14 PM

Got a 540 as a loaner a while ago. Huge! Would not consider buying a car that is now as big as the former 7 series.
Was thinking as an M5 comp as a daily. Looking at the new X3 M comp instead.
The gts is a keeper for pure fun.

tracer bullet · 02-19-2019, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BM dnobagaV

...The increased agility & fun of the 3 Series...

But this is the reason I buy BMW, and the only reason. Which is why I own a 1-Series - even more agility and fun.

(And an X3 for the snowy days and hauling my kid, not nearly the fun of the 1 but better than most else in its class).

Z K · 02-19-2019, 03:27 PM

I don't think I'd want a 5 series unless it's purely for every day driving. The newer 3 series is already rather large and approaching huge proportions.

The key differentiator is if you like driving on the track and/or twisty mountain roads. If you do, then even a 3 series becomes a bit too large to handle tight roads and have fun. But it's still do-able. A 5 series on such roads is just pure frustration and no fun at all. I took a new F90 M5 through some twisty mountain roads and it was fast... but it's way too large and no fun to drive. Driving those same roads in my M3 is much more fun. And I very much doubt the M5 would be faster than my M3 on those roads despite having over a hundred more horsepower.

For my next fun car, I actually want something smaller than a 3 series. No 5 series for me.

But if you like giant luxo land yachts, more power to you.

Germanauto · 02-19-2019, 07:50 PM

3-series seems large enough lately. If anything it is getting too big. I found the E90 just perfect for daily use (not to mention it was super fun to drive).

But I get it. 5er is more luxurious and comfortable...definitely not a fun sedan like the E60 and E39 were. It's the ultimate dad car, which makes sense as I only see 40+ yr old dads driving them.

Personally all the sedan I need is an ///M3...it's a tad more expensive than a 540, obviously less luxurious, but the fun factor wins out.

Germanauto · 02-19-2019, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D22M2

5er is an old mans car

I wouldn't say "old" man. Definitely more middle aged dad.

BMR_CK · 02-19-2019, 08:03 PM

I was the thinking 540 and decided to go 340. Just more fun to drive and the 5 is getting too big. Im just not sure the car is all that compelling anymore.

10" · 02-19-2019, 08:22 PM

bigger usually means a worse driving experience. these days NEWER also means a worse driving experience.

go older and smaller for the best driving experiences.

gatorfast · 02-19-2019, 08:23 PM

I went from 3 to 5 and back to 3. Granted my 3s were M3s and the 5 was a 528i but I sorely missed the performance of the M3 when I was in the 5. The 3 feels so much lighter and more nimble and there is plenty of interior room for my kids and even adults in the back.

tuco44 · 02-19-2019, 09:02 PM

I had several 5 Series back in the Eighties, and today's 3 Series is very close to the same size as those older 5ers. I liked the size of the 5er then, and I like the size of the 3er now. The 5 is just too huge, even for an older person such as I am.

The M5 might be a different matter, but even with the power and handling, it is still a large car. Too large, IMO.

wuzupfoo · 02-22-2019, 06:05 PM

Depends... is it an M3? if so then yes otherwise no to a regular 3. 5 is so much more luxurious, comfy, and usable in real life. Maybe Im saying this because my M3 is slammed on coils with solid bushings and loud exhaust so I appreciate a soft(ish) around town and business car. Im lucky to be able own both.

And honestly I was also afraid of the size of the new 5 since it definitely increased in size. I almost splurged on a M5 but was worried about the size but after driving it a couple weeks its not noticeable at all and I kind of regret not splurging.. not really tho... have other car goals that are more driver oriented..

shockin330i · 02-22-2019, 06:09 PM

I went back. E90 f10 f80

gatorfast · 02-22-2019, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shockin330i

I went back. E90 f10 f80

Same path I took

The Libertine · 02-26-2019, 07:52 AM

I’m inclined to agree. I like the larger size, the refinement, and better attention to detail.

1MOREMOD · 02-26-2019, 08:16 AM

Only if you need a Walker and eat dinner at 3pm so can watch judge Judy before bed

The Libertine · 02-26-2019, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

Only if you need a Walker and eat dinner at 3pm so can watch judge Judy before bed

Ha! Well, nothing beats a good night’s sleep!

1MOREMOD · 02-26-2019, 09:27 AM

True and you can sleep on the couch in the 5?

wrickem · 02-26-2019, 09:44 AM

Went from 2 E92 3's to a 528 then to a 435. I wanted to love the 435 but little things like small idrive screen, cheap-azz console latch made me not love it like I loved my 335s. It drove nice (except for bumps) but I really was missing the higher end feel of the 5. So I went complete opposite and got rid of the 4 way sooner than normal, and bought a G05... and can't be happier.

TodmordenLad · 02-26-2019, 10:09 AM

I've test driven the 540i xDrive. Large, refined and luxurious, although the B58 is a bit subdued in that implementation and needs more torque, imo.
My F31 and F36 was/is more entertaining to drive, period.
The 5 is for wafting around in, at a leisurely pace, to my mind. However, if I was looking for something large, refined and luxurious to waft around in, I'd get an E class Merc - no contest, sorry

BM dnobagaV · 02-27-2019, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Germanauto

3-series seems large enough lately. If anything it is getting too big. I found the E90 just perfect for daily use (not to mention it was super fun to drive).

But I get it. 5er is more luxurious and comfortable...definitely not a fun sedan like the E60 and E39 were. It's the ultimate dad car, which makes sense as I only see 40+ yr old dads driving them.

Personally all the sedan I need is an ///M3...it's a tad more expensive than a 540, obviously less luxurious, but the fun factor wins out.

I must be stuck in a time portal from 2009. The e60 & e39 were definitely fun, the newest 5 I absolutely cannot say the same. Nice and all, but I wouldn't want to own one.

Germanauto · 02-27-2019, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BM dnobagaV

I must be stuck in a time portal from 2009. The e60 & e39 were definitely fun, the newest 5 I absolutely cannot say the same. Nice and all, but I wouldn't want to own one.

Same boat here!

Everything changed with the F10.

jmg · 02-27-2019, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BM dnobagaV

I must be stuck in a time portal from 2009. The e60 & e39 were definitely fun, the newest 5 I absolutely cannot say the same. Nice and all, but I wouldn't want to own one.

This is more than a time portal. This is confirmation bias. How else could you think your 528i is more powerful and better built than E9X and F M cars?

Quote:

Originally Posted by BM dnobagaV

I went from an E46 325i to an E60 528i (both pretty fully optioned), and having test driven E9x and F3x (including M's), I just can't picture myself going back. My 5'er is more luxurious, more comfortable, better built, and more powerful.

KL1 · 03-06-2019, 06:51 PM

I own both and prefer the 3 and I have owned many BMW's over the years.

E36 – 325i Sedan 1995
E46 – 325i Sedan 2002
E46 - 323 iT Wagon 2000
E70 – X5 SAV 2012
E83 – X3 SAV 2006
E90 – 328i xDrive Sedan 2011
E90 - 335i Sedan 2009
E93 – 335is Convertible 2011
F10 – 528i xDrive Sedan 2015
F30 – 335i xDrive Sedan 2015

The 3 is the more engaging car for driving and overall enjoyment for me. It all depends on what you want it to do and what you need it for. As you can tell I am not an M guy since I don't desire that or have a need for that level of performance. However, I do enjoy driving something that is fun for commuting and that provides me with the simple joy of driving. To each their own. It is simply what you enjoy most.

View Poll Results: Once you go from a 3'er to a 5'er, you can't go back?
Yes	26	27.96%
No	67	72.04%
Voters: 93. You may not vote on this poll

02-19-2019, 03:14 PM	#23
jpdchicago Major 1405 Rep 1,411 Posts Drives: M4 CSL, X3MC Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Chicago area iTrader: (0)	Got a 540 as a loaner a while ago. Huge! Would not consider buying a car that is now as big as the former 7 series. Was thinking as an M5 comp as a daily. Looking at the new X3 M comp instead. The gts is a keeper for pure fun. Last edited by jpdchicago; 02-19-2019 at 03:25 PM..
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02-19-2019, 03:27 PM	#25
Z K Major General 1983 Rep 5,565 Posts Drives: G20 M340i, S15 Silvia Spec R Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (3)	I don't think I'd want a 5 series unless it's purely for every day driving. The newer 3 series is already rather large and approaching huge proportions. The key differentiator is if you like driving on the track and/or twisty mountain roads. If you do, then even a 3 series becomes a bit too large to handle tight roads and have fun. But it's still do-able. A 5 series on such roads is just pure frustration and no fun at all. I took a new F90 M5 through some twisty mountain roads and it was fast... but it's way too large and no fun to drive. Driving those same roads in my M3 is much more fun. And I very much doubt the M5 would be faster than my M3 on those roads despite having over a hundred more horsepower. For my next fun car, I actually want something smaller than a 3 series. No 5 series for me. But if you like giant luxo land yachts, more power to you. __________________ Auto Detailing Enthusiast!
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02-19-2019, 07:50 PM	#26
Germanauto Major General 9453 Rep 6,184 Posts Drives: Alfa Giulia Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Cal iTrader: (0)	3-series seems large enough lately. If anything it is getting too big. I found the E90 just perfect for daily use (not to mention it was super fun to drive). But I get it. 5er is more luxurious and comfortable...definitely not a fun sedan like the E60 and E39 were. It's the ultimate dad car, which makes sense as I only see 40+ yr old dads driving them. Personally all the sedan I need is an ///M3...it's a tad more expensive than a 540, obviously less luxurious, but the fun factor wins out.
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02-19-2019, 08:03 PM	#28
BMR_CK Private 37 Rep 96 Posts Drives: 2021 M340i Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: NorCal iTrader: (0)	I was the thinking 540 and decided to go 340. Just more fun to drive and the 5 is getting too big. Im just not sure the car is all that compelling anymore.
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02-19-2019, 08:22 PM	#29
10" Colonel 5081 Rep 2,296 Posts Drives: orange BMW 1M. Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: world iTrader: (0)	bigger usually means a worse driving experience. these days NEWER also means a worse driving experience. go older and smaller for the best driving experiences. __________________ don't read this. too late...
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02-19-2019, 08:23 PM	#30
gatorfast Major General 5187 Rep 6,911 Posts Drives: 718 Cayman Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: SoFla iTrader: (4)	I went from 3 to 5 and back to 3. Granted my 3s were M3s and the 5 was a 528i but I sorely missed the performance of the M3 when I was in the 5. The 3 feels so much lighter and more nimble and there is plenty of interior room for my kids and even adults in the back.
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02-19-2019, 09:02 PM	#31
tuco44 Colonel 645 Rep 2,292 Posts Drives: 2018 340i xDrive M Perf Edtn Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Western Canada iTrader: (0)	I had several 5 Series back in the Eighties, and today's 3 Series is very close to the same size as those older 5ers. I liked the size of the 5er then, and I like the size of the 3er now. The 5 is just too huge, even for an older person such as I am. The M5 might be a different matter, but even with the power and handling, it is still a large car. Too large, IMO. __________________ 2018 340i xDrive M Perf Edtn Sunset Orange Previous BMWs - 19 others since 1971.
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02-22-2019, 06:05 PM	#32
wuzupfoo Lieutenant 62 Rep 424 Posts Drives: E92 M3; G30 540i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Mean streets of Irvine iTrader: (3)	Depends... is it an M3? if so then yes otherwise no to a regular 3. 5 is so much more luxurious, comfy, and usable in real life. Maybe Im saying this because my M3 is slammed on coils with solid bushings and loud exhaust so I appreciate a soft(ish) around town and business car. Im lucky to be able own both. And honestly I was also afraid of the size of the new 5 since it definitely increased in size. I almost splurged on a M5 but was worried about the size but after driving it a couple weeks its not noticeable at all and I kind of regret not splurging.. not really tho... have other car goals that are more driver oriented.. Last edited by wuzupfoo; 02-22-2019 at 06:14 PM..
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02-22-2019, 06:09 PM	#33
shockin330i Brigadier General 813 Rep 4,784 Posts Drives: 2016 ZCP M3 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: f y'all, I'm from Texas (RGV) iTrader: (1)	I went back. E90 f10 f80
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02-26-2019, 07:52 AM	#35
The Libertine Lieutenant Colonel 2084 Rep 1,738 Posts Drives: 2024 X4 M40i; 2025 X1 28i Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: SE, MA iTrader: (0)	I’m inclined to agree. I like the larger size, the refinement, and better attention to detail.
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02-26-2019, 08:16 AM	#36
1MOREMOD - 11895 Rep 23,185 Posts Drives: Race car-> Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: check your mirrors iTrader: (5)	Only if you need a Walker and eat dinner at 3pm so can watch judge Judy before bed
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02-26-2019, 09:27 AM	#38
1MOREMOD - 11895 Rep 23,185 Posts Drives: Race car-> Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: check your mirrors iTrader: (5)	True and you can sleep on the couch in the 5?
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02-26-2019, 09:44 AM	#39
wrickem reads things 2881 Rep 4,067 Posts Drives: DD - '24 840-x drive coupe Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: lambertville/Sea Girt NJ iTrader: (0)	Went from 2 E92 3's to a 528 then to a 435. I wanted to love the 435 but little things like small idrive screen, cheap-azz console latch made me not love it like I loved my 335s. It drove nice (except for bumps) but I really was missing the higher end feel of the 5. So I went complete opposite and got rid of the 4 way sooner than normal, and bought a G05... and can't be happier. Last edited by wrickem; 02-26-2019 at 12:21 PM..
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02-26-2019, 10:09 AM	#40
TodmordenLad Brigadier General 3241 Rep 4,307 Posts Drives: Audi A4 Avant Join Date: May 2015 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I've test driven the 540i xDrive. Large, refined and luxurious, although the B58 is a bit subdued in that implementation and needs more torque, imo. My F31 and F36 was/is more entertaining to drive, period. The 5 is for wafting around in, at a leisurely pace, to my mind. However, if I was looking for something large, refined and luxurious to waft around in, I'd get an E class Merc - no contest, sorry __________________ Owned: 440i GC LCI with MPPSK, F31 330D M Sport with MPPK, F11 530D SE, F11 520D SE, E61 530D M Sport, E36 325i plus many MB's, Audi's & Volvo's
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03-06-2019, 06:51 PM	#44
KL1 Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: E93, F10, F30 Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: wa iTrader: (0)	I own both and prefer the 3 and I have owned many BMW's over the years. E36 – 325i Sedan 1995 E46 – 325i Sedan 2002 E46 - 323 iT Wagon 2000 E70 – X5 SAV 2012 E83 – X3 SAV 2006 E90 – 328i xDrive Sedan 2011 E90 - 335i Sedan 2009 E93 – 335is Convertible 2011 F10 – 528i xDrive Sedan 2015 F30 – 335i xDrive Sedan 2015 The 3 is the more engaging car for driving and overall enjoyment for me. It all depends on what you want it to do and what you need it for. As you can tell I am not an M guy since I don't desire that or have a need for that level of performance. However, I do enjoy driving something that is fun for commuting and that provides me with the simple joy of driving. To each their own. It is simply what you enjoy most.
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