Gone over to the dark side....

[Guest ACSLK]

st8800 wrote:

Dear Brothers

I just pulled the trigger today for the BMW 523 Highline at PML. My last chance to catch the famed N54 6 cylinders engine before they change it to 2 litre turbos.

Since I have owned 2 mercs, W203 and present W211, I just wanted to try something different. My 2 choices was BMW 523 and Audi A6 (C7). Tested drive the BMW twice. Really feels like a 7 series in a 5 series skin. Very impressed. I6 acoustics is very infectious, the more you hear the deep throated engine roar, the more u want to rev it. I got a prettry good deal too. 18k discount and a very high overtrade.

As for the A6, I also tested the 2.8 and 2.0. Felt that the features not up to par for a luxury saloon. The 3.0 yes but not the other 2. The 2.8 has some character in the V6 engine but sparce features and I think my limit to go up was 2.5l for roadtax. The 2.0 is a CVT engine, torque is good enough even though it is only 180 bhp (SE agreed to mtm to 220bhp for me). Engine is quiet enough, just feels it lacks character. I didn't know what "lack character" in the reviews means until I test drove the car myself.

It's been a blast here... I think this forum is 2nd to none with people like Unker Batam and Kelvin to support.

Hope to see u guys around during Beemer meetup! :hand::bounce:

Congrats.................

F10 rocks......

cheers

[Guest hkhamateur]

Wow....today paper ad on e new 520, power man! :music:

New 4cyl engine w turbo enhancement tat produce 305bhp!! :shocked:

Aso its mate w all new 8spd gearbox w brakg assistg n speedtronic n more! :whistle:

Who wanna go together c c seat seat drive drive mid next week? :confused:

Em...e darkside! Greed I sensed! :spy:

[Guest ACSLK]

hkhamateur wrote:

Wow....today paper ad on e new 520, power man! :music:

New 4cyl engine w turbo enhancement tat produce 305bhp!! :shocked:

Aso its mate w all new 8spd gearbox w brakg assistg n speedtronic n more! :whistle:

Who wanna go together c c seat seat drive drive mid next week? :confused:

Em...e darkside! Greed I sensed! :spy:

must go for a test drive to be really convince.......

cheers

[Guest st8800]

hkhamateur wrote:

Wow....today paper ad on e new 520, power man! :music:

New 4cyl engine w turbo enhancement tat produce 305bhp!! :shocked:

Aso its mate w all new 8spd gearbox w brakg assistg n speedtronic n more! :whistle:

Who wanna go together c c seat seat drive drive mid next week? :confused:

Em...e darkside! Greed I sensed! :spy:

Bro, typo error la. 520 only 184 bhp and 528 is 240 bhp.

I'm also going to test drive the new turbo engines today!

[Guest hkhamateur]

st8800 wrote:

Bro, typo error la. 520 only 184 bhp and 528 is 240 bhp.

I'm also going to test drive the new turbo engines today!

Oops! Soni soni! :becky:

Wuwoo....bro, wat x u goin? Try squeeze some time off if possi! Wrack tat beast! :bounce:

[Guest ACSLK]

hkhamateur wrote:

Oops! Soni soni! :becky:

Wuwoo....bro, wat x u goin? Try squeeze some time off if possi! Wrack tat beast! :bounce:

This Friday monring??? i will be at PML Alexandra

cheers

[Guest knighthunter]

I tested X1 last weekend the new version sDrive2.0i 2l turbo with 8 speed gearbox plus iDrive. I love the car but I don't like the price damn high, at the end the calling from dark side not strong enough settle for C180k with command online and save some spare cash.

I have feeling that BMW OMV is quite low at this moment but they are selling their car more ex than merc.

[Guest hkhamateur]

knighthunter wrote:

I tested X1 last weekend the new version sDrive2.0i 2l turbo with 8 speed gearbox plus iDrive. I love the car but I don't like the price damn high, at the end the calling from dark side not strong enough settle for C180k with command online and save some spare cash.

I have feeling that BMW OMV is quite low at this moment but they are selling their car more ex than merc.

Cld be! :becky:

new engine, new gearbox, new design, new new new. They must make triple to cover all e ad, road show, makan, grand event launch etc....:fish:

yes, young jedi yr hme is here. May e force b w u! :bounce:

[Guest st8800]

The reason I went for a test drive was because my SE says possible to upgrade to 528 if I am willing to top up 23k. I was in a dilemma for 2 days because of this... so a test drive is really necessary.

Now for a review and decision on 520 and 528

It was already raining when I arrived at the PML Alexandra. My SE drove out the 520 and came out of the driver's seat to let me drive it. Immediate I can hear a noticeable clatter from the engine, sounds not unlike a taxi! I was amazed and ask him why. He replied that this is the trait of a Beemer 4 potter.

Then I drove into the main road and immediately rev the engine hard. I heard a long whine but the car hardly accelerated. The reply was because this is the characteristic of a 520 with detuned engine. When I moved off again at the traffic lights, this time slowly increasing the throttle and revving it high gradually, the engine sounds much better. Using paddle shifters at the steering wheels also yielded good results. Engine don't sound whiny like earlier.

Stop/start function was a constant pain in the butt for the SE who couldn't stop complaining about it. I was ok with it, maybe because he disable after 2 stops. Need getting used to I guess.

The 520 felt relatively more powerful than my merc E200k. Engine is smooth and relatively torquey when not push hard at low speed. Surprise, surprise, it now comes with GPS and 10" screen. Rejoice for those eyeing this model. However, I made my decision there and then that I won't be changing my creamy iL6 523 for this.

When I asked to test drive the 528, I was told it already conked out. What?! In less than 1 week? So much for a reliable new N20 turbo engine. Anyway, we had to proceed to Sime Darby Dunearn Rd for the test drive.

The 528 comes with additional soft close door and electric curtains. Other than that, just the usual bells and whistles of the 523 high line, GPS, internet, 18" rims, wood trims, etc. Before the test drive, I already gave it big discount due to earlier 520 test drive. However, I was pleasantly surprised. The engine tune seems a whole lot better. This is definitely a quick and fun car to drive. Engine sound is pleasant when pushed hard but still a notch below the iL6 acoustics. The test drive didn't last too long.... mainly because of the non stop rain.

My final evaluation:

1) 520 - Good for those who wants the BMW marque but seldom drive above 3k RPM. Suitable for the people who are not into pushing their engine much, ie. Towkays and Tai Tais... 180 bhp is good enough for them.

2) 528 - Great and fun car to drive. Powerful engine. 240 bhp on the tap.

3) 523 - Very suitable for singapore city driving, sounds wonderful when pushed hard. Makes u want to rev all the way to the redline. Great for the auto purists. Award winning i6 engine is not be scoffed at even if just 206bp.

So the 64 thousand dollar question: will I opt for the 528? The answer is no. Not worth the 23k premium I have to cough out... considering I already have a fantastic deal on the 523 and now need to give it all back. On top of that, still pay a premium for buying a new model. Not wise.

This is my final answer! I have slain the demon in the 528! :fish::bounce:

[Guest knighthunter]

Ah...I guessed the X1 sDrive20i using same turbo engine with 520, I complained about engine make strange noise to the SE especially when it revved hard during test drive.

[Guest chiaster]

hmm... other than bro ACSLK, anyone got any experience/input on the M3? :becky:

[Guest ACSLK]

chiaster wrote:

hmm... other than bro ACSLK, anyone got any experience/input on the M3? :becky:

Hi Chiaster,

what else you wanna know before buying your M3?

cheers

[Guest Wes23]

Bro chiaster, really going over to the dark side??? Dun go...

[Guest Wes23]

knighthunter wrote:

I tested X1 last weekend the new version sDrive2.0i 2l turbo with 8 speed gearbox plus iDrive. I love the car but I don't like the price damn high, at the end the calling from dark side not strong enough settle for C180k with command online and save some spare cash.

I have feeling that BMW OMV is quite low at this moment but they are selling their car more ex than merc.

You have made the right choice! But still to each of it's own.. I feel that beemer outlook sleeker than mercy... But overall, Beemer is a driver's car only... Mercy is a both a driver's and passengers' car! The feeling is totally different...

[Guest ACSLK]

Wes23 wrote:

Bro chiaster, really going over to the dark side??? Dun go...

3rd car........

cheers

[Guest Wes23]

Haha. Ok...

[Guest chiaster]

it will be either the E Cabriolet or the M3... i want an open-top for my next car... i know that the E Cabriolet will be more comfortable... if it's the M3, it will be because i want to drive it hard all the time... actually, there's no comparison between the 2... totally different rides... sigh... i don't know... can't decide...

ACSLK wrote:

Hi Chiaster,

what else you wanna know before buying your M3?

cheers

Wes23 wrote:

Bro chiaster, really going over to the dark side??? Dun go...

ACSLK wrote:

3rd car........

cheers

[Guest Wes23]

So envy! Open top!!! Feel the breeze!!! Like you, now saving damn hard for my roof too... Prefer to have a roof... Feel more secure....

[Guest blackmercs]

chiaster wrote:

it will be either the E Cabriolet or the M3... i want an open-top for my next car... i know that the E Cabriolet will be more comfortable... if it's the M3, it will be because i want to drive it hard all the time... actually, there's no comparison between the 2... totally different rides... sigh... i don't know... can't decide...

Go for M3 cabrio lor u got both world!!!

[Guest chiaster]

bingo! now that my roof is settled, even if i have no car, no problem... the roof is most important... :thumb:

Wes23 wrote:

So envy! Open top!!! Feel the breeze!!! Like you, now saving damn hard for my roof too... Prefer to have a roof... Feel more secure....

[Guest Wes23]

My sentiments exactly bro! following in your footsteps!

[Guest chiaster]

bro peter, M3 convertible heavier than the sedan/coupe... the lines also not that nice with the roof closed... it looks best as a coupe... followed by sedan, then convertible... and coupe/sedan has competition package... convertible don't have... aiyah, i don't know lah... if go for M3, it has to be the look of a RACER... :bounce:

blackmercs wrote:

Go for M3 cabrio lor u got both world!!!

[Guest chiaster]

you're 7 years my junior (23, right?) and got lots of time to make money... :thumb:

in fact, you're already better than me... i got my 1st car at 25 and it was a suzuki swift... you're 23 and you're already driving a mercedes... :thumb:

Wes23 wrote:

My sentiments exactly bro! following in your footsteps!

[Guest blackmercs]

chiaster wrote:

bro, M3 convertible heavier than the sedan/coupe... the lines also not that nice with the roof closed... it looks best as a coupe... followed by sedan, then convertible... and coupe/sedan has competition package... convertible don't have... aiyah, i don't know lah... if go for M3, it has to be the look of a RACER... :bounce:

orh Racer!! Not Ricer can Liao. Coz M3 cabrio is my wet dream car, if not just get SLS cabrio??

[Guest Wes23]

chiaster wrote:

you're 7 years my junior (23, right?) and got lots of time to make money... :thumb:

in fact, you're already better than me... i got my 1st car at 25 and it was a suzuki swift... you're 23 and you're already driving a mercedes... :thumb:

Bro, im turning 25 end of the year!