523i or 525i ?

[EuJax]

Hi all, good day.I am currently looking to get a e60. Had been hunting and scale down to few selection now. Found a 2008 523i for RM 139k and a 2006 525i M-sport for RM 126k. Both one owner and local CKD car. Deciding between the 2 as the 523i is a LCI with 'pilot gear', keyless go, new lights etc while the 525i M-sport gives a better punch but non LCI.. A few questions to ask if I may, 1. When does 'active steering' function comes in the e60? I understand the feature only comes in after LCI ? Does that cover for all models or the earlier pre-LCI 525i already has it? I try to avoid as it seems to have some issues. 2. What is the difference of engine with silver cover and black cover ? 3. Is gearbox of 523i and 525i of the same year similar or totally different ?Thanks for your input. Regards

 

[UnoS]

Bro if not mistaken 2008 lci 523i model dont hv active stering. only pre lci model hv active stering

 

[gimli]

1)Even pre-lci has active steering. the only 1 e60 i have came across which doesn't have active steering was a UK spec e60. If I am not mistaken, even 523i LCI has active steering.

2)Both are n52, but the black one is an updated version. LCI comes with the updated version. not sure what improvement was done though.

3) both are the same, 6hp19. Only the gear selector is different.

- - - Updated - - -

1)Even pre-lci has active steering. the only 1 e60 i have came across which doesn't have active steering was a UK spec e60. If I am not mistaken, even 523i LCI has active steering.

2)Both are n52, but the black one is an updated version. LCI comes with the updated version. not sure what improvement was done though.

3) both are the same, 6hp19. Only the gear selector is different.

 

[EuJax]

Thank you for your input. Will look into it further. Meanwhile anyone have anything to add please feel free to share your view on the above mentioned models. Thanks.

 

[TheTaj]

Mine is pre-LCI E60, '05 UK-spec with N52, has no active steering

 

[gimli]

another thing you should be careful about is sellers claiming their car is msport version. when i was shopping around, a lot of sellers claim that their car is msport version when in reality, it is not.

check out this website

 

[Algino]

Go with LCI .. Less gearbox issues and most of the part are more updated . As For active steering , some ppl don like cos less spirit driving feel and it will cause u a boom if need any replacement part air faulty issues ... The best of active steering to me is only side parking haha

 

[EuJax]

Thank you all, appreciate it very much. Have a good weekend. I find the 525i M-sport a little sluggish...maybe the 18' is too much resistance for its power? But 523i feels even less responsive even on just 17'. This is me comparing to a single Vanos 528i, e39 with stock rims. Just sharing.

Algino, agree with you on the active steering for being lesser feel but good in many ways as well. Need time getting use to.


Regards