Guys
Just to share, I did a review a month back on the new 4 pots turbo 520i/528i vs 523i when I was trying to choose between them.
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It was already raining when I arrived at PML Alexandra. The BMW salesman drove out the 520I 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 salesman 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 i6 523 for this.
When I asked to test drive the 528, I was told it already conked out. What?! In less than 1 day? So much for a reliable new N20 turbo engine. Anyway, we had to proceed to another branch 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 i6 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. 180 bhp is 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 204bhp.
So the 64 thousand dollar question: will I opt for the 528? The answer is no. Not worth the S$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 and on top of that, pay a premium for buying a new model. Not wise.
This is my final answer! I have slain the demon in the 528!
Just to share, I did a review a month back on the new 4 pots turbo 520i/528i vs 523i when I was trying to choose between them.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------//////
It was already raining when I arrived at PML Alexandra. The BMW salesman drove out the 520I 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 salesman 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 i6 523 for this.
When I asked to test drive the 528, I was told it already conked out. What?! In less than 1 day? So much for a reliable new N20 turbo engine. Anyway, we had to proceed to another branch 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 i6 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. 180 bhp is 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 204bhp.
So the 64 thousand dollar question: will I opt for the 528? The answer is no. Not worth the S$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 and on top of that, pay a premium for buying a new model. Not wise.
This is my final answer! I have slain the demon in the 528!
