I'm eyeing the E61's for a little more space.
Any E46 touring owners make the switch to an E61?
Share your comparisons.
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| Reply » Anyone go from E46 touring to an E61? |
Yep. We have an '03 32xiT (Step) and a new, as of this past weekend, '06 530xiT (also step). I'll know more after the long road trip in the 5 this coming weekend. But some first thoughts: The 5 feels substantially more spacious inside for both passengers and cargo (two dogs in the back). It is more replete with bells and whistles. The car is certainly more powerful, but because it's also more isolated from the road you don't feel that power in a visceral way (as you do with my little 330i sport). It absorbs road imperfections better than the 3, and feels someone stiffer in its steering. It may also have a bit more body lean.
I think it will be an excellent highway cruiser and family hauler. But it certainly doesn't feel as tossable and zippy as the little 3 wagon, which is the perfect little urban errand runner.
BTW, the 5 is already back at the dealer with some software gremlins. This car is far more complex (and I fear troubleprone) than the simple-minded 3.
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| Reply » Anyone go from E46 touring to an E61? |
Quote: I'm eyeing the E61's for a little more space.
Any E46 touring owners make the switch to an E61?
Share your comparisons. | I tried the E91 (3er touring), and it's almost as good in the rear as the 5er, if the 5er happens to be fitted with those huge front seats which cut into the rear passenger room. But the 5er touring also has bags of rear headroom - nearly a yard of it. That's probably the most noticeable attribute for me, anyway.
The E61 would be a good car for me also, but for the fact that I wouldn't be able to park it where I live. So it's an E91, then, which seems like just enough of a step up from the E46 to warrant all the extra cost - or something else altogether.
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| Reply » Anyone go from E46 touring to an E61? |
I also drove the e91 in its AWD form, and have to say it's a LOT more fun to drive than the 5. It is extremely flat in turns and very zippy even with the detuned engine. If we didn't have two dogs to cram in the way back, a baby on the way, tall creaky inlaws, and my elderly parents to haul around, we'd have gotten the 3. Also, the 5 feels more substantially-sized for highway driving. The 3 still feels small against all those SUVs and trucks traveling at 85 mph on your bumper.
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| Reply » Anyone go from E46 touring to an E61? |
Thanks for the input. While I like the sportiness of my E46 touring, I'm pretty sold on the E61, especially with the december lease rates and residuals.
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| Reply » Anyone go from E46 touring to an E61? |
Make sure you also keep a fun car for tooling around.
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Anyone go from E46 touring to an E61?