Ok, to start with, this may have been in a thread before but im curious. Pure racing which is the better car, the TL or any of the BMW 5 series 525, 530, 545 what ever. Which is the faster and better driving car?
-nyi37

 

545 if you want speed and handling. You are comparing a V8 to a V6 though. You can't really do that.

 

the 540 has like 290hp and BMW is liberal with that

 

TL has 258 bhp


525 - 215 bhp
530 - 255 bhp
540 - 306 bhp (not available in US)
545 - 325 bhp (discontinued)
550 - 360 bhp
M5 - 500 bhp.


In a straight line TL should be faster than 525 and probably 530.
On a road course any BMW except maybe 525 will beat the TL.

TL is the best looking out of all of them though.

 

How much does each car weigh?

 

Ok you can only compare 525 with TL.

530? Good luck getting sunroof and navi with that for $$$.

Now, TL is better car anyway over 525 and 530 even.

If you are looking at 545,550,m5 you should be talking at M45 or CTS-V forum.

 

525- 3450
530- 3494
550- 3814
M5- 4012

TL- 3580

 

Where did you see money talked about in this thread?

He asked solely about performance.

 

Good research.. now how much does the driver weigh? jk bro.

 

I have to agree, the TL is much better looking than the 5 series but im also a fan of that. My friends father just purchased the 530XI. He hasnt gotten it yet though and im def. looking foward to going for a ride in that thing. But my neighbor owns a TL and i would just as happily take that for a spin

 

Actually since we are talking performance, I should do the 6 speeds versions, the weights I listed were for the automatics.

525- 3428
530- 3472
550- 3803
M5- 4012

TL- 3483

Not sure why the TL has such big descrepency between auto and manual where as the BMWs are within ~20 lbs

For comparison, a G35 has a 50 pound difference and a IS 250 has a 20 lb difference between auto and manual. Maxima has a ~50lb difference as well <--(best comparison due to being the only FWD one)

Both have pros and cons, it just depends what you want out of the car.

 

Racing?? 5 Series and TLs???

Surely you jest. Great cars they may be in civilian guise, but they'd be utterly laughable on a track.

Or were you just referring to "performance" in general terms?

 

In recent European tests M5 was able to keep up with F430. What's more to ask from a sedan.

 

Even the big BMW sedans can hold their own on the track

 

5 series comes with the following standard equipment:

Armrest, centre front with storage and climate controlled
Armrest, centre rear with storage
Automatic air conditioning with micro filter & solar sensor
Automatic air recirculation function
BMW Ambiance lighting
Central lock switch
Cruise control
Cup holder, integrated in front fascia and rear armrest
Door entry sills with "BMW" in high-gloss chrome
Electrically adjustable seats with driver memory
Front seatback storage nets
Front seats, 10-way power adjustable incl headrest
Fully finished trunk with drop-down tool kit
Glass sunroof, electrically adjustable
Heated front seats, 3 stage
Heated steering wheel
Interior electric trunk release
Locking illuminated glovebox with take-out flashlight
Multi-function leather steering wheel, 3-spoke
Multi-purpose centre console storage
Residual/rest heat and max A/C functions
Separate left/right temperature controls
Sun visors with vanity mirrors, incl. slide cover
Tilt/telescopic steering column, power with auto tilt-up
Upholstery: Leatherette
Window lifts electric, anti-trap and comfort open/close
Adaptive brakelights
Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
Automatic headlamps
Car/Key Memory with follow-me-home function
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC), included in DSC/DSC-X
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC/DSC-X) with extended functionality
Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), included in DSC/DSC-X
Halogen free-form fog lights
Heated exterior mirrors, electrically adjustable
Heated windshield washer jets
Tire Pressure Warning (TPW)
Windshield wipers, speed sensitive with rain sensor
Xenon headlights, low and high beam with luminous rings
4-channel FM diversity antenna system
Anti-theft AM/FM stereo audio system with RDS
CD Player, In-dash
HiFi 10-speaker sound system, incl. 2 subwoofers
Prewiring for CD-changer
I-Drive system

As you can see 5 series (525, 530 and 550) come with all aforementioned equipment/features standard. Personally I don't think TL offers more, except maybe for leather seats, CD changer and DVD audio. However TL does not have automatic headlights, heated steering wheel just to name a few.
TL is a better car just because here in Canada, is almost $CAN15K cheaper than 525i, it's similarly equipped and has got a bigger engine (258hp).
Just

 

I truly believe that in terms of pure handling 5 series wins hands down (RWD and almost 50/50 weight ratio).Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

Well, as someone who was on the verge of buying a 2006 525i or 530i, I can tell you that both the 525i and 530i handle better than the TL. NO car and I mean NO car can handle like a BMW. They really are the Ultimate Driving Machine. BUT, and this is a big BUT, if you price out a 525i with the same features as a TL, you are paying $18,000 more, and if you purchase a 530i, you are paying $21,500 more. So, the question becomes is the BMW 525i and 530i worth $18,000 and $21,000 more than the TL? In my opinion, NO WAY!

I am going with the TL and have no regrets. I have $18,000 grand left. I am now using the money that was going to go into the 5 series and I am getting a 50" HD Plasma, 8 Seat Hot Tub, expanding my pool deck, buying pool furniture, and putting hardwood floors in my living room and family room. I love the TL.

I get a GREAT, COOL, SPORTY LOOKING, FUN, FAST, Nice Riding Sedan, an awesome wide screen High definition Plasma, add value to my house, and fun to life by getting a hot tub, hardwood floors, and expanding my pool deck. I love my TL

 

Rode in a new M5. The car is insane. It handles better than a 911 and will smoke the tires into 3rd gear!!

 

Well, I'm not doubting the ability of the M5 or even BMWs in general. I used to have a 7 Series as a company car. But I'm just not too confident about taking something like a 5 Series Bimmer out on track duty. I can't see the brakes lasting more than a couple of laps.

Or is it just that I have a very different notion of what "racing" is? I hope I haven't offended any BMW owners out there.

 

Wow! Good choice. I totally agree with U.

 

I cannot really remember the exactly No., but I think I still remember they got similar No.
(1/4 mile, 545i and 2004 TL 270HP 6SPEED)

maybe the TL is even little bit faster... cannot really remember....

I cannot find that "car and driver" (from last year) mag right now, anyone else read that before?

PS: 525? wtf, TL is much faster than 530i.

 

The 06 530i has 255hp now. So the performance is pretty much the same as the TL

 

yeh, indeed, they (2006) will run 1/4mile like 14.3 sec or sth... but Its too early to tell if it is the right number.

TL is like 14.3 too right? http://www.dragtimes.com/results.php...arch+DragTimes


For 545I:
MSN AUTO:
0-60 1/4mile@speed
BMW 545i - V8 4.4L (325 hp) 6M + ABS 5.77 14.29 103.30
BMW 545i - V8 4.4L (325 hp) SMG6 + ABS 6.33 14.74 101.30 121
BMW 530i - I6 3.0L (225 hp) 6M + ABS 6.57 15.10 95.90

CAR AND DRIVER:
1/4 Mile ET: 14.100
1/4 Mile MPH: 103.000

Road & Track:
1/4 Mile ET: 13.800
1/4 Mile MPH: 103.300

ANYWAY: the FF and the FR r still totally different cars...

 

If you are a current TL owner just go and drive a used 545 or a new 550. You will never doubt 8-cyl BMW again.

 

I've got 13.62 sec@103.93mph with my 545i (2005 stock).

 

Come on, this is ridiculous.

I have a new thread, 5 series vs. Porsche 911 turbo, which is better for performance?

 

Very well put. I love my TL for very similar reasons.

 

And as much as people here bitch about their TL's, you dont know about problems till you own a German car....
A good one is not too bad, but a bad one is VERY bad...

Brett

 

sry... not a bimmer fun, just bought a cls 55 AMG.

 

Congrats!

 

lol, ty, lunch time, ttul~

 

So then why is he even asking? WTF is point of thread? 500HP and 258HP. Can't you tell the difference? give it to a dog and dog even might get it right.


What's got better performance between M5 and TL?
What's got better performance between 550 and TL?


Is this thread even worth reading?

It is automatically assumed you take $$$ into consideration when people post it here

 

There you just said it. TL is 15K cheaper

Why is this thread even coming up if we are not talking about sticker price?



I can suggest a better topic

Which is better car between Saleen S7 and 5 series?

 

M5 is better.

Umm, a 530 and 525 is pretty comprable to a TL performance wise. He asked for all 5 series though so people included that other information. And to some people it is worth reading, if it isn't to you, then don't.
Only YOU assumed money. No one else made a mention of it, and it was not part of the original discussion.

 

In this case both the TL and 550 will feel equally slow to you. BTW in its latest issue C&D picked M5 over CLS55 and STS-V. M5 was a little bit faster in the straight line and got much better lap times than CLS. How STS got the second place is beyond me. Probably for being the cheapest car. CLS was the beauty queen out of 3 though.

 

I didnt exactly mean racing on a track more of mano y mano on the road or just darting throught traffic, etc.

 

Arent the horsepowers pretty similar? (the 525-530 and TL) SO i assume they are pretty similar power wise what about the torque? BMW wins big time here, am i wrong fellas?

 

First ,AS you can CLEARLY see other people also talk about money. Go make a thread "911 vs 5" and make your statments there. Not in TL vs 5 thread if you want to talk about M5, 550,545 even 530

Second, people are talking about 525 and 530 because WE KNOW only those two belong to similar price range with TL.
So unless you wanna talk about S7 vs 5 series with me, Simply SHUT UP and leave M5,550,545 behind.

 

Money is not everything. TL 6-speed should beat $90K S500 but will get beaten by similarly (to TL) priced Mustang or 300C/SRT8. BTW S7 is not a sedan. Can be compared to a much cheaper Z06 though.

 

You would compare TL to mustang but not to S7? Mustang is 2 door.
So which side are you on?
1. considering money? but not considering car type?
2. not considering money? but considering car type?




What few people here are questioning is
If we are not considering money, how can there be a question of 5 vs TL?
Isn't this clear?
Don't we all know the answer?
What is the purpsoe of this thread if answer is already well known?