I like everything about this car, but I was very impressed with what BMW did from a marketing standpoint. I was ready to spend $35,000 on a new car, but not $42,000, so I did not even consider the BMW 5 Series. Once I found that the base price was $35,000 I took a test drive and was sold. Now it was MY CHOICE to add the options I wanted to get the car to $42,000 and that was OK.

Sometimes the doors don't stay opened wide enough when trying to exit the car. They tend to close back onto you as you exit. Everyone compains about the cupholders!! At first the lack of storage in the center console was disturbing, but we have found that the front doors have plenty of storage.

I was very pleased with the way we were treated at our dealership and more that happy with the performance and quality of the BMW. The 525 has the smallest engine of the 5 Series, but the performance is really fantastic. I just could not imagine driving the 540 or the M5. The 525 gets me where I want to go in style and with the least amount of effort. I would highly recommend this car to anyone.

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Volvo - my wife has driven two Volvo's for several years and I didn't think that she would consider anything else. After she drive the BMW 525 she was sold on this car.

V8 sound and power unsurpassed
ultra smooth 5 speed automatic transmission
incredible handling even in the non-sport version

Cup holders(of course)
paint chips too easily
stereo needs help

The 540iA is without doubt a car with few peers. It accelerates like a
scalded cat all the way to the 155 mph speed limiter. In spite of its
almost 2 ton girth you can throw this car around like rag doll and
never come close to loosing control. It is as solid of a car as I have
ever driven. The chassis is tuned so that bumps are simply absorbed
and never make it to the occupants. The elastically attached aluminum
rear suspension also helps in this area. No other luxury sedan(and some
are using the name lightly)on the market provides such a great sounding
V8 that shifts at the 6000 RPM redline with such ease. If you get this
car then realize that you will probably never be happy with anything else.

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95 525iA-Both quality cars but the 540 is in a league by itself

Handling, handling, handling, sumptuous leather comfort, spacious (front AND REAR), road feeling, acceleration, silky automatic, mileage (I have commonly enjoyed 38mpg highway in cruise control at speeds you could get arrested for), A/C is instantaneous and consistent, heated seats and steering make you feel like you're back in the womb, fold down rear seats give even greater expansion of an already unrealistically vast trunk

Blind spots galore, sick of hearing the BMW Service garage use multiples of $1000 every time I take it in for a rattle (tires: $800, brakes: $1200, etc), door curvature appears to attract dings like a magnet, even a 5' tall passenger can't open the glove compartment because it bangs into their knees, if your tire rubs the curb as you parallel park plan on $1500-$3000 in repairs (very delicate suspension and steering gear), the car makes it impossible to drive slow and you keep getting speeding tickets, you exceed your lease mileage limit almost immediately because you just look for reasons to drive, people are too busy staring to get out of your way, it attracts "Gold Digger" girlfriends and makes your coworker hate you because they think you make so much more money than they do

Before shopping for a BMW, go to the Mercedes dealer. That way the salesman will seem downright hospitable by comparison. If you buy the car and decide not to get the service contract, or think you will drive it past the service contract, prepare to feel like your divorce attorney was a bargain (add in alimony and child support, and you'll still feel like you got off easy). Servicing a BMW makes you feel like you have a gun to your head. However, the driving experience is addictive. People ask me what I think of my 528 and I compare it to heroine. You are immediately addicted but you'll have to sell your television to keep it up. BMW and their service garages are about as sensitive as a Teutonic Dominatrix. If you have a payment of $700-800, plan on an average monthly cost of ownership around $1200-1500, or you are going to be very negatively surprised. To expect any less is childishly naive. If you can't afford (or wisely decide it's a waste of money) to spend $1200-1500 per month to drive it, don't test drive it, because if you test drive it you'll buy it.

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Mercedes E: Virtually NO armrests, drives like a cinder block with wooden wheels nailed on by comparison, no rear passenger leg space (and they feel like they got shopped off at the ankles if they try to put their feet under the back of the front seat), seats are as hard as a rock. I am continually amazed by the ridiculous price Mercedes asks for the E by comparison when its features suck and the interior looks like something out of the 70's.
Audi Quattro: Comparatively sloppy handling. Feels like the body is going to come off the frame on turns. Acceleration is soft. GROSSLY overpriced for a flimsy compact with a classless plastic toy interior.
Toyota Camry: I'm amazed that they can sell a car this great at this price. BMW, Mercedes and Audi should be totally humiliated. The car drives as well or better than my 528, interior space is fantastic and I consider the interior styling to be very tasteful. It's probably my next car, although I'm getting ready to test drive a 2002 Acura 3.2TL (S?) tomorrow and may like it better for about the same price. There are too many terrific cars around $30K now to waste this kind of money again.

It's RED and it's FAST.

Er, none that I'm aware of.

This car is euphoric to drive, probably because I like going fast. The 6 speed with 280+ horsepower is awesome. Handling is very good (came with 17" wheels), but I intend to stiffen the suspension at some point. The interior of the car is luxurious, but not overbearing. After owning several American and Japanese cars, I was amazed at the design and engineering of this vehicle; hardly anything is forgotten - except cupholders, but who should be drinking at 130mph? (The speed is limited for American models; European models are not with a top speed of 155+)

Happy motoring!

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Sorry, no similar comparisons.

Precision steering, braking, very solid and secure feel. Very smooth engine and transmission. Wonderful car to drive. Will buy a new 2002 530i after lease expired in August 2001.

Poor dealer service, Cup holders replaced 3 times since new and I am occasional cup holder user. Very reliable car do not have any quality issue except need to replace front brakes and rotors at 46,000km. I would expect longer life than 30000 miles.

Very satify.

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MB E320, similar feel but more conservative, Acura TL steering feel is TOO Light for me do not have solid feel, Volvo S80 has more HP but can not extract the missing horses. Jaguar S 4.0 drives like a sport car, lack of substantial feel.

VERY WELL BALANCED, GREAT STEERING, AND BRAKES.

CUPHOLDERS

AWESOME CAR- DROVE THE ML320, DEALER SALESMAN WERE SNOBS THERE, SO OFF I WENT TO THE BELLEVUE BMW DEALER. I NEED A RADAR DETECTER, THIS CAR LOVES TO GO 90, AND JOHNNY LAW IS WAITNG...

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BETTER THAN THE LEXUSGS300,THEY DRIVE LIKE BOATS AND THE AC ONLY GOES TO 65DEGREES ,WHATS UP? ACURA 3.5RL CANT FEEL THE ROAD SCARY AT HIGHER SPEEDS. MY OLD MAZDA PROTEGE RAN GREAT BUT TERRIBLE CRASH RATINGS ON ALL THERE MODELS, WHICH IS A BIG CONCERN WHEN YOU HAVE LITTLE KIDS.

Engine, comfort/ergonomics, solid body, quiet ride, handling, looks (have to get windows tinted!)

Storage space (and, of course, the damn cup holders!), a bit underpowered for the money compared to what is out there these days, overpriced for the amenities you get, still has a cassette in the dash - what year are we in?! Stereo stinks, the Passat stereo was soooo much better! Beverly Hills BMW stinks - no weekend service, no loaner cars, and plenty of attitude. I use South Bay BMW now and they are wonderful. I only bought the car at B. Hills because it was a 2000 leftover and I got a great deal, but I never go back there for anything. Gas mileage is disappointing. I average 19-21 and, even with a mostly-highway-trip only got just over 25, no-where near the 29 listed. Note that the computer needs re-calibrating (can be done yourself, ask around for how), it was reporting about 15% higher than reality when new.

Oil change based on the lights?!?! I don't think so. I drive mostly city driving and still have one light on at 10/m miles. No way this can be good. I've already paid for an 'extra' oil change at 7/m ($75! What a rip! Time to get an oil extractor and some filters for those future in-between changes).

Wonderful to drive! The perfect balance of comfort (with all of the poor roads in LA) and control, and still so quiet on the road. I came from a '98 Passat, which was a great car too, but can't compare to the 528 in terms of handling and balance.

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Came from a '98 Passat. The BMW is not much faster (I had an aftermarket chip in the Passat and it had 200hp, with no sacrafice in any other performance/mileage/etc.) and the mileage of the Passat was consistently 23 for mixed and I would get 33-36 on the highway, cruising at 80!

Performance, comfort & dependability

Yup, the cup holders are a joke and the stock stereo needs some help but the aftermarket has multiple options available

This is my 4th BMW, first 5 series and is definately the best car I've owed, period! Style, performance, comfort...this car has it all.
Make no mistake this is a "Drivers car" i.e. Performance car first and a Luxury car second. If you are looking for straight Luxury car or the "Detroit Float" look elsewhere.
Bought the car used about two years ago, lease turn in, with 28k on the clock, now has just over 53k, no major problems to speak of. Local dealer, Hendrick BMW, Charlotte NC has been outstanding ( supplied me with loaner cars even though they know I didn't buy the car from them ). For non-warranty & performance work I use Bavarian Auto Service Rock Hill, SC great service and a whole lot cheaper.
Being a "spirited driver" and having a bad back I needed a car that I would enjoy "driving" but still give me some needed comfort, the 528i fits the bill.
This car has the Premium Package (Power everything) with the standard seats (heated) and while I would have preferred the "BMW Comfort seats" these are just fine. Car is quiet and stable at speed, nimble and gets 28 mpg, with the air on!
To improve the overall performance I've done a few minor ($650 total) mods that have made a major difference in the car.
1. installed a CAI (ECIS) w/K&N filter
2. installed "Conforti Shark Injector" engine mangement program
Coupled together I have much better acceleration and more aggressive drivability and still get great gas mileage.
Additionally, I upgraded the stock stereo with high-end JL speakers and power amp. now I have music and not noise while I drive.
Obviously, I highly recommend this car

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Looked at the MB 320, Lexus, Jag, Audi & Acura and they are all great cars but nothing really compared to the Beamer's mix of Performance and Luxury

High-speed Stability
High Beam Illumination (aftermarket Hella H1 Quartz Halogen)
Front Seat Design and Adjustability
Steering Feel
Features for the money
Sharp-edged styling
Good mileage -- avg. 23-25 mpg

Some creaking from the structure over rough roads
Steering wheel vibration under light braking
Mid-range power
Rear seat room
Dated styling compared to newer BMWs
Terrible traction on slippery roads (rear wheel drive/high-performance tires)

This is my first car. I purchased it with over 250,000 miles eight months ago. It has 16" Borbet Type H alloy wheels with 225/50R16 tires (standard wheels are 14"). Dry-weather handling is superb. The car is equipped with ABS as a standard feature, and braking is also very good. However, under light braking from 40-60 mph, the steering wheel will often shake rather violently. This is apparently a somewhat common problem on older 3- and 5-Series. The car is equipped with automatic transmission and is not exceptionally quick (121 hp out of the 2.7L inline-6). Shifts are usually quite smooth. I am considering a performance chip from either Dinan or AutoThority. Highway cruising, on the other hand, is no problem. Except for noise from the low-profile tires, the car is comfortable at any speed. Cruising at 80+ mph is effortless. The seats are very comfortable, and the interior has many thoughtful features, from an illuminated glovebox to an onboard computer to power headrests.
Cupholders are sorely lacking. The glovebox and trunk are both large. A 6-disc CD changer in the trunk augments a passable 4-speaker audio system. 91-octane fuel is recommended. In the eight months I've owned it, the car as had few problems, none of them major. Some parts are very expensive (one taillight assembly is $225), but as far as BMW parts go, prices aren't that high. Although I would have much preferred an E34 (89-95) 5-Series like a 525i, I have found this two-generation old 5 wonderfully satisfying. I would highly recommend it to someone with limited financial resources who still would like the superior design and character of a BMW. If you want a blisteringly quick car, avoid the 528e. However, for solid feel and overall driving enjoyment, this car is hard to beat.

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I have not owned any other cars.
I also considered the:

86-90 Acura Legend
86-91 BMW 3-Series (more fun to drive, but slightly less substantial)
89-91 BMW 525i (too expensive)
89-94 Nissan Maxima
86-90 Mercedes 190E (a bit small)
86-90 Mercedes 300E (too expensive)

Handles beautifully, sounds awesome, Sports Premium Package sticks it to the ground, Great sound system, and the navigation system works great.

None but the fact it is not a 540.

WOW what a ride!!! I have ridden in European cars before, but BMW does have the ultimate driving machine. It runs like a dream. I only wish they a 540 wagon ready, I would have taken it in a heartbeat. We drive the car for 400 miles, get out and feel as though we have not gone anywhere, it is very confortable. Worth the money. We got in Alpine white, it definitely has eyes.

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Audi Allroad: Liked it a lot, powerful and handled good, but wife preferred the BWW
SAAB 95 AEro Wagon: Good engine but looks too much like a GM car inside.
Volvo V70XC: Volvo is not for me...too uggly
Mercedes E320 Wagon: Did not like one thing about it, even the price sucked.