YOU Decide: What's A Better Choice? A Stripper BMW 5-Series OR A Loaded BMW 3-Series...

2-3 year old loaded BMW 5-series.

A loaded 3er is a sweet ride but the new 5er is just gorgeous in and out. I think the one area the 3er would shine more in is the handling.

"Having a 3-Series over a 5'er does have a little more cachet?"
Not sure where you guys are from but here in Jacksonville,FL all the "posers" have 3-series (except for the M3). Not sure how you can quantify that the entry level car can have more cachet.

Not sure about all posers having 5 Series. The new 5 has been softened so much, it feels like a 7 Series. I drove an A6 and the new E; and the Audi handles much better, the E on par. A shame since the 5er was the class standard. The E39 remains my favorite 5 and the E60 was quite decent in Ride and Handling as well. The only way to get a good handling sedan with the flying propeller on it would be the 3 now. Wouldn't it?

Strike that, reverse it.

I would take 5 Series not because of price but it just looks so much better than new 3 series which got a hideous face. Shame because i like the new 3 series and it is an improvement over the outgoing model but the front end styling ruined the whole car for me and is a deal breaker. M package improves the styling and stance of front end but not fixing the problem which is hideous grille-headlights joining chrome lines.

Everybody's asking why would having a 3er be better than a 5er? Easy.

A base 5er would be boring. No nav, sunroof, rear DVD, AWD, music system, upgraded suspension, V8, etc. You'd basically have a simple 5er for just going A-to-B.

A loaded 3er would have all the techno-goodies mentioned above except maybe the V8 (the M3 was excluded). And you'd have a great road car.

It's kinda depressing to see a big, plain 7er. Looks as though the driver only got the car just to show the neighbors he's driving a 7er. It would be no fun to ride in though. Kinda the reason you see so many base Chrys300s with tinted windows, wide rims, chrome accents, rear DVD, nav, etc. or some combination of them --- purpose is to dress up an otherwise ordinarily boring vehicle.

Why get a luxury vehicle if you don't also include all the great options & content offered? And if you get a used luxury vehicle, get the loaded version. It'll make the overall ownership experience "full" and more enjoyable.

Always go for the car at the top of the class you can afford and not the stripper of the class above. Top of the line will keep you smiling
while stripper will only remind you what you are missing.

3 series, regardless of trim. Presumably it's lighter and nimbler. 5-series is getting too bloated to be a lithe sports sedan

Neither.

S4 please........

-Bond

I am with you, Bond!

I've owned both a 3 and a 5 - drive the 5 now. I'm personally "moving down" to the 3 or possibly the new Z. I prefer the smaller size and less weight of the 3 and the better handling, acceleration, etc. that come with both. (Of course, the 3 has grown so much, it's the same size as a 5 from 10 years ago.) The social cachet or status of the car is truly unimportant to me - there a billion BMWs on the streets now - but the drive and the ability to get through traffic and into parking spaces make me want the 3 again.

I'll take the stripper 5 series!

That's what I was thinking. Bring on the stripper and her 5 series.

I would take a 5 series all time because for me is more ellegant , as a BMW customer for years I am so worried with the new design family I have the sensation that they playing with the same ball and they don't have other way or place to go with. I am missing Bangle because was different, I am sure for next generation they have to create a complete new thing because I am not the only BMW customer to start feel tired of the same thing. New cars like i8.
Kudos for the X5, 5 series,Z 4, 3 series coupe,6 series. All others models for me "" "" like 1 serie,X3,the new 3,.
Will see the Future of BMW and the design direction.

5

Both bimmers are joke. BMW just cancelled the hybrid projects. They can create only a weak hybrid with a electric motor from hoovers. Sorry, one supplier designed it, not BMW.
Still complicated powertrains, clutches...
My selection is Lexus GS450h 2012.

just buy a 5 badge, hell, why not a 7 badge, and replace the 3 badge. they all look the same now again anyway. when you turn it in at the end of your lease (which you will do), the salesman probably won't even notice.

F*cking posers. Some of you guys are car enthusiasts??? Wow. Features/options are NOT the reason to buy a Bimmer. *smh*

Anyhow, I can't get over how beautiful the 5 is so I'll take the 5. I'm in the minority for not jumping on the bus with this new 3. The front end is a mess. YUP! I SAID IT! Well, maybe I need to see it in person... *shrugs* For now, what I said stands. I dislike this new 3.