[funky_chilli]

Have recently moved from Australia to Hong Kong, and while that's not really got anything to do with my choice, I'm looking to buy a new car.

The pricing for BMW's are funny here, and a f30 328i sports edition costs almost exactly the same as a f10 520i executive

Being freshly married, and looking at kids in a year or two, and frequently driving older relatives around etc, I like the 520i for more interior size and comfort. Also I like that it is 'higher in the food chain' being a 5 series.

However, I like the sportier nature of the 328i. It has sports seats and 18's and sportier styling and it's more nimble and fun to drive. It's also faster being a 328i. It's also smaller so easier to manoeuvre amongst hong kong's tight streets and even tighter car parks.

Both are brand new, quite well optioned (got everything I want/need) ie xenons, sunroof, leather, Bluetooth, leather electric seats blah blah.

So which to choose, larger and more comfortable/luxurious? Or faster and more fun to drive? My wife likes more comfort, I like more speed and more fun to drive.

Wish I knew how to add a poll....Appreciate any help given! Cheers

[Ryan9095]

Hmm this is a tough comparison... obviously this is something only you and your wife can decide but hopefully I can provide you two with some input as an owner of a 328i sport line and a 528i and why I chose each car for different reasons.

For me, the 328i Sport Line was a no-brainer. I previously drove a 2009 328i coupe as my daily driver and I really liked the new exterior styling, improved interior, and fuel economy of the F30. It is a smaller, more nimble car than it's larger counterparts but still offers ample backroom space (in my opinion) and comfort. The 3 looks young and fresh and still offers technology/luxury (at a cost). I think it is an ideal car for an individual.

The 528i was chosen for its larger cabin, upgraded interior, and fuel economy. For work I have to take a weekly 3hour commute to a satellite office so I wanted something luxurious and comfortable for me to drive while getting good fuel efficiency without having to take my big gas guzzling sedan. I frequently travel with business partners/my boss so I wanted something a little "nicer" than my 3 for the commutes. The 528i came standard with a lot of the features you option for on a 3 so that is something to consider as well.

Regarding the drive you need to test drive both. I personally think that both cars are fast and fun to drive however the 3 is sportier and more driver-oriented than the 5 which is more of a smooth cruiser. Ultimately, both comfort and drive appeal can be achieved from a 3 or a 5.

If you are looking to start a family I would probably pick the 5. Even though the new 3 has a lot of space the 5 is still a larger car with a bigger backseat and more trunk space. It's more comfortable/luxurious than the 3 (especially if you have frequent passengers) and it's a great car for the money. Good luck with your decision --- keep us posted!

[bavarianride]

I would suggest the 5-series if you frequently have back seat passengers. The F30 is a big improvement from E46 and E90 in terms of space but the F10 is a class above F30. Also from personal experience, elderly passengers usually prefer luxury over handling.

[funky_chilli]

Thanks for the quick replies!

That 'frequently' should actually read 'occassionally' as in not daily or weekly but more fortnightly, or a couple of times a month I'll have an elderly passenger in the back.

Daily will just be the wife and I so plenty of room for both

My head says 520i but my heart says 328i

[dinonz]

How much "fun" can you really have driving in Hong Kong? I'm not being rude or smart - I really don't know - are there good roads to have fun on or is it mostly a concrete jungle?

[joewalton]

Originally Posted by dinonz

How much "fun" can you really have driving in Hong Kong? I'm not being rude or smart - I really don't know - are there good roads to have fun on or is it mostly a concrete jungle?

That's the answer right there.

Unless the OP is driving aggressively in China, Hong Kong is a very crowded city with no roads (to my knowledge) that could really put either BMW through its paces.

Based on that and the tight parking spaces and the Adaptive M suspension, the verdict:

Get a 328i with Adaptive M Suspension. Smaller car, more nimble in traffic, easier to park, and you push a button to go from "Comfort" suspension to "Sport" suspension, the best of both worlds.

[funky_chilli]

Thanks guys for the feedback...I'm leaning towards 328i sports line atm

I'm pretty new in this country so don't know of many good roads yet...but I'm sure I'll find some somewhere

[AMJAM]

Have a look at my signature my 520 made it 12 months. The 5 series is a huge barge that is so completely different to a 3 series I am going back to a 3 series.

The 5 is an awesome car but it is an old mans car. The 520i is also grossly under powered. Get a 520d its a better drive.

Otherwise get a 3 series especially in Hong Kong.

[funky_chilli]

Looks like you were faced with a similar choice to me and you chose the 328i...Thanks for the reassurance AMJAM!

And congrats on your new car, picking it up soon!

[BMWRyan]

Sorry to bash in slightly on your thread. But I can't start my own yet so need to make a post

[MikeVictor]

328i Touring as an option?

I take my elderly parents around in my 328i once a month or so and my 6' father has no problem with leg room.

Mate of mine bought a 5er for "family reasons" and regrets it. Says it feels like a boat to drive. As one of the other guys said, with high congestion and small parking spaces the 3er would be a better bet. Option some of the parking/ surround view gadgets possibly.

[KoenG]

When you drive a lot on straight roads as a daily routine, the 5 is hard to beat. It's incrideble how it makes you believe that even +500 miles trips are just a trip to the shopping mall. When you don't do this predominantly, I don't see how the 520i can hold a candle to the 328i. The 3 is better handling, more fun and more connected, the 28i has way more surge over the entire rpm range also.

When I replace my 5, It will be a 3 that's replacing it. I have 2 kids of 7 and 5 years old, with a lot of kit to take along. When it doesn't fit in the 3, they can leave their stuff savely at home.

[dreamspeed]

Which area of Hong Kong do you live in? I don't even think about driving when I am in Hong Kong. The roads in the busy areas (mongkok, wanchai, tsim sha tsui, central etc) are just way too crazy. The MTR is so convenient and everything and you can pretty much walk every where.

Maybe if you live in the outskirts there are more driving roads?

Of the two choices you presented I would go with the 3 series just because parking and maneuvering would be easier.

[KT_F31_EBII]

Why not x3, somewhere in between. But in HK I would go for 5 series, older relatives and almost all chinese love superior items in HK. They deserve better back space

[funky_chilli]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Yes a few mates of mine have told me to consider x3 as it in in between 3 and 5, and higher driving position good for wifey etc. But I'm not a fan of 4wd's and want something easy to park etc and I got a loaner x3 once upon a time and don't remember being very thrilled abt it

I think I've pretty much made up my mind on a 328i, I think a 5 series is a great car, but is for later in life, maybe as my parents get older and I actually have kids. Then I'll get a 535 or something instead of a 520. Right now I think 328 is good for me.

For the record I recently moved to north point next to the harbour as it is very convenient for work (I can catch the north point ferry to work but will prob drive soon) but my family lives in the mid levels so I go every other day. That's why I want something with a bit of poke to get up and down the mountain, and I want something that handles better so I don't get seasick driving a boat around

[KoenG]

X3 can never be a serious consideration here. When you seek ease of entry, yes, then it is, so when you are retired from your last job, maybe.

When you seek composure (5 series) or dynamics (3-series), the X3 will never be on your list since it can't match even the 3-series for composure nor the 5-series for dynamics, so it's the worst in both categories that matter most when you prefer a bimmer.

young: 3>5>X3
Mid career: 5=3>X3
Pensioned: 5>3>X3
deceased: X3>5>3

[MG328]

I live in HK and have been driving for a decade here, I was struggling between 520 and 328 last year but finally I went for 328. I'm so happy in driving it which fits HK typical environment especially the small parking spaces, go for it! Besides, 328 is much more sportier in driving experience.

[funky_chilli]

Thanks for all the advice everyone! Appreciate it!

Btw I ordered a 328i Sports Line in mineral grey with black and red interior today and can't wait to get it

[BMWseeker]

Originally Posted by funky_chilli

Thanks for all the advice everyone! Appreciate it!

Btw I ordered a 328i Sports Line in mineral grey with black and red interior today and can't wait to get it

How long is the wait?

3-4 months?

[Pandarakus]

I personally like larger cars as it feels more elegant. F10 can be luxury but also sporty which I think is good. Well, F30 is also good but smaller, esp for a family. So either way will work

[funky_chilli]

Originally Posted by BMWseeker

How long is the wait?

3-4 months?

Salesman found me the spec I want already on a ship headed to HK. Doesn't know exactly when it'll arrive yet but ETA is about a month.

[funky_chilli]

Originally Posted by Pandarakus

I personally like larger cars as it feels more elegant. F10 can be luxury but also sporty which I think is good. Well, F30 is also good but smaller, esp for a family. So either way will work

I was struggling with that as I think 5 series can be both too. But I was considering between 520 and 328 specifically as in hk they're the same price.

Chose 328 in the end because I feel 5 series not that much bigger than 3 and also coz it's Sportsline so has things like sports seats which I prefer, m-sport suspension so it'll handle better, and also being a 328, it has more poke than 520