I just dropped my X3 off at Tulley to have the window seals replaced. (per the TSB) and they gave me a brand new (less than 100 miles) 530.

What a beautiful vehicle, and what a nice surprise for a loaner vehicle. :thumbup:

--Larry

:yikes: a 530i! Now THAT is a loaner! How does it drive?

The 3.0d comes with 6sp auto as well.

You know, this may sound a little silly, I prefer my X3. The 530i handles like a dream, the iDrive is interesting, and it is certainly peppy, and yet......

The X3 has the panaramic roof, which is amazing on a day like today, and it also has more height, which I really like.

Not too say I would not take the 530, it is a very very nice vehicle, just feels more like a car my father would drive than me.

It seems to have less rear leg room than I expected. I will have to compare it with the E90, since my wife is interested in that.

--Larry

Update:
After spending 24 hours with the 530i, and putting about 250 miles on it, I have more to report.

The Good:
Fantastic Handling
Xenon adaptive headlights were great
Cruise control - very intuitive
Cavernous trunk

The Bad:
iDrive - While the system works ok, it is not intuitive, and navigation from sub-menu's is poor. I took the car to a friends last night who is a Usability Engineer (he helped design the bose accoustic wave radio) and he was amazed at how poor the iDrive was from a usability perspective (he is a BMW enthusiast drives an M3) especially for an engineering company

Trunk - the hinge (cannot recall proper term) is like a 1980's Honda, it takes up to much trunk space

Rear seat - narrow, and not much leg room (I am 6')

Turn signals - not tactile enough.

Front storage - just a very stange design between the seats, much wasted space

Front seats - Too wide for my liking, not 'hugging' like I prefer

Overall, like I said yesterday, it seems like a car my father would drive. It is almost as if the computer controlls too much, and as a result you lose some of the feel for the accessories. It still drives like a dream though.

--Larry