At 28, I said the same thing, bud. (archive)

: : The 328i is more tossable and a bit more nimble than a 528i... of course, it's lighter so it accelerates faster 0-60 (surprisingly small difference, though)

: : after that, it's ALL 5-series!!! you can't describe just how silky smooth and sweet the 5-series drives.

: : honestly, the 3 feels like a toyota camry by comparison in ride quality. the sophistication of the E39 5-series is just absolutely outstanding! not trying to start a war, especially since i own one of these "camrys".

: : the longer wheelbase and extra weight are much preferred for highway driving, yet the 528i can still handle and corner better than most cars on the road today. you easily forget that it is so much bigger than a 3. the E39 body is also a helluva lot more survivable than an E46, if safety is at all your concern.

: : the E46 3-series is still pretty damn nice, but wow, the 5 is truly a masterpiece of engineering. i can't describe it any other way. go drive a 528i sport and you REALLY can begin to appreciate what an Ultimate Driving Machine is supposed to feel like.

: : if you're 16-25 years old, the 3-series is probably more your style. after that...well, time to grow up...?

: : if you're a person who wouldn't even consider a 5, then the 3 is for you. if you're even doing a "328 v 528" comparo in your mind, then the 3 is very likely going to disappoint you in the long run.

: : if the money is not an issue for you, then it's no contest. the 528i sport is light-years better than a 323/328i in just about every single category except 0-60. there's really no comparison...and the prestige of a 5-series BMW is also *WAY* beyond that of a 3, if you're into that sort of thing.

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