Potentially moving from a BMW 540i

[skot]

Hi all,

I currently own a BMW 540i (3 years into a 7 year old vehicle) and am looking for the next-best-thing.

The seemingly obvious step would be to to a 530i, 530d or 535d but a colleague pointed me at the 300c.
Looking at the model range (I haven't driven any yet) I can see that the goodie-quotient is as high, if not higher, than the equivalent Beemer.

What worries me, tho, is the get-up-and-go.

I'm starting to think of the 3.0 CRD, which has a 0-60 time of 7.5ish seconds, versus my 540's time of 6.4. I would consider the 5.7l but that just seems way over the top.
Mind you, I only do ~7,000 miles a year so I'm not completely sold on the diesel vs petrol argument.

Any other BMW converts? Any advice on moving from German ownership to a Chrysler? Dealer/manufacturer issues?
I should add that the BMW dealers I have had (frequent) contact with have been exemplary; just not cheap!

Cheers
Scott

[robaustin]

If you are talking a CRD you are obviously from across the pond. In my opinion, if you are only doing 7,000 miles per year, fuel consumption would be be a minor consideration. I would get the Hemi. You don't have to drive like a maniac to enjoy it. I never get tired of the effortless power and the sound, even at part throttle.

[PureEnjoyment]

if you want get up and go then definitely do not buy anything less than a 5.7L in my opinion

[jaded300c]

I had a beemer...now I am a happier guy with a 300c..... Go test drive a hemi... Let us know how u feel after that!

[Mike_Levy]

I went from a Dinan 540iA Sport to my current SRT8. Would never have considered any 300 other then an SRT8. The others can't touch the E39s handling or acceleration and IMO are just no fun to drive.

[CUEBALL]

Originally Posted by robaustin

If you are talking a CRD you are obviously from across the pond. In my opinion, if you are only doing 7,000 miles per year, fuel consumption would be be a minor consideration. I would get the Hemi. You don't have to drive like a maniac to enjoy it. I never get tired of the effortless power and the sound, even at part throttle.

I agree!! And welcome to the forum!

[srt8man]

If you are worried about get up and go, then get the SRT8. I know fuel is expensive where you are, but at 7000 miles annually, you will not pay that much more than you would for the 5.7L Hemi. If you think the SRT8 is way over the top, then get the 5.7L Hemi. If you are on a budget, get the 3.0 CRD, but it will not handle or accelerate as well as your 540. Check my signature, and you will see what I would get "if I were you"

[watsonofearnock]

Hi Scott, and welcome to the forum from Scotland. I take it you are living in the UK and hence would be better off taking some advice from someone suffering the same level of taxation and road user persecution as yourself. The CRD has plenty of get-up-and-go for anyone unless you intend using it on a track. Many of our European members have "chipped" their car with a tuning box - which gives them 0-60 times of around 6.4secs. In normal use the engine is totally muted and you would not be aware that you are driving an oil burner. The engines are produced by Mercedes Benz as is the gearbox and brakes, floorpan, suspension and many of the electrical and computer systems are the result of cooperation between Chrysler and Mercedes. The cars in the UK are all manufactured at Graz in Austria.
There is a degree of friendly rivallry between petrol driven and diesel powered 300C's on this site's European & Diesel pages - European & Diesel Powered 300 Models but all will agree that by far the most popular of the 300C's in the UK and in fact in Europe is the diesel model. If you are in doubt about buying one why not join in our discussions and watch and learn from others before making a move. We have had a few members who have joined up 3 or 4 months before buying their Chrysler and have contributed well to the site. One chap like that is "Propus" who started a thread Test Drive which you should have a look at. Another who has now bought his car is "Elpirata" who ran a thread only 3 days to go Hope all this has been of some service and help to you and that you will make yourself known on the European pages where you will receive loads of encouragement.
Cheers John

[skot]

Hey, thanks very much everyone for the frank responses.

Looks like our cousins in North America would do anything but drive the diesel!
In particular, I'm well impressed with srt8man's 0-60 time - something to aspire to!

And thanks for the very full response from John - great advice.

Cheers all, and will definitely be haunting the forums.
Scott

[UK CHRYSLER 300C]

heyup,its me,the bain of everyones life.lol,watson(john)is right but it depends on your time of life,although the "CRD" is quick when chipped but a "HEMI" with a Diablo Predator (programmed,not chipped,there is a difference)takes 0-60 in very low 5 secs with ESP "ON" and you can even raise the top end speed,tranny shift firmness and raise the rpm to 7000rpm(mines set to 6700,just in case).Im sorry to say this but a diesel chip just puts excess feul through the injectors but if your not getting extra air aswell into the mixture then its not burning fuel correctly and running rich(black sooty smoke{NoX} and thats then really bad stuff that the gov dont tell you about),hey but what do I know???