BMW 5 Series vs LaCrosse Any thoughts ?

[tencentsanhour]

I wonder if anyone cross shopped the BMW with the LaCrosse and what were there thoughts ? Is the 528 worth 20k more ? I never liked the German seats -- too firm and the leather felt stiff. The Buick seats are almost perfect in support and suppleness. Anyone owned both?

 

[jazzdab]

I would never own a BMW because their turn signals don't work.

 

[92sub]

Isn't that the driver because they are too important to let YOU know where they are planning on driving?

 

[AK Goat]

Uh, I've driven an M5. Does that count? It was a "tad" quicker than the Lacrosse, handled better, and had better brakes. The transmission was weird though...could never get it to shift smoothly regardless of what setting I used. It was a hoot to drive and yes, I felt more important than anyone else on the road while behind the wheel.😉

....but, I actually prefer the ride and interior of the Lacrosse.

 

[longislander]

I wonder if anyone cross shopped the BMW with the LaCrosse and what were there thoughts ? Is the 528 worth 20k more ? I never liked the German seats -- too firm and the leather felt stiff. The Buick seats are almost perfect in support and suppleness. Anyone owned both?

I don't think there'd be too much cross-shopping between the LaCrosse and the 5-series BMW. Before my decision to buy only American cars, I owned 2 BMW 3-series coupes. BMW is truly the "Ultimate Driving Machine". You don't drive a BMW, you wear it. When you move, it moves, the driver and the car are as one. However nice a car the LaCrosse is, it's not anywhere near the "driver's car" that the BMW is. Quieter, smoother, plusher, yes. LaCrosse and BMW 5-series are simply not aimed at the same buyer. Either the Cadillac CTS or Buick Regal GS would be much more so.

 

[H_Charles]

I've owned 7 different BMWs, including a 5 series. They aren't comparable. BMWs offer the best ride/handling balance in the world. They are RWD sport sedans.
The LAX is an near luxury FWD sedan.
While the newer BMWs have softened up quite a bit, and really have gone downhill in the "sport" area, they still far exceed anything a LAX could offer. Acceleration may be close if you compared a 3.6 with the 528, but everywhere else the BMW is far superior.

If you don't care about performance and just want a soft quiet ride, however, the equation is different. The LAX wins in this area.

So, if you want a sporty sedan, I think it's worth it. You get what you pay for. If you want a cushy ride and don't care about handling or the "fun"factor, probably not. One other factor in the value equation is lease vs. buying. If you lease, the difference in payments isn't nearly as high as the $20K sticker. BMW residuals are the best of any maker.

 

[Mad*Max]

you are comparing an apple to an orange - both cars fill different needs - the LaCrosse is a good family car that is smooth and spacious, I doubt the 5 series would have as much room given the rear wheel drive platform