Been reading the thread "new car 
" and its made me wonder. The 5-series e39, whether in 528i/530i / se / sport form is without doubt a very refined and calm car. I don't want to enter this whole debate on whether or not its boring as that conversation can clearly go on forever!
My question is, has anyone got experience with a 330i and a 530i (preferably of the same type, ie SE or sport) and can compare the 2? maybe you test drove them both before deciding on one? Does the 330i feel drastically more 'sporty' than the 530i? does the 530i feel drastically more refined/luxurious than the 330i? or are the differences more subtle? maybe the 3-series has less noise reduction and maybe slightly louder exhausts as standard making it appear more on the sporty side?
" and its made me wonder. The 5-series e39, whether in 528i/530i / se / sport form is without doubt a very refined and calm car. I don't want to enter this whole debate on whether or not its boring as that conversation can clearly go on forever!My question is, has anyone got experience with a 330i and a 530i (preferably of the same type, ie SE or sport) and can compare the 2? maybe you test drove them both before deciding on one? Does the 330i feel drastically more 'sporty' than the 530i? does the 530i feel drastically more refined/luxurious than the 330i? or are the differences more subtle? maybe the 3-series has less noise reduction and maybe slightly louder exhausts as standard making it appear more on the sporty side?