National - 2012 BMW 528i xDrive Ride Report/Review

http://carrentingreviews.com/2012/09/03/2012-bmw-528i-xdrive/

GXAR
22/32

PROS:

- Off button for the Auto Start Stop
- Gorgeous lines, best proportioned BMW sedan
- Excellent interior materials, superb fit and finish
- Fuel economy for this size sedan is very good

CONS:

- Much loathed Auto Start/Stop
- Auto Start/Stop requires turning off each time the car is restarted
- Electric power assisted steering
- Comparative lack of luxury features at this rental price

CONCLUSION: The holy grail of car renting (minus the C63AMG, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche Panamera that Hertz recently acquired) is here, although it may not appeal to all renters. Considering the daily rental price, a lower class and cheaper Luxury rental such as a ’13 Infiniti M37X or ’13 Lincoln MKS may be the better option.

drz: How much you fork over for the Beemer?

With Avis I had to reserve a Premium to get it (ended up being $10/day more than intermediate, a real bargain), with National I paid $25/day on top of a luxury rental res. YMMV.

I see...DCA is a new airport I fly in/out of every weekend now (in fact just got off the plane from there) so I will be looking out for it. I spotted one somewhere in the system last month but unfortunately I had a need for a SUV and had to pass.

I bet realistically you could talk them down probably to a $15/day upgrade at National, that seems to be the bottom of the basement for me if they refuse to upgrade me for free.

I see...DCA is a new airport I fly in/out of every weekend now (in fact just got off the plane from there) so I will be looking out for it. I spotted one somewhere in the system last month but unfortunately I had a need for a SUV and had to pass.

I bet realistically you could talk them down probably to a $15/day upgrade at National, that seems to be the bottom of the basement for me if they refuse to upgrade me for free.

The pricing will depend entirely on the manager on duty. Some care about sales more than others. Sometimes I can get a new GXAR/FXAR on a fullsize booking, other times I might need to fork over extra.:)

In general, the 528i is a very rare occurrence at DCA. GXAR/FXAR vehicles are usually held for Executive VIP members.

At NYC Avis locations the 528i is available as a specialty car but most times is offered as a luxury upgrade for less than the 328i. I was told the 328i comes better equipped with factory navigation. If you have a premium rental and one is available at a location, simply asking a manager for a luxury upgrade can get you into the 528i. Some managers would rather rent them a luxury upgrades as specialty reservations are a rarity.