545 or 550?
09-11-2008, 07:20 AM
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I'm actively looking for a car and would appreciate input. Please assume for the sake of this conversation that the 545 in question and the 550 in question are both stock with no mods and are configured the same way.
05 545 versus 06 550
both have 25,000 to 35,000 miles
both steptronic transmission
both Sport
all other options configured identically
Questions:
1. Does the diff in hp REALLY make that much difference if you tend to drive "gently" which I do
2. Does the diff in engine make a real world difference in gas consumption?
3. Are there any pros/cons to either one assuming all of the criteria specified?
4. '05 is the last year of the 545 and 06 is the first year of the 550 - is there advantage to the former and a disadvantage to the latter in terms of reliablity, bugs, etc?
5. The warranty issue is obvious so no need to chime in on that one
Any other advice?
05 545 versus 06 550
both have 25,000 to 35,000 miles
both steptronic transmission
both Sport
all other options configured identically
Questions:
1. Does the diff in hp REALLY make that much difference if you tend to drive "gently" which I do
2. Does the diff in engine make a real world difference in gas consumption?
3. Are there any pros/cons to either one assuming all of the criteria specified?
4. '05 is the last year of the 545 and 06 is the first year of the 550 - is there advantage to the former and a disadvantage to the latter in terms of reliablity, bugs, etc?
5. The warranty issue is obvious so no need to chime in on that one
Any other advice?
09-11-2008, 07:43 AM
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well the 06 will be more money.. but in terms of drive its the same.. the hp is a little diffrent.. but you wont notice a huge diff.. if i was you i would go for the 06.. if you want,give me the vin`s on any car your looking at i can run a carfax,also i can tell you more or less how much the car would be at acution or retail...
09-11-2008, 07:45 AM
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My Ride: 04 545i - Titanium Silver/Black, Sport pkg, Comfort Seats w/ Lumbar, Premium Sound, power rear sunshade, Adaptive Xenon Headlights, Steptronic, Park Distance Control, Fold down rear seats w/ski bag, Aux jack, 6-disk changer, puddle lamps...
Engine: Custom Remus cat-back exhaust w/chrome square tips, K&N Air Filter, Charcoal Filter Removed, Sprint Booster :-), 50/50 mix of 91+100 Octane, EuroRev ECU Remap (coming soon lol), Dinan High-Flow Throttle Body (coming soon...maybe lol)
Interior: Portable Sirius Stilletto 100 w/car kit, Garmin Nuvi 680 mounted below rear-view mirror, LCI-style I-drive knob, Dark Poplar Center Dashboard Trim.
Exterior: E60 forum clings, 5% rear tint, ACS roof spoiler (painted black for distinct look against limo tint), ACS trunk spoiler, ACS add-on front spoiler and rear apron (awaiting installation), "18 Black Staggered BeBeS Style OER (emergency replacement for cracked sport 124 rims), black kidney grill, white accessory lighting (including license and trunk lamps), Angel-eye upgrade, AIB xenon-matched fog lamps, AIB V3's on order, red rear reflectors
Originally Posted by bimmerlust' post='666990' date='Sep 11 2008, 08:20 AM
I'm actively looking for a car and would appreciate input. Please assume for the sake of this conversation that the 545 in question and the 550 in question are both stock with no mods and are configured the same way.
05 545 versus 06 550
both have 25,000 to 35,000 miles
both steptronic transmission
both Sport
all other options configured identically
Questions:
1. Does the diff in hp REALLY make that much difference if you tend to drive "gently" which I do
2. Does the diff in engine make a real world difference in gas consumption?
3. Are there any pros/cons to either one assuming all of the criteria specified?
4. '05 is the last year of the 545 and 06 is the first year of the 550 - is there advantage to the former and a disadvantage to the latter in terms of reliablity, bugs, etc?
5. The warranty issue is obvious so no need to chime in on that one
Any other advice?
05 545 versus 06 550
both have 25,000 to 35,000 miles
both steptronic transmission
both Sport
all other options configured identically
Questions:
1. Does the diff in hp REALLY make that much difference if you tend to drive "gently" which I do
2. Does the diff in engine make a real world difference in gas consumption?
3. Are there any pros/cons to either one assuming all of the criteria specified?
4. '05 is the last year of the 545 and 06 is the first year of the 550 - is there advantage to the former and a disadvantage to the latter in terms of reliablity, bugs, etc?
5. The warranty issue is obvious so no need to chime in on that one
Any other advice?
09-11-2008, 08:39 AM
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Originally Posted by advancedlogic' post='667003' date='Sep 11 2008, 11:45 AM
You left out one very important piece of information - pricing of each. Mechanically, the differences aren't too glaring, though the 550 would be superior. A 30hp difference and similar torque increases are pretty significant to simply ignore. Granted, though you state you tend to drive gently, I will go out on a limb and guess that you do have a desire for performance. If not, why aren't the 6-cyl models in the equation? I imagine there would be similar figures for fuel consumption. Since we're leaving out other factors such as Bluetooth TCU abilities, and the like, the real deciding factor (for me) is price. If they are within 5K of each other, I'd roll with the 550 as it's newer and will hold value longer vs the 545 once the F10's are out.
Thanks!
09-11-2008, 08:40 AM
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Originally Posted by 530ISPORT' post='667002' date='Sep 11 2008, 11:43 AM
well the 06 will be more money.. but in terms of drive its the same.. the hp is a little diffrent.. but you wont notice a huge diff.. if i was you i would go for the 06.. if you want,give me the vin`s on any car your looking at i can run a carfax,also i can tell you more or less how much the car would be at acution or retail...
09-11-2008, 08:46 AM
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My Ride: 2008 550i Jet Black on Black Leather, SAT with Paddles, Logic 7, Comfort Seats, NAV, Sport Package, PDC, Xenons, Sirius, Trinity 12W LED Angel Eyes, RPi GT Exhaust, M rear spoiler, ACS Roof Spoiler, Tinted Tail Lights, Bimmian Carbon Fiber Pillar Trim, Bimmian Shadow 550i emblem, RPi Scoop, E60 Forum Cling, Mtec bulbs in fog lights, Mtec 2W LED for License Plate Light Bulbs, K&N Filter, Bimmian LED Smoked Side Markers, Blackout roundels, Carbon Fiber Kidney Grills.
Retired Rides - 1989 325i convertible, 1995 M3, 2002 X5, 2005 545i, 2008 X5 (Lemon)
What a terrible dilemma! 
Good Luck with your decision!! 
Good Luck with your decision!!
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