Greetings:

Is there going to be that much of a difference between the 545i and 550? I understand about 10% more horsepower...how about any body design changes (i.e. including a front lip?)....I ordered a new 545i back in January and am scheduled to take delivery next month. I put no money down...is it worth waiting for the fall for the 550 or go ahead with the 545i?....will I be able to negotiate/get something from my dealer at this point, or am I making a mountain out of a mole hill?...is it likely I would not be able to negotiate as good a deal on the 550i (got the 545i for $1.8K above cost) since it is brand new and will be deemed 'hot'?....not really worried about resale value since I am leasing the car, if that makes a difference. Many thanks.

 

My opinion? Take the plunge and get the 545i. The 545i is plenty powerful and the 550i will most likely cost more.

Since you're leasing, you can look at it this way -- getting the 545 now starts the clock on the lease. You can get a 550 for the next lease...

 

There will always be something better, faster--and more expensive--in the future, so you need to decide if you want to wait until at least October for a 550i, or drive a 545i starting next month. I don't imagine the additional power will be noticeable (the 750i is 0.1 sec. faster 0 - 60 mph than the 745i). There was a post a while back about interior changes, and the only change that your 545i won't have is silver colored A/C vent levers. Exterior changes--who knows, but I've not heard of any.

You got a good deal on the purchase price of the 545i, although leasing adds another layer of financial complexity. I got mine for $1K over invoice--I doubt anybody will do that well (on the increased invoice) when the 550i are released.

 

Me, I'd take the 545. You will be very pleased with the car. If you are the kind of person concerned about always having the latest/greatest, then you might want to wait. For the vast majority of us average drivers, I don't think there will ba any really noticable difference. If that extra 0.1-0.2 seconds to get to 60 MPH bothers you, get the 550.

 

Thanks, guys....buyer remorse over for now...will stick with the 545i which is on the boat right now and should be ready by March 15.

 

The sooner you get it, the sooner you're over the break in period!!

 

and the sooner he finishes the lease and gets the 550 .

 

I say go for the 545 now, the difference will not be drastic?and if you wait for the 550 the next thing that people will be worrying about (a year from now) will be some ?face-lift? to the E60?and then for those that wait for the ?face-lift? they?ll start to worry about the ?new E60? that?ll be a couple years off. It?s just one of those things?there will also be something newer and better 12-24 months down the road (from any point) whether it?s a new engine, revised styling, a new design etc?the 545 is here now ready to be enjoyed?I say go for it

 

I would absolutely wait. There is always something better and faster and the 550 is it. Considering you will be with your new car for 3 years, and that you have the flexibility to keep your existing set of wheels a little longer, another seven months is worth the wait.
I took a 2 year lease out on my last 5er E39 to time the lease expiration with the release of the new E60 SMG.
Its my opinion, which seems to be contrary to most of the responses here, but I would like my 545 less (and I will) after the release of the 550, so I would wait.

 

Look at it this way. The 545i's engine has been out since the 02 745i (4 years).
When the 745's engine was first put in the e60 there were alot of DME issues.
Folks, the new 4.8 V8 is totally new design,wait at least 2 or 3 years before you buy, be it 750i or 550i

Do you wanna be BMW's guinea pig for the new v8?