Cecilt

I was able to drive a '10 550i today. Funny though is it did not have sport seats and I thought this was almost standard. In any event it had the sport auto with paddles and 19" wheels with aero kit. Loved it. Thought it felt firm, planted and very fast. Loved the exterior aero kit on the 550. Just makes it stand out so much more from a 535i.

I then drove a '09 535xi. Don't want the xi but that is all they had. Want a 535i sport/premium. Thought it was just as fast but it did feel nimbler and lighter. Not that that was all the good though. Since it did not have the sport package the seats sucked as wheel as the steering wheel and I just felt a little number after driving it. Almost like it was very fast, handled good but was not overly impressed.

In the end, I think it comes down to price and features. It is almost impossible to find a 535i with the m package so I think I will opt for the 550 as visually it just strikes me a better looking, more aggressive and unique car. Got word that a 550i I found on line last night sold last night or this morning. I am bummed as it met all my criteria.

pukka

The M Sport kit wasn't available as a factory installed option on the 535i until at least 2009. Cost is negligle since the factory cost was pretty close to what you would pay for the kit and install. You could save even more money by getting a replica kit.

ProMed

That is mostly true, but to be factual the authentic "M-Sport" package wasn't available until late 09 on the 550 or 535. The 08 & early 09 550s with their Sport package were the same as the regular sport package except with the different wheels & the body kit.

Cecilt

So if I looked for a 535 in '08-'09 but wanted an aero kit similar to the 550 what is approximate cost. Thought it would be more than 2k since it needed painted and installed. Then 19" wheels and tires and you are well over 3k. Is this not right.

G530

Just curious why 550i is a more complete car? The obvious is the Mtech kit. what else...features??

ProMed

Keep in mind that the xi was heavier as well. If you are looking at '09/'10 models and getting nav, I would definitely go with the '10 to get that HDD nav. Getting the M-sport pkg then gets you all the little "M" extras such as the M steering wheel, unique interior trim, M badging, etc.

The 550 would be a great choice if you can get it for a close price to a similarly equipped 535 and aren't interested in performance mods. The 550 sounds great, come w/ the "staus" of being the top-model in BMW's mid-model sedan range, and while BMW v8's have had their own history of issues, there is no hpfp/ injectors to be concerned about like so many 535 models had up until the start of the year. Performance-wise however, the 535 w/ a cheap tune is going to literally smoke even a considerably modded 550 (sans supercharger/ nitrous), be noticeably more light & nimble, and get better gas mileage. It all just depends on your priorities I guess.

ProMed

I'm usually averaging 25-27 with a 50/50 mix of daily driving. Is that around 3 mpg more than your getting?

However, the attached photo was taken near the end of a long highway trip.

esqyankee

Since I own an 08 535i with factory m-tech, I'd certainly disagree. Then again, original owner did special order and take delivery IN GERMANY, so there's that.

ProMed

It was also an available option for the guys in Canada.

V70Cat

1) The idrive 08 vs 09 is really the same with more buttons that does nothing different.

2) My 535 has had a far share of reduced power fuel system problems but BMW covers you for 100,0000 miles. The 535 engine is sweet (when it works) and gives good MPG.

3) Not sure that I would want 19 inch wheels on my daily driver. The roads in my area are not great and we have snow.