2004 545 vs. 2006 550?
09-17-2007, 07:08 PM
#11
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My Ride: 2008 535i w/ Sports & Permium Pkg. Silv/Blk
2008 VW R32 w/Nav.
1992 VW Corrado Silv/Blk-retired
2001 530i Sports/Premium-retired
09-17-2007, 09:23 PM
#12
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How can we make this comparison without considering the $$$$.
If there is no money difference, obviously the 550.
If you are talking about a 40,000 04 545 or a 55,000 06 550, the real question is...is it worth an extra 15,000 dollars and 300 per month?
And thats saying you can find 1 for 55.
If there is no money difference, obviously the 550.
If you are talking about a 40,000 04 545 or a 55,000 06 550, the real question is...is it worth an extra 15,000 dollars and 300 per month?
And thats saying you can find 1 for 55.
09-18-2007, 04:01 AM
#13
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Yeah, exactly. $55K gets to territory where I just can't see buying used. Another $10K beyond that gets me a nicely equipped new 535, an ED experience, maybe a few laps on the Nurburgring (preferably both in one of those M5 taxis and in my own car). Who knows how I figure out where the not-worth-going-used line is, but in my mind, it has become high-$40s. Since I have seen nice, low mileage (15-25K miles) examples of 2004 545's around $40K and at least one nice 2006 550 around $48K (dealer asking price), those are the benchmarks and the decision for me ... with 2005 545 some place in the middle (2005 would get me over the expensive BT retrofit). The 2006s and 2007s are still commanding $57-62K, and that's way too rich for my blood.
So I'm getting to a pretty tight set of requirements, but there's no hurry other than plain old impatience:
- 2004-2006 used
- strong preference for CPO / warranty
- manual transmission
- sport package
- beige or auburn interior (I don't care so much about the exterior)
- Bluetooth will have to happen but could be a retrofit
- my satellite radio addiction will have to be fed, but lots of ways to do that
- would be nice: nav, comfort seats, rear split seat, rear air bags, etc.
- can do without: HUD, night vision, PDC, etc.
Either dealer inventory doesn't change very fast or I spend entirely too much time on the web checking such!
So I'm getting to a pretty tight set of requirements, but there's no hurry other than plain old impatience:
- 2004-2006 used
- strong preference for CPO / warranty
- manual transmission
- sport package
- beige or auburn interior (I don't care so much about the exterior)
- Bluetooth will have to happen but could be a retrofit
- my satellite radio addiction will have to be fed, but lots of ways to do that
- would be nice: nav, comfort seats, rear split seat, rear air bags, etc.
- can do without: HUD, night vision, PDC, etc.
Either dealer inventory doesn't change very fast or I spend entirely too much time on the web checking such!
09-18-2007, 04:18 AM
#14
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if you can afford to run it (of course you can, your in the US) GO With the 550i Sport or even M sport.
You guys so lucky there, fuel is like 1/3rd the price over here.
Lucky
You guys so lucky there, fuel is like 1/3rd the price over here.
Lucky
09-18-2007, 05:34 AM
#15
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Originally Posted by ragsdale' post='470684' date='Sep 18 2007, 08:01 AM
Yeah, exactly. $55K gets to territory where I just can't see buying used. Another $10K beyond that gets me a nicely equipped new 535, an ED experience, maybe a few laps on the Nurburgring (preferably both in one of those M5 taxis and in my own car). Who knows how I figure out where the not-worth-going-used line is, but in my mind, it has become high-$40s. Since I have seen nice, low mileage (15-25K miles) examples of 2004 545's around $40K and at least one nice 2006 550 around $48K (dealer asking price), those are the benchmarks and the decision for me ... with 2005 545 some place in the middle (2005 would get me over the expensive BT retrofit). The 2006s and 2007s are still commanding $57-62K, and that's way too rich for my blood.
So I'm getting to a pretty tight set of requirements, but there's no hurry other than plain old impatience:
- 2004-2006 used
- strong preference for CPO / warranty
- manual transmission
- sport package
- beige or auburn interior (I don't care so much about the exterior)
- Bluetooth will have to happen but could be a retrofit
- my satellite radio addiction will have to be fed, but lots of ways to do that
- would be nice: nav, comfort seats, rear split seat, rear air bags, etc.
- can do without: HUD, night vision, PDC, etc.
Either dealer inventory doesn't change very fast or I spend entirely too much time on the web checking such!
So I'm getting to a pretty tight set of requirements, but there's no hurry other than plain old impatience:
- 2004-2006 used
- strong preference for CPO / warranty
- manual transmission
- sport package
- beige or auburn interior (I don't care so much about the exterior)
- Bluetooth will have to happen but could be a retrofit
- my satellite radio addiction will have to be fed, but lots of ways to do that
- would be nice: nav, comfort seats, rear split seat, rear air bags, etc.
- can do without: HUD, night vision, PDC, etc.
Either dealer inventory doesn't change very fast or I spend entirely too much time on the web checking such!
09-18-2007, 09:16 PM
#16
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My Ride: 2004 530i Sport package, Premium package, Xenon
2002 BMW X5 3.0 Modded to X5 4.6is (4.6is body kits, exhaust) Premium pkg., cold weather pkg. rear climate pkg., Xenon headlights, clear all around.
man, how do you compare a $55K car to a $35K car? you must be confusing yourself to death. how much money do you have? what can you afford. if money is an issue, just forget about comparing those 2. you can get CPO 2004 545 for around $35K but those CPO 2006 550 is about $55K. can you afford a $55K car? if you could, there is no reason not to buy one right? everyone is gonna give you the same answer, they would pick the 2006 550 for you. i would too. good luck with your decision.
09-18-2007, 09:21 PM
#17
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My Ride: 545iSMGSilver GrayAuburn Dakota LeatherLogic 7 Premium SoundSports Package
Originally Posted by Rizbel' post='470297' date='Sep 17 2007, 11:06 AM
550i with sport package and comfort seats 
.
.What is this dryer hose? ahahah is it some shielding to keep the intake tube cool?
09-19-2007, 09:17 AM
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I too sold my Boxster for the same reason as you. I just bought an '06 550i and love it. Indisputably way more powerful than the Boxster, although you do give up a little on handling.
I bought my 550i from a search on BMW's certified used database. With 28K miles, dealer-owned, I talked them down to $45K, which I could not resist (sticker was $50K).
I bought my 550i from a search on BMW's certified used database. With 28K miles, dealer-owned, I talked them down to $45K, which I could not resist (sticker was $50K).
09-19-2007, 09:19 AM
#19
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My Ride: 2010 M5 alpine white, black full leather, etc.
Originally Posted by ckpark90046' post='471513' date='Sep 19 2007, 01:17 PM
I too sold my Boxster for the same reason as you. I just bought an '06 550i and love it. Indisputably way more powerful than the Boxster, although you do give up a little on handling.
I bought my 550i from a search on BMW's certified used database. With 28K miles, dealer-owned, I talked them down to $45K, which I could not resist (sticker was $50K).
I bought my 550i from a search on BMW's certified used database. With 28K miles, dealer-owned, I talked them down to $45K, which I could not resist (sticker was $50K).
