C5driver

I noticed that, but I was responding to the OP's question of 0-60 times ("just curious if anyone has tested their 550 or 535 1/4 mile 0-60 etc.")

My535i

hmm, not quite sure how an additional 286 lbs on the 550 manual and additional 265 lbs on the steptronic 550 would make it faster on the twisties? I think the added weight would counter any edge it might have.

bigbadbull

Also to throw some more fuel on the fire... a 535 with SAT and Sport package... BMW has been some what reluctant to release 0-60 1/4 time with the 535 with the SAT. It's pretty quick ,and I'm willing to bet a couple tenths faster than the normal Auto box.


On the 09 F01's ( new 7's) the engines are the same as the current N54 and the 4.4tt in the X6, but the engine software has been changed , so more Hp/ftlbs, but in narrower power band then the current tunes. Kinda like the new software on the N54 535's....

midwest bmw

Congrats on the ride RC!!

I test drove a 535i with zsp/6mt and loved it...In the end I couldn't resist all the attributes of the 550i with zsp

They're both great cars and we are very lucky to be driving either one!

swajames

The LCI 550 Sport in the US has M-Sport suspension which is a sportier setup than that on a sport-equipped 535, and the 550 has more available torque (it never outputs less than the unmodified 535's maximum). With this in mind it's perfectly possible that the 550 Sport would indeed out-hustle a stock 535 Sport. The 535 and 550 also have virtually identical weight distribution so the additional weight has less impact on handling than it might otherwise.

GT Premi

^ What he said.

grogan545

[quote name='alexf9496' date='Oct 1 2008, 03:25 PM' post='682898']
I noticed that, but I was responding to the OP's question of 0-60 times ("just curious if anyone has tested their 550 or 535 1/4 mile 0-60 etc.")

I have tested my 550 from 0-60 and up to 1/8 mile.My best time to date is 4.85 0-60,and 8.65 secs for the 1/8 mile.I can repeat 0-60 times in the 4.80s or 4.90s with very little effort.I also owned a 545 which equaled or bettered my 550 times.

grogan545

I believe the biggest difference in performance between the 550 and the 535 is at part throttle.The torque and throttle resonse of the 550 is much stronger than the 535 at part throttle.I drove a 535 for a day when my car was in for service.When driving around under normal conditions it feels like a standard 530.You don't feel the turbo power untill you get very agressive with the throttle.THe 550 is strong even with small throttle applications.Overall the 535 even under full throttle was not as fast as my 550.If you add a piggy back or a dinan software upgrade to the 535 it is a different story.The 535 will be faster than a 550.

FRANK970

Your point about part throttle on the 535 is bang on. The biggest difference that I notice in my car after the Dinan Stage II is at part throttle. Previously the car was relaxed at part throttle but now it really accelerates at 50% throttle. It now (post Dinan) sounds very similar to the 550 in that aspect.

zach1328

I've never driven a 550i but it seems like my 535i moves pretty well under partial throttle. One turbo is pretty much always going, so even at low revs you're producing much more torque than a 530i.
Actually, the 535i produces max torque at 1400 revs. I would imagine the 535i has a much better rev range than a 550i.

Other than that, the 535i with a sport package should easily beat a 550i in the corners. The reduced weigh combined with a better balanced engine will lead to quicker lap times for a 535i.

With that being said, a 550i will definitely dominate in the higher speeds just because of brute power (weight doesn't have as big of an effect the faster you go). In addition, after pushing the 535i for several minutes the turbos will start to be affected by the heat soak and lose a decent amount of its power.
It all comes down to what you want. Personally, I wanted a lighter car (and I love inline 6 engines)which is why I went with the 535i. But IMO either car is a GREAT choice, I love my 535i.