BMWSTL

I now have a copy of the US Brochure for the 5-series. Interesting 0-60 numbers are claimed by BMW.

535i manual: 5.6 seconds
535i automatic: 5.7 seconds

550i manual: 5.4 seconds
535i automatic: 5.5 seconds

Only .2 seconds difference!

For most driving situations (around town, commuting, trips, etc.), it makes me wonder if paying an additional $8175 (MSRP) for the 550i (comparing "same package" cars: ZSP, cold package, auto, and premium package for the 535i) is really "worth" the extra money. Having the 550i ZSP's extras (19" wheels and tires, M-sport suspension, exhaust and aero body), but lower gas mileage, seems a lot less attractive to me given the slim 0-60 performance spread. The 535i ZSP will have the same sport package that the 2006/7 550i's have, and handling-wise the car will be no slouch. The 550i may be a bit rougher to drive given its suspension and tires in everyday situations, and that front air dam may be a real issue on parking lot curbs and on entering and leaving driveways (those frustrating dips were my air dam always gets scraped). The 550i is a beautiful car, but I'm starting to lean toward the 535i.

Lou

blinkme_210

Spend another $1300 for the Vishnu PROcede Tuning System and you got a car that's faster than the 550i. Great platform, and lots of tuners will be releasing their own tuning programs. Vishnu PROcede is the best one right now, and they are expecting to release a 380hp - 400hp tuning program in the future.

Yellowlab

Any chance you can post that brochure?

BMWSTL

First uplaod for me. Here you go.

E60 Brochure Link

Lou

tachyon

Hey Lou -

You won't go wrong with the 535i - it is as fast as the 'old' 550i. And if the up-front money and ongoing gasoline costs are an issue, then the 535i is way to go.

However, the new 550i Sport is a stunner. Firstly, the V8 engine is a killer, with effortless and seemingly endless power - eager from any point on the dial. And the new exhaust will make wonderful sounds, I'm sure.

I suspect the new suspension will be just perfect for every-day driving as the current sport suspension is a bit on the soft side. Don't worry about the front spoiler - I have no problems whatsoever with any scraping.

And for me, Carbon Black would close the deal - only available on the 550i. And I love the look of the 172 wheels.

Good luck with your choices.

BMWSTL

The torque curve of the twin turbo engine is very flat from aboout 1400 rpm through around 5000 rpm. Torque then drops from 300 lb-ft to about 210 lb-ft from at redline (about 7000 rpm). HP peaks at 300 at about 5800 rpm. The 550i's max torque is at 3400 rpm, a higher point than the 535i's. I haven't driven a 335i for some time, but my recollection is that it's very quick throughout its power range and has great pull. The 8 cylinder is a great engine (I've driven BMW 8's since 1994), but the twin turbo has a supurb power curve, and is more fuel efficient.

Lou

SergeyM

I hate the fact that 550 is almost 300 lbs heavier. When I drive I do not see the wheels or body kit but I feel every additional pound especially when going around a corner.

BMWSTL

The 2008 brochure lists the standard automatic cars at 3968 lbs. for the 550i and 3703 lbs. for the 535i (268 lbs. difference). Those weights are probably for the base cars without the sport packages. I don't know what the weight differences are there: 18's with runflats vs. 19's with non-runflats, body cladding, any suspension differences, etc. I'm not sure how much of that is unsprung weight though.

Lou

MikeBuzzsaw

535 is nice from 0-60. But with the 550i, it seems like theres never a top end. You can go from 60-120 no sweat. 535, you'll struggle.

tachyon

Here's one argument in favor of the 535i: it might be more fun as an every day driver.

Let me explain ... the 550i is so effortlessly capable, that driving most of the time at less than 7/10ths is sort of boring.

So, I'm thinking that spinning the 3.0L twin-turbo engine through its paces in every day driving may just make for a more interesting experience.

I sort of feel that way when I take our 330xi out on errands ... the inline 6 is fun to flog.