Lou,

I agree. I was ready to sign for a new 550. Then my dealer went on vacation and it gave me time to think. Is carbon black really worth an extra $8k. Answer: hell no.

Let's be realistic. $8k will buy more performance upgrades and suspension mods than you get on the 550, plus you'd have a more unique car and probably more fun at it to boot. All BMW could come up with to justify the disparity was making the M-tech kit included in the sports package, adding M-tuned suspension (which right now no one has any idea what that means), and stealing carbon black from the M line-up. I think BMW has both neutered the M5. Now, why not buy a 535 if you wanted a 550 before? And why not buy a 550 if you really wanted an M5 before?

I know there's a lot more to it, but to me I just don't see much value. On the other hand, a year or two for now someone will pick up some sweet 550's for a great price. At that point it may make sense.

My $0.02.

RR

 

Thanks for your comments RR. Although the test drive and how the cars actually feel will be a big part of the decision-making process, here's another way to look at it.

550i MSRP with ZSP, cold package, auto, destination and dealer prep: $64,805

535i MSRP with ZSP, cold package, auto, premium package, PDC ($700), comfort access ($1000), Nav ($1900), HD ($1200), split rear seat ($475), sunshades ($575), SAT ($595), HD radio ($500), Logic 7 ($1200), destination and dealer prep: $64,775.

"Standard" equipped 550i vs. a "loaded" 535i for $30 and .2 seconds 0-60 less.

Lou

 

with all that weight in the 535 I think it'll be more than .2 secs slower HAHAHAHHAHA

 

I'd spec either car with the sports package, premium, logic 7, cold weather package and that's about it. I'd consider nav and comfort seats, but would probably not get either one.

I just checked and a 550 with those options costs $63,945. My '04 545 with those same options was just about $62K I believe, but that was with active steering included.

edit: I guess my comparison on prices is moot as the sports package on the '08 550 is now a $4600 option. It seems price, but is a pretty decent value compared to the $2800 sports package on the 535, as for $1800 more you get the upgraded 19s, M-sport suspension and the M-tech kit. Retrofitting the M-tech alone would cost well over $1800.

 

Comfort seats come with the Sport Package on both cars.

Lou

 

I too am all excited about the new 535i, however there is something about the 550i that is so enticing as well as exciting. I currently drive an E39 530i and recently a E60 530xi and although both are great vehicles and I am happy with the acceleration of these 6 cylinder models, once you drive an 8 Cylinder Car it's hard to go back. I say this since I am most impressed with my brother's E60 545i and the ease of power when accelerating, so I can only imagine the more incredible power of the 550i.

If money is not an issue, go ahead and pay the price difference for a 550i since you only live once and although you will be most happy with a 535i, you don't want that feeling of what if I had a 550i? Here in superficial Orange County, CA, it's all about what you drive and the 5 series is a very prestigious cars among all the MB AMG, BMW Ms, Bentleys, Masaratis, Porsches, Range Rovers, etc, but the 550i is still in a different class than the 535i. That is why a member said earlier in these posts that the 550i is for the select few and the 535i is for the BMW masses.

 

Does anyone know the weight of the stock 18" wheels of the 07 550i,

Thx.

 

Really heavy

Sorry - could not resist.

 

The OEM 124s weigh approximately 31lbs for the front and 32lbs rear.

 

So how many $$$$'s separate the "few" from the "masses"? $10k?

ABC