530i vs 550i
08-23-2006, 04:23 PM
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Hey all. New to the forums here. I am planning on making my first BMW purchase either tomorrow or Friday. I have been looking for awhile. I am either getting the 530i or 550i. My options are as follows...
Nav
Sport (with comfort seats)
Comfort Access (take it or leave it)
Premium Sound
Sirius
Now, they are about $8000-$9000 different in price. I have driven both, and have to admit I love the pull of that 550i engine. But, I am trying to decide if that engine is worth that much difference. Either car I get I am getting the M5 wheels to put on, so appearance they are pretty much going to be the same. I will be driving this vehicle mostly on sideroads to and fro the hospital. Occasional (read one every week or two) on the highway. I am leasing, as it will go into my practice name. So, I am trying to figure out what to do. Where better to ask for info....
For those of you who have the 530i with sport package....Do you regret not getting the v8? I wouldn't mind the price difference so much, but this is the first time in mine and my wife's lives that we have started making good money, and I just don't want to go overboard. The 550i will be around $200 more per month.
Thanks guys, and please don't flame....First post, long time lurker....
Nav
Sport (with comfort seats)
Comfort Access (take it or leave it)
Premium Sound
Sirius
Now, they are about $8000-$9000 different in price. I have driven both, and have to admit I love the pull of that 550i engine. But, I am trying to decide if that engine is worth that much difference. Either car I get I am getting the M5 wheels to put on, so appearance they are pretty much going to be the same. I will be driving this vehicle mostly on sideroads to and fro the hospital. Occasional (read one every week or two) on the highway. I am leasing, as it will go into my practice name. So, I am trying to figure out what to do. Where better to ask for info....
For those of you who have the 530i with sport package....Do you regret not getting the v8? I wouldn't mind the price difference so much, but this is the first time in mine and my wife's lives that we have started making good money, and I just don't want to go overboard. The 550i will be around $200 more per month.
Thanks guys, and please don't flame....First post, long time lurker....
08-23-2006, 04:32 PM
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Originally Posted by jasonrhcastle' post='325974' date='Aug 23 2006, 07:23 PM
Hey all. New to the forums here. I am planning on making my first BMW purchase either tomorrow or Friday. I have been looking for awhile. I am either getting the 530i or 550i. My options are as follows...
Nav
Sport (with comfort seats)
Comfort Access (take it or leave it)
Premium Sound
Sirius
Now, they are about $8000-$9000 different in price. I have driven both, and have to admit I love the pull of that 550i engine. But, I am trying to decide if that engine is worth that much difference. Either car I get I am getting the M5 wheels to put on, so appearance they are pretty much going to be the same. I will be driving this vehicle mostly on sideroads to and fro the hospital. Occasional (read one every week or two) on the highway. I am leasing, as it will go into my practice name. So, I am trying to figure out what to do. Where better to ask for info....
For those of you who have the 530i with sport package....Do you regret not getting the v8? I wouldn't mind the price difference so much, but this is the first time in mine and my wife's lives that we have started making good money, and I just don't want to go overboard. The 550i will be around $200 more per month.
Thanks guys, and please don't flame....First post, long time lurker....
Nav
Sport (with comfort seats)
Comfort Access (take it or leave it)
Premium Sound
Sirius
Now, they are about $8000-$9000 different in price. I have driven both, and have to admit I love the pull of that 550i engine. But, I am trying to decide if that engine is worth that much difference. Either car I get I am getting the M5 wheels to put on, so appearance they are pretty much going to be the same. I will be driving this vehicle mostly on sideroads to and fro the hospital. Occasional (read one every week or two) on the highway. I am leasing, as it will go into my practice name. So, I am trying to figure out what to do. Where better to ask for info....
For those of you who have the 530i with sport package....Do you regret not getting the v8? I wouldn't mind the price difference so much, but this is the first time in mine and my wife's lives that we have started making good money, and I just don't want to go overboard. The 550i will be around $200 more per month.
Thanks guys, and please don't flame....First post, long time lurker....
I bet you can negociate the price on the 550 to only be 100 extra a month. If you do mostly city driving, the pull on the 550 will be more beneficial. I test drove the 530 and 550, and the pull on the 550 is a big difference. When I went back to driving the 530, it felt really sluggish.
Plus when you buy the 530, some days you will regret not getting the 550.
I'd negociate the price and try to get it to only be 50-100 difference. But even at 200 dollar difference, thats 2400 difference per year. How long are you planning to keep the car?
Its worth the upgrade imo. Good luck!
08-23-2006, 04:33 PM
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My Ride: 2007 E63 AMG | Obsidian Black | Schwarzes Nappa | Black BirdEye Maple | Premium II Package | Electronic Trunk Closer | Parktronic
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Engine: Custom AFE CAI, Superchips ECU remap, Sprint Booster, RDSport Dual Exhaust Conversion with Quad Pipes and X-pipe, 3 resonators deleted, 90mm tips!
Exterior: M-Tech Aero kit | M5 Mirrors | M5 Rear Bumper | Trunk Lid Finisher | Vorsteiner decklid spoiler | 50% Formula One Pinnacle Tint
Suspension and Brakes: Bilstein PSS9 coilovers, JBT BBK: 16" cross-drilled rotors, 8 piston and 15" cross-drilled rotors, 4 piston
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If it's not going to put any sort of dent in your finances then 550i. I also like your options.
08-23-2006, 04:36 PM
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My Ride: 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S Convertible. Midnight Blue, 6 Speed.Retired - 2007 997 Carrera S, Midnight Blue, Grey leather, premium audioRetired - 2007 550i, Monaco Blue over Beige, Navigation, Logic 7, Cold Weather Pack, Comfort Access, Sport Package
Model Year: 2008
Originally Posted by jasonrhcastle' post='325974' date='Aug 23 2006, 05:23 PM
Hey all. New to the forums here. I am planning on making my first BMW purchase either tomorrow or Friday. I have been looking for awhile. I am either getting the 530i or 550i. My options are as follows...
Nav
Sport (with comfort seats)
Comfort Access (take it or leave it)
Premium Sound
Sirius
Now, they are about $8000-$9000 different in price. I have driven both, and have to admit I love the pull of that 550i engine. But, I am trying to decide if that engine is worth that much difference. Either car I get I am getting the M5 wheels to put on, so appearance they are pretty much going to be the same. I will be driving this vehicle mostly on sideroads to and fro the hospital. Occasional (read one every week or two) on the highway. I am leasing, as it will go into my practice name. So, I am trying to figure out what to do. Where better to ask for info....
For those of you who have the 530i with sport package....Do you regret not getting the v8? I wouldn't mind the price difference so much, but this is the first time in mine and my wife's lives that we have started making good money, and I just don't want to go overboard. The 550i will be around $200 more per month.
Thanks guys, and please don't flame....First post, long time lurker....
Nav
Sport (with comfort seats)
Comfort Access (take it or leave it)
Premium Sound
Sirius
Now, they are about $8000-$9000 different in price. I have driven both, and have to admit I love the pull of that 550i engine. But, I am trying to decide if that engine is worth that much difference. Either car I get I am getting the M5 wheels to put on, so appearance they are pretty much going to be the same. I will be driving this vehicle mostly on sideroads to and fro the hospital. Occasional (read one every week or two) on the highway. I am leasing, as it will go into my practice name. So, I am trying to figure out what to do. Where better to ask for info....
For those of you who have the 530i with sport package....Do you regret not getting the v8? I wouldn't mind the price difference so much, but this is the first time in mine and my wife's lives that we have started making good money, and I just don't want to go overboard. The 550i will be around $200 more per month.
Thanks guys, and please don't flame....First post, long time lurker....
08-23-2006, 04:37 PM
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My Ride: 530i
If you can do it, get the 550i. I sometime regret getting the 530i, but it gets great gas mileage and enough power to have fun. If I did have the v8, i'm sure I would get a lot of speeding tickets 
08-23-2006, 04:40 PM
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Originally Posted by carfreak' post='325980' date='Aug 23 2006, 07:37 PM
If you can do it, get the 550i. I sometime regret getting the 530i, but it gets great gas mileage and enough power to have fun. If I did have the v8, i'm sure I would get a lot of speeding tickets
08-23-2006, 04:42 PM
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My Ride: 2014 X5 xDrive 5.0 M Package Carbon Black Metallic/2008 M Roadster Imola Red
Welcome Jason. I think that jiio said it. If the price doesn't really hurt, then the obvious choice is the 550i. There is no way for us to say if the price difference is worth it to you. But, it would be to me.
08-23-2006, 04:49 PM
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I am the same way..I think the difference in price is worth it. I am going tomorrow to make the final deal. I think I can get the 550i for a little more. I have some negative equity from my POS Grand Cherokee (2005, had it 20 months), but it shouldn't effect it too much. Any tips for negotiating here...I already have the invoice price from Edmunds.com printed. I love these cars. Really, really awesome rides....
08-23-2006, 04:50 PM
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My Ride: 2007 E63 AMG | Obsidian Black | Schwarzes Nappa | Black BirdEye Maple | Premium II Package | Electronic Trunk Closer | Parktronic
Engine: RPi/Powerchips custom ECU tune, RPi Ram Air Kit (BMC filter, scoops), RennTech Sport exhaust, secondary cats, charcoal and resonator delete, custom AAA x-pipe
Exterior: 50% side windows / 35% rear window Formula One Pinnacle Series | Flat AMG hood emblem
Suspension: Renntech Lowering Module
Wheels/Tires: Radenergie R10, Falken FK452 245/30/20, Yokohama ADVAN Sport 285/25/20
-----------------------------------------
2005 545i Sport SMG | Ti Grau | Schwarzes Dakota | Anthracite Maple | Logic 7 | Nav
Engine: Custom AFE CAI, Superchips ECU remap, Sprint Booster, RDSport Dual Exhaust Conversion with Quad Pipes and X-pipe, 3 resonators deleted, 90mm tips!
Exterior: M-Tech Aero kit | M5 Mirrors | M5 Rear Bumper | Trunk Lid Finisher | Vorsteiner decklid spoiler | 50% Formula One Pinnacle Tint
Suspension and Brakes: Bilstein PSS9 coilovers, JBT BBK: 16" cross-drilled rotors, 8 piston and 15" cross-drilled rotors, 4 piston
Wheels: VIP Modular VR 02 20x9F, 20x10R | Toyo T1R 245/30/20F, 285/25/20R
Lights: PIAA 4150K Xtreme White Plus fog lights, AIB v3
MOST IMPORTANT: Hardwired V1; =)
ED Date: 4/7/05, Re-delivery date: 5/21/05
Originally Posted by octee' post='325988' date='Aug 23 2006, 05:47 PM
Agree, if price isn't a factor, I'd go with the 550. Gas is an issue though.
