My friend bought a 545i recently so we could arrange a race and compare these two in real.

My 535d is MY 2005 pre-LCI, 272hp.

So how these two compare?

Everyday driving
535d is still a diesel. Sounds like a diesel. Don't believe car reviews, they all say that you cannot tell the difference, you can. The sound of the diesel engine is loud - inside and outside. Sounds quite sporty in higher revs. No big ecstasy here.
545i is very quiet inside. Beautiful outside! When you floor it, every pedestrian has to look. Sounds amazing - like a racing car yet not offensive in any way. Makes you wanna hear it again and again. You don't enjoy it very much inside though, only when passing walls, parked cars or other places where the echo has the opportunity to build up.

0 - 100 Km/h
535d torque is fenomenal but 545i is faster - of course. Not by much though, maybe 0.5 to 1 sec maximum.

80 - 200 Km/h
545i was only a bit faster, it would win every time but 535d would still be on its tail. Felt very similar.

Consumption
Not so big difference here! Only few liters / 100Km or mpg in real life (applies to urban driving).

Ride comfort
545i feels much much better and feels much more nimble. Feels also a bit quicker, however the power builds up a bit more linearly and there is no "oomph".
535d vibrates when started and you can still feel it up to 60Km/h. That spoils the ride to be honest.

Weight
545i is 1785Kg < 535d is 1810Kg so no real difference.

I have to add, the 545i was burning outside world like a furnace (hot air above the bonnet and under the car) while 535d turbos were cooling down quite peacefully after the racing. 545i is more like a sprinter, 535d is more like a squash playing manager.

The result? Get the M5, if you can :lol:

Great comparison and write-up, --- love the conclusion :lol:

You'll probably enjoy this~ Top Gear 535d vs 545i...

http://kr.youtube.com/watch?v=5Fg1EhBB1PQ
and the M5~

http://kr.youtube.com/watch?v=fsKHf4j6xV0&feature=related

Nice and simple comparison!
Short enough to have energy to read :D.
I have never even seen a 545i, so I didn't have a clue what is it capable to! :blush:

Both fabulous cars! :thumbsup:

The main advantage the 535d has over the 545 is when you apply a remap of the ecu :D

Result .........................bye bye 545 :P :P :cool: :cool: :D :D

+1 :cool:

I don't think that was ever proved, and with the performance gap between the 535d and 545 I'm not sure it would be closed unless you went to an extreme on the 535d remap.

I don't want to reopen old debates that we already had three years ago on the forum, but I think your thinking is wishful at best. Don't doubt the 535d is the more tunable (and by the way, DMS also offer a 545/550 remap) but the gas engine will always have a clear performance lead (as the current 535i is showing) unless you get highly aggressive on the diesel remap. No matter how you cut it, HP will always win out over torque in ultimate performance. The 535d's beauty is that is has a great balance between the two.

+1

Well said! :thumbsup:

Both are wonderful cars (535d and 545i). But I agree with what you say. Gasoline (petrol) engines will have a clear performance lead. Perhaps that is the reason why there are no diesel Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Porsches....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche

Scroll down to Tractors... :wow:

There are even Lamborghinis with diesels :lol:

http://www.samedeutz-fahr.com/lamborghini/index.php