545 versus 550
03-26-2008, 05:51 AM
#31
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Originally Posted by GT Premi' post='550987' date='Mar 26 2008, 06:41 AM
This is funny. If you guys mod your cars to get 35 additional HP, it's fantastic; if the factory gives us an additional 35HP over the previous engine, it's "modest." Go figure. 
It's all subjective
It's the nature of the game - the feeling that YOU increased the HP, rather than the factory. The fact that YOUR car is more powerful than other owners of the same car. However, 35HP is a pretty substantial increase. Couple that with the LCI enhancements, and the LCI 550 is a significantly different/superior car to the pre-LCI 545. The gist of the arguments, however, is that the stock pre LCI 550's aren't as significantly different sans the HP increase. A few members here (r1racer prominantly comes to mind) have increased their HP to 550 territory without the price penalty that one encounters between 545 to 550. And that's the basis of most of the 545 arguments in this thread in recommending a similarly mileaged 545 over a pre-lci 550, especially if $$$ is somewhat an issue. Of course the 550 also has the potential for 'modest' 35+ HP increases, so there's more inherent modding potential with the 550! 
03-26-2008, 06:00 AM
#32
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Originally Posted by AlexFW' post='548330' date='Mar 20 2008, 06:16 PM
The 550i is the same 545i with +30 Kg and +7-8% power . It's the same car, don't listen to those who say the 550i is another car .
Do you want more power ?
You can get 50 HP from mods on your 545i and it will be faster than the 550i .
Do you want more power ?
You can get 50 HP from mods on your 545i and it will be faster than the 550i .
Excuse me if I have stretched from the original post since mine is an 07, but I think my comments are still accurate.
03-26-2008, 06:08 AM
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Originally Posted by advancedlogic' post='550991' date='Mar 26 2008, 08:51 AM
...
03-26-2008, 06:24 AM
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Originally Posted by GT Premi' post='550987' date='Mar 26 2008, 08:41 AM
This is funny. If you guys mod your cars to get 35 additional HP, it's fantastic; if the factory gives us an additional 35HP over the previous engine, it's "modest." Go figure.
This is true, but if you would take the time to look at my signature, you'd see that I am not one of those guys! Again, this thread is not and was not started as a discussion over whether the 550 is a better car than the 545. One particular person asked about a particular situation as to whether he should upgarde his old 545 or swap it for a used 550. You are right, a 35 increase in HP, a little over 10% should be considered more than just a modest increase. Bad choice of words on my part. But that is not what the OP asked about. The OP can get much of that HP increase by doing some mods that would likely cost less than selling his '04 and buying the '05 or '06 550. That is all we are talking about here...
03-26-2008, 06:35 AM
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Originally Posted by Diagnosic' post='548271' date='Mar 20 2008, 03:54 PM
Hi
I have a 545 now (December 2003) and I'm considering to change to a used 550 (2005 or 2006). Will I feel the fact, that the 550 has more HP and more torque (+ 10 %)? I Switzerland I saw several used 550 and I'm quiet tempted to change, but I'm very much interested to have some input from you!
Thanks, regards
Thomas
I have a 545 now (December 2003) and I'm considering to change to a used 550 (2005 or 2006). Will I feel the fact, that the 550 has more HP and more torque (+ 10 %)? I Switzerland I saw several used 550 and I'm quiet tempted to change, but I'm very much interested to have some input from you!
Thanks, regards
Thomas
Else, you'll have bigger dilema once F10 is out and looking at your 550i (assuming you go ahead trade in your 545i with 550i)
03-26-2008, 06:38 AM
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Originally Posted by kscarrol' post='551008' date='Mar 26 2008, 07:24 AM
This is true, but if you would take the time to look at my signature, you'd see that I am not one of those guys! Again, this thread is not and was not started as a discussion over whether the 550 is a better car than the 545. One particular person asked about a particular situation as to whether he should upgarde his old 545 or swap it for a used 550. You are right, a 35 increase in HP, a little over 10% should be considered more than just a modest increase. Bad choice of words on my part. But that is not what the OP asked about. The OP can get much of that HP increase by doing some mods that would likely cost less than selling his '04 and buying the '05 or '06 550. That is all we are talking about here...
03-26-2008, 07:23 AM
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Originally Posted by Diagnosic' post='548555' date='Mar 21 2008, 06:10 AM
Yes I think the majority is right: I makes no sense to have a 545 and to invest in a 550. I'm happy with the 545 and the difference between my car and the 550 is to small. So I will wait on new BMW models (V8 Biturbo) and in the meantime also looking out for maybe a used Alpina B5 or a Alpina B3 Biturbo.
Thank you very much for the very appreciated advise! For me this is one of the very best Forums!
Happy Easter!
Regards,
Thomas
Thank you very much for the very appreciated advise! For me this is one of the very best Forums!
Happy Easter!
Regards,
Thomas
But you are right, it is a noticable difference. I can feel it in my 550 as well. But what ultimately pushed me over the edge to buy it were the other LCI upgrades in addition to the power.
03-26-2008, 09:20 AM
#38
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Originally Posted by 1600' post='550993' date='Mar 26 2008, 03:00 PM
I beg to differ. Having owned them both, the two are like night and day. The 545i was twitchy and had many reliability issues. The seats were unbearable. Active steering was flawed and I think dangerous. The 550i rides much smoother and runs with no issues. I have owned a number of BMWs and this one is the best. I just wish a manual transmission was practical for urban living.
Excuse me if I have stretched from the original post since mine is an 07, but I think my comments are still accurate.
Excuse me if I have stretched from the original post since mine is an 07, but I think my comments are still accurate.
Did you have a 2003 or a july 2005 545i ?
With a 2008 550i many things change, but they are especially interior and other foolish things.
Night and day... I drove the M5 on the road and on track and it isn't night and day compared to the 545i (only a little faster and heavier - yes, the first thing you feel is that it is heavier) .
You have a strange idea of 'night and day' .
'Night and day' is the VT's E63 AMG .
03-26-2008, 09:28 AM
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03-26-2008, 10:42 AM
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I think the underlining question is "$$$$" money.
I don't know the sales tax laws in Europe, but here is California, it's a big concern.
If I sell my 545i for $36,000 (current market offer) and buy a pre-LCI 550i at $43,000, then the difference becomes $7,000 + 8.25% of $43,000 + Registration = roughly $11,000!!!!
I, being poor would not make the trade solely based on simple economics.
I don't know the sales tax laws in Europe, but here is California, it's a big concern.
If I sell my 545i for $36,000 (current market offer) and buy a pre-LCI 550i at $43,000, then the difference becomes $7,000 + 8.25% of $43,000 + Registration = roughly $11,000!!!!
I, being poor would not make the trade solely based on simple economics.