E60 Discussion Anything and everything to do with the E60 5 Series. All are welcome!

545 vs 550i (not speed)

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-09-2011, 05:21 AM
  #1  
Senior Members
Thread Starter
 
phlfly's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Leesburg, VA
Posts: 374
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 07' BMW 550i
Default

My question is not about what car is faster. My question is why did BMW move from 545 to 550 right the middle E60 production?
Does anybody know? Is it some kind problem with the engines, and they are tried to eliminated it.
Old 09-09-2011, 05:35 AM
  #2  
Senior Members
 
pukka's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 1,845
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
My Ride: 2008 535i: (8/07 Build) Metallic Bronze, Beige NASCA Leather, Ventilated Seats, Sport Pkg, Cold Wxr Pkg, Logic-7 Sound, HUD, Night Vision, PDC, Split Rear Seats, NAV, Premium Pkg, Comfort Access, HD Radio, Sport Auto Trans Current mods: M-Aero Kit, JB4, Motorcepts 6000k HID Foglamps Umnitza ICE-Lite 10w LED 6000k AE's 1992 Camaro RS: Fully Restored w/Custom Interior, 5.0L V8, T-tops, OEM Z28 Foglamps, Inst Cluster, & Spoiler, Custom Sound, Too many engine mods to list
Default

LCI - Life Cycle Impulse.

This is BMW's way of making design changes without completely overhauling the model.

Most of the changes are cosmetic or introduce new features/options. However, some involve slight drivetrain improvements (like the 545i to 550i conversion) or complete drivetrain overhauls (like the 530i to 535i conversion)
Old 09-09-2011, 05:36 AM
  #3  
Senior Members
 
pukka's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 1,845
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
My Ride: 2008 535i: (8/07 Build) Metallic Bronze, Beige NASCA Leather, Ventilated Seats, Sport Pkg, Cold Wxr Pkg, Logic-7 Sound, HUD, Night Vision, PDC, Split Rear Seats, NAV, Premium Pkg, Comfort Access, HD Radio, Sport Auto Trans Current mods: M-Aero Kit, JB4, Motorcepts 6000k HID Foglamps Umnitza ICE-Lite 10w LED 6000k AE's 1992 Camaro RS: Fully Restored w/Custom Interior, 5.0L V8, T-tops, OEM Z28 Foglamps, Inst Cluster, & Spoiler, Custom Sound, Too many engine mods to list
Default

Originally Posted by pukka
LCI - Life Cycle Impulse.

This is BMW's way of making design changes without completely overhauling the production model.

Most of the changes are cosmetic or introduce new features/options. However, some involve slight drivetrain improvements (like the 545i to 550i conversion) or complete drivetrain overhauls (like the 530i to 535i conversion)
Old 09-09-2011, 05:37 AM
  #4  
Contributors
 
545felix's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Miami
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 05 545/6
Default

the n62 was updated for the e65 2006 update, and the E60s got the updated engine as well. BMW does that often since their engines are common across various platforms. 2006 also saw the updated 6 cylinder engines from the E90, so the E60s got those as well, even though the badges didn't change.

aside from a switch back to a bosch alternator on the V8, i don't know if anything else was rectified along with the upgrade.
Old 09-09-2011, 06:17 AM
  #5  
Members
Senior Members
 
DavidF's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 441
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
My Ride: 545i sport
Model Year: 2004
Default

The updated engine fixed the water transfer coolant pipe issue among other things, I believe. BMW engine developement does not follow body/car developement cycles (necessarily). I believe the 550 pre-dates the E60 LCI
Old 09-09-2011, 06:40 AM
  #6  
Senior Members
 
SilberGrauE60's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Colorado USA
Posts: 518
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 2004 545i, 6-speed Manual, Silver Grey Metallic, Grey Dakota Leather, Cold Weather Pkg, Premium Sound Pkg, Sport Pkg, Lumbar Support
Default

Originally Posted by phlfly
My question is not about what car is faster. My question is why did BMW move from 545 to 550 right the middle E60 production?
Does anybody know? Is it some kind problem with the engines, and they are tried to eliminated it.
My guess is it was strictly marketing. They needed to compete with competitors V-8 engines that were coming in with higher HP/Torque than the 4.4L. Not to mention the badging. They had to compete with the M-B E550, which sounds better than a 545, right?!

There is nothing wrong with the 4.4L engine. It was the basis for the Alpina's supercharged powerplant in the B7. Now, of course, it is the basis of the new twin-power turbo engines in the 550i, 650i and 750i cars.
Old 09-09-2011, 06:44 AM
  #7  
Senior Members
Thread Starter
 
phlfly's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Leesburg, VA
Posts: 374
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 07' BMW 550i
Default

I'm still learning about BMW V8 engines, because I had 3-series before only. So I know starter was a problem on e46 engines, so do you have problem with starter on V8 engine?
Old 09-09-2011, 09:59 AM
  #8  
Senior Members
 
pukka's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 1,845
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
My Ride: 2008 535i: (8/07 Build) Metallic Bronze, Beige NASCA Leather, Ventilated Seats, Sport Pkg, Cold Wxr Pkg, Logic-7 Sound, HUD, Night Vision, PDC, Split Rear Seats, NAV, Premium Pkg, Comfort Access, HD Radio, Sport Auto Trans Current mods: M-Aero Kit, JB4, Motorcepts 6000k HID Foglamps Umnitza ICE-Lite 10w LED 6000k AE's 1992 Camaro RS: Fully Restored w/Custom Interior, 5.0L V8, T-tops, OEM Z28 Foglamps, Inst Cluster, & Spoiler, Custom Sound, Too many engine mods to list
Default

Originally Posted by phlfly
I'm still learning about BMW V8 engines, because I had 3-series before only. So I know starter was a problem on e46 engines, so do you have problem with starter on V8 engine?
I remember reading a few threads about starter/solenoid problems with the V-8's. Not many though.
Old 09-09-2011, 10:43 AM
  #9  
Contributors
 
kscarrol's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: New Orleans, LA USA
Posts: 4,672
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: E90 M3
Model Year: 2011
Default

And just for historical accuracy, the LCI (life cycle impulse) came with model year 2008 in the US while the 550 was introduced with MY 2006...
Old 09-09-2011, 11:02 AM
  #10  
Contributors
 
porsche911targa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Massachusetts, USA
Posts: 2,718
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
My Ride: 2006 525XI, Jet black on Dakota beige. Premium and winter packages. I consider myself a purist and intend to keep my car absolutely stock and shiny. 2008 328I Convertible, Sapphire black on beige interior. Premium package, NAV, iPod adapter. Retired: 2002 325I, Titanium silver on black leather. Premium package. Absolutely stock and proud of it.
Default

Originally Posted by phlfly
I'm still learning about BMW V8 engines, because I had 3-series before only. So I know starter was a problem on e46 engines, so do you have problem with starter on V8 engine?
Maybe your E46 had starter problems but my 2002 E46 with 117K on the clock has never had a starter problem (knock on wood).


Quick Reply: 545 vs 550i (not speed)



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 08:54 PM.