550 vs 545 engines
#2
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From: Colorado Springs, Colorado
My Ride: 2004 545i, BMW Stainless Steel Pedals, #166 Rims
Originally Posted by turboawd' post='675364' date='Sep 22 2008, 10:47 AM
if you drive both, can you tell a difference?
In terms of noticing a differance it really comes down to style of driver. If you drive your car under 4k rpm's I doubt it, but if your going to redline the engine I hope you will feel the differance. If you need more power in the 545 you can always upgrade your ecu(computer) and get the same power as the 550.
#3
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From: USA, NJ
My Ride: 2007 BMW 550, Sport, Navi, PS, CWP, Sirius
Originally Posted by turboawd' post='675364' date='Sep 22 2008, 12:47 PM
if you drive both, can you tell a difference?
4.4 V8 in 545 was kind of over-achiever. I felt stronger that 325hp would suggest and was very willing. You could go against 425hp SRT8 and beat it.
4.8 in 550 is an opposite. It is a very smooth but lazy engine. It can but is not willing to use its power. It is stronger than 4.4 above 100 mph but you have to really push it to get there. The kind of engine you would expect to be in a Lexus or MB not a BMW.
I have to admit though that my 545 engine died at around 15K miles whereas my 550 is still in a great shape with more tan 30K miles on the clock. BMW seems to de-tune 4.8 a little to improve longevity.
#4
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From: Calgary, AB - Canada / Buenos Aires - Argentina
My Ride: 2006 BMW M5
Originally Posted by SergeyM' post='675420' date='Sep 22 2008, 11:42 AM
You could go against 425hp SRT8 and beat it.
#5
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From: Italy, Milano
My Ride: 545i SMG with Limited Slip Differential
Model Year: 2005
Originally Posted by sirch' post='675385' date='Sep 22 2008, 07:08 PM
The differance is crank, rods, and pistons....not sure if they have differant cams. You could go down to your local bmw dealer and buy these parts and increase the displacement in the engine, not sure how much it would cost though, and have the same hp/engine.
Mhhmmhhhh.. Someone should calculate the cost for this!
+35 HP would be a good addition, but I'm sure it would be something similar to ?2-3k .
#6
Originally Posted by SergeyM' post='675420' date='Sep 22 2008, 01:42 PM
These two are very different animals.
4.4 V8 in 545 was kind of over-achiever. I felt stronger that 325hp would suggest and was very willing. You could go against 425hp SRT8 and beat it.
4.8 in 550 is an opposite. It is a very smooth but lazy engine. It can but is not willing to use its power. It is stronger than 4.4 above 100 mph but you have to really push it to get there. The kind of engine you would expect to be in a Lexus or MB not a BMW.
I have to admit though that my 545 engine died at around 15K miles whereas my 550 is still in a great shape with more tan 30K miles on the clock. BMW seems to de-tune 4.8 a little to improve longevity.
4.4 V8 in 545 was kind of over-achiever. I felt stronger that 325hp would suggest and was very willing. You could go against 425hp SRT8 and beat it.
4.8 in 550 is an opposite. It is a very smooth but lazy engine. It can but is not willing to use its power. It is stronger than 4.4 above 100 mph but you have to really push it to get there. The kind of engine you would expect to be in a Lexus or MB not a BMW.
I have to admit though that my 545 engine died at around 15K miles whereas my 550 is still in a great shape with more tan 30K miles on the clock. BMW seems to de-tune 4.8 a little to improve longevity.
#7
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Joined: Aug 2007
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From: USA
My Ride: 2005 545i E60 Orient Blau Metallic
Premium, NAV, Winter Package, Heads Up Display, Logic 7 Audio, AngeliBright Upgrade [White], M5 Body Kit, M Embroidered Seats
Originally Posted by SergeyM' post='675420' date='Sep 22 2008, 01:42 PM
These two are very different animals.
4.4 V8 in 545 was kind of over-achiever. I felt stronger that 325hp would suggest and was very willing. You could go against 425hp SRT8 and beat it.
4.8 in 550 is an opposite. It is a very smooth but lazy engine. It can but is not willing to use its power. It is stronger than 4.4 above 100 mph but you have to really push it to get there. The kind of engine you would expect to be in a Lexus or MB not a BMW.
I have to admit though that my 545 engine died at around 15K miles whereas my 550 is still in a great shape with more tan 30K miles on the clock. BMW seems to de-tune 4.8 a little to improve longevity.
4.4 V8 in 545 was kind of over-achiever. I felt stronger that 325hp would suggest and was very willing. You could go against 425hp SRT8 and beat it.
4.8 in 550 is an opposite. It is a very smooth but lazy engine. It can but is not willing to use its power. It is stronger than 4.4 above 100 mph but you have to really push it to get there. The kind of engine you would expect to be in a Lexus or MB not a BMW.
I have to admit though that my 545 engine died at around 15K miles whereas my 550 is still in a great shape with more tan 30K miles on the clock. BMW seems to de-tune 4.8 a little to improve longevity.
#9
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Joined: Aug 2008
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From: New Orleans, LA
My Ride: 2005 Jet Black 545i w/ sport pkg, nav, HUD
I have a 05 545 sport 6mt and my brother has a 07 550 sport steptronic. I think they are very similar and agree that under 4k rpm you can't tell the difference. I, of course, prefer mine over his..it just feels more willing to play. You can't lose with either. It depends on your preferences.
Will
Will