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

550i or 535i, help my buddy decide

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-12-2010, 11:32 AM
  #1  
Contributors
Thread Starter
 
tex_phil's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 5,895
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 04 525i, 04 Dinan M3
Default

So a buddy of mine asked me what I thought of the following. He is torn between the 535i or 550i. The 535i has more options but is similarity priced with more miles. I told him I'd make this thread to help him decide.

http://www.carmax.com/enus/view-car/...3-601cf8c22cb7

http://www.carmax.com/enus/view-car/...3-601cf8c22cb7

You guys think they are decent deals or he should wait? I'd lean towards the 550i for the engine, but the 535i is LCI, but has more miles.

Old 10-12-2010, 12:06 PM
  #2  
Contributors
 
pjinca's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SoCal
Posts: 10,496
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
My Ride: 2008 550I LOADED, all options except HUD and NV
Default

Tell him to keep looking.
I'd say no to the 535 simply because of the HPFP issues. I want my car to be in my garage, not the dealer.
I'd say no to that 550 because it is pretty much a stripped down one, actually that is the first 550 I have seen without NAV at least, most also have premium pkg, sport pkg, PDC, etc. The 550 is not a car that you usually see so lacking in features. I have seen 07 550's LOADED for like $32K, why get a stripped one for $28K?
Old 10-12-2010, 01:05 PM
  #3  
Members
 
lutfiabed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

gonna be honest..thats as bad as a deal you can get...never buy a 535 out of warranty or a 550..and 29k for 56k miles?? you can get an 08 550 with almost loaded for about 32k with about 30k miles or a 535 with 20k miles for around 26k..id tell him to keep looking those are not good deals at all
Old 10-12-2010, 02:57 PM
  #4  
Senior Members
 
Persian_535i's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 1,521
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Don't get a 535i tell your buddy to dish out the extra cash for a car with a better engine that's gonna last longer in the long run. Having to take your car every other month because of fuel pump issues freakin sucks and if I had a hot tub time machine I'd go back and tell myself to get the 550i over the 535i.
Old 10-12-2010, 03:03 PM
  #5  
Contributors
 
Bteljuice's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Vancouver, Canada/ Beirut, Lebanon
Posts: 1,870
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Persian_535i
if I had a hot tub time machine
LOL out of topic....loved that movie LMAO!
Old 10-12-2010, 03:11 PM
  #6  
Super Moderator
 
Gene's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: So. Cal (SFV)
Posts: 17,508
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
My Ride: 2011.5 Alpine White E90 M3 | Black Novillo Leather | Carbon Fiber Leather Trim | ZCP | ZP2 | M-DCT | Navigation | Moonroof | 6FL Mods: TMS 12.5mm spacers all around l Hawk HPS Brake Pads l OEM M3 Edition Grills l Paint Matched Side Gills l Key Hole D
Default

the n54 engine is like shooting craps, beasty/mod possible engine=win, but the hpfp could crap out making you wish you didn't roll the dice....the hpfp is warrantied for 10yrs/100k miles tho....


If he goes for a 550, go with an LCI IMO...
Old 10-12-2010, 03:17 PM
  #7  
Contributors
 
ryan60isu's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: DFW
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I would say the 550. Me personally the V-8 out weights the LCI. I agree with everyone else in that you can get much better deals on these. BMW financial runs auctions once every week or two just south of Dallas. That's where I was able to get my 550, and at the time got an extremely sweet deal on it. The only caveat is that you need someone with a dealers license to go for you, and you can't test drive. However most of them are just off lease and in very good condition.
Old 10-12-2010, 04:53 PM
  #8  
Contributors
Thread Starter
 
tex_phil's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 5,895
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 04 525i, 04 Dinan M3
Default

Yeah my instinct was the 550 personally and I thought those prices looked a tad high for the money/miles.
Old 10-12-2010, 04:58 PM
  #9  
Members
 
Bimmerchop69's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 2004 BMW 545i 6mt, Titanium Silver, Sport Package, Winter Package
Default

Buy the 550i for sure with a warranty.
Old 10-12-2010, 07:11 PM
  #10  
Senior Members
 
bubajay's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LA area
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 535i Options: Sports Pkg/ Premium Pkg/ Navigation/ USB(iPod) Mods: Tint (lolololol) any ideas? I LOVE THIS CAR!!! (WAAAAAYYYYY better than my previous MB E350, but quite a bit more expensive :( )
Default

Get a 535 as long as it's HPFP is under warranty, which should be EVERY 535i ever made, just as long as it doesnt have more than 100k miles on it. Of course I sound biased because I have a 535i, but I have done moderate modding to the car, and can honestly say, I smash on my bud's 550. Im not promoting racing either, dont get me wrong, but if you are looking for all the thrills and maybe more (minus the v8 roar of course ) with a smaller price tag and less money spent on gas monthly, a 535 is the way to go.

HPFP is the only issue, but like I said about 5 lines up...it isn't something to kill a decision as long as it is covered under warranty and seeing that money is an issue. If you have money to blow, go for an M5...nothing in the 5er range gets better obviously, but easy modding and sleeper status not to mention 20+ mpg is written all over the 535...

Those were my .02


Quick Reply: 550i or 535i, help my buddy decide



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 01:03 PM.