550i or 535i, help my buddy decide
10-13-2010, 12:20 PM
#21
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My Ride: 2007 BMW 550i
this was my question regadrding the hpfp warranty extension. It seems fuel injectors, wastegates, even the turbos all fall under hpfp failures and are often parts that are replaced to address hpfp symptoms. So how can they warranty just the hpfp, when hpfp is directly to other engine parts 
I've seen lots of posts by people who say they've had their HPFP replaced, only to find out they needed new injectors or a new LPFP. I can't imagine what it costs to replace a turbocharger.
My wife's '00 VW Beetle 1.8T made it 204k mi on the stock turbo (It did break TWO timing belts. 1st one cost us $4k to rebuild the engine, the second one sent it to the junk yard).
Unlike VW, BMW has not fixed their problem. My wife's 1.8T has evolved into the 2.0T, and is VW's most popular engine. From what I understand, it is now pretty much problem free. I hope that BMW figures it out eventually.
10-13-2010, 12:27 PM
#22
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i think the consensus is that a 535i is only better in a situation where it is an EXTREMELY better deal than any 550 available. otherwise the price for both are pretty similar, so why not get the faster one?
10-13-2010, 01:32 PM
#23
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For me, it was $2k difference. Dealer had the same car in a 528 and a 535, only difference was the $2k price tag. Miles on the OD were within 1500 miles of each other, each had the same options...While I really wanted the extra power, the POTENTIAL headaches with the HPFP sent me to the 528..Can't afford a 550...
10-13-2010, 01:42 PM
#24
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My Ride: 2007 BMW 550i
I've eeked out 27mpg on a 200 mile interstate trip once, but I was driving like a grandma.
Most of our fill-ups show an average of 20mpg.
535i owners visit the shop more than 550i owners do. 550i owners visit the gas station more often.
Honestly, the 360hp of the 550i is enough for me. I'm afraid of what my monthly fuel bill would be if I had a beast (M5).
10-13-2010, 04:05 PM
#25
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My Ride: 04 525i, 04 Dinan M3
So he actually purchased the 535xi today. He got a extended warranty, he should be joining the forums shortly. 
10-13-2010, 05:24 PM
#26
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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
10-13-2010, 05:34 PM
#27
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I would avoid the 535i. It's not just the HPFP. I, and others, have also had a turbo replaced and fuel injectors replaced--these are not covered by the extended HPFP warranty. BMW is currently in the process of buying back my 535i and I can't wait to replace it with a 550i. I owned 2 previous BMW V8s and they were both solid engines.
10-13-2010, 06:13 PM
#28
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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
10-13-2010, 06:58 PM
#29
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I hope you don't mind if I chime in.
I just joined the forum several days ago in anticipation of trading in my '06 Audi A6 S-Line 3.2 in for either a '08 535i or '08 550i. Both are certified and identical in colour and options (full load, including premium, sport and m-sport packages). The 535i is a manual with 25K kms and the 550i is an automatic with 40k kms. The difference in price is $3K CDN.
Based on the discussion in this thread and another I found, the 550i would appear to be a better choice. However, it isn't as prestine. The 535i is absolutely immaculate, however, it does have a $3k damage declaration on it; the dealer is getting details.
So...for a guy who drives mainly in the city between home and work (22 km each way), drives like an old woman but loves his cars, what do you think.
To be honest, when test driving both, I enjoyed the 535i more, although I suspect the manual had something to do with that.
Thoughts?
I just joined the forum several days ago in anticipation of trading in my '06 Audi A6 S-Line 3.2 in for either a '08 535i or '08 550i. Both are certified and identical in colour and options (full load, including premium, sport and m-sport packages). The 535i is a manual with 25K kms and the 550i is an automatic with 40k kms. The difference in price is $3K CDN.
Based on the discussion in this thread and another I found, the 550i would appear to be a better choice. However, it isn't as prestine. The 535i is absolutely immaculate, however, it does have a $3k damage declaration on it; the dealer is getting details.
So...for a guy who drives mainly in the city between home and work (22 km each way), drives like an old woman but loves his cars, what do you think.
To be honest, when test driving both, I enjoyed the 535i more, although I suspect the manual had something to do with that.
Thoughts?
10-13-2010, 07:05 PM
#30
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My Ride: 2008 535i Space Gray Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Sport Package, Premium Package, Navi, Automatic. HID 10000K Angel Eyes, 8000K Low Beam and Fog Lights... Next up: MTech Kit, Sound System and Backup Camera, and maybe some new shoes!!
535i all the way! 