550i Sport vs. 535i Sport - took both home for a night
02-11-2008, 05:19 AM
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My Ride: 2008 BMW 550i Sport
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Originally Posted by JSpira' post='529791' date='Feb 10 2008, 10:18 PM
What would have possessed anyone in his right mind to chrome those beautiful wheels? 
About insurance rates I keep seeing mentioned all over the board; I pay ~$450 for 6 months coverage. If the 535i's insurance rates are as drastically lower than the 550i's as some of you lead on, I would imagine the insurance company would be paying me to drive a 535i.
Also on the OP adding the M-aero kit to the 535i; when pricing it out, don't forget to include painting and installation. I think you'll find in that scenario that the 550i Sport is the better "value."
02-11-2008, 05:27 AM
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My Ride: 2008 550i, Sport Package, Cold Weather Package, Nav, Jet Black, natural brown interior, automatic, Logic 7, ipod, lane departure warning.
nothing makes a guy feel more special than a V-8 under the hood. Take it from me, the 550 w/ sport package turns heads...
02-11-2008, 05:29 AM
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Originally Posted by JSpira' post='529791' date='Feb 10 2008, 10:18 PM
What would have possessed anyone in his right mind to chrome those beautiful wheels?
+1. I wondered the same thing.
02-11-2008, 06:06 AM
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My Ride: 2004 550i - AS, SP, CWP, Nav, L7, Rear Sunshades, PDC, Comfort Seats
If you can fork out the extra money, go for the 550.
What made my decision easy was as follows:
1) factory installed M kit
2) standard style 172 M 19" rims (like them better than the style 166)
3) M tuned suspension
4) modified exhaust
5) NA V8; not fan of turbo cars
You get all this for a mere $4600 - as compared to buying the rims that are $500 each and $300 for the Conti2s = 800x4= $3200 just for the tire package; plus the lit and painting, +/- $2600 (keep in mind paint matching); modify suspension, +/- $1000; modified exhaust, +/- $1400 and of course the ECU retune, +/- $1000. This all equals to approximately: $ 9,200, not including taxes. So there is approx. 50% cost savings if you go with the 550. Someone on the board has quoted that the difference between both cars is +/- $5000.
I had a MY04 545 and the aftermarket M kit add on was an option, but I did not opt for it. BMW is known from the LCI on their v8's to introduce the M kit. So I waited for the MY08 and got what I wanted.
If you are leasing or financing, see if you can handle the extra 5k premium that the 550 demands. I would rather have the piece of mind of getting everything factory installed and not worrying about another set of hands modifiying the car. Parts just don't fit like they used to, once you take them apart.
My 2.5 cents.
What made my decision easy was as follows:
1) factory installed M kit
2) standard style 172 M 19" rims (like them better than the style 166)
3) M tuned suspension
4) modified exhaust
5) NA V8; not fan of turbo cars
You get all this for a mere $4600 - as compared to buying the rims that are $500 each and $300 for the Conti2s = 800x4= $3200 just for the tire package; plus the lit and painting, +/- $2600 (keep in mind paint matching); modify suspension, +/- $1000; modified exhaust, +/- $1400 and of course the ECU retune, +/- $1000. This all equals to approximately: $ 9,200, not including taxes. So there is approx. 50% cost savings if you go with the 550. Someone on the board has quoted that the difference between both cars is +/- $5000.
I had a MY04 545 and the aftermarket M kit add on was an option, but I did not opt for it. BMW is known from the LCI on their v8's to introduce the M kit. So I waited for the MY08 and got what I wanted.
If you are leasing or financing, see if you can handle the extra 5k premium that the 550 demands. I would rather have the piece of mind of getting everything factory installed and not worrying about another set of hands modifiying the car. Parts just don't fit like they used to, once you take them apart.
My 2.5 cents.
02-11-2008, 07:55 AM
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With the 535i and 535xi in Canada you have the option for the M package. 
No idea why you can't get the same in USA. Without the M package being available on the 535 I'd definately go with the 550. But if there is a 535 at that dealer with the M package I'd go for it.
No idea why you can't get the same in USA. Without the M package being available on the 535 I'd definately go with the 550. But if there is a 535 at that dealer with the M package I'd go for it.
02-11-2008, 08:06 AM
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Originally Posted by too solid' post='529972' date='Feb 11 2008, 08:55 AM
With the 535i and 535xi in Canada you have the option for the M package. No idea why you can't get the same in USA. Without the M package being available on the 535 I'd definately go with the 550. But if there is a 535 at that dealer with the M package I'd go for it.
No idea why you can't get the same in USA. Without the M package being available on the 535 I'd definately go with the 550. But if there is a 535 at that dealer with the M package I'd go for it.
Too bad the MSport pack is not available in the US for the 535 tho.
02-11-2008, 08:19 AM
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Originally Posted by too solid' post='529972' date='Feb 11 2008, 12:55 PM
With the 535i and 535xi in Canada you have the option for the M package. No idea why you can't get the same in USA. Without the M package being available on the 535 I'd definately go with the 550. But if there is a 535 at that dealer with the M package I'd go for it.
No idea why you can't get the same in USA. Without the M package being available on the 535 I'd definately go with the 550. But if there is a 535 at that dealer with the M package I'd go for it.You have to remember that the Factory MSport Package also includes MSport suspension, M stearing wheel , and the M door sills. It's more than aerokit and wheels.....................
02-11-2008, 08:32 AM
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Originally Posted by westcoast550' post='529983' date='Feb 11 2008, 09:19 AM
You have to remember that the Factory MSport Package also includes MSport suspension, M stearing wheel , and the M door sills. It's more than aerokit and wheels.....................
Not arguing against the 550i MSport at all, I would have likely got the 550i IF I could have got it with xDrive....but......
02-11-2008, 08:36 AM
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My Ride: 2011, X6 Hybrid . Alpine White , every option. 20" Conti' NON runflats,OEM trunk spoiler , LUX V3 AE's , HP Thunder Fogs , custom front bumper reflector delete........
Originally Posted by tuco' post='529993' date='Feb 11 2008, 01:32 PM
Actually, I have the M steering wheel, and the M door sills - it's missing the M suspension tho in the xi.
Not arguing against the 550i MSport at all, I would have likely got the 550i IF I could have got it with xDrive....but......
Not arguing against the 550i MSport at all, I would have likely got the 550i IF I could have got it with xDrive....but......
Tuco, I was'nt meaning that the CDN 535's don't have those features , I meant any US 535 that is dolled up by ther dealer would likely not get the other important goodies which are really nice to have , Sorry for the confusion Buddy !!