BMWSTL

Very cogent observation. It does really boil down to cost vs. performance, no matter what anyone says. Equal performance at the same or lower cost should be a no brainer. With the 530/550, the performance disparity was wide. With the 535/550, the gap has been narrowed (or eliminated, depending on what you want to believe) and the decision more difficult.

The cost differential between a 550 and 535 I built online was about $6500-7000. If I were to swich to 19's with non-runflats and add a Vishnu box, the 535 would cost an additional $4500-5000 (assuming new wheels and tires and not an eBay or other special deal). That wouldn't touch the suspension or body mods (which I seriously doubt I would consider). In that case the 550 would cost only about $1500-2000 more. The gas mleage of the 550 would add to the annual operating cost, but only @$200-300 or so, not a significant amount given the overall cost of the car. Not a huge difference.

The likelihood that I would perform mods on a 535 are low, so the question is whether I would be "happy" with the performance of the 535 stock vs. a 550 stock. Not sure yet as I still have to drive a 535 Sport package car (still nothing to test drive in my area...grrrr), but I am leaning more heavily towards the 550. Greater cost, but still better "unmodified performance" and better included items with ZSP (19's already on the car, M-Sport suspension not available on the 535, aero kit from the factory).

Lou

Hormazd

If peformance is measured simply by G-meters and numbers, then I am sure the 535i is far more value. Realfeel is the sum of the torque curve, the weight of the car, the sound and feedback from the accelerator pedal, steering wheel etc.

They are two different cars.

BMWSTL

Too bad that can't be quantified.

Lou

s4awd

Having the 550 is all about status. Nothing more, nothing less. Big car big engine, big feel. These cars need a V8. If you want the look and are on a budget, get the 6 cyl. It will go as fast if not faster, but that's not the point. I think the new M3 having a V8 is weird and feel the same way about a 5 series with a 6cyl. If the 7 series came with the twinturbo 6, it probably will be faster than a 750i but i'm pretty sure there is no market in the U.S. for a 735i.

BMWSTL

I couldn't disagree more.

Lou

bimmerturn

+1

sleepyca31

Lets just get real people-like the realworld e60 ok simple facts

1. Paris is back in jail which trumps this decision and makes me happy

2. We are all stubborn and as a people and as humans we justify our lives, our decisions and anything and everything about us-its a fact. So the 550 guys are not gonna budge and the 535 guys aint budging. So real opinions can only come from neither

3. Face the facts boys-even the engineers at bmw have been quoted in articles saying the 550 is obsolete as for now-if it wasnt then why is a twin turbo V8 a confirmed engine for the next line of bmw cars-X5, 7 and 5 series. I have read many articles on the such and have heard from insiders at bmw on other forums. Usually I dont buy into everything I read but it obviously is pretty believable bmw would continue the trend of turbos started to give their V8s some bump in hp without having to completely redesign a new engine.

4. So for NOW-this year and next say and do what you want but with a 535 you are getting virtually the same power and performance. Your not gonna be able to tell a heck of a lot difference-torque is nearly the same, so is hp. Its probably closer to 320-330 everyone has already accepted and I tell you 30-40 hp aint nothing.

5. When F10 hits again the twin turbo V8 with 400hp will reign strong but until then folks dont try to justify a current 550 is a better deal-

The only justification is if you start comparing what it would cost to give you the m-suspension, and 19inch rims. If that is truly what you like about the 550 than it is worth it because that is a pain and real expense that will add up quickly to 6-8k

But if your gonna not track it-what the hell do you need M-suspension for people-give me a break.

Its also silly for the 535 guys to say vishnu, vishnu-accept the 535s slightly worse performance but still probably not noticable but dont throw boosting the turbos into the mix as a viable option as 99 percent of people here and everywhere dont want to throw away their warranty, especially on the prciest thing in the car-the engine and turbos. Dealers dont give a rats a-hole about a remap on a NA car for 12 hp gain but you boost hp by 50-70hp by cranking up the turbos you better believe they will be all over you for that so 99 percent of people wotn be doing that.

So stock for stock-the 535 is the bargain if you are happy with the appearence of each and you dont have a "badge complex' which you may think is untrue but I would guess atleast 30 percent of bimmer buyers invest something in the car due to vanity and would buy a 550 just to have the badge.

A better comparison is the soon to be lineup which will be a 530ish NA engine around 275hp, 535 with 320hp and the turbo 8 with 425hp or so-then start comparing and the 8 agian reigns.

Shut this discussion up already

bimmerturn

It seems to me that you might also have some sort of problem???
btw. 30 to 40 hp at conservative estimate is still a lot of horses...

sleepyca31

Not really-drive a 545 and a 550 and try to tell me there is a big difference-there is not. Sure it gives ya bit of performance but 40horses aint shit

bimmerturn

What is a bit of performance and how can you judge the quantity of it, yes i drove the 545 and 550 definitly has more power. For what it's worth, I did not buy the car for the name or the badge but for the performance. It was the best car in the market to replace my old 2003 C4S and has 4 doors.