550i versus 535

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Jun 4, 2007 | 03:33 PM

#41

vegastrashed

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My Ride: 2007 E63 AMG | Obsidian Black | Schwarzes Nappa | Black BirdEye Maple | Premium II Package | Electronic Trunk Closer | Parktronic Engine: RPi/Powerchips custom ECU tune, RPi Ram Air Kit (BMC filter, scoops), RennTech Sport exhaust, secondary cats, charcoal and resonator delete, custom AAA x-pipe Exterior: 50% side windows / 35% rear window Formula One Pinnacle Series | Flat AMG hood emblem Suspension: Renntech Lowering Module Wheels/Tires: Radenergie R10, Falken FK452 245/30/20, Yokohama ADVAN Sport 285/25/20 ----------------------------------------- 2005 545i Sport SMG | Ti Grau | Schwarzes Dakota | Anthracite Maple | Logic 7 | Nav Engine: Custom AFE CAI, Superchips ECU remap, Sprint Booster, RDSport Dual Exhaust Conversion with Quad Pipes and X-pipe, 3 resonators deleted, 90mm tips! Exterior: M-Tech Aero kit | M5 Mirrors | M5 Rear Bumper | Trunk Lid Finisher | Vorsteiner decklid spoiler | 50% Formula One Pinnacle Tint Suspension and Brakes: Bilstein PSS9 coilovers, JBT BBK: 16" cross-drilled rotors, 8 piston and 15" cross-drilled rotors, 4 piston Wheels: VIP Modular VR 02 20x9F, 20x10R | Toyo T1R 245/30/20F, 285/25/20R Lights: PIAA 4150K Xtreme White Plus fog lights, AIB v3 MOST IMPORTANT: Hardwired V1; =) ED Date: 4/7/05, Re-delivery date: 5/21/05

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWSTL' post='431727' date='Jun 4 2007, 09:12 AM

An Edmond's test of the 535i is in.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drive...rticleId=121047

Highlights are (NOTE: I added the 2006 550i Edmunds review numbers in bold for a comparison):
Lou

Just want to say that the numbers you have quoted from Edmunds in regard to the 2006 550i 0 - 60 times are very conservative. There have been a few people in Socal that have the 550i and are gettting much faster times. Hollywoodtrash, using my G-Timer, recorded a 5.1 in his 550i SMG. Brian1225 in his 550i Step got a 5.2. My best time in my 545i SMG was 5.6. Znod and grogan545, both in their 545i Step, achieved sub 5s.

Jun 4, 2007 | 04:06 PM

#42

Casper

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Quote:

Originally Posted by wappett50' post='431739' date='Jun 4 2007, 12:52 PM

Considering the price difference, the 535i would seem a better investment

Cars are not an investment, they are an expense.

Jun 4, 2007 | 04:10 PM

#43

Casper

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Quote:

Originally Posted by enelrojo' post='431323' date='Jun 3 2007, 02:26 AM

I can agree with your first paragraph. I disagree with your second. You say the 550 is "better." I find this statement to be vague and subjective. What does "better" mean? Is your definition of "better" universally true for everyone? I doubt it. You may prefer the 550 (and that's OK with me), but I do not think you can decide that for everyone else. It was not a money issue for me. I could buy any model BMW, and I bought a 535, for my own reasons.

IMO, it is silly for members of this forum to insist that a 550 is "better" or superior to a 535, or that a 535 is superior to a 550. This banter is a waste of time. Both cars are outstanding in their own ways. There is nothing wrong with anyone that chooses one over the other. Choose either one, and you have chosen a great car.

Could we please move on from this ridiculous pi$$ing contest and discuss topics that are more objective and meaningful.

550 is faster, looks nicer, has a V8, etc , etc, doesn't that make it better?

Jun 4, 2007 | 05:38 PM

#44

BMWSTL

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From: St. Louis, MO USA

My Ride: 2008 550i ZSP with Style 167 wheels

Quote:

Originally Posted by vegastrashed' post='431871' date='Jun 4 2007, 06:33 PM

Just want to say that the numbers you have quoted from Edmunds in regard to the 2006 550i 0 - 60 times are very conservative.

If that's the case, it follows that the 535i's numbers would also be conservative.

Lou

Jun 4, 2007 | 05:44 PM

#45

BMWSTL

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From: St. Louis, MO USA

My Ride: 2008 550i ZSP with Style 167 wheels

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casper' post='431881' date='Jun 4 2007, 07:10 PM

550 is faster, looks nicer, has a V8, etc , etc, doesn't that make it better?

Depends on your definition of "better." To one person, an I6 twin turbo or normally aspirated I6 with lower fuel usage and emissions is "better." To someone who doesn't care for the "aero look," the "normal car look" is "better." To another, having a "faster" car when "faster" is only .2 seconds more is meaningless, and to that person spending less to get close-in performance is "better." As others have said, all the 5-series are great cars, and each is "better" for its own particular set of reasons.

Lou

Jun 4, 2007 | 06:27 PM

#46

EBMCS03

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From: So Cal, USA

My Ride: 545iSMGSilver GrayAuburn Dakota LeatherLogic 7 Premium SoundSports Package

WOW! faster than the 550 from 0 to 60? amazing... I want to see member tested numbers now.

Jun 4, 2007 | 07:53 PM

#47

vegastrashed

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From: San Diego, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWSTL' post='431904' date='Jun 4 2007, 06:38 PM

If that's the case, it follows that the 535i's numbers would also be conservative.

Lou

Not quite. We won't know what the real life numbers are of the 535i until someone goes out and does some runs with a G-Meter. I don't put much faith in Edmunds testing methods.

Jun 4, 2007 | 10:41 PM

#48

doug_999

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My Ride: 2008 Sapphire Black on Black M5 - loaded sans soft close doors

C&D loved the 535
http://www.caranddriver.com/previews/13051...w-5-series.html

I personally think it comes down to the Aero Kit and Colors*
You like/want the Aero kit? Get the 550.
You like/want Carbon Black (yummy)? Get the 550.
You like/want Monaco Blue (yummy too)? Get the 535 or M5.

*Another deciding factor here is the choice of manual trans. Not only does the 550 get the new shifter, the 535 does NOT get manual until Sept production. Still I'm really curious how quick the 535 manual will be.....

Jun 5, 2007 | 05:31 AM

#49

BMWSTL

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From: St. Louis, MO USA

My Ride: 2008 550i ZSP with Style 167 wheels

Quote:

Originally Posted by doug_999' post='431962' date='Jun 5 2007, 01:41 AM

I personally think it comes down to the Aero Kit and Colors*
You like/want the Aero kit? Get the 550.
You like/want Carbon Black (yummy)? Get the 550.
You like/want Monaco Blue (yummy too)? Get the 535 or M5.

*Another deciding factor here is the choice of manual trans. Not only does the 550 get the new shifter, the 535 does NOT get manual until Sept production. Still I'm really curious how quick the 535 manual will be.....

What about the M-sport suspension vs. the Sport package suspension in the 535? I have yet to read anything definitive about what the real differences are.

What handling differences exist between a 550i with 19's and the M-Sport suspension vs a 535i with 18" run flats and "regular" sport suspension? And, if you put 19's with high performance tires on the 535, will the handling gap (if any) narrow, and if so to what degree?

Lou

Jun 5, 2007 | 06:15 AM

#50

HPIA4v2

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From: Seattle, WA

My Ride: E53 E60 E92

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalM5Mang' post='432014' date='Jun 4 2007, 2007, 11:38 AM

Why in the world are the magazines/websites not comparing the 08 535i with the 08 550i?

Maybe roundel will a 550i vs 535i.
Magazines like C/D, R/T more likely compare across brand rather within.
I have a feeling, they'll do A6 vs 535i vs e350 vs GS350 vs M35 once the audi comes out with the A6 facelift mid next year.

Not sure why, BMW will publish 550i only .2 sec better than 535i (in both auto or manual)? when in real life it maybe .5 sec.
Pressure from Infinity and Benz?. And would rather loose 550i sales to 535i then to the competitors?

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