550i versus 535
06-05-2007, 01:08 PM
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Originally Posted by italia535i' post='432066' date='Jun 5 2007, 11:53 AM
Well.... I would definitely go with the 535 if they were the same price and came with the same options. With just a $1,200 chip that can be removed and is thereby completely non-detctable when you go to the dealer, you can have an extra 50 more hp and 70 ft/lbs of torque. That would likely make the car at least a half second faster 0-60 than the 550.
Plus, the car is 250 lbs lighter and as the C/D reviews said, handles better than the 550.
Sounds like a no-brainer to me.
Let's see: You would have a 535 with 350HP vs 360HP on 550, no aero kit, 18" run flats vs 19 non RF, and still pay $1200 more for your 535?
Are you sure? Somehow I don't see that.
06-05-2007, 02:17 PM
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Sorry guys I should have figured if the bmw 530 numbers were that off than so were the 550s-They did I believe have a bit worse acceleration gearing than the 535 which is why I believe the 535 is a bargain but I did not know you guys were getting sub-5 numbers which gives the edge to the 550. Still for 10k-if ya got it-get the 550 its more hp and more performance. But if ya dont youll be pleased with a 535.
Remember to a g-meter-if you are within .09 of a track means you have your settings on ATLEAST 12 inches since that is what a dragstrip uses and is the defaul on the g-meter and will give you about .35seconds of a falsely faster time since basically will not start your timer until you have gone 12 inches (doesnt sound like much but play with your meters)
Drag strips also use a 12 inch delayed start that your wheels must cross which triggers the time which also inlfates numbers-basically and you are dragstripping or g-timing with this 12 inch or higher you are producing .35-7 inflated (lower) numbers than true 0 still to 60. Car mags tend to use these settings too as does probably bmw but unless we know what each others rollout setting is-comparing anything within 6/10ths is pretty useless as one ca gain that much or more by maxxing the setting of 2 feet delay start on a g meter.
Remember to a g-meter-if you are within .09 of a track means you have your settings on ATLEAST 12 inches since that is what a dragstrip uses and is the defaul on the g-meter and will give you about .35seconds of a falsely faster time since basically will not start your timer until you have gone 12 inches (doesnt sound like much but play with your meters)
Drag strips also use a 12 inch delayed start that your wheels must cross which triggers the time which also inlfates numbers-basically and you are dragstripping or g-timing with this 12 inch or higher you are producing .35-7 inflated (lower) numbers than true 0 still to 60. Car mags tend to use these settings too as does probably bmw but unless we know what each others rollout setting is-comparing anything within 6/10ths is pretty useless as one ca gain that much or more by maxxing the setting of 2 feet delay start on a g meter.
06-05-2007, 02:34 PM
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My Ride: 2008 Sapphire Black on Black M5 - loaded sans soft close doors
Originally Posted by BMWSTL' post='432014' date='Jun 5 2007, 08:31 AM
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
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
06-05-2007, 03:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Casper' post='432247' date='Jun 5 2007, 04:08 PM
OK, you would choose the 535 at the same price, spend $1200 to risk losing warranty and gain 50HP.
Let's see: You would have a 535 with 350HP vs 360HP on 550, no aero kit, 18" run flats vs 19 non RF, and still pay $1200 more for your 535?
Are you sure? Somehow I don't see that.
Let's see: You would have a 535 with 350HP vs 360HP on 550, no aero kit, 18" run flats vs 19 non RF, and still pay $1200 more for your 535?
Are you sure? Somehow I don't see that.
By adding the chip I would have a car that is significantly faster than the 550 and handles better.
Let's see what did CD say about the 2008 550...
"As torquey as the 550i is, though, it is only marginally quicker than the 535i, and as the road bent deeper into the mountains, we noticed the additional weight in the nose more and more. For all the additional power of the V-8, the overtly sporting nature of the car in six-cylinder guise is spoiled. It feels surprisingly ponderous and much larger than the smaller-engined cars?still a gratifyingly fast and powerful four-door, but no longer a sports sedan.
The twin-turbo inline-six, quite frankly, renders the 550i obsolete..."
http://www.caranddriver.com/previews/13051...550i-page3.html
All that being said, I can't get the 535 in "550 clothing" so I am settling on the 550. Plus, the lease rates are so much better on the 550, that it makes more financial sense to just get the 550.
06-05-2007, 03:28 PM
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Originally Posted by italia535i' post='432318' date='Jun 5 2007, 04:14 PM
The twin-turbo inline-six, quite frankly, renders the 550i obsolete..."
Wow - the next line is even harsher:
...a tool for ignorant status seekers and those with a vendetta against Mother Earth.
It seems we now have an objective source comparing the two.
06-05-2007, 04:56 PM
#66
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Originally Posted by LowOrbit' post='432321' date='Jun 5 2007, 04:28 PM
Wow - the next line is even harsher:
...a tool for ignorant status seekers and those with a vendetta against Mother Earth.
It seems we now have an objective source comparing the two.
...a tool for ignorant status seekers and those with a vendetta against Mother Earth.
It seems we now have an objective source comparing the two.
Give me a break. The people who write for these magazines can't even afford a 550i.
This 535 is the perfect opportunity to attack a car "out of their league".
Let's wait for the other magazines to do some comparison tests first before making any sense out of this.
SoCal
06-05-2007, 06:02 PM
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Originally Posted by italia535i' post='432318' date='Jun 5 2007, 07:14 PM
I said same options (aero kit, wheels included). So basically, it comes down to would I rather have the "550 package" with the V8 or the I6TT. I would choose the I6TT engine.
By adding the chip I would have a car that is significantly faster than the 550 and handles better.
Let's see what did CD say about the 2008 550...
"As torquey as the 550i is, though, it is only marginally quicker than the 535i, and as the road bent deeper into the mountains, we noticed the additional weight in the nose more and more. For all the additional power of the V-8, the overtly sporting nature of the car in six-cylinder guise is spoiled. It feels surprisingly ponderous and much larger than the smaller-engined cars?still a gratifyingly fast and powerful four-door, but no longer a sports sedan.
The twin-turbo inline-six, quite frankly, renders the 550i obsolete..."
http://www.caranddriver.com/previews/13051...550i-page3.html
All that being said, I can't get the 535 in "550 clothing" so I am settling on the 550. Plus, the lease rates are so much better on the 550, that it makes more financial sense to just get the 550.
By adding the chip I would have a car that is significantly faster than the 550 and handles better.
Let's see what did CD say about the 2008 550...
"As torquey as the 550i is, though, it is only marginally quicker than the 535i, and as the road bent deeper into the mountains, we noticed the additional weight in the nose more and more. For all the additional power of the V-8, the overtly sporting nature of the car in six-cylinder guise is spoiled. It feels surprisingly ponderous and much larger than the smaller-engined cars?still a gratifyingly fast and powerful four-door, but no longer a sports sedan.
The twin-turbo inline-six, quite frankly, renders the 550i obsolete..."
http://www.caranddriver.com/previews/13051...550i-page3.html
All that being said, I can't get the 535 in "550 clothing" so I am settling on the 550. Plus, the lease rates are so much better on the 550, that it makes more financial sense to just get the 550.
You do not seem to be a BMW fan or aficionado, you are probably new to the brand. You do not seem to trust BMW, you believe they are ripping you off by charging $8500 more for the 550. But you know what? They know what they are doing, and if you choose to believe what a cheap magazine like CD says, then go ahead.
The only thing I can say to you is, drive both cars and be impartial, the only logical explanation for someone choosing a 535 sport ver a 550 sport is price, why is that so hard to admit? I choose 550 over M5 because I can not afford an M5 and I am not making lame excuses that the 550 is better, who are you kidding?
06-05-2007, 06:06 PM
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[. Plus, the lease rates are so much better on the 550, that it makes more financial sense to just get the 550.
[/quote]
Significantly better rates on 550? You have your story reversed, the 535 has higher residual than the 550 (1% higher) and MF is identical. You have no clue, do you?
[/quote]
Significantly better rates on 550? You have your story reversed, the 535 has higher residual than the 550 (1% higher) and MF is identical. You have no clue, do you?
06-05-2007, 06:10 PM
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My Ride: 2008 550I,manufactured 2-27-08,delivered 4-2-08.Platinum bronze,natural brown interior,light poplar trim,cold weather package,heated rear seats,HD radio
Originally Posted by sleepyca31' post='432284' date='Jun 5 2007, 06:17 PM
Sorry guys I should have figured if the bmw 530 numbers were that off than so were the 550s-They did I believe have a bit worse acceleration gearing than the 535 which is why I believe the 535 is a bargain but I did not know you guys were getting sub-5 numbers which gives the edge to the 550. Still for 10k-if ya got it-get the 550 its more hp and more performance. But if ya dont youll be pleased with a 535.
Remember to a g-meter-if you are within .09 of a track means you have your settings on ATLEAST 12 inches since that is what a dragstrip uses and is the defaul on the g-meter and will give you about .35seconds of a falsely faster time since basically will not start your timer until you have gone 12 inches (doesnt sound like much but play with your meters)
Drag strips also use a 12 inch delayed start that your wheels must cross which triggers the time which also inlfates numbers-basically and you are dragstripping or g-timing with this 12 inch or higher you are producing .35-7 inflated (lower) numbers than true 0 still to 60. Car mags tend to use these settings too as does probably bmw but unless we know what each others rollout setting is-comparing anything within 6/10ths is pretty useless as one ca gain that much or more by maxxing the setting of 2 feet delay start on a g meter.
Remember to a g-meter-if you are within .09 of a track means you have your settings on ATLEAST 12 inches since that is what a dragstrip uses and is the defaul on the g-meter and will give you about .35seconds of a falsely faster time since basically will not start your timer until you have gone 12 inches (doesnt sound like much but play with your meters)
Drag strips also use a 12 inch delayed start that your wheels must cross which triggers the time which also inlfates numbers-basically and you are dragstripping or g-timing with this 12 inch or higher you are producing .35-7 inflated (lower) numbers than true 0 still to 60. Car mags tend to use these settings too as does probably bmw but unless we know what each others rollout setting is-comparing anything within 6/10ths is pretty useless as one ca gain that much or more by maxxing the setting of 2 feet delay start on a g meter.
