jzwu

Hello,

I just joined this forum but I have been lurking here for a while. Currently I am looking for a car for 100 miles per day commute and need some advice from the forum members.

My current ride is a 2005 330Ci convertible with 76k miles. It has sport package and is quite bumpy and noisy for 100 miles daily commute. Test drove a 2008 528i non-sport today and really liked it. The power is a little to be desired though.

I would like to get your experience and advice on what to get 2007/08 528i or 550i?. The 2008 model is LCI and is it worth the extra cost? Reliability any difference? I am not sure if I should get a car with sport package. Will it make the ride too stiff for long commute? My budget is $30-35k so the 2008 550i is a little out of the range.

Thanks in advance.

AP Sales

I just traded off my 2007 530, and it gave me 138,000 trouble free miles. Usual highway mileage was 28, but often more. I've never heard of anyone on this forum having any issues with this model, except the exhaust valve issue which BMW will take care of (at least did for me). The 550 is great engine, but mileage might be an issue if you are commuting 100 day.

Sport package is very comfortable - no issue for your commute.

jzwu

I know the 2007/08 530i and 528i are comfy and reliable cars. Just want to make the commute a little more fun with the 550i. Guess that's why we drive BMW.

hmc

You will definitely have more fun with 550. Its power on highway is incredible. On the other hand, you will have lower gas mileage.

Gene

2008 LCI 550i is worth the extra coin as it comes with the updated LCI features along with an Mtech kit if you get the sport pkg. Sport pkg suspension is not too stiff IMO, but you would need to test drive it for yourself as ride stiffness is a very subjective measurement. The LCI SAT transmission is another great option which can enhance your driving experience if equipped with it, but not a deal breaker IMO. As far as the 528i another great choice as a DD, just not sure if it will have that "fun" factor you seem to be looking for, especially when comparing it to the 550/V8 engine. 100 miles per day is a lot of miles to deal with in terms of mgp's and gas with a V8, so the 528 would win that category (if mpg's is a factor for you.) Have you considered the 2008 535i, very fun and great gas mileage as well. Yes there is a chance of hpfp failures with the n54 engine in the 535i, so that is the biggest factor when deciding to go with that model.

I would definitely go with a 2008+ over the 2007 as the LCI updates I feel enhance the look of a "stock" e60 more. If you are going to mod it a bit pre-lci or LCI, just get whatever one you like

GL with your decision...and "welcome: to the forum...

TheRacerBoss

2008 - 550i if someone were to give me an option

jzwu

Thanks for the good input. I have taken the 535i out due to the HPFP and future turbo issues since this will be my DD and I simply cannot afford to leave it at dealership for any length of repair over 1 day or two. That's really unfortunate.

The 550i is definitely more fun but the long term gas cost can be a concern. Sounds like 2008+ model is the way to go.

sdg1871

Get the LCI 550 with the sport package. It is an incredible daily driver with power, comfort and grace. I have averaged 16.3 over 28k miles with lots of city driving. If you care about power and acceleration, 528 is not a good choice although it would handle well with sport package.

jzwu

It is just hard to find a mint low mileage 2008 550i for a reasonable price. They are all over $40k.

twobeemers

See, now I'm going to go in a different direction than most here, and the reason for doing so is strictly because of the number of miles you're going to put on the car daily. I'm going to suggest that you consider something a little bit older that's already had most of the depreciation rung out of it and still has lower miles (50k or under). That way you can rack up miles without killing the value of the car in a year. I'd even go so far as to suggest a 530i if you're looking for better mileage (a little more grunt than the 528i with just as good of gas mileage), or a 545i for a little more oomph but with higher fuel costs.

Okay, now hear me out a bit here - you could very likely get a good used 545i right now for well under $20k. That keeps $15k in your pocket for tires, gas, repairs, aftermarket Mtech kit, wheels, lighting upgrades, etc. Play your cards right and you've got a car that will rival an '08 in looks for about half the money. Any way you slice it you're going to have a 100,000 mile car on your hands in a few years, if you start out with something that doesn't cost as much and you're not afraid of getting your hands dirty, I think that's the way to go.

Of course, all of this assumes that you'd be happy with very slightly older car. If older cars scare you, then you're back to the newer, and much more expensive stuff.