Any Comments on My New 550i Order
05-25-2009, 09:01 PM
#31
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Don't buy the hype. Unless you're planning to spend thousands of dollars to chip your 535 (and possibly lose your bmw warranty), the 535i is never going to put the smile on your face that a 550i will. Every time I hear the weight argument, all I can say is, look at the M5. It's ~350 lbs heavier (curb weight) than a 535i; are you going to try to argue that a 535i drives better than an M5 because it's lighter? Each BMW has it's own specialized tuned suspension that helps take care of the extra weight, making for balanced driving dynamics. Oh, and the M-Sport Aerodynamics package looks better than just about any other body package I've seen out there.
Oh and the Sports Automatic is awesome. So are manuals. Go with whatever you're more comfortable with.
Oh and the Sports Automatic is awesome. So are manuals. Go with whatever you're more comfortable with.
Originally Posted by v_therussian' post='889030' date='May 24 2009, 10:08 PM
A CASE FOR 535: YOU GET IT WITH THE SPORT PACK - NOT THE M-SPORT PACK. THE MONEY YOU SAVE YOU SPEND ON A SET OF RIMS AND AN UMNITZA M5 BODY (WHICH IS DEFINITELY BETTER LOOKING THAN THE M-TECH, AS MOST PEOPLE AGREE NOW). You will have a much more agile performer, due to the lower weight of the 535 and a much more balanced handler, again, due to the weight and distribution of thereof. Honestly, buyng a 550 is just uselss - either go for broke and get an M5 already or get the 535i.
And I would not get a car with an automatic, had I been ordering it new from the dealer, but if you must, do get the paddles - they'll come in REALLY handy.
And yes, bamboo anthracite is your color for the black interior.
GL
And I would not get a car with an automatic, had I been ordering it new from the dealer, but if you must, do get the paddles - they'll come in REALLY handy.
And yes, bamboo anthracite is your color for the black interior.
GL
05-25-2009, 09:04 PM
#32
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Why would you buy a $75k car, then cheap out on a cool and useful $1k option like comfort access?
Originally Posted by JeffNNJ' post='889945' date='May 25 2009, 06:55 PM
I would bag the active steering and comfort access.
05-25-2009, 09:09 PM
#33
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My Ride: 545iSMGSilver GrayAuburn Dakota LeatherLogic 7 Premium SoundSports Package
Originally Posted by monacobmw' post='890057' date='May 25 2009, 08:55 PM
I did not get the lane warning feature. I think that there is some kind of parking feature as well with the camera. I also did not get the cold weather package (I live in Miami, FL), but my ventilated seats come with heated seats anyway.
The things that I got that were total excesses were the ventilated seats, active steering, and heads up display (but I will actually enjoy these features on a day to day basis).
I don't spend a lot of money on other things in life, so this will be my little toy. I paid $1500 over invoice for a 2010, so I got a really good deal.
I thought about getting the 535i (and I waivered), but at the end of the day, it would still be a 535i.
The NAV was $1900 more on the 535i (standard on the 550i), and there were a few other things that made the price not as bad at the end of the day.
The things that I got that were total excesses were the ventilated seats, active steering, and heads up display (but I will actually enjoy these features on a day to day basis).
I don't spend a lot of money on other things in life, so this will be my little toy. I paid $1500 over invoice for a 2010, so I got a really good deal.
I thought about getting the 535i (and I waivered), but at the end of the day, it would still be a 535i.
The NAV was $1900 more on the 535i (standard on the 550i), and there were a few other things that made the price not as bad at the end of the day.
Very nice! it sounds really nice!
Love the list of options...
05-25-2009, 09:09 PM
#34
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Originally Posted by newt' post='890122' date='May 26 2009, 01:01 AM
Don't buy the hype. Unless you're planning to spend thousands of dollars to chip your 535 (and possibly lose your bmw warranty), the 535i is never going to put the smile on your face that a 550i will. Every time I hear the weight argument, all I can say is, look at the M5. It's ~350 lbs heavier (curb weight) than a 535i; are you going to try to argue that a 535i drives better than an M5 because it's lighter? Each BMW has it's own specialized tuned suspension that helps take care of the extra weight, making for balanced driving dynamics. Oh, and the M-Sport Aerodynamics package looks better than just about any other body package I've seen out there.
Oh and the Sports Automatic is awesome. So are manuals. Go with whatever you're more comfortable with.
Oh and the Sports Automatic is awesome. So are manuals. Go with whatever you're more comfortable with.
But if you are looking for power and want to pay less, a lightly optioned 535 is considerably less expensive than a 550i Sport. And the reality is that the acceleration numbers on a sotck 535 are almost identical to the 550 (being a tenth or two slower to 60).
05-25-2009, 09:13 PM
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Originally Posted by newt' post='890131' date='May 26 2009, 01:04 AM
Why would you buy a $75k car, then cheap out on a cool and useful $1k option like comfort access?
05-25-2009, 09:23 PM
#36
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0-60 numbers can be deceiving. Even though the 535i is only something like .2 secs slower than a 550i, they feel (at least two me) very different seat of the pants wise. The 550i has this immense off the line power and is consistent as you accelerate. The 535i seemed almost sluggish until the turbos kicked in, and even then it just didn't have the moxy of the 550i.
What my ass feels is a lot more important to me than what some race car driver is timed doing 0-60 on a track.
What my ass feels is a lot more important to me than what some race car driver is timed doing 0-60 on a track.
Originally Posted by sdg1871' post='890138' date='May 25 2009, 10:09 PM
I agree 100%. I'm not chipping my car or modding it (I lease it and my Manhattan garage monthly payment is my "mod" money--taken together with my lease payment, it is as much if not more than the monthly paymnent for a M5) so for me, the 550 is perfect for what I need. I love the Sport Package's body kit as well as the 172s that it comes with.
But if you are looking for power and want to pay less, a lightly optioned 535 is considerably less expensive than a 550i Sport. And the reality is that the acceleration numbers on a sotck 535 are almost identical to the 550 (being a tenth or two slower to 60).
But if you are looking for power and want to pay less, a lightly optioned 535 is considerably less expensive than a 550i Sport. And the reality is that the acceleration numbers on a sotck 535 are almost identical to the 550 (being a tenth or two slower to 60).
05-25-2009, 09:30 PM
#37
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Originally Posted by JDoug550' post='888488' date='May 24 2009, 02:44 PM
I'd recommend the anthracite headliner.
I would also get Sirius satellite radio and skip the HD radio...not sure if this is true but I notice there is always a footnote with the HD radio that it deletes the real time trafic on the NAV, but mabe the new NAV lets you have the best of both worlds????
$1500 over invoice???? Thats more than I paid over DI and I made the deal in September 2005...You must have made the dealers day! In any other time that wouldn't be a bad deal but IMO in 6 -9 months dealers are going to be giving 550's away not to mention you're getting the last of the model run. I'm assuming your buying...if you're financing, make sure they give you a great rate on GAP insurance (like $5-10 more per month).
05-25-2009, 09:30 PM
#38
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My Ride: 2008 BMW 550i
2006 BMW X3
That sounds like a good combination. Here is my opinion on the various options for the 550i.
Sport pkg with comfort seats is a must do.
Sport auto is great. Definitely get the paddles.
Heads Up Display - Well worth it.
Comfort Access - Should be standard. An inconvienence without it.
Active Steering - Personal preference. I don't have it. The car handles great either way. But I may not know what I'm missing.
Navigation - Very useful but not a must do.
Lane Departure Warning - Can easily go without.
Anthracite Headliner - Needed with black interior but I have the Creme Beige.
Cold Weather & Ventilated seats - Depends on local climate.
Other options are personal preference. Logic 7 and the USB-iPod adapter are great if a music buff.
Sport pkg with comfort seats is a must do.
Sport auto is great. Definitely get the paddles.
Heads Up Display - Well worth it.
Comfort Access - Should be standard. An inconvienence without it.
Active Steering - Personal preference. I don't have it. The car handles great either way. But I may not know what I'm missing.
Navigation - Very useful but not a must do.
Lane Departure Warning - Can easily go without.
Anthracite Headliner - Needed with black interior but I have the Creme Beige.
Cold Weather & Ventilated seats - Depends on local climate.
Other options are personal preference. Logic 7 and the USB-iPod adapter are great if a music buff.
05-25-2009, 09:41 PM
#39
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My Ride: Alpine White 2006 530Xi (SLD)
Originally Posted by newt' post='890150' date='May 26 2009, 01:23 AM
0-60 numbers can be deceiving. Even though the 535i is only something like .2 secs slower than a 550i, they feel (at least two me) very different seat of the pants wise. The 550i has this immense off the line power and is consistent as you accelerate. The 535i seemed almost sluggish until the turbos kicked in, and even then it just didn't have the moxy of the 550i.
What my ass feels is a lot more important to me than what some race car driver is timed doing 0-60 on a track.
What my ass feels is a lot more important to me than what some race car driver is timed doing 0-60 on a track.
But, hey, overall, newt, I agree with you - "don't buy the hype!" - +1
05-25-2009, 11:42 PM
#40
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With the new computer you can have HD radio and Traffic.
Originally Posted by Heloha' post='890155' date='May 25 2009, 10:30 PM
+1 on the headliner!
I would also get Sirius satellite radio and skip the HD radio...not sure if this is true but I notice there is always a footnote with the HD radio that it deletes the real time trafic on the NAV, but mabe the new NAV lets you have the best of both worlds????
$1500 over invoice???? Thats more than I paid over DI and I made the deal in September 2005...You must have made the dealers day! In any other time that wouldn't be a bad deal but IMO in 6 -9 months dealers are going to be giving 550's away not to mention you're getting the last of the model run. I'm assuming your buying...if you're financing, make sure they give you a great rate on GAP insurance (like $5-10 more per month).
I would also get Sirius satellite radio and skip the HD radio...not sure if this is true but I notice there is always a footnote with the HD radio that it deletes the real time trafic on the NAV, but mabe the new NAV lets you have the best of both worlds????
$1500 over invoice???? Thats more than I paid over DI and I made the deal in September 2005...You must have made the dealers day! In any other time that wouldn't be a bad deal but IMO in 6 -9 months dealers are going to be giving 550's away not to mention you're getting the last of the model run. I'm assuming your buying...if you're financing, make sure they give you a great rate on GAP insurance (like $5-10 more per month).