Any Comments on My New 550i Order
05-25-2009, 11:46 PM
#41
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Like I said, an M5 is 350+ lbs heaver than a 535, 400+ lbs heavier than a 528i. Are you telling me a 528i will out handle an M5 on curvy roads just because it's lighter? The 535/550 have suspensions that are different beasts. The 550 M-suspension feels tighter to me, and I have noticed no issues with it compared to an 535i on challenging roads.
Yes, I've driven the 535i, and it left me yearning for more, hence the reason I'm getting a 550
Both great cars, get the one that makes you happy. For many a 535i tickles their fancy. For me and a lot of other people it's the 550i.
Yes, I've driven the 535i, and it left me yearning for more, hence the reason I'm getting a 550
Both great cars, get the one that makes you happy. For many a 535i tickles their fancy. For me and a lot of other people it's the 550i.
Originally Posted by v_therussian' post='890161' date='May 25 2009, 10:41 PM
-Agreed, don't buy the hype - buy the science, which says "the lighter the car - the better the handling. And that is regardless of any additional suspension tricks. Best handling cars in the world are the lightest ones. That's not hype - that's the inevitability of the laws of physics 
-plenty of chips out there that do not void the warranty, but I see how people might not want to mess with their ~60k dollar BMW's ECU, ok.
-this was not a serious comparison, was it? I mean, of course, a CLS63 is also a faster car than the 535, so now a 535i is slow?
-agreed, except: 1)everyone and thier auntie has them and 2)M5 body kit is still much better looking
-have you actually driven a 535??? I've never felt any lag and all that "immense off the line power" - that's actually what your trick suspension does
But, hey, overall, newt, I agree with you - "don't buy the hype!" - +1
-plenty of chips out there that do not void the warranty, but I see how people might not want to mess with their ~60k dollar BMW's ECU, ok.
-this was not a serious comparison, was it? I mean, of course, a CLS63 is also a faster car than the 535, so now a 535i is slow?
-agreed, except: 1)everyone and thier auntie has them and 2)M5 body kit is still much better looking
-have you actually driven a 535??? I've never felt any lag and all that "immense off the line power" - that's actually what your trick suspension does
But, hey, overall, newt, I agree with you - "don't buy the hype!" - +1
05-26-2009, 01:08 AM
#42
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Originally Posted by newt' post='890208' date='May 26 2009, 03:46 AM
Like I said, an M5 is 350+ lbs heaver than a 535, 400+ lbs heavier than a 528i. Are you telling me a 528i will out handle an M5 on curvy roads just because it's lighter? The 535/550 have suspensions that are different beasts. The 550 M-suspension feels tighter to me, and I have noticed no issues with it compared to an 535i on challenging roads.
Yes, I've driven the 535i, and it left me yearning for more, hence the reason I'm getting a 550
Both great cars, get the one that makes you happy. For many a 535i tickles their fancy. For me and a lot of other people it's the 550i.
Yes, I've driven the 535i, and it left me yearning for more, hence the reason I'm getting a 550
Both great cars, get the one that makes you happy. For many a 535i tickles their fancy. For me and a lot of other people it's the 550i.
I think we're confusing handling with power and suspension feeling with objective handling data here.Consider this, per bmwusa.com:
550i w steptronic weight 3968lbs with a weight distribution of 51.7/48.3 front/rear.
535i w steptronic weighs 3703lbs with a weight distribution of 51.8/48.2
528i w steptronic weighs 3571lbs with a weight distribution of 50.3/49.7
Based on the above data and provided all cars have the same tires, the 528 is the best balanced car and will pull the highest g number and the highest speed on the emergency lane change - no questions about that. That said, it will also be the slowest of the three, due to its lower horsepower and torque output. But it will feel the most composed and balanced in tight bends and sweeping turns.
That's before we factor in the suspension changes from 528 to 535 to 550. For our intents and purposes, let's just say all of these cars are with the sport package and 550 has the m-sport. The difference in the suspension between 528 sport and 550 sport is mostly in the wheels and tires - a difference for which you can absolutely compensate with a set of aftermarket rims and rubber - both lighter and stickier than the style 172s that come with the M-Sport Pack. But 528 will still have a significant power disadvantage - that is how I arrived at the conclusion that 535 is the best compromise.
Seat of the pants-wise, I see how one would want to have that tight feeling of the 550, but I just want to make it clear that the 550 exhibits that tightness not due to any magic - it simply has bigger wheels with better rubber on them. Put even better 19s on a 535i with a sport pack and the 535 will pull higher g's and lane change speeds. There's no magic here - its all science and no "hype"
However, I'm not gonna try to make anyone change their minds - I just wanted to set the record straight. You refered to weight-handling relationship as a "hype" - unless I misunderstood you - and that is like saying that gravity is a superstition
05-26-2009, 08:37 AM
#43
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I do not have the same technical knowledge here as everyone else, but I can say that 30-40mph winds will knock my existing 530i around a bit.
It is a large and light car, but it acts like a kite in windy weather.
THis is nice in calm weather driving on flat highway. My 530i gets great fuel efficiency, and I will miss that benefit with the 550i, but at the end of the day, I am moving into a really nice car (3 year lease) until the F10 arrives. I am happy with my 530i power, but here in Miami, everyone has a 5-series. I have saved wisely, and this should be a good purchase/lease.
What is the Anthracite Headliner? I am getting Bamboo. Is the Anthracite the gray metal-like trim that you find in the M5?
It is a large and light car, but it acts like a kite in windy weather.
THis is nice in calm weather driving on flat highway. My 530i gets great fuel efficiency, and I will miss that benefit with the 550i, but at the end of the day, I am moving into a really nice car (3 year lease) until the F10 arrives. I am happy with my 530i power, but here in Miami, everyone has a 5-series. I have saved wisely, and this should be a good purchase/lease.
What is the Anthracite Headliner? I am getting Bamboo. Is the Anthracite the gray metal-like trim that you find in the M5?
05-26-2009, 10:25 AM
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GOOD CHOICE!
Originally Posted by monacobmw' post='889908' date='May 25 2009, 06:16 PM
I went ahead with the order for the 550i with Bamboo trim. 
I got the active steering and I threw in the fold down rear seats.
I also went with the ventilated seats (I live in Miami, so this will be a neat feature). I had to buy the Black basca leather to make this work.
She is now a $76k MSRP.
I am getting the production number tomorrow.
Any other thoughts on the trim before it is too late? What is the gray trim on the M5?
I feel a little guilty getting the 550i rather than the 535i. Ah, who am I kidding? Not guilty at all.
The only add ons will be the (1) black grill, (2) tinting of the windows, (3) lowering springs, and (4) spacers.
Kid in the candy store today, but I have been in this site for a bit, and having a nice car has become a hobby.
I got the active steering and I threw in the fold down rear seats.
I also went with the ventilated seats (I live in Miami, so this will be a neat feature). I had to buy the Black basca leather to make this work.
She is now a $76k MSRP.
I am getting the production number tomorrow.
Any other thoughts on the trim before it is too late? What is the gray trim on the M5?
I feel a little guilty getting the 550i rather than the 535i. Ah, who am I kidding? Not guilty at all.
The only add ons will be the (1) black grill, (2) tinting of the windows, (3) lowering springs, and (4) spacers.
Kid in the candy store today, but I have been in this site for a bit, and having a nice car has become a hobby.
05-26-2009, 06:49 PM
#45
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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?
Newt, your analogy fails..
A 535i in terms of performance is very very close to a 550i.
If the 535i's performance was very close to a M5, then yes, the 535i drives better than a M5 because it is lighter.
05-26-2009, 07:03 PM
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My Ride: 2015 535D M Sport
Originally Posted by monacobmw' post='888309' date='May 24 2009, 09:33 AM
Could anyone make the case to talk me into the 535i instead? I don't like wasting fuel if I do not need the extra horsepower, but the 550i is the 550i.
05-26-2009, 07:25 PM
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My Ride: 2011 M3 Convertible, Alpine White/black, 6 speed
2011 535xi Tasmin Green, Venetian Beige
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?
05-26-2009, 07:34 PM
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My Ride: 2011 M3 Convertible, Alpine White/black, 6 speed
2011 535xi Tasmin Green, Venetian Beige
It still amazes me how BMW has absolutely no imagination when it comes to colors. Sure, you can get Barbera red but it's not that great looking and you can't get it with the M-Sport package. BMW has so many different grays, silvers and charcoals that it's completely unnecessary. What about a nice deep burgundy or a metallic pearl white?? Where's their imagination?? And while they're at it, how about offering some nicer woods. Bamboo is great but again, not stunning. I have seen some truly incredible veneers in Mercedes and Lexus and we are basically stuck with the same 2 or 3 every year.
05-26-2009, 09:54 PM
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We're talking handling, not performance. And no, even if a 535i's performance was closer to an M5, I very much doubt it would "drive better". Have you ever looked at what goes into an M5's suspension?
Originally Posted by Kzang' post='891120' date='May 26 2009, 07:49 PM
Newt, your analogy fails..
A 535i in terms of performance is very very close to a 550i.
If the 535i's performance was very close to a M5, then yes, the 535i drives better than a M5 because it is lighter.
A 535i in terms of performance is very very close to a 550i.
If the 535i's performance was very close to a M5, then yes, the 535i drives better than a M5 because it is lighter.
05-26-2009, 09:56 PM
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3 years and never a single issue. Comfort Access is easily the best valued and most used option I got.
Originally Posted by JeffNNJ' post='891179' date='May 26 2009, 08:25 PM
Because I have read many many posts about people having trouble with their comfort access and not one saying, you know, it's really a huge pain in the ass to push that button to get into my car. +1 on the anthracite headliner. Love mine.