I still think it will piss off many 745 and 545 customers. Especially 545 wasn't out long enough to get a major remake (367hp is what I hear, torque is not going up much), but still
1) What will it do to the resale value of our 545s... I have an 05 and don't think it's going to be good

2) Car image is going to suffer as well... this 550 badge does sound better (in 3-4 years people will look at them "Oh you have the one with the whimpy V8")

3) I can't imagine any retrofits, since it's a bigger displacement engine.. so the only way we can keep up is to do some Dinan updates

4) Not that the 545 suffers from insufficient power, but coming from e39 M5 I feel the difference....

So I sence the trade-ins and and market full of used 545s in a year - with pretty significant financial hits... Sad ;(

 

Every manufacturer is the same - They always strive to improve their range.

I would of had a 535d if it was available when I bought mine!

And SPORT spec too

 

yes its sad This is the same with computers! you just can't keep up unless your loaded
I'm planning on getting a new ride next year so maybe 550i or a 530i touring, wheres this info coming from??? nothing on bmwusa.com?

 

If your goal is to always have the latest/greatest, then yes, this is the sad reality. It won't be long before there is something better/bigger/faster out there. From the start, those of us who bought 545's knew that eventually BMW would come out with something that had a bigger engine and was faster. If this is a real concern, lease your cars then in 3 years, you can turn it in for that new model. I know I'm very happy with my car (other than the smelly AC!) and the introduction of a new model will not affect my feeling toward my car. I did not buy this car with an eye on resale value, I bought the car I wanted and I still love it.

 

Is the new V8 a sure thing in the 5? I just got a 545 and if BMW puts a new V8 in the 5 series next year, I will be dissapointed. I can see BMW putting the engine in the 7 series to increase sales, and leaving the current V8 in the 5. This would differentiate the 5 series and their flagship sedan a little more. BMW does like to hold back on product to keep sales up, then introducing it near the end of a cycle, for example, no M sports package available in North America. Right now it seems their are a lot of rumours, does anyone have any real inside info?

 

KenTO brings up a good point in putting the new engine in the 7 but holding off in the 5. The 545 has been the bright spot for the 5 series, with the 530 (somewhat) and in particular the 525 showing some sales weakness, presumably due to being perceived as underpowered. The new engines going into the 525 and 530 is therefore understandable, but I think the 545 stays for a couple more years before we see a major engine upgrade.

 

Don't forget that the 545's engine was introduced in the 745 two years before it went into the 5er. So I wouldn't assume that the 545 will become the 550 for model year 2006. I'd bet on a mid-cycle make over for the 5er, including the new engine, for model year 2008.

 

just my two cents: as previously mentioned, upgrades are a fact of life. you can buy any car for any price and this will happen. of course, this is why people buy one-offs or real collectors' cars. but we here live closer to reality, and the existing V-8 is plenty powerful. it already costs $60k, it's already luxurious, and a lot of people already cannot contemplate such a purchase. you're on this forum, you're one of the lucky ones. there is absolutely no reason to be disappointed. you got the car when it was available, not the car that will exist 2, 3 years from now. these cars will last and last, they will still be high end 5 series. and people will still envy your car.

 

Thats the way to look at it.

 

Lease, lease, lease (and debadge)