uglybear

Civic does not offer 20-way seats

However, US market is always about horsepower. It is not quite clear to me why, but I guess it is historical/cultural thing. Maybe since most cars are sold with automatic extra power is needed. Dunno. The way people drive 100hp is fine, step that Civic at the light and I am sure you'll be half a mile ahead of 90% of cars.

Besides, no one offers luxury cars with stick or reasonably sized engine except BMW with 525/528. I would seriously consider 6MT 630i , I bet it would cost $10K less than 650i, but it does not exist in US. There is no M25, G25 or GS250 either. In 525/528, however, if you add missing options you end up with the same price as 530 so why bother unless you are willing to buy barebone version. Car mags also call anything below 300hp "underpowered".

bimmerguy288

He was talking about what we need, not what we want. If that logic applies, why do you need 20-way seats?

s_henge

I guess it comes down to this and economics - a 550i just doesn't make economic sense here - the residuals are so low. If you are going to spend that much on a car something like a Merc S320 makes much more sense.

dlevi67

You may well be right. However, if that is the only reason, why does BMW offer that engine in Europe in the E9x?

ipp

If I lived in the US I would go for the 550i as it costs less than a 530d here, but then there would the risk of being neighbor with such a ignorant and rude person like SergeyM... I think I'll stick with the 530d...

aybeesea

It is:



BMW wanted to introduce the new technology engine in the 5-Series but cannot yet fiully meet the potential manufacturing schedule needed to service the forecast high demand for the 535i so they limited the initial launch to a single market - the US. EU launch in September will give a nice phasing by when production will have been ramped up.

If that shows little faith in Twin Turbo engines then we disagree.

ABC

aybeesea

BMW NA seems to disagree.

http://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/5/550iSedan/techdata.htm



Maybe you can correct my misinterpretation but to me it looks like the Steptronic Automatic gives a slower 0-60 time than those who have gone "manual".

Since performance seems to be all-important to you my question was trying to understand your logic in your decision to drive with a Steptronic box.

ABC

swajames

Despite the official specs, the fastest magazine tests and fastest owner times posted on here have tended to be with the steptronic. That's based largely on 545 experiences, there isn't as much data on the 550 but from personal experience my 550 is a little faster than my 545. BMWs in general tend to be able to beat their own official specs and it seems the delta between official and actual may be a little larger with the step. Better gearing on the step seems to be the primary reason for the acceleration differences.

aybeesea

... which BMW have failed to replicate. Better gearing perhaps but sloooooowww gear changes (until the new auto box).

Ah, well. Real world always rules.

Note to self: always try to prove the manufacturer wrong.

ABC

uglybear

'cause my lower back tells me so Good seat keeps your spine healthy.