Originally Posted by my530i' post='902595' date='Jun 6 2009, 08:29 AM

In the city I live in, I can hardly use my 550 to its full potential even on a light traffic day. Whenever I enter US101 Highway, I push it very hard and it can only go up to 90 or 95 before I hit the car in front of me. However, if I took a long trip, can still can hardly drive from 100 to 152mph more than a mile due to traffic and law enforcement (could lost my driver's license). In other words, I can use, maybe, its full potential 5% of the time, but I still choose 550i over 530i anytime any day.

In Manila, Philippines, I don't expect you'd ever drive more than 100mph often.
There are two consideration you might approach:
1. If you want to have a class (especially in Philippines), go for 550i. However, it'd cost much more compared to 530i. Don't ever rebadge 530i to 550i because you're the only person who knows your car is 530i and you're cheating yourself.
2. Otherwise, get 530i with manual transmission and Sprintbooster. That combination already gets you more than enough in Philippines.

If you were in US, I'd recommend 550i all the way.