redwhiteblue

Sorry I actually meant to comment on how I was talking strictly bmw-nothing compares to a z06 rumbling down teh street or some chevy tuned v8s.

Personally I have always loved the exotic sound of german and italian cars-ferrari/lambo have idea sound. Bmw is the best for non-super car type of cars. I always have a hard time describing it but I guess what I compare it to is the sound of a sport bike-relatively high reving sound I guess-something about bimmmers and exotics just have that nice hummm to them. But of course a big chev v8 is awesome!

I guess what I meant is there is minimal difference in sound between a bmw i6 v. v8 and with a simple exhaust switch you can make the i6 as loud or louder than the v8 and vice versa where as normally the v8s in a car line are just monstrously louder and more agressive.-probalby because bmw makes luxury cars and wants to keep engine noise at a minimum stock.

westcoast550

V8 !!!!

pennetta

I came from a V8 545 and chose the 535 over the 550. I am an early adopter with technology, I got the SMG and now the Sports Auto and Twin Turbo/Intercooler motor. The 550 motor was "same old same old."
Without the 535 software update, the 550 should be a small fraction of a second faster, without the extra 250 lbs hanging from the nose of the 550 the 535 handles better.
If you want the ultimate non-M e60 get the 535 with the $1200 software update.
By-the-by, the inline 6 is and always has been smoother. Also, because of the variable displacement effects of turbo charging the TT engine is more "Green" than the 550 which sticks it more to our dependance on fossil fuel.

Richard in NC

I've always prefered a V8 growl. The muted gurgle of the 550i sport pkg is great even if not very loud. Thats the way I want it for now. Although the BMW-I6 is a great sound too.

BTW, per BMW specs, the 550i with step is 265 lbs heavier than the 535i with step but with a slightly better dist (51.7% front vs 51.8%). That makes it 132 lbs heavier front and 133 lbs heavier in the rear. Note this compares base models, Add lux & sport to the 535i and add sport pkg to the 550i and I don't know what the difference is. I'd suspect a slightly bigger weight difference due to the 19s and aero pkg on the 550i (but no worse ft/rr balance).

Re handling, the 550i did quite well in the mountains. It transistions from a smooth ride to tons of grip and transistions its weight in S curves EXTREMELY well. Plus the ever present torque of the V8 allows for great balance on corner exit. Here is me pushing it hard on the Tail of the Dragon in SE Tenn.

MiamiPhill

The 535i may be close to the 550i on power, but they are as far apart on sound, as a mountain lion is from an african lion. There is nothing special about the sound of my 535i but the sound of the LCI 550 is, in a word,...awesome!
As for handeling, any weight advantage my 535i has over 550i could only be exploited by a professional race driver on a race track over many laps, and even then, we may only be talking a few seconds. Most of us amateurs would be hard pressed to make that weight difference count on the street.

pennetta

I am going to go point blank at the current 550 owners. The 535 with the simple $1200 software update (various suppliers already out there, BMW Motorsport and Dinan to follow in about 8 weeks, which maintains warranty) is the baddest non-M 5 series ever made. Yes or No?

swajames

You do realize that the weight balance of the 550 and the 535 are close to identical? What extra weight there may be in a 550 isn't just over the nose.

swajames

No. The 535 with a software update... will still be a 535 with a software update!

My list is obviously subjective, but for me:

• The 550 is quicker.
• The 550 more exclusive.
• The 550 Sport looks more aggressive.
• The 550 has the better sound.
• The 550 has more standard kit.
• The 550 doesn't suffer from turbo lag (not that it's much of an issue in the 535, but it's there)
• Assuming stock for stock the 550 never produces less torque through its rev band that the 535's produces as its maximum (see BMWSTL's torque map diagram).

535 is a great car, there's no question, but personally I think the 550 is worth the additional cost difference.

kearflex

I tend to agree that the V8 sounds alot better than the i6...

The performance difference was minimal IMHO...

As for "turbo lag"... BMW has done an amazing job with their TT set-up... My previous car was a single turbo and demonstarted a slight "lag" at launch which would kill my lap times...

With the I6TT I get NONE!!! The launch is always smooth and precise... The turbos spool up beautifully and the curve remains more consistant than any other turbo I have owned...

Like I previously stated, the V8 is superb!!! The I6 is also superb!!! I actually was just ready to pick the 550 w/ a V8 then I opted for the 535xi w/ a I6 at the last second due to the weather conditions in my area...

Test both motors and than decide

pennetta

The 535 and the 550 are the best sport sedans (obviously in the price range) available today!
Hail e60