INLINE 6er Vs V8 : better handler?
11-03-2007, 10:14 AM
#31
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Originally Posted by redwhiteblue' post='489500' date='Nov 3 2007, 12:59 PM
I currently can get 20city and 33 highway with an I6. My camaro would be lucky to see 10 city and 20 highway.
11-03-2007, 10:15 AM
#32
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I agree with swajames and would go with the 550i rather than the 535i because I'd like to keep it stock as well, but more importantly it's the only way to get Carbon Black.
11-03-2007, 10:16 AM
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Originally Posted by AlexFW' post='489423' date='Nov 3 2007, 08:21 AM
Lol, indeed .
Very SUBJECTIVE question you posed there...I would prefer the I6 TT over the V8 (as my purchase dollars evidence)..but there is no right or wrong answer here as the V8 is not "better" (or worse) than the I6 - they are different and it is a very subjective and personal preference purchase decision. The V8 is more powerful and has higher torque, it's also thirstier on fuel and heavier than the I6. If the I6 wasn't so close in hp - then I probably would have opted for the V8...but it just wasn't worth the difference in price (unfortunately you have to purchase a host of other options) making it a $10K price difference - which although I can afford the 550i, it certainly is nice to have that $$ in my bank account, again, another plus of the 535 over the 550... to ME.
Now, if say, the V8 is rated to last 300K miles and the I6 is rated to last only 50K miles....then I would say the V8 is the "better" engine..but that is clearly not the case
11-03-2007, 10:21 AM
#34
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Originally Posted by pukka' post='489350' date='Nov 3 2007, 03:34 AM
I'll admit I've heard some BMW's around here with 4 and 6 cylinder engines that had some pretty tight exhaust setups. But since I also own a Chevy V-8 w/custom exhaust I'd have to disagree with your quote. NOTHING sounds better than a V-8 rumble 
Pukka - well said I own a 5.4L SC Ford V8 and there is nothing like the sound of a V8...the "backburbble" when shifting or slowing down in gear is sweeeeet
11-03-2007, 10:23 AM
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Originally Posted by bimmerturn' post='489370' date='Nov 3 2007, 05:01 AM
Nothing like a test drive and comparison of both engines, I did when I got my second 550i after having the 335 for 6 months. There is a definite turbo lag in the 335 and 535, it is not excessive but it's there. The V8 power band is continuous at all RPMs while the turbo 6 does feel as if it reached a Plato at times. Add to that the feel of the car, additional performance, looks, and the V8 rumble then the difference in price was a non issue.
I can tell you of many times with my old 335i where I needed to push it from about 35/40MPH and you can feel how the car just bogged down till the turbos caught up, you'll never have that with the V8.
I can tell you of many times with my old 335i where I needed to push it from about 35/40MPH and you can feel how the car just bogged down till the turbos caught up, you'll never have that with the V8.
Sounds like you weren't in the correct gear...while turbo's do have some lag, a V8 floored in the wrong gear will definitely bog as well
11-03-2007, 10:26 AM
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Originally Posted by Richard in NC' post='489394' date='Nov 3 2007, 06:16 AM
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. Attachment 39869
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. Attachment 39869
Richard - great pic!!
11-03-2007, 10:35 AM
#37
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Originally Posted by swajames' post='489412' date='Nov 3 2007, 07:49 AM
No. The 535 with a software update... will still be a 535 with a software update! 
My list is obviously subjective, but for me:
535 is a great car, there's no question, but personally I think the 550 is worth the additional cost difference.
My list is obviously subjective, but for me:
- The 550 is quicker. (barely in stock trim and slower with the software update you quote above)
- The 550 more exclusive. (why...BMW will make all the 550's they can sell - not much exclusivity there?)
- The 550 Sport looks more aggressive. (Surely, but again subjective - I prefer the look of the 535 at any price)
- The 550 has the better sound. (Yes, I agree)
- The 550 has more standard kit. (At a serious cost increase - that's a minus in my book)
- The 550 doesn't suffer from turbo lag (not that it's much of an issue in the 535, but it's there) (matters if you are going to be racing your sedan..which I will not be doing)
- 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). (true - but unless you are racing - what's the point? The 535 has plenty of power to accelerate, pass, change lanes etc.)
535 is a great car, there's no question, but personally I think the 550 is worth the additional cost difference.
As you can see by my responses to your statements above, while the 550 is certainly the "better" car for you..the 535 is the
"better" car for me...I illustrate this to simply make the point the NEITHER car is better/worse...it's what YOU intend to use it for that makes it a better or worse car for YOU...all these silly statements that the 550 or 535 is the better car are completly meaningless...cheers
11-03-2007, 12:40 PM
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Originally Posted by HotLap' post='489509' date='Nov 3 2007, 02:23 PM
Sounds like you weren't in the correct gear...while turbo's do have some lag, a V8 floored in the wrong gear will definitely bog as well
There is a turbo lag, you might not want to beliebve it but there is, there is none in a 550i. And to those who talk about mileage, I get average 23MPG, that is same as my old 335.
11-03-2007, 01:35 PM
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Originally Posted by HotLap' post='489513' date='Nov 3 2007, 11:35 AM
As you can see by my responses to your statements above, while the 550 is certainly the "better" car for you..the 535 is the
"better" car for me...I illustrate this to simply make the point the NEITHER car is better/worse...it's what YOU intend to use it for that makes it a better or worse car for YOU...all these silly statements that the 550 or 535 is the better car are completly meaningless...cheers
"better" car for me...I illustrate this to simply make the point the NEITHER car is better/worse...it's what YOU intend to use it for that makes it a better or worse car for YOU...all these silly statements that the 550 or 535 is the better car are completly meaningless...cheers
11-03-2007, 02:18 PM
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Originally Posted by swajames' post='489562' date='Nov 3 2007, 05:35 PM
To your point on exclusivity - the 550 sells in fewer numbers than the cheaper 535, and the exclusivity is a simple function of there being fewer on the road. As I said, there are a number of reasons the 535 is cheaper than the 550 and for me the cost difference is justified as I think you get what you pay for. To your other points, I specifically noted that my list of differences was, of course, subjective...