redwhiteblue

I have driven both a pre lci 550 and my own 530 and obviously it didnt have the lci 550 suspension but the weight is even more drastic-roughly 500 pounds different. My car feels completely "tossable" as some like to say. For example I can approach a turn I want to drift into by coming on fast and cranking the wheel and it feels simply light as light can be to throw into a turn.

The 550 with the same speed into a similar maneuver felt very heavy and I felt unable to throw it into a drift around a turn nearly as easily.

Now 500 pounds is a HUGELY noticable difference. Mine also has virtually no options and like I said tosse about 100 pounds of weight so probalby close to 600 pounds different than what I drove. It had nothing to do with the stiffness of springs, shocks etc-it was simply the lightness you could throw around corners.

The heavier car has more inertia and makes it harder to come out of various maneuvers

doug_999

While you can change either car, I think we are talking about they way the come out of the factory stock. That said, the 19" non-RFT wheel/tire setup is superior to the 18" RFT on the 535 and takes away some of the weight advantage. There is a chance the M sport suspension also helps - but that is debatable.

So I think it comes down to a debate on handling and there really is no debate on which car is faster, more desirable, or torquier (sic).

redwhiteblue

We are looking at how they come stock within reason. Changing to non-runflats is hardly an unfair comparison since virtually every owner that would push the car would be changing the tires. Yes you have to assume he keeps 18 inch wheels to keep most variables the same but comparing non runflats to non runflats is truly testing the cars handling and not factoring in an outside variable such as the rubber that happens to be attached to the bmw.

doug_999

ah but you can then argue that people will chip the 535 making it faster.......

or that they will change the 550 suspension to make it better....

so the only way to truly compare is stock IMHO

redwhiteblue

You are going to compare chipping a turbo engine and changing the hp by 100hp to slapping some non-runflat tires on a car. Yes both are technically modifications but hardly analogous, give me a break.

doug_999

And yet both mods cost about the same.....strange....

redwhiteblue

Dougie. You can think whatever you like-you are right, your on to something shhh-you may let everyone in on the big secret that tires will magically turn the 535 into a super car handling wise.

Listen I am sorry you wasted your dough on a 550-its all good and maybe next time you will make the right choice

doug_999

ahh but see? You can go check my posts here and bimmerfest where I clearly think the 535 is a better buy and given the choice today I would evaluate both cars carefully.....

Oh but in December 2005 when I picked up the 550, there was no such thing as the 535.... but hey, since when are cars smart purchases?

Anyway, I've proven that there is debate on handling for these two cars and you have proven that posts about the 535 and 550 generate inconsiderate posts that lead everyone to get sick of threads like this really quick.

buh bye...

redwhiteblue

Wow you sure take a lot of credit for your contribution-which was the following

1. Brilliant analogy that putting non-runflat tires on a 535 effects handling similar to how chipping the 535 with 100hp effects performance engine wise. So putting non run flats will increase handling by 33 percent basedon your analogy

2.You pointed out 2 completely different mods are the same price. The ipod retrofit kit is in that price range-maybe we should only compare cars with the Ipod kit installed to be fair in your eyes. The weight difference and power drain from the ipod may effect performance and handling

JetBlack5OC

There is no doubt that the extra weight on the front wheels of the 550i negatively affects the handling. It?s something like an extra 200 pounds in the front. This has to give the front end of the 535i a better feel. Its basic handling 101. Even if the 550i has a little stiffer suspension, it?s not enough to overcome 200 pounds.

But to me there is no argument, I would much rather have the 550i.