Hey gang,

I'd like your opinions on the following situation I find myself in. I've got a 2004 530i (she's right at a year old) that I like but don't love because I was foolish and did not get all the bells & whistles I wanted on her. With the current lease deals on the 545, my wife and I are actually thinking of doing something we've never done -- take a lease. We're OK with taking a little bit of a hit on the 530, and would basically make up the loss with the lower payments on a leased 545 with Euro Delivery.

Would you do this deal, or wait a couple years? By waiting we would buy, as we usually do, and get the benefit of the new 550. At the same time, that's a couple of years of driving a car with less power/features than could be had for the same money with the current 545 leases.

Curious as to what your ideas and approach would be.

Thanks!

 

I would get it now. like most said the deals on the 545 is awesome now. and you might not notice the difference of the 550 and 545.

 

Interesting dilemma. I did ED last month for a 545i and currently awaiting its arrival. If I were doing it now, I would still get the 545 rather than wait. If you order an ED now, the earliest you can probably go is Mid-may. That means you won't get the car until July. 550 should be in the dealers late October. The MF rate can be locked up 60 days after BMWFS approval so the MF for april can be valid for May pickup.

The other option would be to wait till March next year to get a 550 but who knows what the MF will be then.

Good luck on your choice.

 

I am facing a similar dilemma. I have a 1 yr old 530i, leasing for 3 yrs. I stayed away from the 545 for numerous reasons, however, I'm now feeling some remorse as well. If I could jump my lease early, I'd run for a 545 now, which I could get loaded for a little more than I/m leasing the 530 for. The 550 will probably be much more expensive (at least 200-300/month) than the current deals on the 545, so in your case I'd go for the 545 now. Besides, you're looking at realistically about 6 months to delivery of the 550, so why delay the gratification any further? Since I can't get out of my lease without major penalties, I'm going to wait out the 2 yrs, and hopefully the MF on the 550 will come down to earth is it did on the 545. Good luck with your decision. And remember - you almost CAN'T make a mistake here - you're getting a V8 BMW either way!!!!
Best,
Marco

 

Ive been doing a similar 545i now vs. 550i later debate in my head.

If you're going to buy, and do ED, I think that there is little to be gained from buying a 545i now other than getting your new car sooner. I don't know of any way to get a better price on a 545i than to take ED and negotiate up from the ED invoice price. But that will be just as available to you when the 550i's are out. The 550i will probably cost you a little more, but maybe not depending on which options you want and how they re-do the option packages (such as the rumored removal of active steering from the sports package).

If you're going to lease, the low interest rate on the 545i leases is really really attractive.

For me, I've ruled out (for now, based on less than full education) leasing, as I put 18,000 miles per year on my car. In fairness to myself I should probably get the dealer to run the lease numbers for me on a 545i at 18k or 20k miles per year.

 

Keep your 530 for a couple years then get then 550. If you have to get it this year, you should wait for 550. I don't think you want to be in the situation of getting a brand new 545 and see 550 on the road before or right after your car gets back here from ED.

Bells & whistles are over rated. Sport pkg and logic 7 are the only two options worth the money. Just drive the car.

 

Thanks for the input everyone! Not an easy decision, but can't lose no matter what (keep the 530, get the 545, wait just a little longer and get a 550). All good options.

Katmai -- I notice you've also got the Nav and heated seats, but don't mention those as worth the money. Can you tell me more about them? Those are two I had rated highly. I like the Nav concept, as well as the voice commands. My wife absolutely demands the heated seats (we live in Houston where it never gets cold, but she loves the heat on her back pretty much year round).

Thanks

 

I don't use the heated seats too often, because I live in S. Cal. The thicker steering wheel from cold pkg is nice though. Navigation is a good gadget, but I don't need to use it majority of time. Navigation was the most useful, when I was driving in Germany and Austria for my European Delivery.

If I'm configuring a 2006 550, I would consider these options in such priority order 1) sport pkg (minus Active Steering for MY 2006) 2) Premium Sound 3) Navigation 4) Sirius radio or cold pkg 5) Comfort seat, 6) etc.