04 545i with all packages vs base 09 535i xDrive, I know the turbos spool up quick but who pulls on the highway?

 

I would assume vs a base 535 the 545 would win but up the boost and the 535 would win hands down

 

The 535 is faster, The 550i is barely faster and it has a bit more upper end HP, same lower end torque.

 

Torque is what moves a car (especially from a standstill), not horsepower. The 545i with that big V8 has more torque and will accelerate quicker than a 535i even with turbos. Granted the 535i is slightly lighter but not enough to beat a 545i from a dead-stop.

As far as elasticity goes, I think the naturally aspirated car has an even bigger advantage.

 

A 545i would win by a narrow margin, it only has an extra 30 ft lbs of torque. A tuned 535 on almost any map would be able to beat a 545i. Then a protuned or Jb4 535i running a E30 map will smoke a 545 and 550 with no problems.

 

True, but that's not the scenario the OP laid out. His hypothetical supposes stock loaded 545i versus a base 535xi.

In that scenario, the 545i will win. Granted not by a lot but it will still outrun a 535xi.

Sure you can tune a 535 all day long, but you can also put a supercharger on the 545i to even things out for the N/A car.

Bottom line, stock car vs. stock car 545i wins.

 

I think 545i will win stock vs. stock (I own one).

But easy and cheaper tuneability of 535i Turbo inline 6 makes my 545i feels hopeless

 

That's why I put that info in the first sentence that a 545i would win by narrow margin.

 

the 535i like previously said is tunable, i love my 550i but after seeing a 535i with minor mods going the 12's at the track and his everyday driver makes me kinda want to rethink my purchase...lol kinda

 

There are several real world tests of the 550 vs the 535 and the 550i is barely faster. As in maybe half of a car length the whole test. Even though the 535i is less hp and torque, i assume the weight difference is enough. Since the 550i is more powerful than the 545i, i can only assume that the 535i is faster. Hope that makes sense.

I have a 550i personally but i would switch to a 35 for the gas savings. Performance is there when you need it. I do love the sound of the V8 though.

As a side note would anyone put 8k into a 45 or 50 to supercharge it? I would love the extra power but just cant see that expense.