All LCI:s has the new auto, after June you can order the new gear lever.

 

I went from a 540i to a 745i and now im ready to go back to the 550. My lease is also up in april and im debating whether to wait for the sport automatic.

Does anyone have any idea how it is going to compare with the current SMG?

Another advantage to waiting is the residuals might be more favorable since the car is a few months old.

 

ABSOLUTELY AGREE. The staggarded wheel setup is the coup d etat in the looks department.
A 545/50 sport looks much badder than its 530 stablemate.

 

Do you think you would be happy with the "step down" from the 545 to a stock 535? Would you look to tune the 535? I am sure the performance of the 535 will be very good, but if is less than the 545, the step backwards may be hard to handle.

 

I have not priced either the 535 or the 550. It just seems the 550 is going to be $1000 per month and mentally I can't pay that every month. The 535 will be lighter and usually has a higher (numerically) rear gear ratio both of which aid in acceleration. Also I have had turbo cars before and a mere software update which changes mapping but mostly keeps the waste gate closed longer can boost power 20% easy. Do you have any lease numbers for the 550 or 535 Sport?

 

No price info yet. My lease is not up until Septemeber, so I have not been to the dealer yet, but I am dealing with the same issues - price v. performance. If you can get 95% of the 550-'s performance with a modded 535, and still save $5K, it is hard to pass that up.

 

Decent seats cost $5k in the UK.

ABC

 

Go with the 535i, there are lots of tuning companies already releasing chips for the engine. Take a look at the link below. Vishnu PROcede can extract an extra 55-60whp and 70-80lbft of torque out of it. For $1300 more, you can have a car that is comparable to a 550i.

The potential for tuning this new engine is endless, and can only get better as time goes on. They are going to release a 380-400HP tuning program in the future as well. Combine that new expected program with a new exhaust, headers, etc, and you're reaching the new M3 territory in terms of power.

Vishnu PROcede Tuning System
Vishnu PROcede Tuning FAQ @ E90post.com

 

I optioned both the 535 and 550 both from BMW website and the updates from the MY2008 Pricing Sheet and there is a $10,000 difference. Not adding to the 535 for the M-Kit, exhaust, 19" wheels on the 550.

 

I came up with a difference of $8175 between on the MSRP of the 2 cars, equipped with automatic, cold weather package, premium package (standard on the 550i, extra on the 535i) and ZSP packages ($63850 vs. $55675). Adding an aero kit and 19" wheels/tires to the 535i will narrow that difference substantially, and if you want to do that chosing a 535i may make little sense given the additional cost involved. You might as well just get the 550i and receive the benefit of the M-suspension and sport tuned exhaust, which are not available on the 535i (save through after market tuners). If you can "live without" the aero kit, 19's, and other benefits of the 550i's ZSP package, then the $8175 spread makes the choice tougher. That spread is less when you factor the invoice costs and what you would pay for the car either above invoice or below MSRP. Plus, the 535's will be more plentiful, and will likely have larger available discounts available.

Lou