Casper

You're really looking to make friends here arent you? Your point of view is pretty biased, wouldnt you say?
I am sure it is, is my personal opinion.

Do you feel bad when an M5 passes you by?
I wish I had an M5 but I can not afford one, when one passes me by I feel that I want one but can't have it, so I guess that could be described as bad. yes.


The same reasons you didnt lease an M5 could be the same reasons someone didnt lease a 550 and went with a 535 whatever the reason.
Agreed 100%

Why would you choose to try and make someone feel bad about their decision?
I am not, on the contrary, I am saying don't feel bad.

I dont get it. It's the logic of a 16 yr. old. My bet is you either ARE 16 or you're just looking to ruffle feathers.
I wish I was 16, but I am a little older than that.
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poleposition

Alrighty then. Glad you cleared that up. Now I fully understand you.

All the best

pennetta

That's what happens when you read part of a contract, things get taken out of text. Dinan will warranty anything that goes wrong, including consequential damage. What you are reading is that they will not warranty if you do other modifications other than Dinan modifications. They test there products on stock cars and thats what they warranty.

pennetta

.
Your are a special and beautiful person too.
The reason we modify our 535's to performance levels exceeding other 535/545/550's is because we can. The car was designed for that flexibility. The 550 has to be enjoyed as it is because there is nothing reasonable that you could do to it. It is last years thinking and it will be abandoned by BMW shortly. Not meaning to be rude but I think that puts things into perspective...
The 550 wins hands down on exhaust note, its hard to get a turbo car to sound good with plumbing stuck in the exhaust track.
(if this annoys, read my next post)

pennetta

Guys, I don't agree with Casper but he can have his opinion. We are all just have fun and it rarely goes too far. Right now there is nothing new to talk about and it appears our cars are running well, when something goes wrong everyone mobilizes to help everyone else no matter what they drive

pennetta

The price difference between the 535 and 550 is only $150 per month on a lease, thats the price of one dinner with a hottie. Anyone that got a 535 and really wanted a 550 could find a way to do it.

JSpira

I think you have really cut to the heart of what matters!

(BTW, why do you list your car as a 535is - I don't think BMW has used that designation for a 5er since the E34)

pennetta

I just ran out and looked at the door sticker and you are correct, its a 535iA. My 545 was listed as a 545is on the door sticker, and I thought it was because of the sport package but maybe it was because of the SMG? I thought mine was an "is", I will of course change my sig and avatar.

JSpira

Interesting. I don't think I've ever looked at my door sticker.

My 2nd 3er was a 320iS - not sure what the door sticker said but it was one of the only models sold in the U.S. with badge delete.

(Ja, I'll probably run down to the garage soon and look)

Casper

I have to confess that when my 545i lease was close to expiration and I had to decide on it's replacement, I went trough the 535 or 550 decision. I drove both, twice. I could hardly tell the difference in power between them, I was rationalizing that the 535 was so close to the 550 for $7k less, I wanted it to be better or at least as good or close.

Then I did my numbers, remember I always do ED, and I have an arrangement with my dealer, invoice plus $1k, money factor base rate plus 0.00020. The delta was aprox $100.

Like someone here said, $ 100 a month is peanuts, in Miami a dinner for two in an nice medium restaurant (wine and dessert) is aprox $ $100.00 (without drinks, like a martini now is $12.00 average in most places)

So, the decision was simple, a 535i, cool car, it accelerated almost as a 550 (Remember I had been driving a 545 for 3 years) and the 550.

So, how did I decide:

1-Sport wheels on the 535 where the same I've had on the 545 for 3 years, I always liked them ( I hand washed them for 3 years) neutral
2-The 550 had a V8 with 30hp more than what I had on my 545. pro
3-The 550 had the cool body kit - pro
4-The 550i had 19" wheels, different from the ones I had had for 3 years - pro
5-The 550 claimed to have M tuned suspension and non RFT tires - pro
6-The 550 costed $ 8000 more , but on my lease doing ED only $100 a month - neutral
7-535 could be modifed easier than 550 , and for only $1500 more you could have the power of a 550 (witouth same wheels nor aerokit, and risking voiding warranty plus time invested in buying and installing upgrade) neutral
8-aerokit, special exclusive paint and wheels on 550 - pro
9-And yes, not the only factor but included in decision tree - exclusivity, label 550i higher then 535i, higher model, more expensive, less common, etc - pro

I just did the math.

I simply choose the 550i. I never did the same analysis against the M5 because I knew there is no ED discount, lease money factor always high, etc. So the delta in lease payment was very high, like a 550i was only $100 more than a 535, but an M5 would be $ 400 a month more tahn a 550i.

So, I choose a 550i sport, and that is why, in my opinion, the 550i is a better buy than a 535. A hard to argue with opinion, would not you say so?

As always, my respect to all 528i and 535i drivers, you have great taste and excellent car, a 550 is no better or worse, each one chooses according to it's own standards, mine were mostly economical.

Regards

Casper