Who would buy a 550i now?
01-28-2008, 02:24 PM
#41
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My Ride: 2008 535i: June 6th start build, complete June 17th, at NY Port July 5th, at dealer July 10th, took delivery Friday July 13- Plantimum Bronze/Natural Brown Leather/Light Poplar, Sport Package, Sport Auto, Active Steering, Premium Package, CWP & PDC. Dinan Performance Software 384hp & 421 ft/lbs.
Originally Posted by pukka' post='523724' date='Jan 28 2008, 05:51 AM
Be honest - how many people out there are skeptical about forced induction on the TT I6, but would jump at the chance to get the TT V8 when the new F10's start rolling out?
01-28-2008, 02:34 PM
#42
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My Ride: 2008 535i: June 6th start build, complete June 17th, at NY Port July 5th, at dealer July 10th, took delivery Friday July 13- Plantimum Bronze/Natural Brown Leather/Light Poplar, Sport Package, Sport Auto, Active Steering, Premium Package, CWP & PDC. Dinan Performance Software 384hp & 421 ft/lbs.
Originally Posted by Bimmer32' post='523822' date='Jan 28 2008, 10:52 AM
That's next on the agenda. As most of you know, I bought my 545i back in August 05 before I found this informative forum, and I searched to see if BMW was going to release the 4.8i engine. BMW made it a real secret (or the dealer salesperson was being deceptive) that they didn't know if BMW would put the 4.8i in the 06 release of the 5 series. If I knew, I would have waited a couple month to get into a 550i instead of a 545i. 
I couldn't get any dealers to confirm the 06 release. 
Anyways, I posted this question to get a feel and hopefully give a potential new bimmer user a better idea of BMW's current and near future offerings. Particularly, is the 550i really worth the premium when you can get into the same model, same everything (assuming USA) except for a different engine that can be modded to performance equal or better than the v8 in a 535i? Let's be try to be as objective as possible.
I couldn't get any dealers to confirm the 06 release. Anyways, I posted this question to get a feel and hopefully give a potential new bimmer user a better idea of BMW's current and near future offerings. Particularly, is the 550i really worth the premium when you can get into the same model, same everything (assuming USA) except for a different engine that can be modded to performance equal or better than the v8 in a 535i? Let's be try to be as objective as possible.
I got the 545 over the 530 because of acceleration, thats what differentiates the cars for me.
I got the 535 over the 550 for only that same reason, I knew the software mod was coming by the end of 2007. When the TT V8 comes out, I will get that, again for the same reason.
Both the 535/550 have the top performance without really getting into a more single faceted car, I use mine everyday. Kids, rain, snow, traffic, fitting golf bags, trips, etc. They both have great performance and are also well rounded family sedans.
01-28-2008, 02:44 PM
#43
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My Ride: 2008 535i: June 6th start build, complete June 17th, at NY Port July 5th, at dealer July 10th, took delivery Friday July 13- Plantimum Bronze/Natural Brown Leather/Light Poplar, Sport Package, Sport Auto, Active Steering, Premium Package, CWP & PDC. Dinan Performance Software 384hp & 421 ft/lbs.
Originally Posted by moschse' post='523857' date='Jan 28 2008, 12:15 PM
Amen my brother.
This back and forth will never go away...From a guy that ordered a 535 and ended up w/ a 550, I agree with the out of the box, top of the line comment by B man...I'm glad where I ended up, but have a buddy whose gonna mod his TT, and cant wait to take delivery. Different strokes for diff folks...
This back and forth will never go away...From a guy that ordered a 535 and ended up w/ a 550, I agree with the out of the box, top of the line comment by B man...I'm glad where I ended up, but have a buddy whose gonna mod his TT, and cant wait to take delivery. Different strokes for diff folks...
The 550 deserves more differntiation in the model line up, and will have it with the TT V8. Then we won't need to debate which one is really "top of the line."
01-28-2008, 07:05 PM
#44
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My Ride: 2008 BMW 550i Sport
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There's no debate as to which is the "top-of-the-line." The 550i performs better, marginally or not. It costs more. It rides better (IMO.) And, it's the 5-5-0, not the 5-3-5 or 5-2-8. The 5-5-0. Heck, I can pretty much even see "5-5-0-i" going through other drivers' minds as they go by or I go by them. There's even a different attitude from admirers. I can see it. A 528i or 535i can go by and people hardly think twice. A 550i goes by and you can see a bit of a nod of respect. Like, "That's the big dog!"
01-28-2008, 07:10 PM
#45
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My Ride: 2008 535i: June 6th start build, complete June 17th, at NY Port July 5th, at dealer July 10th, took delivery Friday July 13- Plantimum Bronze/Natural Brown Leather/Light Poplar, Sport Package, Sport Auto, Active Steering, Premium Package, CWP & PDC. Dinan Performance Software 384hp & 421 ft/lbs.
Originally Posted by GT Premi' post='524073' date='Jan 28 2008, 11:05 PM
There's no debate as to which is the "top-of-the-line." The 550i performs better, marginally or not. It costs more. It rides better (IMO.) And, it's the 5-5-0, not the 5-3-5 or 5-2-8. The 5-5-0. Heck, I can pretty much even see "5-5-0-i" going through other drivers' minds as they go by or I go by them. There's even a different attitude from admirers. I can see it. A 528i or 535i can go by and people hardly think twice. A 550i goes by and you can see a bit of a nod of respect. Like, "That's the big dog!"
01-28-2008, 08:14 PM
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My Ride: 545iSMGSilver GrayAuburn Dakota LeatherLogic 7 Premium SoundSports Package
So meaning you have to take into account that everything is "the same" the M-Tech kit is an "OPTION" for the 535 in order to make it "the same" as the 550 so for comparison purpose all else equal minus the engine I said... it would be $4k - $5K and if you add on a $1200 Vinshu chip its down to $3400. Dinan would be more than $1200 to tune.
The brakes were not the same between the 530 and the 545/550 so I dont know if they decided to make the 535 brakes the same as the V8s... hence I didnt take any $$$$ into account for the brakes if you didnt notice.
For you, you dont care about the looks so then yes you're "better off" with a 535. If you want the 535 to look like the 550 minus the engine then what I posted is a very good comparison.
01-28-2008, 08:14 PM
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Originally Posted by pennetta' post='523986' date='Jan 28 2008, 06:16 PM
its a collaboration BMW/Dinan warranty, after that you are at your own risk with either car.
01-28-2008, 08:16 PM
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Originally Posted by pennetta' post='523990' date='Jan 28 2008, 06:21 PM
What can you get additional in the 550? You can now get the M5 look-a-like bodywork in both models now. That's the only think I could think of.
01-28-2008, 09:09 PM
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My Ride: 2008 535i:
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Originally Posted by GT Premi' post='524073' date='Jan 28 2008, 11:05 PM
There's no debate as to which is the "top-of-the-line." The 550i performs better, marginally or not. It costs more. It rides better (IMO.) And, it's the 5-5-0, not the 5-3-5 or 5-2-8. The 5-5-0. Heck, I can pretty much even see "5-5-0-i" going through other drivers' minds as they go by or I go by them. There's even a different attitude from admirers. I can see it. A 528i or 535i can go by and people hardly think twice. A 550i goes by and you can see a bit of a nod of respect. Like, "That's the big dog!"
More power to ya.