Who would buy a 550i now?
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From: Atlanta, GA
My Ride: 2008 535i:
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I think everyone here agrees the 550i is the "top dawg".
IMO giving the 535i two turbos narrows the performance gap to the point where it becomes more difficult to decide whether or not spending the extra 8k is worth it. Thats where personal preference kicks in - whether its reliability concerns, body kit preference, or the percieved admiration from others.
My only gripe is about those who knock forced induction. BMW doesn't agree with you, so in order to maintain your top dawg status you are going to have to consider a TT V8. And when the performance guys start raising the boost on this engine you are going to have to do the same in order to keep up.
But when the TT V8's are released the performance gap among the 5ers will widen again and debates like this will no longer exist.
IMO giving the 535i two turbos narrows the performance gap to the point where it becomes more difficult to decide whether or not spending the extra 8k is worth it. Thats where personal preference kicks in - whether its reliability concerns, body kit preference, or the percieved admiration from others.
My only gripe is about those who knock forced induction. BMW doesn't agree with you, so in order to maintain your top dawg status you are going to have to consider a TT V8. And when the performance guys start raising the boost on this engine you are going to have to do the same in order to keep up.
But when the TT V8's are released the performance gap among the 5ers will widen again and debates like this will no longer exist.
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From: Seattle, WA
My Ride: 2007 530xi
Originally Posted by Bimmer32' post='523674' date='Jan 27 2008, 10:24 PM
Give that you could get essentially all the options in a 535i as you would in a 550i (except the engine itself), why would anyone get a 550i now and pay more? For a few $$ thousands, you can boost the I6 to equal or better engine power.
Somebody enlighten me.
Somebody enlighten me.
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From: Western Washington
My Ride: 2008 Space Gray 550i, Light Poplar Wood, Anthracite Head Liner, Sport Package, Sport Automatic Transmission, Cold Weather Package, Front Ventilated Comfort Seats in Black Nasca Leather, NAV, HUD, Active Steering, Comfort Access, Night Vision, Lane Deviation Warning, Active Cruise Control, Heated Rear Seats, Folding Rear Seats, Power Shade w/ Rear Side-Shades, Rear Air Bags, Logic 7, HD Radio, Sirius Satellite Radio, iPod/USB Adapter. Car in BMW Body Shop, estimated completion 01/24/07.
Originally Posted by pennetta' post='524075' date='Jan 28 2008, 08:10 PM
You are a label guy
So funny! Sort of like a pun!
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From: Western Washington
My Ride: 2008 Space Gray 550i, Light Poplar Wood, Anthracite Head Liner, Sport Package, Sport Automatic Transmission, Cold Weather Package, Front Ventilated Comfort Seats in Black Nasca Leather, NAV, HUD, Active Steering, Comfort Access, Night Vision, Lane Deviation Warning, Active Cruise Control, Heated Rear Seats, Folding Rear Seats, Power Shade w/ Rear Side-Shades, Rear Air Bags, Logic 7, HD Radio, Sirius Satellite Radio, iPod/USB Adapter. Car in BMW Body Shop, estimated completion 01/24/07.
Originally Posted by DRANGED' post='524122' date='Jan 28 2008, 10:23 PM
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Originally Posted by EBMCS03' post='524103' date='Jan 29 2008, 12:14 AM
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 $$$$ into account for the brakes if you didnt notice.
For you, you dont care about the looks so then yes you're "better off" with a 535. If you want the 535 to look like the 550 minus the engine then what I posted is a very good comparison.
The brakes were not the same between the 530 and the 545/550 so I dont know if they decided to make the 535 brakes the same as the V8s... hence I didnt take any $$$$ into account for the brakes if you didnt notice.
For you, you dont care about the looks so then yes you're "better off" with a 535. If you want the 535 to look like the 550 minus the engine then what I posted is a very good comparison.
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From: NJ,USA
Originally Posted by Bimmer32' post='523674' date='Jan 28 2008, 01:24 AM
Give that you could get essentially all the options in a 535i as you would in a 550i (except the engine itself), why would anyone get a 550i now and pay more? For a few $$ thousands, you can boost the I6 to equal or better engine power.
Somebody enlighten me.
Somebody enlighten me.
There are also the other intangiables; like bigger brakes, low end torque, etc.
The 06 550 cpo with more options was a better value at the time then a new 535.
The prices on the 535 were crazy at the time and the only benefit was the awd option if you were to consider it(which I did).
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From: Mount Laurel, NJ
Originally Posted by JSpira' post='524104' date='Jan 29 2008, 01:14 AM
It?s not a ,,collaboration`` it?s Dinan?s warranty and Dinan has to replace any BMW parts that are impacted by a Dinan product. There is no collaboration here with BMW. Have you read their warranty?
You are correct, but Dinan will not cover any engine damage that may result from the increased boost. Make sure you read it carefully.