Originally Posted by stream' date='Feb 10 2005, 04:58 PM

The 0 - 60 MPH difference between manual and steptronic for a 545i is 0.1 sec. (5.7 vs. 5.8).? If the difference between a 750i and 745i is also 0.1 sec., it seems to me that a 550i manual being 1.0 sec. faster than a 545i steptronic is not realistic.? More like 0.2 sec.

Originally Posted by Guest' date='Feb 10 2005, 03:49 PM

[quote name='M-1' date='Feb 10 2005, 05:35 PM'][quote name='xexyus' date='Feb 10 2005, 02:42 PM']whats the terms of the lease??? I wanna know

Originally Posted by fishskis' date='Feb 9 2005, 11:44 PM

On the issue of a 545 now or a 550 later, here are my thoughts....

I am picking up an ED 545 first week in May. When I first heard about the 550 my initial reaction was, "should I wait a few months?", but then I thought about it, did a little research and some thinking, and here's where I end up:

- In the 7 series, the 0-60 time difference between the 745 and the 750 is one tenth of a second. One or two tenths of a second are virtually meaningless (to me at least).
- There is only a small window in which I find ED desirable due to weather, as well as avoiding peak tourist season; so April, May, June are ideal, and September and early October are secondary choices. Supposedly they will begin production for the 550 in September, but who really knows? Highly unlikely I would be able to schedule a trip for September with any degree of certainty about the car; so that would mean a one year wait for me, pushing until April of '06.
- How will the order process be? Will they hold back 550's from ED when they first introduce it. What will the pricing be?
- I am leasing; the lease rates are very attractive right now....will they be higher with the introduction of the 550? Probably, but who really knows.
- Resale is a legitimate issue, but I am leasing. If I do want to trade or sell, with ED, I have a significantly reduced cap cost on my side.
- As someone wrote in another thread, there will always be something bigger, better, faster, etc.
- It does seem like they have had a few bugs to work out, so I am hopeful my post-week 9 production car will be a bit improved.
- Even though they are (supposedly) just changing the engine for the 550, who knows if the initial production run will have some problems. I am not an expert on this stuff at all; but it is certainly a legitimate question.
- I have a great trip planned, and everything is set. I can't wait!

So for me, it is an easy decision. (I think).

So unless there is some monumental change of perspective in the next few weeks, I will be cruising around in my 545 for at least the next couple of years.

Any thoughts?

Originally Posted by markt540i' date='Feb 10 2005, 05:50 PM

Only you know what you want, and if you want it now go get it. If I were in your position I would probably get it now too. I am psyched about the new 550i and can hardly wait. My target mileage of about 80,000 to sell puts me on track for an August sell date. So, it will be interesting to follow the potential development of the 550i and its avalability. If around that date the 550i is not firmed up and available for order, I will NOT be waiting and will order a 545i without hesitation. I think.? ? ?

Originally Posted by EBMCS03' date='Feb 10 2005, 08:03 PM

[quote name='markt540i' date='Feb 10 2005, 05:50 PM']Only you know what you want, and if you want it now go get it. If I were in your position I would probably get it now too. I am psyched about the new 550i and can hardly wait. My target mileage of about 80,000 to sell puts me on track for an August sell date. So, it will be interesting to follow the potential development of the 550i and its avalability. If around that date the 550i is not firmed up and available for order, I will NOT be waiting and will order a 545i without hesitation. I think.? ?? ?