Would you buy a 535i or a 550i?
01-09-2007, 04:36 PM
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The 535i which look to weigh in around 3600lbs will have 300bhp and 300ft-lb of torque. For roughly $1300, Vishnu already offers a chip/tuning to extract an additional ~55whp and ~75ft-lb of torque. Additional power gains should be possible in the near future along with competing tuners to drive down the price a bit.
The 550 weighs in around 3800lbs and has 360bhp and 360ft-lb of torque.
Not sure about the price difference between the two, perhaps someone could chime in.
So which would you choose? Discuss.
The 550 weighs in around 3800lbs and has 360bhp and 360ft-lb of torque.
Not sure about the price difference between the two, perhaps someone could chime in.
So which would you choose? Discuss.
01-09-2007, 04:42 PM
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Sorry this seems to be a repost of the same subject http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=33529&st=0
Here is my old post on the subject
At the time I would take a 550, but now I'm not so sure.
Here is my old post on the subject
Originally Posted by heezy545i' post='356959' date='Nov 16 2006, 02:31 PM
The new engine is great, but I still think I'd take a 550.
The 550 may be about 150lbs heavier up front, but if you're buying a car like this, it's not that big of a deal. The 535 should be a bit more nimble, but unless you go to the track, the difference will most likely not be felt.
Sure the 535 has more potential, but truth is most of these cars will stay completely stock, so on paper the 550 still has more power. Roughly 60 more hp and 60 more ft-lb of torque. I've seen that automobile dyno of the 335 like everyone else and the numbers are high, but that's just one dyno. A 550 could dyno abnormally high, but that wouldn't mean that it's greatly underrated. Sure BMW could underrate the 335 a bit, but to underrate it by 40-50bhp, I just don't buy it.
The 550 may be about 150lbs heavier up front, but if you're buying a car like this, it's not that big of a deal. The 535 should be a bit more nimble, but unless you go to the track, the difference will most likely not be felt.
Sure the 535 has more potential, but truth is most of these cars will stay completely stock, so on paper the 550 still has more power. Roughly 60 more hp and 60 more ft-lb of torque. I've seen that automobile dyno of the 335 like everyone else and the numbers are high, but that's just one dyno. A 550 could dyno abnormally high, but that wouldn't mean that it's greatly underrated. Sure BMW could underrate the 335 a bit, but to underrate it by 40-50bhp, I just don't buy it.
01-09-2007, 04:48 PM
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My Ride: 2007 E63 AMG | Obsidian Black | Schwarzes Nappa | Black BirdEye Maple | Premium II Package | Electronic Trunk Closer | Parktronic
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Love the V8 engine, but the tuneability of the bi-turbo inline 6 gets my vote. V8 engine is just too difficult for tuners to extract any additional hp out of it short of a S/C.
01-09-2007, 08:59 PM
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I've not driven 535i and my 550i back to back, but if 535i is tune-able per rumor (addition 50hp+), I'd go for 535i for the sake of tuning capability.
Because I have to haul my wife (110lbs) everyday, so 550i is my choice since I need more hp and torque to push the car forward
If I was still single, I'd get 535i assumming I have an impression right after 535i test drive.
Because I have to haul my wife (110lbs) everyday, so 550i is my choice since I need more hp and torque to push the car forward
If I was still single, I'd get 535i assumming I have an impression right after 535i test drive.
01-09-2007, 09:45 PM
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I am a new forum member and am considering exactly the same question right now. Right now it is 50-50 between them. For me the $ is still an issue, however, with all the options I want on my car I know that the $ spread will likely be around $6K. For that extra amount with a 550 I would get a V8 with 60 more hp (maybe 30 more if you believe the dyno reports of the 335i), bigger rims, M Sport suspension, the Sport package aero kit, and the cabon black paint which will likely not be available on the 535. This sounds like a good deal for $6K to me, however, I also love turbo engines and the kick they give when the boost comes on! It is a really tough decision and I have to let my dealer know soon which direction I am going to go.
01-10-2007, 08:19 AM
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Originally Posted by my530i' post='376177' date='Jan 10 2007, 05:59 AM
Because I have to haul my wife (110lbs) everyday, so 550i is my choice since I need more hp and torque to push the car forward
01-10-2007, 08:34 AM
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My Ride: My ex-ride: EU '08 LCI 520dA. Space Grey, Sport Seats in Black Leather/Fabric Anthracite, Sport Steering Wheel, A/C with Extended Features, Hi-Fi Speakers, Cup Holders, Cruise with Braking function, Folding Rear Seats, Xenons, Park Distance Control.
535i pros:
- less weight
- less gas consumpition
- better torgue from low revs
- easy (?) to tune for much more power
550i pros:
- it's a V8 (?)
- a bit stronger and faster than the standrad 535i
- no (possible) turbo problems
- less weight
- less gas consumpition
- better torgue from low revs
- easy (?) to tune for much more power
550i pros:
- it's a V8 (?)
- a bit stronger and faster than the standrad 535i
- no (possible) turbo problems
01-10-2007, 08:49 AM
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My Ride: 2008 550i ZSP with Style 167 wheels
The info from a UK publication (attached in another message on this forum) showed 0-62mph times for the facelifted 550i to be 5.2 (manual) and 5.3 (auto) seconds, and for the 540i V8 (306 HP and 390 ft/lbs torque) at 6.1 (manual) and 6.2 (automatic). Projections I've seen on here are that the 535i will be in the mid-5 second range. Looking at acceleration performance, and factoring in mileage and the cost of the cars, it makes you wonder if the additional weight and cost of the 550i will be worthwhile. It may boil down to standard equipment included vs the cost of comparable options. With the 550i Sport Package's standard equipment consisting of the M-aero body, 19" non-run flats, tuned exhaust, etc., what will a comparably equipped 535i cost?
Lou
Lou
01-10-2007, 09:19 AM
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My Ride: 04 545i Titanium Grey Metallic, Auto, Nav., Bluetooth, Cold Pkg., Comfort Seats, Premium Audio
Originally Posted by pbarch1' post='376381' date='Jan 10 2007, 12:35 PM
but there is nothing like driving that big V8 .....
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