My 540 is the refreshed version, and I think it's a much better looking car than the original. Lots of older E39 owners paid big dollars to convert to "angel eyes" and to get the other tweaks the new verion had. Also, refreshed cars generally carry higher resale values, separate from the fact they're newer model years.

Lou

 

I would say so also and all in all the car is at its engineering "peak".

One problem is, that the very laitest models come with very good extras, for nothing.

The other is, that many wants to have the lastest model (in this case the F10, 2010?).

 

E60 needs V8, stop : 3.0T is suitable for E90/92, not for E60 .
BTW.. The pleasure of the V8 ...

Dear members ... You don't understand

 

I think we were just schooled! From the land of 1 liter Fiats.

Actually, I have a 545i and would probably opt for a 535i for the reasons mentioned by others.

 

Might a 400 hp 4.4L twin turbo change your mind?

 

Now we are talking! Maybe in 2008 when my lease is up?

 

i dont know but i would get the 550i. The reasion is that this is the first time BMW has introduced a twin turbo engine. I would wait two or three years and then by the car and let all the kinks get worked out. The 550i is money in the bank and a great car to drive. Fuel economy is only as good as the drivers foot.

 

Bah, in USA gas in cheap ... And european engines has a better mileage than yours : for you the consumption of 545i should be good .

 

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.

 

Agreed, there's been a lot of discussion about that 340hp 335 dyno result. I remember reading that the procedures may not have been all they should have been and the 335 dyno for that test may be overstated. Will try and find links and will post if I can. Not that it matters, 335i looks like a phenomenal piece of kit and whatever it's putting down to the tarmac it's incredibly rapid