My current lease expires soon and I?ve been agonizing about the next car for at least a month. I am on my second E60 and wanted something new and different but something I would enjoy driving.
Tried XF-SC and E550 but was not impressed. None of them handled as well as 5-series and to my surprise XF felt somewhat slower that my 550.
It looks not that I am back to E60 BMW but cannot decide which one - 535 or 550.

I came up with pros and cons for both models and just want to make sure I did not miss anything important:

BMW 550
Pros:
1. Looks with the aero package
2. Prestige and image.
3. Better ride (non-RFT tires, heavier)

Cons:
1. Heavy
2. More expensive. Roughly +$150 per month on a two year lease.

BMW 535 with Dinan software. Dinan claims 380hp/420lb/f
Pros:
1. Lighter thus better handling
2. Faster (at least in theory). Perfect sleeper
3. RFT safety
4. Cheaper

Cons:
1. Not much respect. Most people will confuse it with the underpowered 528/530
2. Looks almost the same as my 2007 550, even comes with 124 wheels

Honestly, I am leaning towards 535, never owned turbo, but is it actually better? Am I missing something important? Please advice.

 

You'll just miss the feel of a V8. Since you already had 2 prior I would say try the 535 with Dinan... it might be pretty fun.

 

Looks like the whole Dinanflash thing might be over. BMW is apparently changing ECU's on post 3-08 cars with safe guards against tuning. At this point, I heard that Dinan has said that they can't tune the new cars. This is past the rumor stage but details are not clear yet. On the positive side, my 535i is very quick. I have added 166 wheels and non runflat tires and it is a great car. If you want to go fast buy a 4 door M3, I think that is the route I should have gone. Hind sight is 20-20.

Good Luck

 

I know your just the messenger but doesn't sound right. Haven't heard that one yet and saying that BMW wants to safeguard against tuning is absurd, BMW sells their own performance products.

 

One more thing to consider with the 550i is the V8 engine noise, a really nice deep growl.

For what it's worth, I called Dinan a few weeks ago and they told me they should be releasing the new engine software for the 2008 550i's soon, they were just waiting on gettting a final test car ready before releasing it.

 

The 535/550 wars have been conspicuously quiet over the past few months.

Pros - 550:
If you don't like modifying your cars and you really like the M look package and/or carbon black color then get the 550.
Respect- If your worrying about what people think about you from what you drive, get the 550.
Price- $150 per month more, thats $37.50 per week. Go out to dinner one less night per month so your financially neutral and get the 550.
The 550 sport sounds better.

Pros - 535:
The ride on mine is light years ahead of the ride on my 545 sport.
The Dinan software 535 is definatley faster than a stock 550.
The twin turbo technology is BMW's new direction for the future with the 6's, 8's and maybe the V10.
The $2000 Dinan software will theoretically add the equivalent of $55 per month to a 36 month lease.

Both cars are great and once the 550 gets the twin turbo V8, I will be a V8 owner again. I've had turbos before and loved them all and if you had ever driven older turbo cars you can appreciate how amazing the new ones really are.

 

I would definitely consider the M3 if size does not matter to you.

Compared to 535/550

Faster
Better Exhaust Note
Better handling
Better looking (Subjective)
If Prestige is important to you - it's a M car

same pricepoint as 550
more expensive than 535

 

as for me i would go with the 535.. i have a 335 with the flash.. all i have to saY IS AMAZING .... as for me im waiting for ttv8.. but if your in the market right now for the car.. between the 2 i would go with the 535i all day....

 

My intial choices were the E90 M3 or 550i. Ended up with a 535i for fuel economy, the sleeper look, and a very good deal.

 

After a 545i and a 550i, you would miss the V8 .
But on the other hand, you can feel the whim to get something different from another 550i .

Likely I would choose a new 550i with some different extras, another combo etc.

Good luck!