Motor Trend Comparo
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The November issue taste-tests four V8s and the BMW 545 (non-sport with AS) takes top honors in a close-call review over the M45. 
The MB E500 rates 3rd and the Cadillac STS V8 gets lapped.
Money quote: "The 545i is a sublime machine with a suspension tuned to be perhaps the perfect compromise between ride and handling, an engine that speaks like Miles Davis's trumpet, and a chasis that feels more solid than the USS Ronald Reagan's keel."
Sure, they pick on I-Drive, active steering, cupholders, and the turn signal stalk mechanism. But all is forgiven after being driven hard.
I will be interesting to see if one of these car mags will test a new 550 sport against the other best-of-breed sedans.
The MB E500 rates 3rd and the Cadillac STS V8 gets lapped.
Money quote: "The 545i is a sublime machine with a suspension tuned to be perhaps the perfect compromise between ride and handling, an engine that speaks like Miles Davis's trumpet, and a chasis that feels more solid than the USS Ronald Reagan's keel."
Sure, they pick on I-Drive, active steering, cupholders, and the turn signal stalk mechanism. But all is forgiven after being driven hard.
I will be interesting to see if one of these car mags will test a new 550 sport against the other best-of-breed sedans.
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From: San Jose, California, USA
My Ride: 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S Convertible. Midnight Blue, 6 Speed.Retired - 2007 997 Carrera S, Midnight Blue, Grey leather, premium audioRetired - 2007 550i, Monaco Blue over Beige, Navigation, Logic 7, Cold Weather Pack, Comfort Access, Sport Package
Model Year: 2008
Wow - finally some corroboration that my non-sport AS equipped 545 is the driver's car I always knew it was!!!!!! 
I'll likely get sport next time but I always feel that the non sport handles great - certainly by far the finest car I have ever owned/driven.
thanks for the heads up - haven't got my copy yet.
I'll likely get sport next time but I always feel that the non sport handles great - certainly by far the finest car I have ever owned/driven.thanks for the heads up - haven't got my copy yet.
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My Ride: 2005 545i, Orient Blue, Black Interior, Sport Package, Satellite
Hey thanks! I see they haven't posted to the motortrend.com website yet. Do you have a scanner that you could use to post a copy?
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Originally Posted by ZinMe' date='Sep 29 2005, 02:31 PM
Hey thanks!? I see they haven't posted to the motortrend.com website yet.? Do you have a scanner that you could use to post a copy?
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I'm on the road today but will give it a go when I get home tonight. The news stand at O'Hare had it set out just this morning. Makes for good airplane reading.
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My Ride: 2003 X5 3.0----->gone
2004 Porsche Cayenne S : Gemballa front and back bodykit, fabspeed bypass pipes, Gemballa exhaust pipes, full option, 20" factory sport design rims------>gone
2005 545i 6-spd manual---->de-badged, CDV removal, Autosolutions short shift kit, resonator removal, premium package, PDC, xenon, almost full options, hardwire V1 install ....looking for mods...
2007 550i 6-spd----> Premium package, sport package, Logic7, heated everything, Rogue Engineering SSK, CDV removal, hardwire V1 install, aFe cold air intake, Custom Magnaflow exhaust....
Hmmm...how big od a difference is the sport package? I drove a 530i without spoer package and there seems to be much more bodyroll....even that could beat the m45 and e500.....guess the sport pack would be unfair for them huh.... 
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From: San Jose, California, USA
My Ride: 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S Convertible. Midnight Blue, 6 Speed.Retired - 2007 997 Carrera S, Midnight Blue, Grey leather, premium audioRetired - 2007 550i, Monaco Blue over Beige, Navigation, Logic 7, Cold Weather Pack, Comfort Access, Sport Package
Model Year: 2008
Originally Posted by Jeffs' date='Sep 30 2005, 05:59 AM
Hmmm...how big od a difference is the sport package? I drove a 530i without spoer package and there seems to be much more bodyroll....even that could beat the m45 and e500.....guess the sport pack would be unfair for them huh....
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From: San Jose, California, USA
My Ride: 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S Convertible. Midnight Blue, 6 Speed.Retired - 2007 997 Carrera S, Midnight Blue, Grey leather, premium audioRetired - 2007 550i, Monaco Blue over Beige, Navigation, Logic 7, Cold Weather Pack, Comfort Access, Sport Package
Model Year: 2008
Originally Posted by ipse dixit' date='Sep 30 2005, 09:26 PM
Similarly equipped, isn't the 545i (non-sport) about $5K to $7K more expensive than the M45?
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Originally Posted by swajames' date='Oct 1 2005, 08:47 AM
[quote name='ipse dixit' date='Sep 30 2005, 09:26 PM']Similarly equipped, isn't the 545i (non-sport) about $5K to $7K more expensive than the M45?
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[/quote]Hmm, I bet with the 5K difference, I could upgrade the suspension on the M45, add some sway bars, maybe even a front strut bar (and have about 2K left to spare) that would make the M45 the handling equivalent of the 545i (non-sport), or better.
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My Ride: 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S Convertible. Midnight Blue, 6 Speed.Retired - 2007 997 Carrera S, Midnight Blue, Grey leather, premium audioRetired - 2007 550i, Monaco Blue over Beige, Navigation, Logic 7, Cold Weather Pack, Comfort Access, Sport Package
Model Year: 2008
Originally Posted by ipse dixit' date='Oct 1 2005, 09:32 PM
[quote name='swajames' date='Oct 1 2005, 08:47 AM'][quote name='ipse dixit' date='Sep 30 2005, 09:26 PM']Similarly equipped, isn't the 545i (non-sport) about $5K to $7K more expensive than the M45?
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[/quote]Hmm, I bet with the 5K difference, I could upgrade the suspension on the M45, add some sway bars, maybe even a front strut bar (and have about 2K left to spare) that would make the M45 the handling equivalent of the 545i (non-sport), or better.
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[/quote]Motor Trend thought the M45 already handled as well as the 545 - they just thought the 545 was better. Based on their comments you'd be better off spending your 5K on the M45's dash and interior.