BMW 535 vs 550

[Lifted]

I'm thinking about getting a 2007 5 series. Not sure though if the price premium is worth it between 535 - 550 though (no, i haven't taken either for a test drive yet). Anyone here own either/both at some point who can share their feelings on the extra power.

Any other differences?

Would I be better of with a 535xi?

I won't be commuting to work in it, mostly weekend driving, so perhaps it's worth a stretch for the enjoyment factor of the v8, or perhaps the 535 is powerful enough.

 

[Atty]

Why are you buying a sedan for the weekends?

 

[redgtxdi]

If you're not going to drive it to work.......550!

I can't cross exactly, but my brother had a 2003 540 w/ the 'M' package. (Not a true M5, but a beast nonetheless). That sucker was truly a monster!! I'll guess that the 550 is the same. 535i is a great machine, no doubt (You can feel the diff between a 528i and 535i) but, again, if not a commuter, then who cares about mpg.

 

[amdhunter]

No brainer for me. 550.

 

[woodie1]

For weekend fun - 550i

 

[Koing]

Why not go M5 for the weekend since you'll be getting the 550i anyway?!

Konig

 

[DivideBYZero]

Why not go M5 for the weekend since you'll be getting the 550i anyway?!

Konig

Yeah, this. If you go as far up the chain as the 550i you might as well just make a little push for the M5, and the difference will be epic.

 

[NAC]

I'll vote against the grain.

I have an 04 S4 Avant. I honestly don't enjoy the abundance of power except on the occasional highway on-ramp. It isn’t enjoyable because you can’t push the car for more than a few seconds at a time without getting into illegal and then dangerous speeds. So for the highway on ramp – it’s nice. Accelerating when you are pissed and want to pass on the highway – it’s nice. If you could drive 120 mph on the autobahn – it’s very nice. But just everyday driving, I can’t use much of the throttle without looking like and driving like an idiot. Hence, in general I know I’ll be happier with a less powerful car. And the fuel economy sucks. Oh, I’ll miss the sound though

All that being said, if the 535 has the turbo 300hp 3 liter, then it isn’t exactly underpowered – you can’t push that car very hard either without getting into illegal and then dangerous speeds.

So, that’s my opinion.

 

[amdhunter]

I'll vote against the grain.

I have an 04 S4 Avant. I honestly don't enjoy the abundance of power except on the occasional highway on-ramp. It isn’t enjoyable because you can’t push the car for more than a few seconds at a time without getting into illegal and then dangerous speeds. So for the highway on ramp – it’s nice. Accelerating when you are pissed and want to pass on the highway – it’s nice. If you could drive 120 mph on the autobahn – it’s very nice. But just everyday driving, I can’t use much of the throttle without looking like and driving like an idiot. Hence, in general I know I’ll be happier with a less powerful car. And the fuel economy sucks. Oh, I’ll miss the sound though

All that being said, if the 535 has the turbo 300hp 3 liter, then it isn’t exactly underpowered – you can’t push that car very hard either without getting into illegal and then dangerous speeds.

So, that’s my opinion.

300HP in a heavy car like the 535 isn't much. (Although, I've never driven one personally.) I'd rather have the extra grunt for those moments you do need the power - or to take the occasional spirited ride on a nice clear highway.

 

[MJinZ]

I'll vote against the grain.

I have an 04 S4 Avant. I honestly don't enjoy the abundance of power except on the occasional highway on-ramp. It isn’t enjoyable because you can’t push the car for more than a few seconds at a time without getting into illegal and then dangerous speeds. So for the highway on ramp – it’s nice. Accelerating when you are pissed and want to pass on the highway – it’s nice. If you could drive 120 mph on the autobahn – it’s very nice. But just everyday driving, I can’t use much of the throttle without looking like and driving like an idiot. Hence, in general I know I’ll be happier with a less powerful car. And the fuel economy sucks. Oh, I’ll miss the sound though

All that being said, if the 535 has the turbo 300hp 3 liter, then it isn’t exactly underpowered – you can’t push that car very hard either without getting into illegal and then dangerous speeds.

So, that’s my opinion.

'04 S4?

Edit: This year has a V8... yay.

 

[ayabe]

I'd go 535, chip it, and you'd end up with something that probably performs better than the 550 with better MPG.

 

[KentState]

A 5 series would be the last car I would consider for a weekend car. Get a real sports car.

 

[KIAman]

Consideration 1: The 5th gen 5 Series (E60) is only 150-200lbs heavier than the 3 series (E90).
Consideration 2: The 535 is going to be $10-$15k cheaper than the 550.
Consideration 3: The 550 has 360hp/369tq, 535 has 300hp/300tq
Consideration 4: A $600 mod chip on the 535 will make it much faster than 550 while being a hundred pounds lighter on its feet.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Consideration 1: The 5th gen 5 Series (E60) is only 150-200lbs heavier than the 3 series (E90).
Consideration 2: The 535 is going to be $10-$15k cheaper than the 550.
Consideration 3: The 550 has 360hp/369tq, 535 has 300hp/300tq
Consideration 4: A $600 mod chip on the 535 will make it much faster than 550 while being a hundred pounds lighter on its feet.

This, ive driven both. Honestly you can't really tell the difference for the price difference, with a chip the 535i will be faster probably.

If you want a V8 luxo sedan look for a used M5/E55 and you'll be MUCH happier

 

[shortylickens]

Since this is obviously a toy and not a daily commuter (and I am assuming you have plenty of spare cash for a toy) I would not bother with a BMW, much less a 5 series.
They are supposed to be fun daily drivers, they are not real sports cars.

Go find an M-series if you just want something fast for special trips once in a while. If you cant afford that, then forget BMW. Get something else like a Shelby or a Z06. Less money and more fun.

 

[Arkaign]

This, ive driven both. Honestly you can't really tell the difference for the price difference, with a chip the 535i will be faster probably.

If you want a V8 luxo sedan look for a used M5/E55 and you'll be MUCH happier

I can't disagree with this, although M/AMG maintenance is noticeably more expensive for things like brakes and major service milestones.

OP, also remember that the BMW Turbo *35i are notoriously underrated for power. They say 300hp, but c'mon.

http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/22/bmw-335i-lays-down-fat-dyno-numbers/

 

[cprince]

neither. I would go with the 2009 Pontiac G8 GT or GXP if you can find one. Cheap Power.

 

[Doggiedog]

Like others have said, you can chip the 535i for $500 which can be done in 30 secs and get more power out of the engine than the 550i.

I think I read somewhere that the N54 engine in the x35 cars has about 6-7PSI of boost. The new 335is has something like 9-11PSI of boost. There is clearly alot to work with with the N54 engine.

 

[MJinZ]

Since this is obviously a toy and not a daily commuter (and I am assuming you have plenty of spare cash for a toy) I would not bother with a BMW, much less a 5 series.
They are supposed to be fun daily drivers, they are not real sports cars.

Go find an M-series if you just want something fast for special trips once in a while. If you cant afford that, then forget BMW. Get something else like a Shelby or a Z06. Less money and more fun.

A Shelby..........................................................................................................


Incomparable to an M3...............................................................................

What he should get is a Porsche convertible........................

 

[exdeath]

A Shelby..........................................................................................................


Incomparable to an M3...............................................................................

Damn straight, the GT500 rocks the M3s world. Start modding and it gets twice as bad in a hurry.

Guess it boils down to what someone wants; a car they think everyone else will be impressed by, or a car that can actually whoop everyone else's ass regardless of their opinion.

Personally, if I'm looking at someone's headlights in my rear view when they started it and have their foot in the floor, I'm too busy laughing to give 2 cents on how soft their dash is or that they have bluetooth.

I do have a special spot reserved for the E46 M3, but really, at the end of the day after you're done comparing pokemon cards and stickers, all that shit becomes secondary when you have to stop next to the other person at a yellow light. Fun is not having a more expensive car or badge whoring. Fun is watching the other person frowning and beating their steering wheel when you blow their smug ass into yesterday and they face the reality that there is nothing they can do about it.

To that end the Shelby or Z06 would be a better choice when pitted against any Porsche south of $100 G too, depending on your definition of "fun", and I can't think of anything more fun than hearing the doppler shift of someone elses wide open engine screaming as it fades away behind you. Such a soothing event, where one person goes home with buyers remorse, and the other goes home with a 24 hour grin.

Ok I'm just ranting to myself now for no reason.

 

[SSSnail]

Sorry, 335i coupe.

 

[secretanchitman]

if you are dead set on a 5 series, then get the 535i and mod it yourself after the warranty goes up. i consider the old 550i a "poor mans M5", unless you are getting the new 550i (F10) with the twin-turbo V8.

 

[thomsbrain]

If you're set on a BMW for a weekend car, why would you go with anything but the Z4 or M3?

 

[MJinZ]

Damn straight, the GT500 rocks the M3s world. Start modding and it gets twice as bad in a hurry.

Guess it boils down to what someone wants; a car they think everyone else will be impressed by, or a car that can actually whoop everyone else's ass regardless of their opinion.

Personally, if I'm looking at someone's headlights in my rear view when they started it and have their foot in the floor, I'm too busy laughing to give 2 cents on how soft their dash is or that they have bluetooth.

I do have a special spot reserved for the E46 M3, but really, at the end of the day after you're done comparing pokemon cards and stickers, all that shit becomes secondary when you have to stop next to the other person at a yellow light. Fun is not having a more expensive car or badge whoring. Fun is watching the other person frowning and beating their steering wheel when you blow their smug ass into yesterday and they face the reality that there is nothing they can do about it.

To that end the Shelby or Z06 would be a better choice when pitted against any Porsche south of $100 G too, depending on your definition of "fun", and I can't think of anything more fun than hearing the doppler shift of someone elses wide open engine screaming as it fades away behind you. Such a soothing event, where one person goes home with buyers remorse, and the other goes home with a 24 hour grin.

Ok I'm just ranting to myself now for no reason.

I don't care about how fast the Shelby accelerates, I'm pretty sure it can't hold a candle to the handling of the BMW.

I've seen some decent looking Shelbys on the road, but every single time, they are still Mustangs that go fast in a straight lien... I have absolutely no envy for their owners. I'd rather have a used Lotus Evora with a 3.5L Toyota Engine than a Shelby V8....

Corvettes are actually beastly all around, and I wouldn't mind owning a Targa. In fact, I look forward to the next generation of Corvettes that will hopefully finally update its body to a modern design.

 

[exdeath]

I don't care about how fast the Shelby accelerates, I'm pretty sure it can't hold a candle to the handling of the BMW.

Actually, it does, quite well I might add.

"Pretty sure" leads me to believe your assumption is based on hearsay and armchair internet forum bias.

The only thing outdated about the Shelby, or the Mustang in general, is people's bias and misconceptions about them and "evil solid axles". The suspension in today's Mustang is quite modern and a world class track handler according to many many people who have actually driven them in and reviewed them in more than a straight line.

Also today's BMWs aren't Lotuses either, they are heavy luxury boats with balls. If you think a 4,000 lb M5 handles better than a track pack equipped Shelby simply "because it's a BMW", you are sorely mislead.