TCL - Please Guide Me: 2011+ BMW 535i Vs. 550i | VW Vortex

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#1 · Oct 9, 2014 (Edited) TCL, Looking to pick up a 2011+ BMW 5 series. Debating between the 535i and 550i engines. Regardless of the car, it will be a 6-speed rear-wheel drive. Trying to find the best combination between price, mileage, and options (navigation is a must). Considered other options (e.g., Audi S4, Cadillac CTS-V, BMW M3, BMW 335i), but prefer the larger size of the 5 series to that of the 3 series and the A4/S4 chassis. Cadillac CTS-V, while powerful, will be in the single digits for miles-per-gallon. Regardless of the car, I would really like to throw on a tune, as to take full advantage of the turbocharger, and have "somewhat" of a sleeper. Also, I want to feel like I'm making an upgrade from my current Infiniti G37S, performance wise. Quick Facts: 535i 3.0 liter straight six, single turbocharger 300 horsepower 300 torque 19/28 mpg With Dinan tune, 535i puts out 360hp. and 392tq. 550i 4.4 liter V8, twin turbocharger 400 horsepower 450 torque 15 / 22 mpg With Dinan tune, 550i puts out 494hp. and 579tq. In addition to added power, 550i comes with upgraded front seats, parking sensors, auto-dimming mirrors, interior ambience lighting, and hard-drive based navigation system (which is optional on the 535i). Thus far, I found a 2011 535i for $32,599 with 23K; a 2011 550i with 'M' sport package and 31K for $45, and a 2011 550i with 27K for $43,000, The 'M' sport package REALLY makes the car stand out. Which engine would you go for in the 5 series? Thank you very much :thumbup:! 535i Link to CarMax page, since I cannot hotlink pics from their site 550i with 'M' package

550i no 'M' package

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5 Sort by Oldest first Oldest first Newest first Most reactions #2 · Oct 9, 2014 I've been looking at the 550i M-pack too. With a stage 1 tune and some bolt ons they're getting near 500hp/600tq. I guess the 2011 model is plagued with problems for both the 535 and 550. A couple threads I've found in my research http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1020009 http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1041442 I'm honestly thinking about waiting until sometime next year-ish to snap up one of the last F10s before the G30s come out. I've seen some pretty spectacular leases on the outgoing years, but you miss out on options and features you may want. #3 · Oct 9, 2014 Why would this be a question if you can afford the more expensive one? The 550I has much more tuning potential, but also I would expect very hefty bills if the warranty runs out and you got nothing to go on. #4 · Oct 9, 2014 V8 #5 · Oct 9, 2014 ^^Thats scary. I've entertained the thought of getting an LCI E60 535i over an LCI E90 335i. Not sure how reliable the LCI E60's are. #6 · Oct 9, 2014 Do those 3L turbo engine need to worry about HPFP issue? I know they have extended warranty... But I would still avoid them... #20 · Oct 9, 2014 The HPFP issue isn't even a problem in 2014 on N54 cars. N55 were never really affected. OP, I say go for the big boy. The N55 isn't as tunable as the N54. It sounds better though. 1 Reply #7 · Oct 9, 2014 Being a BMW tech for a long time, stay away from that N63 V8. FAR AWAY. It is a horrible motor with tons of problems. Injectors, turbos, cylinder wall and valve guide issues, not to mention the leaks and that the engine has to come out for carbon cleaning. Reverse hotside V8 so the intake manifolds are where normal exhaust manifolds are. N55 fixed a lot of issues the N54 had and we dont have that many issues with them so the 535 has my vote. #8 · Oct 9, 2014

mikes96GTI said: Being a BMW tech for a long time, stay away from that N63 V8. FAR AWAY. It is a horrible motor with tons of problems. Injectors, turbos, cylinder wall and valve guide issues, not to mention the leaks and that the engine has to come out for carbon cleaning. Reverse hotside V8 so the intake manifolds are where normal exhaust manifolds are. Click to expand...

Well then. V6T! Show more replies 1 Reply #9 · Oct 9, 2014 For reference and reality, here is one out of an E70 for carbon cleaning.... looks like a simple, cheap and easy motor for DIY or repairs by an independent shop no?

#29 · Oct 9, 2014

mikes96GTI said: Click to expand...

Personally, I would not buy any BMW unless I could afford to purchase it Brand Spanking New :eek:

the Costs associated with ownership are high !:what: 0 Reply #11 · Oct 9, 2014 I6T! #12 · Oct 9, 2014 Whichever you choose, M sport pack or bust. While the v8 is no doubt impressive, I would assume it is much easier to tune the 535 because of the use of the engine in the 3 series. The n55 with headers/tune is scary fast. Granted the 5 is much bigger, but my friends 135i with nothing but a tune and exhaust was the most impressive street tune car I've ridden in because it's so damn civil and then all sudden you're in warpspeed. #13 · Oct 9, 2014 well damn. Had no idea the 550i had a twin turbo. Sounds like an absolute beast, sucks about the reliability. #16 · Oct 9, 2014 Only shame is the cross-flow header. Negates most/all of the traditional V8 burble - half the damn reason for buying a V8, IMO. Turns a jackhammer sound into something too smooth to bother with (again, IMO). Show more replies 0 Reply #14 · Oct 9, 2014 Wow, didn't know about the 2011 issues, but, might not be a dealer breaker for me, as I am in need of a car. Correct me if I am wrong, but the 5 series IS bigger than an Audi A4/S4, and also bigger than a MKII Acura TSX? The wife currently drives a MKII Acura TSX, and with the new baby, find it cramped to fit four adults and baby comfortably. Hope that a 5 series will remedy that problem. Any personal experience from 535i owners? Would LOVE to have the input! #15 · Oct 9, 2014 Its a big car. My friend puts three car seats in the back of his. I would suggest going to a dealer and sitting in one. They aren't small cars. I would say definitely bigger than a B8 #19 · Oct 9, 2014

OP, We had a 535ix m-sport for a while. It was a zf8 car but still one of my favorite cars we've owned to date. It is a wonderful blend of a sporty, fun car that can mimic a boat on the highway and just float to where you need to be (at 80+ mph). We really had no issues other than the ashtray jamming due to a rogue coin. Seriously. We probably put about 50k on it in 3 years then downsized. I haven't been impressed with the f30 cars (what we replaced it with) even though they are quicker and sportier feeling. The 5'er is smooth, comfortable yet fun. #22 · Oct 9, 2014 Honestly since the pump was redesigned the failure rate is very low. Before that is was basically a 100% failure rate. N55 has the updated pump and I've only had to do a couple in the last few years. Injectors are different, turbo is obviously different, and it has valvetronic. N55 is a far better engine. N54 was a bad engine. #23 · Oct 9, 2014 When you're looking at these, am I right in assuming you can tell it has the sport package because the shadow line is not chrome? #24 · Oct 9, 2014 I never had a problem with my 07 335i N54 HPFP. When the last revision came out a couple years ago I didn't even want the dealer to do the work because mine worked great. Sold the car with 107k miles and only problem I ever had was a steering wheel lock problem and rear wheel bearings. I think out of the two I would take the 550i but that picture the BMW tech posted scares me. #25 · Oct 9, 2014 I would go with the 535i if you plan on keeping it past warranty. It is plenty quick, more so once tuned, while returning reasonably mileage. It's a big car. 4 adults and 1 car seat shouldn't be a problem. 3 car seats in the back is easy. I really want to like the F10 cars but I don't. They are big comfortable cars but they also drive big. Based on the 7-series platform they drive like a smaller 7-series, as opposed to the E60 which feels like a bigger version of the 3-series. #27 · Oct 9, 2014 I'd go for the 535i. As discussed, the N63 hasn't proven to be super reliable, and if you're footing the bill to fix it, you're gonna have a bad time. A tuned 535i has plenty of get up and go, and I think after that it's the law of diminishing returns for performance vs dollar. This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread. Insert Quotes Post Reply

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