Anyone have experience with 535xi or 550xi BMW's? | FerrariChat
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Anyone have experience with 535xi or 550xi BMW's?

Discussion in 'Other German' started by toggie, Dec 15, 2011.

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  1. toggie

    toggie F1 World Champ
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    #1 toggie, Dec 15, 2011
    Thinking of getting a new 4-door BMW. Never owned a BMW before.

    Anyone have any experience with the newer 5 series cars, in particular the 535xi or 550xi models?

    I think the AWD would come in handy in the winter time.

    Any pros or cons I should know about?

    My previous AWD experience with German cars includes a 2011 Audi S5 Cab and a 2004 MB S-class 4matic.

    Thanks.
     
  2. 355dreamer

    355dreamer F1 World Champ
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    #2 355dreamer, Dec 15, 2011
    Ron. My current DD is an 09 535i wagon (affectionately know as the murder wagon) :)

    Were you considering a brand new car, the (F10) or the previous model, E60. That might help me guide you to the pros and cons.
     
  3. toggie

    toggie F1 World Champ
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    #3 toggie, Dec 15, 2011
    New car.

    How's the reliability been with your wagon?
     
  4. bluedog111

    bluedog111 Karting

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    #4 bluedog111, Dec 15, 2011
    I have an 2008 E60 550i 6spd. With a good set of winter tires it's been no problem. I live in Toronto and have been on many winter trips without a problem. It's also been very reliable with only one unscheduled visit to the dealer for an oxygen sensor that went bad. For a four door sedan, they are as good as it gets. The new 5 is built on the same platform as the 7. The 7 in Canada is heavily discounted. If you get the V8, get the 7 in my opinion. Not sure on the depreciation of the 7 but the v8 5 series depreciates significantly.
     
  5. bpu699

    bpu699 F1 World Champ
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    #5 bpu699, Dec 16, 2011
    We have a 325xi...5 years old. Basically a 3 series with 4wd. I love the 4wd...absolutely would get it again. Goes through snow storms with the best of the suv's...

    No major problems...

    The car goes through brakes/rotors every 20,000 miles or so ($1500...)

    Front sway bar links wore out at 20,000 ("Thats normal...its a wear item...)...

    50k miles so far, love the car. High quality through an through...

    Bo
     
  6. 355dreamer

    355dreamer F1 World Champ
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    #6 355dreamer, Dec 16, 2011
    Last edited: Dec 16, 2011
    So far so good. I've done some mods and bumped the HP up around 400. It's had minor issues, but the 100k warranty has done its job and will continue to offer piece of mind.

    I recently had a 535 F10 as a loaner car, and I was surprised about how much bigger it is than the previous generation.
     
  7. SPG1

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    #7 SPG1, Dec 16, 2011
    gotta keep an eye on the HPFP...MAJOR weakness in BMW DI cars
     
  8. 355dreamer

    355dreamer F1 World Champ
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    #8 355dreamer, Dec 16, 2011
    I think it's been pretty well addressed. The new part has a 120k warranty.
     
  9. 599_GTB

    599_GTB Formula Junior

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    #9 599_GTB, Dec 18, 2011
    My dad owns a BMW 530d GT-series as his daily, the gt is not really a 5-series, it is more a 7-series, but it has the same 8-speed automatic and it works great... you have to get head-up-display, it is amazing, also comfort key..... and get x-drive.... you can go wrong with a 535 or a 550! good luck
     
  10. toggie

    toggie F1 World Champ
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    #10 toggie, Dec 19, 2011
    Okay, I went and looked at new BMWs today.

    They had only one 535xi car in stock but several 528xi cars.

    528xi has a 2-liter 4-cyl engine with 240 hp, gets 32 mpg highway, base price $49,000.
    535xi has a 3-liter 6-cyl engine with 300 hp, gets 29 mpg highway, base price $54,550.
    550xi has a 4.4-liter 8-cyl engine with 410 hp, gets 24 mpg highway, base price $64,000.

    We would get an almost fully loaded car with about $11k more in options.

    My question is: Is the $9450 more for the 550xi worth it compared to the 535xi?

    .
     
  11. bluedog111

    bluedog111 Karting

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    #11 bluedog111, Dec 20, 2011
    See my above post. My loaded ($13k cdn in options) 2008 550i has had a steep depreiciating curve. On the used wholesale market it's worth similar money as the base 535i with almost no options. Thats a $ 15k hit. If you want a fully loaded 550i, you may be better off with the 7.
    Was it worth it to get the loaded v8, yes. The options on the BMW's, make the car. The 7 is only slightly larger than the already large 5 and comes standard with most of the features that are options on the 5. Good luck with your desicion.
     

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