550i or 335i coupe? Help.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,875
From: Vancouver
Rep Power: 684
Went to see an 06 - 550 yesterday. FULLY LOADED, 19K mi, white with aero pkg! a steal in my opinion at $38,500. The car's original sticker; nearly $70K.....and cheaper than any equally optioned 335 coupe I've seen!!!
Anyway I went for it, but they couldn't get the payoff on my car so I left without her. Funny enough I'm still debating the decision in my head, another one of life's real difficult decisions
I agree that the 5 has more mass and is not as nimble as the 3 series, if I lived in an area with a lot of twisties choosing a 335 would be a lot easier. But I happen to live in Florida; flat, no turns and almost nothing but highways
Plus, I honestly think the 550i for whatever reason is a over-looked by most people. IMO, aftyer driving both cars; the 5 with sports suspension will have no difficulties in keeping up with the smaller 3 even in turns, of course, not mountain style tight turns. The problem (if you can call it that) with refined cars is that they make going fast effortless, therefore less thrilling. Finally, In terms of getting a bang for your buck it's a no brainer. The car is cheaper than a used 335 coupe, a car that has sticker of nearly $20 grand less new!!!
But guess what guys, it ain't over till it's over and so far it's still not in my garage and the thought of 335 coupe still not out of my head.
Sorry about these long posts.
Anyway I went for it, but they couldn't get the payoff on my car so I left without her. Funny enough I'm still debating the decision in my head, another one of life's real difficult decisions
I agree that the 5 has more mass and is not as nimble as the 3 series, if I lived in an area with a lot of twisties choosing a 335 would be a lot easier. But I happen to live in Florida; flat, no turns and almost nothing but highways
Plus, I honestly think the 550i for whatever reason is a over-looked by most people. IMO, aftyer driving both cars; the 5 with sports suspension will have no difficulties in keeping up with the smaller 3 even in turns, of course, not mountain style tight turns. The problem (if you can call it that) with refined cars is that they make going fast effortless, therefore less thrilling. Finally, In terms of getting a bang for your buck it's a no brainer. The car is cheaper than a used 335 coupe, a car that has sticker of nearly $20 grand less new!!!
But guess what guys, it ain't over till it's over and so far it's still not in my garage and the thought of 335 coupe still not out of my head.
Sorry about these long posts.
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 30
From: near the beach
Rep Power: 20
A 535i is out of the question as the used ones are in the mid $50K range. IMO, that is way over priced compared to 550i. At the end of the day a normally aspirated V8 putting out 360HP and zero turbo lag for a cheaper price makes more sense, and judging by BMW's decision in using a V8 in the new M3, I guess there is a lot of merits to that thought.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,778
From: Philly Suburbs
Rep Power: 143
I'd never EVER trade my 335 for an M3, unless it's an E46.
Therefore, if I were you I'd do a 335 now and then a 911 in a year.
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 30
From: near the beach
Rep Power: 20
Very bad ending to this thread and a word of caution about Mercedes Benz Of Palm Beach another shady car stealership.
As I previously said, the dealer was unable to get a payoff of my car on Saturday (after keeping me there for three hours). I signed all documents and filled aout the paper work, they even offered me to drive off with the car! I refused because not having a payoff the final numbers were not clear. But I was assured the car is being pulled off lot and "is mine" and no one asked me for a deposite. Had a aconversation on sunday to organize picking the car up today, and again I was told everything is fine, that they will prep the car and get it ready for today!!!
I recieved an email five minutes ago from the sales guy saying; the car was sold to someone else!!! I asked to speak with the sales manager, and the sales guy replied there is nothing you can do.
So here we go again another name to add to the list of Stealerships.
As I previously said, the dealer was unable to get a payoff of my car on Saturday (after keeping me there for three hours). I signed all documents and filled aout the paper work, they even offered me to drive off with the car! I refused because not having a payoff the final numbers were not clear. But I was assured the car is being pulled off lot and "is mine" and no one asked me for a deposite. Had a aconversation on sunday to organize picking the car up today, and again I was told everything is fine, that they will prep the car and get it ready for today!!!
I recieved an email five minutes ago from the sales guy saying; the car was sold to someone else!!! I asked to speak with the sales manager, and the sales guy replied there is nothing you can do.
So here we go again another name to add to the list of Stealerships.
Banned
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 167
From: Greenwich, CT
Rep Power: 25
if ur gonna get the M3 eventually i would get the 550 because its a really nice car, and then when you get the m3 it will feel like a bigger difference rather than going from a 335 to an m3.
just my $0.02
either way good luck
just my $0.02
either way good luck
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 38
From: Denmark
Rep Power: 22
550i interior is more dated than the 335i coupe (or any 3xx coupe for that sake), having driven both, I would definatly recommend the 335i, especially as there is no kid-hauling going on.
Morgan
Morgan
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 63
From: Los Angeles, CA
Rep Power: 21
A 535i is out of the question as the used ones are in the mid $50K range. IMO, that is way over priced compared to 550i. At the end of the day a normally aspirated V8 putting out 360HP and zero turbo lag for a cheaper price makes more sense, and judging by BMW's decision in using a V8 in the new M3, I guess there is a lot of merits to that thought.
The M3 V8 is made to rev high and has its power up top. The V8 in the 550 has way more down low, just like the bi-turbo. This is somewhat subjective, but I think it hits to the core of the differences between the M line and the regular line, at least engine wise.
Many people have compared the e92 to the e92 M and said they don't see the value since the HP is so close, especially with a tune, but the way the power is delivered is so different that you really can't compare them that way. If I spent a lot of time on the track or the autobahn then the M3 would make a lot more sense to me, but being in LA where I don't go over 3k RPM, I'll take the bi-turbo. However, I would really like to get my hands on that sweet DCT and selectable suspension the M3 has.
Just my thoughts. And like CarChrisM5 said, maybe the 550 now and the M3 later for fun.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 30
From: near the beach
Rep Power: 20
I agree with you on the value proposition of the 550 relative to a 535, but there really is no turbo lag to speak of. Plus the V8 BMW put into the M3 is much different than the V8 in the 550. I think the better comparision is the i6 bi-turbo in the 535 to the V8 NA in the 550 because of the similar torque delivery. Again I think the turbos win on fuel consumption and emissions (not to mention tunability).
The M3 V8 is made to rev high and has its power up top. The V8 in the 550 has way more down low, just like the bi-turbo. This is somewhat subjective, but I think it hits to the core of the differences between the M line and the regular line, at least engine wise.
Many people have compared the e92 to the e92 M and said they don't see the value since the HP is so close, especially with a tune, but the way the power is delivered is so different that you really can't compare them that way. If I spent a lot of time on the track or the autobahn then the M3 would make a lot more sense to me, but being in LA where I don't go over 3k RPM, I'll take the bi-turbo. However, I would really like to get my hands on that sweet DCT and selectable suspension the M3 has.
Just my thoughts. And like CarChrisM5 said, maybe the 550 now and the M3 later for fun.
Good luck.
The M3 V8 is made to rev high and has its power up top. The V8 in the 550 has way more down low, just like the bi-turbo. This is somewhat subjective, but I think it hits to the core of the differences between the M line and the regular line, at least engine wise.
Many people have compared the e92 to the e92 M and said they don't see the value since the HP is so close, especially with a tune, but the way the power is delivered is so different that you really can't compare them that way. If I spent a lot of time on the track or the autobahn then the M3 would make a lot more sense to me, but being in LA where I don't go over 3k RPM, I'll take the bi-turbo. However, I would really like to get my hands on that sweet DCT and selectable suspension the M3 has.
Just my thoughts. And like CarChrisM5 said, maybe the 550 now and the M3 later for fun.
Good luck.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,085
From: Eugene, OR
Rep Power: 108
A 535i is out of the question as the used ones are in the mid $50K range. IMO, that is way over priced compared to 550i. At the end of the day a normally aspirated V8 putting out 360HP and zero turbo lag for a cheaper price makes more sense, and judging by BMW's decision in using a V8 in the new M3, I guess there is a lot of merits to that thought.
Strictly from an emotional driving standpoint, I'd rather have the V8. The 3.0 twin turbo motor is wonderful, but it doesn't have the displacement, instant torque, sound, etc. of the V8. However, I think AWD is very valuable for a lot of people, especially us in the NW. So, a 535xi becomes a great option. Once you add the weight of the 5 series body, with the drivetrain loss of the automatic transmission and AWD, the motor isn't quite as strong as you'd really like. So, a software program such as Dinan's becomes a great option. Your 535xi now all of a sudden pulls stronger than a 550i...
Last edited by M5Kid; Apr 1, 2008 at 10:12 AM.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,085
From: Eugene, OR
Rep Power: 108
The market really hasn't hit them very hard. The well equipped examples are staying in the low $50K range, assuming reasonable miles. You might be able to snag a nice 2007 535i with 15K miles for mid to upper $40K range.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,597
From: New Jersey(outside Phila)
Rep Power: 126
I have a 2007 525 as my dd. I really like it and got it for the gas mpg. I get 20 in the city. It was in for service the other day for two weeks and I had a 335 for a loaner. A nice car but as a cruiser I like the 525 better. As a sports car I like my 911 SO much more. If I could only have one, I think it would be the 535.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
