[ARC550]

Fuckin Noobs.

The point is this.
Yes M5 is the best 5 series.
The 550xi is second, 535, and so on and so fourth.
The higher up you go the less reliable the cars get.
The 3.0 in the 535 is legend and is best choice for budget minded people who want a little bit of everything! Sure it does handle better then 550 because it is ultimately same car just a Heavy tank of an engine upfront that is pushing it. I know I have one and handling is ehhhhh ahahahahha.

Also if you read threads etc the 2011-2013 550,650 and 750 all have issues! The 2014+ are not perfect but are way more reliable. Check used car prices and you will see for yourself. Residual is far greater. You can get a 2011 for like 30k! Lol the 535 are more pricey!

Point is 2011-2013 550i vs 535i... I would go with 535i all day with JB intakes and call it a day! Reliability is key with a preowned.

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by ARC550

Fuckin Noobs....

I agree with everything you said above, other than this particular statement.

Once you decide what matters to you in a new car (and especially test drive), the choice is actually very easy between the two. For me personally 0-60 times (yes important of course) aren't as important deciding factor as car balance and handling. Also, for me, gas mileage and perceived reliability play a huge role when getting a new car.

My point is, we comment here trying to help new buyer out. He knows what his priorities/criteria are. They may be closer to mine, or identical to yours. We're just trying to help by offering our opinion/experience. 5 Series is quite difficult car to buy with all the options/packages available and changes BMW makes to those each year. It's quite easy to get it wrong, unless all you care about is "more power".

Statements like "mine is bigger than yours" and therefore "definitive best", and "300HP is nothing, everybody does that" are juvenile.

[ARC550]

Originally Posted by Bbb34

I agree with everything you said above, other than this particular statement.

Once you decide what matters to you in a new car (and especially test drive), the choice is actually very easy between the two. For me personally 0-60 times (yes important of course) aren't as important deciding factor as car balance and handling. Also, for me, gas mileage and perceived reliability play a huge role when getting a new car.

My point is, we comment here trying to help new buyer out. He knows what his priorities/criteria are. They may be closer to mine, or identical to yours. We're just trying to help by offering our opinion/experience. 5 Series is quite difficult car to buy with all the options/packages available and changes BMW makes to those each year. It's quite easy to get it wrong, unless all you care about is "more power".

Statements like "mine is bigger than yours" and therefore "definitive best", and "300HP is nothing, everybody does that" are juvenile.

Moral of the story is 535i or 535xi is the best all around 5 series that blends sports, handling, power, reliability and effeciancy all in one.

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by ARC550

Moral of the story is 535i or 535xi is the best all around 5 series that blends sports, handling, power, reliability and effeciancy all in one.

Can't tell if you're serious or cynical, but I'm glad I'm not an ahole or a f... noob this time around

I really don't think there is "the best" of the two. I'm in absolutely thrilled with my 535i having driven many alternatives. You feel the same way about 550xi, and I don't think either of us is right or wrong, we just have slightly different order in our "must have" list.

All I was trying to say to the OP is that, no 535 is not a dog, especially when "right" package and options are picked. In my personal opinion 535 is a sweet spot in 5 series lineup in terms of "value for the money".

Yes, 550 is, faster, meaner sounding and quite impressive, no denying that. Most people who have driven both end up buying 550 and that says a lot. But to write off the other one as a "dog" or "only a 300 HP car" is just wrong.

[Nalod]

Seems like most are happy with what they drive.

I read the same arguments/comments on the e90 forums for the last 6 years. The n55 guys look down on the n54 guys, who look down on the n52 guys! Pretty funny. I love my 328i coupe/sport with MT. Its not overly fast, but I don't really drive that fast. Im wanting a bigger ride now and shopping for a 2012-2013 535i with MT's. If not the Mercedes C400 interior with the 4matic and 300HP is a very attractive package.

My preference is the F-10 N55 MT MSport.