[rondocap]

I had a 335i, and recently posted on the forum there about a daily driver -

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=892309

The 535 and 550 did come up a few times, as I want something fun and still very comfortable.

I got a loaner F10 535, and I really liked it. Very isolated ride and comfortable, while still giving you good handling and performance.

My m sport 35i X3 has a much more lively and raw exhaust note though, and it burbles on upshift - something which the 535 lacked. Along with the sport package, which was also missing on this 535.

My favorite part: How effortless the 35i engine is on the highway. My 335 was the same, it just goes and goes. How much more effortless is the 550i? I'd assume it is even more urgent.

[Bmoney2K4]

I recently leased a 2013 demo 535i without the sports package. It doesn't really perform like a car you can have full confidence with. Everyone on these forums highly recommends getting the sports package with the 535i. I did not test drive it with the sports package so I am incredibly regretful. Just be careful, the car feels boring and bloated most of the time.

[The X Men]

Originally Posted by rondocap

My favorite part: How effortless the 35i engine is on the highway. My 335 was the same, it just goes and goes. How much more effortless is the 550i? I'd assume it is even more urgent.

The 550i on the highway is almost ridiculous fast. Sometimes it down right scary, the 535i cannot come close.

[ibimmer954]

The V8 is insane power-wise. The 550i will be much faster than the 535i at any speed. I went from a 535i to a 650i GC, the difference is incredible. Now that the 2014 550i and 650i share the same engine, the feeling of the power should be the same.

Just look at the specs: 300hp/300lb-ft to 445hp/480lb-ft. Much bigger jump than the one from the 528i to the 535i.

The 535i still has plenty of power, even on the highway. The 550i is just another league.

[mundo74]

Originally Posted by rondocap

I had a 335i, and recently posted on the forum there about a daily driver -

[intlink]892309;My daily driver dilemma - what really is the best type of car for stressful driving?[/intlink]

The 535 and 550 did come up a few times, as I want something fun and still very comfortable.

I got a loaner F10 535, and I really liked it. Very isolated ride and comfortable, while still giving you good handling and performance.

My m sport 35i X3 has a much more lively and raw exhaust note though, and it burbles on upshift - something which the 535 lacked. Along with the sport package, which was also missing on this 535.

My favorite part: How effortless the 35i engine is on the highway. My 335 was the same, it just goes and goes. How much more effortless is the 550i? I'd assume it is even more urgent.

get an msport and drop a performance exhaust

[rondocap]

Some impressions from driving it a lot today:

The ride quality is really fantastic, very comfortable and soaks up the bumps well and is super quiet.

Now, it has the regular base seats, no sport package. I found them uncomfortable for my thigh area after a long drive, I imagine the sports seats are better.

Also, not having paddle shifters and the steering is a bit stiff all of the time. My X3 M sport has the variable steering and it's great.

When I put it in sport+ in my 35i X3, it really wakes up - you can hear the burble and pop on upshift, but in this 535, sport mode barely made a difference, only on the throttle, and the exhaust really had not much burble. My x3 also has the dynamic handling package.

[The X Men]

rondocap,

We have the X3 35i as well as the 535i and the X3 has a much louder exhaust note.

[Alan l.]

+1 that the 550 is a different league when it comes to power.

It feels faster than my old 335 with full bolt on modifications.

The 535 was no slouch but the 550 just has so much more power anywhere. The 535 is quick, the 550 is just brutally fast.

Alan

[Bmoney2K4]

Yeah, but usually very powerful cars are more enjoyable when they are nimble. I respect the 550's capabilities but I think it may be a bit of an overkill.