[Nalod]

Originally Posted by krautmeister

Another little win for the 550...my juvenile tendencies seem to never go away

I had a friendly spirited "catch me" game with a 997 Turbo on a service road tonight...I was in the "prime" performance envelope if you catch my drift.

We got into traffic and he smiles and shouts over to me that he had no idea 5 series were that fast! He asks me what engine is in the car and I respond 2 more cylinders and 2 turbos!

Reads like the opening paragraph of a "Penthouse Forum" story......

[SchillerM]

Originally Posted by mzabbas

Congratulations guys.

AmooManiak, great looking car. Cant wait to see it with Msport.

SchillerM, need more pictures!

I created my own post so I don't intrude on AmooManiaks.
http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1292605

Amoo, I am planning to do rear bumper on this thing. The front is a popular forum one (can't think of name, have to look it up later). On car it looks great, can't say about install or what all was needed.

Matt

[AmooManiak]

Ok, so I picked up an OEM M Sport bumper and just ordered the following:

Two side mesh grilles/ fog light holders
Lower center mesh grille,
Fog lights and
Left and Right Air Ductings

Anything else I need for the conversion? I see some other parts on the conversion page, but from what I can tell by looking at both bumpers, they can be re-used from the original bumper...

[PJinCA]

Here are the parts listed for the M-Sport bumper trim and ducting:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/part...BMW-535i&mg=51
It defaults to my 535, but it's the exact same for your 550.
Realoem.com is a great resource

[AmooManiak]

Thanks, I was missing the front frame for the center mesh grill! Just ordered it.

[krautmeister]

Originally Posted by Nalod

Reads like the opening paragraph of a "Penthouse Forum" story......

Haven't even been around PH since the boyscouts...huddled in a tent sneaking a peek.... they have stories in those magazines? ; - )

[BMWrules7]

Originally Posted by AmooManiak

I'm sure this has been discussed a million times, but it's hard to determine which one people prefer as everyone seems to be partial. If you had a choice between an almost fully loaded 535i vs a somewhat loaded 550i, which one would you pick? I understand the JB4 is an option for both of them. How does a 535i with the JB4 compare to the 550i? I like speed and have had 3 other BMW V8s before, and one with an inline 6. Would I regret getting the 535i (even with JB4)?

The 550i is a 2012 while the 535i is a 2011. 550i does have the M package, while the 535 doesn't.

I heard some things about N63 issues. Owning a 540i, I know hot notorious the timing chain guide issue was on those older V8s. Am I better off sticking with proven inline 6 and just adding a Jb4?

One extra year in age of the '35 over the '50 concerns me.

Next, how often do you want to fill up the gas tank?

If you think you will get the '50 and drive it gingerly to save fuel then that type of driving is going to cost you in the long run.

So, when evaluating both cars, the '50 is going to use at least 2x fuel.

When you lean on the N63 it rewards you by emptying your tank.

You are aware of all of the other issues when comparing these two cars.

So, here I want you only to focus on fuel.

Can you easily afford 2x fuel bills? Remember, gas is cheap now. It could end up returning to $4 gallon premium.

Okay, so money is no object---are you okay will going to a gas station twice as frequently?

[visualguy]

Originally Posted by BMWrules7

Okay, so money is no object---are you okay will going to a gas station twice as frequently?

It's more like 50% more frequently rather than twice. Still, definitely a hassle.

I drive my 550i only about 7K miles a year, so not a big deal for me, but wouldn't be too happy with the gas consumption if I drove it more.

Also, the frequent oil top-offs (2 quarts every 2K miles for me) would become a pain as well if I drove the car more.

Basically, it's a great car as long as you don't drive it much!

[AmooManiak]

I understand that the fuel consumption is very different between the two. It does not really concern me as much since I work from home and do not fill up that often.

The next point I would have tried to make to make me feel better about the 550i purchase (but doesn't make any sense) is that I have a second car. That car is however a 540i Touring, and probably gets worse gas mileage than the 550i

[AmooManiak]

Since I never updated, I just wanted to share a few updates that have been done since I bought the car a few months ago:

Before:

[AmooManiak]

Now:

[SirApoc]

Very nice!

[krautmeister]

Wow! I'll reiterate....the M Sport truly makes the car! That's a great color too! I have some remorse in not straying from my triple black ways....

[Quicksilv3r]

I find the 535 m-sport is adequate for a mildly exciting daily driver. Gas mileage is better than any 2 of my previous M-cars combined. Overall, with a few well-placed mods, it can be a great car.



I wish I could've bought the M5.

[Jozy]

both 535i and 550i are good options... here those 2 are pretty rare.

most f10s here are 520i 4 cylinders N20 which none of you would even consider

[Mbbrewer]

535 is a pig. 550 is a pig on steroids. Can't imagine driving an f10 without a V8.

[wosewo]

in China，50i is only available on 5GT、6 series、7series、X5 and X6。。sigh。。

[EL Jeffe 5]

Originally Posted by AmooManiak

Everyone likes extra power, but are the N63 issues wroth the extra power, when there is the Jb4 for the 535, which I understand makes close to stock 550i power?

What issues are you talking about???
I have 550i no issues

[AmooManiak]

Originally Posted by EL Jeffe 5

What issues are you talking about???
I have 550i no issues

The Customer Care Package? I think most people on this board have heard about it by now.

[AmooManiak]

Originally Posted by krautmeister

Wow! I'll reiterate....the M Sport truly makes the car! That's a great color too! I have some remorse in not straying from my triple black ways....

For sure! Such a drastic difference between the two versions.

[AmooManiak]

A few updated pictures, now that the summer wheels are on and we (hopefully) won't be seeing any more snow until the next winter.

[Gpfarrell]

Sharp! Great transformation from the original... which was fine!