[Joe5268]

OK, so I was pretty set on picking up a 2012 CPO 550i Xdrive Msport with 28,000 miles and the following:

M Sport
Convenience package
Cold weather package
Premium Sound
Sport Transmission
Power rear sunshade
Park Distance Control

Just for the hell of it, I asked about a lease on a new 535i Xdrive Msport with the following options:

M Sport
Cold Weather Package
Premium Package
Rear View Camera
Park Distance Control
BMW Exhaust
Trunk spoiler
Black Grills

It seems like my lease on the 535 is about $30 a month cheaper than buying the CPO 550. What is everyone opinion, just curious. Thanks.

[combatbmw]

Depends man, I mean 550i is the way to go if you want a nice performance car, if you dont care about that then get the 535.

Personally I love leasing, write off, + worry free for 3 years.

But im telling you, 550 is the way to go, you will be way happier IMO

[virtualbong]

Well...can you keep the miles under whatever limit they have on the lease?

[Ben2k9]

if you want a solid car that is cheaper to operate (gas) get the 535. If you want a badass machine, get the 550.

[NewM3driver]

I would never buy any 5 series without DHP. The dynamic handling totally transforms the car from being a floaty boat to a very nice handling and riding car.... especially if you are talking 550 with that big heavy v8 over the front wheels. Trust me you can only go fast in a few places, and blasting up freeway ramps gets old in short order.... but driving a car that never gets floaty or out of shape and is always nice and tight in turns and sharp in switchbacks never gets old. Further, the 535i goes like hell when you get on it so you are really not giving up much.. The 535d has stomping torque making accelerating effortless. The 5 series is not a sports car. Not even an M5.

Trust me on this one. A 535 with DHP is FAR superior to a 550 without it. Further... there is an intangible "sweetness", "harmony" and "inherent smoothness" baked into the 6 cylinder BMW's that never seems to show up with the 8 cylinder models, and if you read around i'm far from the only one that feels this way.

[kondor]

Have you driven both? If not, do it and the decision will be very simple.

[Siren05]

550xi with DHP is the perfect choice.,performance wise it will eat a 535. Drop a bms tune and you have a monster

[550Reasons]

I personally would go with a brand new 535i

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by NewM3driver

The dynamic handling totally transforms the car from being a floaty boat to a very nice handling and riding car.... Trust me you can only go fast in a few places, and blasting up freeway ramps gets old in short order.... but driving a car that never gets floaty or out of shape and is always nice and tight in turns and sharp in switchbacks never gets old. Further, the 535i goes like hell when you get on it..... Further... there is an intangible "sweetness", "harmony" and "inherent smoothness" baked into the 6 cylinder BMW's

I don't have enough experience with 550 to pass the judgment or claim to know which one is better choice (that's very subjective opinion anyway).

But from experience can confirm everything written here about 535 with DHP. This option (DHP) completely transforms the car. Also, I do get the appeal of 550 and V8, but even with 535, it's very difficult not being "stupid illegal" as it feels super composed at high speeds and twisty roads.

While I appreciate view that "more is better" you have to ask yourself how fast do you really need to get to 60 mph and is it worth gas mileage, extra price and maybe slight handling penalty to pay for you. To me, 535 with DHP is "sweet spot" in 5 series lineup, but I get that we're all a bit biased to defend our own choices.

[493263]

Originally Posted by Bbb34

While I appreciate view that "more is better" you have to ask yourself how fast do you really need to get to 60 mph and is it worth gas mileage, extra price and maybe slight handling penalty to pay for you.

It's hard to explain. I can only tell you this. I was specifically looking for a 528 or 535 because the performance is more than enough and it has all the same luxury the 550 does. But after test driving a 528, then a 535 and then a 550, the kid in me blindly sign for the next 550 with DHP available.

Everyday, I regret paying an extra $10k for my 550. That is until I'm in the driver's seat. Then it's all smiles. Every week(sometimes twice a week), I regret buying the 550 at the gas pump. That is until I finished pumping and got back into my car. Then it's all smiles. Every month or three, when I'm in my loaner being pissed about an unreliable TT V8. That is until I got my car back and driving it.

So maybe there is no logical answer. The extra money you paid for is not about making sense out of money, driving range, reliability or miles per gallon. Perhaps it is about smiles per gallon. The real question is "Do I want to keep my money or live a little happier?"

If you have the patience, money and time, wait for a 550 with DHP.

[BMWrules7]

Originally Posted by NewM3driver

I would never buy any 5 series without DHP. The dynamic handling totally transforms the car from being a floaty boat to a very nice handling and riding car.... especially if you are talking 550 with that big heavy v8 over the front wheels. Trust me you can only go fast in a few places, and blasting up freeway ramps gets old in short order.... but driving a car that never gets floaty or out of shape and is always nice and tight in turns and sharp in switchbacks never gets old. Further, the 535i goes like hell when you get on it so you are really not giving up much.. The 535d has stomping torque making accelerating effortless. The 5 series is not a sports car. Not even an M5.

Trust me on this one. A 535 with DHP is FAR superior to a 550 without it. Further... there is an intangible "sweetness", "harmony" and "inherent smoothness" baked into the 6 cylinder BMW's that never seems to show up with the 8 cylinder models, and if you read around i'm far from the only one that feels this way.

You are making an excellent point. As the chassis ages, the car tends to get less "tight."

Many perceive the DHP to be "dynamic" in the type of ride you get by your mode selection.

I think you're pointing out that the DHP counteracts the nonlinear changes to the chassis that take place over time. In this sense "dynamic" refers to counteracting the "looseness" that generally occurs as the chassis ages. In some ways, DHP is self tuning.

I have had DHP or some version of it for over 5 years. I agree that it maintains the fun factor of the car while offsetting the effects of chassis ageing that naturally takes place in vehicles without DHP.

[SoDigito]

To point out the obvious here, from a financial standpoint it is much more beneficial to buy the 550. Remember you get to keep it at the end of the term!

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by 493263

It's hard to explain. I can only tell you this. I was specifically looking for a 528 or 535 because the performance is more than enough and it has all the same luxury the 550 does. But after test driving a 528, then a 535 and then a 550, the kid in me blindly sign for the next 550 with DHP available.

Oh, I totally get and respect that, myself... I wasn't even on the market for 5 series 5 months ago, and then did just the same thing as you ("kid in me"... part).

For me that was 535, as I didn't even want to consider paying more for 550, no matter now much more I'd potentially like it (as 535 w. DHP simply blew me away), have to draw that line somewhere right, otherwise we'd all own M5s.

550 is fantastic choice and I get that feeling of putting a smile on your face every time you're behind the wheel, but 535 is a great car too. All I was trying to say to the OP is that he needs to figure out if extra engine performance matters to him, and how much ($$) does it matter, then getting it right is not that difficult.

[Joe5268]

Wow. Thanks everyone for all of the responses. Yes, I did drive both back to back. The 535 was pretty peppy and I felt probably more than enough for me. Until I drove the 550. That car is a beast. Although the one I drove had DHP, the one I'm looking at doesn't. Will have to drive that to see if it's a must have.

I am slightly concerned about the MPG on the 550, my other car is a Tahoe and I get like 12 mpg around town but don't drive it that often. This will be my main car, so I guess that's something to think about. Decisions, decisions.

[NewM3driver]

I have owned a 550, and i Traded it on an M3 two years into a three year lease. It was a very nice car, but I always felt it drove heavy. The kid in me fell in love with the M3, and coming out of the 550 the M car felt SO light and SO fast and SO sharp it was a smile machine. By the end of three years of M i wanted something "bigger" so it was into an X5. To that I added an E93 m-sport vert that I own because I wanted one of the last straight sixes without the turbo... never mind that at the end of the model they were giving away those cars at silly cheap prices.

I absolutely loved the 535d when I drove it. only time will tell if I love the "d" after living with it for some time. in the end its just car number next in a long line of many. If I love it I'll buy it for my dad after a couple of years and get something else. If I hate it I'll go ask the dealer to call BMW and tell them I hate it and have to get out. Either way, its just a car. The good news is these days BMW has SO many models and so many engines (it really is getting ridiculous) that there is a car for everyones specific need... or should I say wants?

[TheEngineer]

Like a few others have noted, try the car and most end up with the 550i. I did the same thing, In fact I avoided the 550i so that I would not take it home. I drove the 528ix, found that to be wanting from the pants department, then I tried the 535ix loved it and took it home....four weeks later, I was at the service department and stupidly took a 550iX out for a spin.... I went home with that 550iX...... That go button is sooooo bloody addictive. I wish I could stretch to an M5, but frankly on a daily basis, the 550iX is more than sufficient.

[493263]

Originally Posted by Bbb34

...but 535 is a great car too...

And that's precisely the problem I found with the 535. If you're already spending that much money, you might as well get what you want. If you just want the brand prestige, luxury and comfort, then 535 is a great choice. If you are buying it for the "ultimate driving machine", then the 535 feels like a cheap substitute because you cannot afford the real thing.

I guess it boils down to if you're an enthusiast or you just want a BMW. I'm more of an enthusiast. I've always owned expensive cars and I find that my happiness correlates directly to my career success. To me, it has to be more than just a car buying decision. Motivation and a smile will increase your paycheck.

[493263]

Originally Posted by Joe5268

Wow. Thanks everyone for all of the responses. Yes, I did drive both back to back. The 535 was pretty peppy and I felt probably more than enough for me. Until I drove the 550. That car is a beast. Although the one I drove had DHP, the one I'm looking at doesn't. Will have to drive that to see if it's a must have.

I am slightly concerned about the MPG on the 550, my other car is a Tahoe and I get like 12 mpg around town but don't drive it that often. This will be my main car, so I guess that's something to think about. Decisions, decisions.

I think once you drive a 550 with DHP, you'll find that it will handle almost identical to the 535 except it comes with unlimited thrust. If you select 'sport" mode, it keeps the rpm at 1750 or higher, and it responds faster than the 535. The 535 will feel like it's slowing down on the top end. On the highway, even if you punch it at 80mph, it will accelerate hard but smooth. With the 535, you'll feel its limits.

As far as fuel mileage goes, I get about 15 city and 26 highway. I do believe if I drive more "normal" and stay out of sport mode, I can get at least 20% better mpg. My average is only 17mpg.

You're going to notice a ton of 5 series after you bought it. However, it would be rare to see another 550. The 528s and 535s are everywhere. And yes, people do look because I catch them all the time.

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by 493263

I guess it boils down to if you're an enthusiast or you just want a BMW. I'm more of an enthusiast. I've always owned expensive cars and I find that my happiness correlates directly to my career success. To me, it has to be more than just a car buying decision.

Right, but why stop at 550 when M5 is even better performing car? (that just happens to be even more expensive and has even worse gas mileage and will not be used to it's potential by most drivers most of the time)

My point to OP was that everybody needs to draw the line somewhere, money and performance wise, and that's a personal decision and matter of taste. There is no such thing as generic "550 or nothing" statement that will apply to all buyers. As I said, I do get that it makes you smile daily, and that's great, it'd likely do the same thing for me (or OP very soon).

For you 535 is "cheap substitute", and this is where we disagree. For me, it's incredibly balanced car that's not only about pure 0-60 performance. By the time I feel 535 is running out of steam accelerating I'm at the point where I should be planning for alternative modes of transportation as I'd certainly be loosing my drivers license for long periods of time .

[gtmassive75]

If you interested i have this..i'm in Queens, NY
http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=915268

[NewM3driver]

Originally Posted by 493263

If you are buying it for the "ultimate driving machine", then the 535 feels like a cheap substitute because you cannot afford the real thing.

If you think I ordered a 535d because I can not afford a 550, or I drove an M3 because I could not afford an M5, you seriously do not have a clue about people with real wealth.

[493263]

Originally Posted by NewM3driver

If you think I ordered a 535d because I can not afford a 550, or I drove an M3 because I could not afford an M5, you seriously do not have a clue about people with real wealth.

You're taking this personally for no reason. Diesel vs gasoline are completely different cars. I'm not arguing that. Stop being so self centered.

If you look at 535 vs 550, there's not much difference besides the unlimited thrust the 550 provides vs the 535's economy and performance compromise.

The M5 is a whole different beast. If you own an M, you should know that. An M car is not for everyone, certainly not me as I'll never own one and it's not because of price. A 550 is about the same price as an M3 so don't flatter yourself.

Real wealth is relative. You don't know how much I have and I don't care how much you have. Let's just leave our egos at home where it belongs.