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2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 BMW 5-Series (F10) Forums General 5-Series Sedan and Wagon (F10 / F11) Forum 2014 BMW 550i, 535i or 535d
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      12-08-2013, 10:19 PM   #1
horsepit
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2014 BMW 550i, 535i or 535d

I am currently driving a 2011 550i, love the car, looking to upgrade. Plan to go into the dealer to drive them but has anyone compare and willing to give me feedback. Love the 550i, especially after the HR springs and 20" were put on. Don't love the 17-18 MPG.

The real question is, is the 535 a completely different car or just the engine? I hear the new 535d has crazy torque that makes up for the V8 when your stop and going. Just not the full on acceleration. appreciate any feedback.
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      12-08-2013, 11:16 PM   #2
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How's your MPG that bad? All city driving? Interiors are all the same if you get all of the same options. I don't think I could go from a 550 to a less powerful, but just a heavy version, unless it was the 550d that we don't get in America.
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      12-08-2013, 11:21 PM   #3
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I have driven a 2013 535ix and a 2014 535dx. The 535dx has great torque. It feels like a V8 until you get above 80mpg. I really wish they would bring the 550d to the states. Now, that would be a real upgrade. Tons of power whenever you want it, and with better fuel economy than the 550i.

I think the 535dx is the way to go, IMHO. I would get M-Sport, paddle shifters, and the Dynamic Handling Package. Then add as many packages and options as you can afford.

However, the 535i is available with manual transmission, RWD only. I wish the 535d had a manual transmission option.
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      12-08-2013, 11:35 PM   #4
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Don't know. I drive 75, a lot of my miles are freeway, but there is traffic. I'm heavy footed though.
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      12-08-2013, 11:38 PM   #5
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SocalBM what mileage are you getting with your 2014
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      12-08-2013, 11:39 PM   #6
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Diesel lover, that's what the dealer at the LA Auto Show told me. Up to 80 the 535d would feel like the 550i. But get 30 MPG. I don't drive over 8- much and if I do it doesn't have to be quick once I get there there.
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      12-09-2013, 12:04 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by horsepit View Post
Don't know. I drive 75, a lot of my miles are freeway, but there is traffic. I'm heavy footed though.
If you can afford it, I would stick with the 550i. I just do not want high fuel bills, and I like a greener car. With my current 335d I am averaging 31.4 mpg, and I am a lead foot.

The 535d feels just as powerful as my 335d, but loses power above 80 mph. Most of my driving is under 80 mph, and I usually set it on cruise for long freeway trips. The 535d gets 38 mpg HWY, and my 335d gets 36 mpg HWY.

I love when a big long string of Tractor trailers comes up. I just step on the pedal, a little, with my 335d, and I am well over a 100 mph, passing them easily.

I think in the 535d, I would be a little more restrained, and that might save me on tickets and insurance rates in the future.

I just love stepping on the pedal, and feeling all that torque with my 335d. I always walk away from my car, after a long drive, and just say to myself, "what a car!", and 36mpg. I can't ever see myself driving a petrol car again, why...

I don't know if paddle shifters would help the 535d above 80mph. Maybe you could down shift, in manual mode, to gain some power above 80mph. I can't comment about that. I have never tried manual mode. Since, My 335d has plenty of power at any speed.

Keep in mind, I have only test driven cars, and am waiting to purchase 535dx. Other guys, who have had more experience driving the diesel would be able to help you more.
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      12-09-2013, 08:02 AM   #8
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Horsepit, after coming from my 2011 550i and going to a 2014 550i, it's a great improvement. The M-sport suspension doesn't need lowering springs, handles terrific, and is a good bit more powerful than the 2011. I don't know if you'd be happier with anything less.
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      12-09-2013, 09:02 AM   #9
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I've had both 535 and 550 now and can't go back to the smaller engine. Especially if you have a heavy foot which means you like using the power.

I'm barely getting 14mpg with my 550 but i do a lot of local driving and I too like to use the power that the car has

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      12-09-2013, 11:21 AM   #10
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I average 22mpg between my mix of city and highway (which, if we're honest, counts as city too - screw you 91hwy). I don't floor it at every light, but I use the power around town and occasionally I'll pass someone on the highway much quicker than I need to.

The diesel cars are definitely good choices and I would have gotten the 550d had it been available =/
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      12-09-2013, 11:24 AM   #11
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Vinfast, thanks, but if I got the M suspension on the 535d it would be the same ride wouldn't it? I need to drive the 535d. If it has all that torque I'm thinking it would fill just as good at lower speeds (up to 75).
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      12-09-2013, 11:26 AM   #12
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Alan l. what year is yours? Is that the stock suspension or did you lower? Is that Space Gray? Looks very good.
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      12-09-2013, 11:27 AM   #13
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SocalBM I wonder if the 2014 are just getting better mileage. You sound like you drive like me.
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      12-09-2013, 11:44 AM   #14
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The 535d is a great car, I love my 535xd, tons of torque, but it is not a 550, totally different drive. It will not feel as powerful as your 550.
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      12-09-2013, 11:56 AM   #15
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Just a thought Horsepit, but have you considered the Active 5 Hybrid?

It is supposed to be a fairly quick car, not a 550i by any stretch...

It gets 30mpg.

The 2013's have $4,500 Holiday credit and $4,500 eco credit now.

So you could get a great buy on one now, and increase your fuel economy.

I have never driven one, but certainly worth taking a look in my opinion.

It is not available with Xdrive, manual transmission, or the DHP option, but if you are not interested those it might fit the bill for you.
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      12-09-2013, 11:59 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by horsepit View Post
Alan l. what year is yours? Is that the stock suspension or did you lower? Is that Space Gray? Looks very good.
Thanks!

Its a 2014 550 - Space Gray

It is lowered on ACS springs

My 2013 535xi was tuned but it can't compare to the 550. The twin turbo V8 is such a beast of an engine.

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      12-09-2013, 07:56 PM   #17
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Might be last call for a V8, get 'em while you can!

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      12-11-2013, 04:22 PM   #18
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Never owned a 550, but..

I've owned a 2012 535i and now have a 2014 535d Xdrive. I was going to buy another 535i, but after I drove the d, I decided to go with it. The power delivery for everyday driving is better, at least for my style of driving. I'm probably middle of the road; not a hyper-miler, but not a leadfoot either. I just like smooth, predictable power delivery that gets me around, but has enough punch to get me on the highway safely. For me, the d does that easily and the added benefit of not having to fuel up as often is a plus. I'm not in it for the cost savings, because there are little to none, IMO.
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      12-11-2013, 06:22 PM   #19
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I wanted more power and more "fun" factor ... so I upped to the N63tu 550xi ... gotta say I'm loving it!

Was getting 17mpg in the '11 535xi ... now down to about 14mpg with the V8 ... not too bad
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      12-11-2013, 10:46 PM   #20
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http://www.fuelly.com/car/bmw/530d
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      12-12-2013, 06:08 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Diesel_Lover View Post
You do know that a UK gallon is 20% greater than a US gallon, right? So your link showing 31.5 mpg is really 25.2 mpg (US gallon).

My car with 1,300 Km's on it is getting 18 mpg (city only driving) in -30C weather. I expect the mileage to improve in the next 5,000 Km's along with an improvement in this brutal weather (can't wait for Palm Springs next week).

I'm not saying the diesel doesn't get better fuel economy, but ......

Anyway Horsepit, if you have the dough for the 550 and the fuel costs, just go for it. Several years ago I did back to back test drives in a 535i and 550i. I drove the 535i first and thought it was a beautiful drive with plenty of power. I drove the 550 right after and the power was intoxicating. A slight press of the gas pedal and it was like warp speed acceleration from any speed.
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Last edited by Grover432; 12-12-2013 at 06:17 AM..
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      12-12-2013, 10:41 AM   #22
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You are absolutely correct, an imperial gallon is 1.2 U.S. gallons. Sorry, did not mean to be misleading.

I am a little confused because the EPA estimated rating for the 535d is 38 mpg Highway, and my 335d rating is 36 mpg Hwy. I am averaging 31.4 mpg.

Here is the link at fuelly for U.S. 535d.

http://www.fuelly.com/car/bmw/535d
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