535i vs 550 0-60 time in Edmunds review.

[565]

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=121047

They really liked the car.

Here is the interesting part.

"What does BMW's new twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-6 engine do for the 5 Series? This 2008 BMW 535i test car with an automatic transmission effectively equaled the acceleration of a 2006 BMW 550i equipped with a manual transmission. The 535i's 5.5-second acceleration to 60 mph proves a sedan doesn't need the 550i's V8 engine to be quick."

So basically here are the specs from the two Edmunds reviews.

550i manual
0 - 30 (sec): 2.1
0 - 45 (sec): 3.6
0 - 60 (sec): 5.6
0 - 75 (sec): 8.2
1/4 Mile (sec @ mph): 13.8 @ 102.5


535i automatic
0 - 30 (sec): 1.9
0 - 45 (sec): 3.7
0 - 60 (sec): 5.5
0 - 75 (sec): 8.2
1/4 Mile (sec @ mph): 14.0 @ 100.4

It's a dead heat till 75, and then the 550i seems to pull away.  I wonder if the manual in the 535 would change this outcome.

As for handling and braking.

550i
30 - 0 (ft): 26
60 - 0 (ft): 109
Braking Rating (Excellent, Good, Average, Poor or Very Poor): Excellent
Slalom (mph): 67.5
Skid Pad (g-force): 0.88

535i
30 - 0 (ft): 28
60 - 0 (ft): 113
Braking Rating (Excellent, Good, Average, Poor or Very Poor): Excellent
Slalom (mph): 65.3
Skid Pad (g-force): 0.89

I'm surprised the 550i did better in the slalom and braking. I guess it's due to the bigger rubber?

As for quietness of the V8 vs the I6.

550i sound levels.
Db @ Idle: 42.7
Db @ Full Throttle: 69.4
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 64.8

535i sound levels
Db @ Idle: 43.1
Db @ Full Throttle: 70.7
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 61.2

The I6 is slightly louder at idle and at WOT, but interestingly enough it's alot quieter at a 70mph cruise.

[ro51092]

I really wouldn't know what to pick.

[Colonel Cadillac]

There's just no reason to buy the 550. It makes no sense.

[the Teuton]

All we need now is fuel economy and price difference.

[565]

All we need now is fuel economy and price difference.

2008 BMW 5 Series 535i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
MSRP of Test Vehicle: $ 61,125

Edmunds Observed (mpg): 22.5 combined average (24 best / 20 worst)

"What's more, our test car recorded 22.5 mpg during our two-week drive. By the way, this is one of the first vehicles we've tested that reflects the new-for-2008 EPA average fuel economy ratings. Our real-world 22.5-mpg average (24.2 mpg best/20.0 mpg worst) over 1,600 miles does, indeed, reflect the 535i's official 17 mpg city/26 mpg highway fuel economy ratings for 2008. See this thorough explanation of the new method for more detail."

2006 BMW 5 Series 550i 4dr Sedan (4.8L 8cyl 6M)
MSRP of Test Vehicle: $65,090

Edmunds Observed (mpg): 15.5mpg (combined)

[565]

All we need now is fuel economy and price difference.

It looks like the price gap doesn't seem that huge, but the 535i's 3.0 liter turbo is alot more economical.  It's not surprising considering turbos are often known for being not much more thirsty than their NA counterparts during crusing despite being much more powerful.

[The Pirate]

I'd probably go for the V8 in the 5er.  Those are some really impressive numbers from the turbo engine though.  The 6 cyl is almost as quick (probably a driver's race), more fuel efficient, and within the same ballpark as the 8 for quietness.

[the Teuton]

The price difference tends to lean in favor of the more prestigeous 550i, but the fuel economy leans towards the 535i.  I think the 535i wins by a hair, but it should be cheaper.

[850CSi]

If I was being given one, I'll take the naturally aspirated engine with two more cylinders every single time.

But for the money, and considering fuel economy, the 535i is very compelling.


That said, they're both bloody expensive. 

[Colonel Cadillac]

The difference in base price is more like $9,000:

535i: $49,400
550i: $58,500

However, I am sure the 550i comes with a few more features standard that are optional in the 535i, so with that in mind, I am guessing the price difference is more like $8,000 or $7,500.

[Colonel Cadillac]

I would take the 535i over the 550i in a heartbeat; the 550i is heavier, more expensive by quite a bit, I bet slightly less exhilerating, and has worse mileage.

[Raza]

If I was being given one, I'll take the naturally aspirated engine with two more cylinders every single time.

But for the money, and considering fuel economy, the 535i is very compelling.


That said, they're both bloody expensive. 

I'd rather have a turbo and two less cylinders than the BMW's turbo.

[the Teuton]

I'd rather have a turbo and two less cylinders than the BMW's turbo.

WRX FTW!

[sportyaccordy]

It looks like the price gap doesn't seem that huge, but the 535i's 3.0 liter turbo is alot more economical. It's not surprising considering turbos are often known for being not much more thirsty than their NA counterparts during crusing despite being much more powerful.

If you stay out of boost you basically have a 528i... I'm sure the combined fuel economy on that isn't far from the 535's 22.8...

[Vinsanity]

It's a dead heat till 75, and then the 550i seems to pull away.? I wonder if the manual in the 535 would change this outcome.

I would think that the automatic helps keep the turbos spooled up, resulting in more favorable acceleration times. that's how it worked on Supras and PT Cruisers

[1 BAD 7]

The 535i has a hell of nice light weight twin turbo engine. I think that is a big reason why those 0-75 mph times are so close. Otherwise there is no way a car with 365hp/360 Ib-ft of torque should lose 0-75 mph race to a identical car with 300hp/300 Ib-ft of torque.

The big reason for 535i keeping up with the 550i to 70 mph is because it has quiet a bit of edge in the weight department thanks to lighter engine. The 535i weighs in at 3660 lbs for the manual and 3703 Ibs for the auto. Where as the 550i weighs in at 3946 Ibs for the manual and 3968 Ibs for the auto. This effectively means that the 535i is appx. 300 Ibs lighter then the 550i.

By the way why did they test an automatic vs manual .

The 535i comes with a manual and so does the 550i compare manual to manual and auto to auto. .......comparing manual vs auto makes no sense.

[GoCougs]

Something doesn't quite add up IMO. 250lb doesn't make up for 60hp and a MT.

[Raghavan]

I'd get the 535...
Though with an auto, the engine is always in the boost range, so with a manual it'll be a bit slower...

[Raza]

Something doesn't quite add up IMO. 250lb doesn't make up for 60hp and a MT.

Either way, the 535i is quick enough for me not to want for the 550i.  I wouldn't pay a cent more for the V8.

[1 BAD 7]

Well GoCougs I think you have a good point. But if you look at it you will find that the 550i gets faster and faster as speeds rise compared to the 535i. So that extra 60hp and 60 Ib-ft of torque is not going to waste and infact shows up as all a 535i will be seeing is the taillights of 550i after 75 mph.

Something doesn't quite add up IMO. 250lb doesn't make up for 60hp and a MT.

[Raghavan]

But where is the 250 pound difference coming from? The TT I6 isn't going to be much (if any) lighter than the V8. Is it the bigger brakes and wheels?
Still doesn't make sense.

[Danish]

Something doesn't quite add up IMO. 250lb doesn't make up for 60hp and a MT.

The 3.0 TT does have a very nice torque curve - all 300 lb ft are on tap from 1400rpm to 5000rpm

[heelntoe]

Well GoCougs I think you have a good point. But if you look at it you will find that the 550i gets faster and faster as speeds rise compared to the 535i. So that extra 60hp and 60 Ib-ft of torque is not going to waste and infact shows up as all a 535i will be seeing is the taillights of 550i after 75 mph.

but on the streets (which is where most of the driving takes place for this kind of car), you're not going to have the opportunity to take it up to 75 very often.

[GoCougs]

Further investigation has shown that the 535i has shorter gearing though the first five gears, and a substantially shorter first gear.

Overall ratio by gear:

535i
1st: 15.2:1
2nd: 8.5:1
3rd: 5.5:1
4th: 4.1:1
5th: 3.2:1
6th: 2.5:1

550i
1st: 11.9:1
2nd: 7.0:1
3rd: 4.6:1
4th: 3.5:1
5th: 2.9:1
6th: 2.5:1

[1 BAD 7]

The I-6 TT is lighter then the V8 engine by a significant margin and the rest  could be coming from bigger 19" wheels and tires as well as brakes.

But where is the 250 pound difference coming from? The TT I6 isn't going to be much (if any) lighter than the V8. Is it the bigger brakes and wheels?
Still doesn't make sense.

[1 BAD 7]

In other words with equaly aggressive gearing 550i would show taillights to 535i even below 75mph.

Further investigation has shown that the 535i has shorter gearing though the first five gears, and a substantially shorter first gear.

Overall ratio by gear:

535i
1st: 15.2:1
2nd: 8.5:1
3rd: 5.5:1
4th: 4.1:1
5th: 3.2:1
6th: 2.5:1

550i
1st: 11.9:1
2nd: 7.0:1
3rd: 4.6:1
4th: 3.5:1
5th: 2.9:1
6th: 2.5:1

[SVT_Power]

In other words with equaly aggressive gearing 550i would show taillights to 535i even below 75mph.

i wouldn't be surprised if it did, but probably not much due to traction issues for both