The new 535i are offering a lot more for the money

[1 BAD 7]

The updated 2008 535i is much more of a car for the money compared to 2007 530i. Here are few things that I noticed. The total difference in base price for both cars in 6-speed manual trim is only $1900. But when you look at the 6-speed auto versions the difference is even far less and shrinks to $625. The 535i gets the same wheels as the 550i thus an upgrade.

In case of the 2007 525i vs 528i the deal is even sweeter because the price difference is only $800 for the 6-speed manual and when you opt for a 6-speed paddle shifter auto the price difference becomes negative   -475. Not only that but the sport package comes with standard 18 inch upgraded wheels compared to the 17" wheels on the 2007 version. Also the new 6-speed is said to be more responsive and quicker with its shifts as well as capable of throttle blipping and the I-drive is the updated version found in the new X5. Also the new


For the 550i with sport package you get 19" M sport wheels and bodykit as well as standard power folding mirrors. A more aggressive newly calibrated sports suspenison settings and sportier exhaust with more mean growl.


Overall the 528i and 535i are offering a good deal more as you get more hp and torque in upgraded engines and better calibrated 6-speed automatice and bigger wheel and tire package as well as upgraded and more user friendly I-drive.

I think the best bargain is 528i with 6-speed auto and sports package as it is actually cheaper then the 525i. But if I was buying today I would go with 535i with 300hp/300Ib-ft of torque turbo monster and 6-speed paddle shifter auto and sports package. Only reason I would not go with 6-speed manual is because the wifey doesnot know how to drive a 6-speed manual. 

2007 BMW 530i= 255hp, 226 Ib-ft, 

2008 BMW 535i= 300hp, 300 Ib-ft, bigger and more aggressive wheels and better calibrated 6-speed auto

[850CSi]

I don't know if this is a good move. It seems like they're encroaching on the 550i's territory. they need to give it a power boost.

[Raza]

For the longest time I wanted an E39 528i/530i.  I don't care much at all for this one.

[TBR]

I'd buy a 528i over a 535i or 550i without a doubt.

[Raza]

I'd buy a 528i over a 535i or 550i without a doubt.

The 525i was a dog, but the with the new engine, it breathes new value into that model.  Definitely a good choice. 

If you want a BMW, that is.

[sportyaccordy]

How does the new 535i compare in price to the M45, GS350, etc?

[ro51092]

I agree, it's an insane engine, and I'd take it over the 550i and the 528i every time.

[850CSi]

How does the new 535i compare in price to the M45, GS350, etc?

No idea, but it'll probably cost nearly as much as an M45. BMW doesn't price based on what the competition chooses to charge, they price based on what they think they can sell their cars for. Market economics.

[1 BAD 7]

535i auto will be is starting very near the price of the M45. Which is not alarming as BMW, MB and Lexus cars have greater prestige factor and thus can demand greater prices. But the advantage the BMW 535i will have over the M45 and others in its class is a great 6-speed manual transmission. Which no other car maker offers .

One other great advantage it has compared to V8 cars like M45, GS430, E550 or even in house 550i is its 3.0 liter twin turbo beast of an engine. As it will provide V8 like acceleration with V6 like fuel economy.

[Colonel Cadillac]

Now, all they have to do is deliver the friggin 535xiT to the damn dealer, and I will be happy. Until then, I will be angry at BMW for taking so long.

[Colonel Cadillac]

I'd buy a 528i over a 535i or 550i without a doubt.

Why?

[ro51092]

Why?

A lot cheaper, and it's not like the thing's anemic. Because anything more (at least to him) in a 5er would be a waste.

[850CSi]

Why?

Better value I guess. Although personally i'd want a lot more power.

[sportyaccordy]

I'd go with the 528i too. These big cars just aren't as fun as equally fast smaller cars... IMO there's no point.

[ChrisV]

I'd go with the 528i too. These big cars just aren't as fun as equally fast smaller cars... IMO there's no point.

Because sometimes fun comes in larger packages, especially when discussing luxury cars, where overall space is as much of a consideration. That's why I bought a 7 series instead of a 5 or 3 series. Not every car has to be tiny. And if you're not planning on tracking the car or driving balls out all the time, a larger car can be more enjoyable, as you're looking for a different kind of enjoyment.

[1 BAD 7]

I agree with you 100% as a E65 7 series owner. There is nothing like my 1BAD7 ............... and the 325hp and 330 Ib-ft of monster torque from 4.4 liter V8 can spin those gumball size 295/25 at will:thumbsup:.

Because sometimes fun comes in larger packages, especially when discussing luxury cars, where overall space is as much of a consideration. That's why I bought a 7 series instead of a 5 or 3 series. Not every car has to be tiny. And if you're not planning on tracking the car or driving balls out all the time, a larger car can be more enjoyable, as you're looking for a different kind of enjoyment.

[1 BAD 7]

Well today when I went to the dealership to pick my 745i from the service I was going thru the brochure for 2008 BMW 5 series and at the end they had the accelerations numbers written for each model series 5.

So here it goes......according to BMW's conservative numbers the BMW 535i does 0-60mph in 5.6 sec.
Now that is seriously fast as BMW numbers posted by automotive mags are usually faster by couple of sec. atleast. So I think the new 535i times might actually be arround 5.3 sec. to 5.4 sec range

The conservative times of 550i were listed at 5.4 sec by BMW but as we know Road and Track back in july of 2006 found a 550i to rip 0-60mph in 5.0 sec. & 0-100mph in 12.1 sec. with quarter mile times in M3 like 13.5 sec. @ 105mph. So I dont think that the 550i is any danger from the 535i as it will still be bit faster in both to 60mph as well as 1/4th mile. Just to compare times with Infiniti M45 sport the same Road and Track clocked M45 sport at 0-60mph in 5.3 sec & 0-100mph in 13.3 sec. with quarter mile times of 13.8 sec. @ 101.4 mph.


This brings us to the lightest weight among this group 528i which rips 0-60mph in very decent 6.5 sec. according to conservative BMW numbers. So when tested it might actually get down to 6.3 sec. Which is very good

Overall all 3 versions have gotten a lot more quicker with these upgrades .

Oh and to distance the V8 version BMW is said to be working on a new V8 biturbo beast making 410 hp and 400 Ib-ft of torque that will be introduced with the all new BMW 7 series and then will migrate down to 5 series. Pretty soon we might be looking at non M V8 5 series breaking into 4 sec. range.?

[sportyaccordy]

Wow, that is some pretty nutty stuff. Infiniti really needs a 5.0L V8

[Raza]

The 550i is definitely in danger there.  Two tenths of a difference to 60?  Anyone who reads that is going to think buying the V8 is a waste of money!  It's just like the old A6.  Why would anyone buy the 4.2 when the 2.7T was faster, even with the automatic.  I've heard that the turbo motor is rather smooth thanks to the small turbos, so there won't even be a noticeable difference in smoothness.  I wouldn't touch the 550i with the 535i available.

[JYODER240]

The 550i is definitely in danger there.? Two tenths of a difference to 60?? Anyone who reads that is going to think buying the V8 is a waste of money!? It's just like the old A6.? Why would anyone buy the 4.2 when the 2.7T was faster, even with the automatic.? I've heard that the turbo motor is rather smooth thanks to the small turbos, so there won't even be a noticeable difference in smoothness.? I wouldn't touch the 550i with the 535i available.

I'd be willing to bet that as speeds increase the 550i acceleration advantage increases as well.

[Raza]

I'd be willing to bet that as speeds increase the 550i acceleration advantage increases as well.

Do you mean the 535i?  Because I'd agree with that, since the turbos will be making full boost in 3rd gear, and since it's 2WD, you don't get that power bleed you see with AWD cars (since it seems that most turbocharged cars are AWD).  Were it supercharged, I'd say that the 550i would run away with it in higher gears, but I think long range acceleration will even out here, with the 535i closing the gap. 

[JYODER240]

Do you mean the 535i?? Because I'd agree with that, since the turbos will be making full boost in 3rd gear, and since it's 2WD, you don't get that power bleed you see with AWD cars (since it seems that most turbocharged cars are AWD).? Were it supercharged, I'd say that the 550i would run away with it in higher gears, but I think long range acceleration will even out here, with the 535i closing the gap.?

No I meant the 550i. As speeds increase weight has less of an effect and outright hp tends to show through.

Example: (I know this is apples to oranges  but whatever) 1. A SRT-4 and a 350Z are very close from 0-60 but from 60 on a 350Z will consistantly pull away from the SRT-4. 2. An Elise will smoke alot of cars from 0-60 but it loses its edge at higher speeds.

[850CSi]

So here it goes......according to BMW's conservative numbers the BMW 535i does 0-60mph in 5.6 sec.
Now that is seriously fast as BMW numbers posted by automotive mags are usually faster by couple of sec. atleast. So I think the new 535i times might actually be arround 5.3 sec. to 5.4 sec range

The conservative times of 550i were listed at 5.4 sec by BMW but as we know Road and Track back in july of 2006 found a 550i to rip 0-60mph in 5.0 sec. & 0-100mph in 12.1 sec. with quarter mile times in M3 like 13.5 sec. @ 105mph. So I dont think that the 550i is any danger from the 535i as it will still be bit faster in both to 60mph as well as 1/4th mile. Just to compare times with Infiniti M45 sport the same Road and Track clocked M45 sport at 0-60mph in 5.3 sec & 0-100mph in 13.3 sec. with quarter mile times of 13.8 sec. @ 101.4 mph.

This brings us to the lightest weight among this group 528i which rips 0-60mph in very decent 6.5 sec. according to conservative BMW numbers. So when tested it might actually get down to 6.3 sec. Which is very good

This was needed, the 525i was slow, and the 530i was slow for the money.

[the Teuton]

No I meant the 550i. As speeds increase weight has less of an effect and outright hp tends to show through.

Example: (I know this is apples to oranges? but whatever) 1. A SRT-4 and a 350Z are very close from 0-60 but from 60 on a 350Z will consistantly pull away from the SRT-4. 2. An Elise will smoke alot of cars from 0-60 but it loses its edge at higher speeds.

I would think aerodynamics would have more to do with that than torque added from turbocharging.

[JYODER240]

I would think aerodynamics would have more to do with that than torque added from turbocharging.

Aerodynamics does have an effect but it still holds true that weight has less of an effect as speeds climb. ANother example is a 350Z and a S2000. From 0-60 is very close maybe the S2000 has the edge but as speeds climb the 350Z normally pulls away.

[Raza]

Aerodynamics does have an effect but it still holds true that weight has less of an effect as speeds climb. ANother example is a 350Z and a S2000. From 0-60 is very close maybe the S2000 has the edge but as speeds climb the 350Z normally pulls away.

The S2000 has 8 horsepower.  Of course the Z is going to pull away.

[sandertheshark]

E60 needs new skin worthy of this drivetrain.

[r0tor]

there was a 550i with the Msport bodykit at teh New York autoshow... it looked pretty badass and I though at the time I couldn't see a reason to pay the extra 20 or so grand for an M5 (who really needs that extra 100hp?)

[JYODER240]

The S2000 has 8 horsepower.? Of course the Z is going to pull away.

and weighs 400lbs less.

[Submariner]

I agree with you 100% as a E65 7 series owner. There is nothing like my 1BAD7 ............... and the 325hp and 330 Ib-ft of monster torque from 4.4 liter V8 can spin those gumball size 295/25 at will:thumbsup:.

I dont think the E-65 comes with 295's.