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Sedans BMW 5-Series BMW 5-Series Sedans
12657 messages, Last post on Nov 05, 2009 at 6:14 PM
You are in the BMW 5-Series Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
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Replying to: wolfer2 (Mar 05, 2008 11:20 am) |
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Replying to: troysb (Mar 02, 2008 6:48 pm) |
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Replying to: troysb (Mar 02, 2008 6:48 pm)  Rock |
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I'd appreciate comments re BMW owners experience re sport packages on driving the roads in Western PA. Seriously considering either a 550i (w/sports package, 19" low profile tires) or a 535xi. Had the opportunity of brief, back-to-back test drives of both (actually the 535i) in TX ... road surface better there ... but not the windy/curvy backroads here. Both plenty fast ... but preferred the "feel" of the 550i. If the 550i, would plan to use only as a 3 season car. Some questions. 1. Any sense when the new 5 series will emerge this year ... and anticipated differences from 2008 models? Am I correct, I understand the 5s will be redesigned, however, major change will be for models released in 2009 (not 2008). Also, any insight re potential price increase (above 2008 models)? Or, if build slots are still available (I'd plan to customize) ... would some advise buying now? 2. Might I find the ride of a 550i sport too harsh (I realize this is a subjective question). I'd like to hear from 550i owners ... and/or those who decided against and chose either a 550i non-sport or 535 for such reasons. 3. I read of some owners (e.g., in Manhattan) regretting decision to purchase with low profile tires/rims ... because of frequency of flats/damaged rims. Related to #2, is there much of a difference in "ride" and less potential damage when comparing 18" to 19" wheels. 4. Again, a subjective question ... opinions/experience with Active Steering. My inclination is to not get Active Steering. 5. Assuming similar driving styles for 550i (360 hp) vs 535 (twin-turbo 330 hp) ... how much potential difference in MPG. 6. Finally, any strong +/- experiences with dealers in the Pittsburgh area ... both during the sale ... and routine service afterwards. Thank you! |
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Replying to: orion53 (Mar 14, 2008 8:33 pm) 2. Depends on what you like. What are you driving now? 3. Attributed more to inattentive drivers than the wheels/tires. Common sense says steer around or take it easy over potholes. 4. Those that have it, love it. Those that don't have it deride it. Who're you gonna listen to? 5. Easy driving? Better in 535i. "Aggressive" driving? Better in the 550i since you don't have to push it has hard to get the same results. 6. N/A I have an '08 550i Sport. |
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Replying to: orion53 (Mar 14, 2008 8:33 pm) My advice is to avoid active steering if you like to drive a BMW the way a BMW can be driven. I had active steering on a six series and hated it. BMW is known for its near perfect steering feel and precision. Active steering only diminishes classic BMW steering by inserting computers and mechanical hardware between you and the road. Not an improvement. Not worth the money. Bad idea on the part of BMW. Regarding the sport package. I can tell you from personal experience that a five series without a sport suspension and wheels definitely involves a trade off. (Note that not all five series sport packages include sport suspension and wheels.) Without a sport suspension, it cruises nicely on the highway in a straight line and increases your comfort while driving over broken pavement. But... if you are a BMW enthusiast and you like "spirited" driving, the standard suspension and wheel package is a disappointment and will not live up to the engine's performance potential. Too much lean in corners and a little too much bounce over undulating pavement. The ride is not bouncy by any means, but you do give up a significant degree of handling control in corners and on twisty roads. So it depends on how you like to drive and how much value you place on comfort vs fun to drive. (If someone just wants to drive in cushioned comfort in a straight line, then save some money and buy an Acura or Lexus because the advantages of a BMW will be lost on them.) I currently have a 535xi as an environmental "down grade" from my previous V8 BMWs. After three months of mixed driving, I average 21 mpg. Pure highway driving will yield about 26 mpg. I will also say that the twin turbo drive train combined with the new automatic transmission is extremely smooth and very easy to get used to. The turbo six's flat torque curve and the smoothness of the drive train make it "deceptively quick". You get effortless, drama-free acceleration without the need for frequent down shifts and holding the engine at high RPM as you have to do in a V8 to maintain peak power. So you're not as "aware" of the engine and transmission working. At first if feels less sporty and like you're getting less performance than a V8. Then you realize that it's just performing without a lot of fuss. The 0 - 60 time difference between the 550i and the 535xi is only around 2/10 of a second, depending on who did the test (Car and Driver, for example, 5.2 seconds vs 5.4 seconds 0 - 60). I think the 550i "feels" more fun to drive. But the 535i would win on price and on fuel economy with no significant trade off in performance in normal day to day driving where most people are likely to use it. |
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Replying to: anon3 (Mar 19, 2008 10:07 am) Scott
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Replying to: gscottnelson1 (Mar 19, 2008 10:13 am) |
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Replying to: anon3 (Mar 19, 2008 10:07 am) Where'd you get that idea? The 550i makes more torque at around 2,000RPM than the 535i makes at all, IIRC. It's "peak" torque is high in the RPM band, but it still has more meat under the curve overall than the 535i. The beauty of the V8 is that you don't have to maintain "peak power" to make it perform better than the 535i. I have a 550i Sport, and trust me, there's no need for "frequent downshifting" in any situation so far; not unless I just want to chirp the tires or get it sideways in a hurry. I was VERY tempted by the 535i Sport (test drove it), but it just doesn't compare, IMO, to the 550i Sport, and it certainly doesn't perform "without a lot of fuss." The 535i makes fuss aplenty when you're getting on it. You're spot-on about the 5-series without the Sport package, though. Anybody considering that configuration would be just as well (and in some cases better) served with just about any other sedan on the market that purports to be a "sports sedan."  I drove a non-Sport 5 and immediately ruled it out at the first curve in the road. Doesn't suit my driving style at all.
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Replying to: orion53 (Mar 14, 2008 8:33 pm) i do not have active steering mileage is a bit worse: 19 mpg versus 21.5 in the old one. could be break-in or auto tranny, not sure why the 10% difference. |
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