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#12426 of 12657 Re: 550 vs 535 in Western PA [ny540i6] by roadburner Mar 22, 2008 (4:23 pm)
Replying to: ny540i6 (Mar 22, 2008 3:34 pm) Remember when the GM answer to EVERY suspension question was the "FE3"? - Add bigger roll bars, stiffen things a bit, and fatter tires - All you need to know about suspension dynamics LOLOL   Don't forget the "F41". Just add the "Performance Exhaust" that sounds like a Chris Craft and you've got yourself a gen-you-whine "Sports Sedan"...
#12427 of 12657 Re: 550 vs 535 in Western PA [tayl0rd] by anon3 Mar 24, 2008 (1:36 pm)
Replying to: tayl0rd (Mar 19, 2008 10:56 am) I base my statement about "drama free" acceleration on having owned and driven both the turbo six and the 8 cylinder extensively. The two engines yield two different driving experiences. Your statement that, "it [the turbo six] certainly doesn't perform without a lot of fuss" isn't supported by the numbers. Most tests give the 8 cylinder a performance advantage over the turbo six ranging from 2/10 to 4/10 of a second 0 - 60, and that's comparing a 550i to a 535xi, which has the added mechanical overhead of xDrive all wheel drive. The biggest difference is in how the cars "feel".   A short test drive comparison of the two won't give you full appreciation of the turbo six. As I said, the turbo six grows on you and it's easier to appreciate after driving it for a while. The engine and transmission are, I guess I would say, less intrusive (i.e. less "drama"). Personally, I think it's a little too smooth and quiet and you feel less involved in the driving experience. So I find myself frequently thinking "I know this car is nearly as fast as the 8 cyl by the numbers, but it just doesn't feel as satisfying or as fun." So I have to rationalize the turbo six.   That having been said, the point is moot because you can't get a V-8 five series with xDrive if you have a requirement for all wheel drive. So the fact that the turbo six has a performance disadvantage of as little as two tenths of a second 0 - 60 with all wheel drive makes it a very reasonable choice.   However, BMW's decision not to give us a sport suspension option with xDrive equipped five series is not reasonable. It shows how even BMW's marketing department can be just plain stupid and doesn't understand its customer base. Maybe there's a mechanical reason for this, but you can get an all wheel drive V-8 X5 with sport suspension, so why not in the five series????   In the end, it doesn't matter because I only keep my daily driving cars for one year. I drive a 535xi because I wanted to try something different. My next vehicle will have the twin turbo V-8 or will have BMW hybrid technology. Replies to this message: tayl0rd (Mar 25, 2008 4:31 am) anon3 (Mar 25, 2008 9:31 am) tayl0rd (Mar 25, 2008 5:54 pm) bruceomega (Mar 25, 2008 6:16 am)
#12428 of 12657 Re: 550 vs 535 in Western PA [bruceomega] by anon3 Mar 24, 2008 (2:01 pm)
Replying to: bruceomega (Mar 20, 2008 4:56 am) I was describing the 535xi without sport suspension when I wrote that paragraph. It is a competent sport sedan without sport suspension and wheels, but it's a little soft at the limits of handling/cornering if you're accustomed to driving other BMWs with sport suspension. It all depends on how and where you like to drive.
#12429 of 12657 Re: 550 vs 535 in Western PA [anon3] by tayl0rd Mar 25, 2008 (4:31 am)
Replying to: anon3 (Mar 24, 2008 1:36 pm) ... It shows how even BMW's marketing department can be just plain stupid and doesn't understand its customer base. ...   I think it shows that they are spot on. It's not as though AWD has been around (in large numbers) since the beginning of cars and every car sold in the snowbelt had it. Years ago, people had to make due with FWD/RWD or 4X4. I think how BMW is interpretting it is that if people are so gung-ho about AWD and absolutely must have it to survive inclement weather, they aren't too confident in their driving abilities or aren't truly into spirited/performance driving. And I agree with that interpretation. I think this reliance on AWD stems from a fear that the car might actually get sideways. Fear of the unexpected causes panic. Panic causes accidents in an otherwise recoverable situation, not the lack of AWD. I'm with the camp that says a set of snow tires will do a car fine. Though, I've never mounted anything more climate specific than a good set of A/S tires and have always been just fine; even driving through a blizzard in Vail, CO in January in a Chevy S10 with an open differential and no ballast in the back, and I think those were actually BFG touring tires. Replies to this message: anon3 (Mar 25, 2008 9:31 am) tayl0rd (Mar 25, 2008 5:54 pm)
#12430 of 12657 Re: 550 vs 535 in Western PA [anon3] by bruceomega Mar 25, 2008 (6:16 am)
Replying to: anon3 (Mar 24, 2008 1:36 pm) Maybe there's a mechanical reason for this, but you can get an all wheel drive V-8 X5 with sport suspension, so why not in the five series????   I'm wondering if the replacement for the current 5 series will offer AWD with the V-8, and a sport suspension option for the AWD cars, as they can design that in from the get-go.   BMW seems to be evolving the performance aspects of their AWD system, or at least starting to lean in that direction. They now offer Dynamic Performance Control for the X-6, with hints that DPC could migrate to other AWD vehciles. And they now offer an aftermarket sport suspension for the 328Xi, with speculation they may offer one for the 335Xi.   Bruce
#12431 of 12657 Re: 550 vs 535 in Western PA [tayl0rd] by anon3 Mar 25, 2008 (9:31 am)
Replying to: tayl0rd (Mar 25, 2008 4:31 am) Your explanation uses the mass produced Japanese automaker marketing model where the manufacturer decides for you how you should equip your car and how you're likely to drive based on the demographic group that the manufacturer has decided you belong to. "We assume that people who buy AWD vehicles are poor drivers or casual drivers who aren't interested in performance driving, so we're not going to give them a sport suspension option." That's an over generalization and a bad assumption and it is a violation of BMW philosophy.   BMW has always been driver centric and gives us the option to equip a car according to the individual's driving preferences. Most people buy AWD sedans for peace of mind knowing that AWD is there during the 1% of driving conditions when four wheels are better than two. But they buy a BMW for the way it handles and performs in the other 99% of driving.   The market generally perceives AWD as a way to drive through snow. But BMW designed xDrive as a performance system to manage under/over steer and to enhance control, safety, and agility in all conditions. The issue is the BMW driving experience on dry pavement when a sport suspension is needed, not how it handles snow. Replies to this message: tayl0rd (Mar 25, 2008 5:54 pm)
#12432 of 12657 ROUNDEL METAL VALVE STEM CAPS vs. PLASTIC by tx_buzzard Mar 25, 2008 (12:24 pm)
Several owners have told me their SA advised them on the newer cars if your valve stems are black you can use the metal valve stem caps, yet if they are grey then you have to use plastic caps. The reason being they have changed the tire pressure monitoring on cars with grey valve stems and the metal caps would cause faulty readings. Something to do with the pressure readings reflecting back off the caps. However I checked my valve stems and they are grey and I have the metal Roundel caps on them... with no issues. Go figure.   Anyone else heard of know of this issue?
#12433 of 12657 Re: 550 vs 535 in Western PA [anon3] by tayl0rd Mar 25, 2008 (5:54 pm)
Replying to: anon3 (Mar 25, 2008 9:31 am) ... But BMW designed xDrive as a performance system to manage under/over steer and to enhance control, safety, and agility in all conditions. ...   hmph... I did not know that. Learn something new ever (yes, ever) day! Still not as good as its RWD brethren, though.
#12434 of 12657 BMW xDrive by jb_shin Mar 27, 2008 (5:17 am)
Interestingly enough, I had rarely seen all wheel drive BMW (admittedly, they did not make many of those until the current gen models and e34 and e30 were not as plentiful by then, and I had one of the few e30 Tourings with AWD) during my 3 years in Germany or Mercedes 4 Matic/Audi Quattro/VW 4 Motion, for that matter. I don't think I remember seeing e46 AWD ever, in fact. The certainly get decent amount of snow and people just put the snow tires on as one would put gloves on in winter and drive away. This was more or less true in most of Western European countries, but especially in Germany.
#12435 of 12657 Re: 550 vs 535 in Western PA [orion53] by topspin628 Mar 28, 2008 (6:27 pm)
Replying to: orion53 (Mar 14, 2008 8:33 pm) I live in the North East and went for the 550i sport over the 535 and 535xi. For me it was the feel of the 550 that won me over. With the combination of sport suspension and non run flats, I find the ride to be a perfect blend of sport and luxury. I ruled out the xi since I didn't want a bmw without the sport suspension, active roll stabilization (which has to be experienced to be believed) and the new sport auto trans that has engine breaking and super quick down shifts. Then it just became a choice of 6 or 8 cylinder (and of course the M aero package and non run flats) vs the better gas mileage of the 6. I am averaging about 22 mpg in mixed city and hwy and I don't drive too conservatively. I passed on the active steering as to me it felt a bit artificial and not what I am used to from BMW. I am very happy after 5K miles and consider it to be the best all around car I've owned to date (several BMWs MB's, Lexus, Infinitis etc have been in my past). Good luck.

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