Quote:
Originally Posted by visualguy
I haven't driven a 530i, but I had a 540i loaner and I own a 550i. The 540i enters highways and passes quickly and effortlessly. I didn't feel any lack of power or strain on the engine. The 550i is a beast, but to notice that you need to be pushing the car in ways that are very far from anything that's safe and legal on public roads in the US. On the other hand, the extra weight is noticeable.
My recommendation is to test drive before deciding which car to get, and not make assumptions... I would personally get the 540i instead of the M550i. It's lighter, it offers much better fuel economy and range, no annoying fake noise in Sport mode, a reliable engine, and a lower price. All of this while offering more engine performance than anything that can be realistically used on US public roads. It's the one to get in my experience.
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As they say, different strokes for different folks. The 540 is lighter for sure and will be a better handling car but these are not sports cars by any means so that difference is meaningless to me. Yes fuel economy is is better in the 540 but if fuel economy was a priority these cars would not be on my list and the annual difference in total fuel cost is not really substantial. Don't really understand how a M550 can't realistically be used on public roads but a 540 can. The top speed on both is well above all speed limits so it's acceleration that's the difference. I had a 550 and now an M550 and had no engine issues at all so reliability has not been an issue at all. I test drove the 540 for a weekend and i was impressed for the reasons you mentioned but i guess my definition of effortless is different than yours but that's what makes horse racing.
My problem is you feel you have to justify your decision by making mine wrong.