[michal12]

A friend of mine runs an E43 AMG Wagon. Has a young family and loves it. Benz is under a corporate lease so his rate is unbeatable.
Shortly, he may be forced to switch to BMW. Curiously, it set him off becase he claims BMW has no equivalent model.
Anyone else also thought of this? 540i is too „soft“ and M550i is a level higher and not available as a wagon. With E53 AMG coming, the gap between 540i and E53 is gonna grow wider still.
I feel there is someting like a M540i or M545i missing. Anyone else feels the same way? Or maybe BMW is brewing something?

[Superjackson]

540i with MPPSK is basically bmw's e43 without having an M or AMG in its name.

[XxLHCxX]

I feel like the E300 is equivalent to the 530i, the E400 (now E450) is equivalent to the 540i, and that E43 (now E53) is equivalent to the M550i...

The pricing structure is also similar in that respect for the above noted models.

[magbarn]

Originally Posted by XxLHCxX

I feel like the E300 is equivalent to the 530i, the E400 (now E450) is equivalent to the 540i, and that E43 (now E53) is equivalent to the M550i...

The pricing structure is also similar in that respect for the above noted models.

The M550i is a much better value as you're getting a bonafide v8, not a semi hybrid I6 for about the same price. With this year's 500+ HP refresh the gap is even going to be bigger.

[XxLHCxX]

Originally Posted by magbarn

The M550i is a much better value as you're getting a bonafide v8, not a semi hybrid I6 for about the same price. With this year's 500+ HP refresh the gap is even going to be bigger.

Yes I know... but that is what it seems to be the equivalence for each models. Just wait until Benz updates the E53 again then haha.

[mobilejo]

Originally Posted by michal12

A friend of mine runs an E43 AMG Wagon. Has a young family and loves it. Benz is under a corporate lease so his rate is unbeatable.
Shortly, he may be forced to switch to BMW. Curiously, it set him off becase he claims BMW has no equivalent model.
Anyone else also thought of this? 540i is too „soft“ and M550i is a level higher and not available as a wagon. With E53 AMG coming, the gap between 540i and E53 is gonna grow wider still.
I feel there is someting like a M540i or M545i missing. Anyone else feels the same way? Or maybe BMW is brewing something?

BMW do one M lite and one full M (and maybe an M competition pack per model). There is no need for 2 M lites in a given model and they won't make a second. Not having a wagon is a separate issue.

Mercedes do not do 2 x AMG lite and Audi do not do 2 x S models, and I can't see that changing in the foreseeable future.

[Almaretto]

I feel like the 545e is a bigger miss.

[mobilejo]

Originally Posted by Almaretto

I feel like the 545e is a bigger miss.

Agreed.

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by Almaretto

I feel like the 545e is a bigger miss.

Completely agree. I think it is fine to produce a hybrid with good fuel economy but it would be nice if BMW would also produce and sell a more performance version of the same car.

I might keep my 2018 530e for a long time but I would be sorely tempted to trade it in for a 545e with the regular 4 pot and the electric motor and if BMW offered the six pot with the electric motor I WOULD trade in for it.

[Almaretto]

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

Completely agree. I think it is fine to produce a hybrid with good fuel economy but it would be nice if BMW would also produce and sell a more performance version of the same car.

I might keep my 2018 530e for a long time but I would be sorely tempted to trade it in for a 545e with the regular 4 pot and the electric motor and if BMW offered the six pot with the electric motor I WOULD trade in for it.

Active Hybrid had more HP than counterpart. It is a shame that it dropped for the 530e. I see 745e on the horizon, but no word yet on the G30.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Please no more BMW models , its getting ridiculous