want to buy - F10 535i or 550i

[marius777]

Hi guys

opinions and options welcome!

i am currently in the market for a white or black F10 535i or 550i.

Which one should I consider and is the 550i considerably "more in maintenance" or not? I used to own an E39 540i - awesome car! 550i just sounds way better lol!

i can get a 2010 550i with 115k on clock for 325k in Mossel Bay. - good buy? Seems the 550s start at that price. would like to buy private and just get someone to arrange finance if possible. Then 535is around 270-300k mark.

What do you guys reckon?

and let me know if anyone wants to sell. preferably M-sport versions.

Marius

 

[shiven-zn]

:clapper:both fabulous cars, hard choose bro. :coolShake:

 

[S1NGH 911]

Avoid the earlier N63 engines, they were known to be problematic. The N63 was revised in 2012.

The N55 will obviously have lower maintenance costs, but if you really want that 300kw and are prepared if anything goes wrong then 550i is the way to go


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[msm]

awesome car! 550i just sounds way better lol!

Take nothing away from the 550i, but try to find someone with a 3.0 diesel motor and a decent freeflow exhaust - it sounds really good as well.

 

[Ratslaaf]

Avoid the earlier N63 engines, they were known to be problematic. The N63 was revised in 2012.

The N55 will obviously have lower maintenance costs, but if you really want that 300kw and are prepared if anything goes wrong then 550i is the way to go


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I have to second this. The N63 can knock a serious dent in your pocket and they are fickle things when they give problems, especially the earlier ones. Add to the fact that issues with these still leave 'experts' scratching their heads to this day. I'm aware of a few problem cases that remain unresolved.

Don't get me wrong, I would love one myself, just don't have the stomach for the risk. 535i would be a safer bet from a maintenance perspective, or a diesel.

 

[tman]

awesome car! 550i just sounds way better lol!

Take nothing away from the 550i, but try to find someone with a 3.0 diesel motor and a decent freeflow exhaust - it sounds really good as well.

While I tend to agree with your thought process, suggesting a diesel for someone looking for 550i isn't helping the cause, haha.



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[RAArmstrong]

535d. Done deal :rollsmile:

 

[msm]

awesome car! 550i just sounds way better lol!

Take nothing away from the 550i, but try to find someone with a 3.0 diesel motor and a decent freeflow exhaust - it sounds really good as well.

While I tend to agree with your thought process, suggesting a diesel for someone looking for 550i isn't helping the cause, haha.



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Ironically, the closest thing I could find to petrol V8 performance in the BMW X5/6 cars was the diesel motors. Under normal driving conditions, the tractability of the diesels is not far of from a petrol V8. I also found the x35i's a bit lethargic (albeit in the X5/X6, which is a heavy car), whilst the diesels almost slotted between the 2 petrols (35i and 50i) in normal driving "feel" - much better torque than the 35i but lacking the outright performance punch of the 50i.

So, as a middle ground in the 5 series, I would highly suggest the OP consider a 6 cylinder diesel.

 

[MikeR]

:coolShake: what you guys are recomending is this... https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=78710
but sadly that one is gone......But wait for it https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=81501&pid=1287277#pid1287277

But I agree - I think the OP has petrol in mind.

 

[zaleonardz]

Agreed with all of this above

Start out with the 535d and just call it a day

If you cant afford that, the 530d is a magnificent motor vehicle, it really will have everything you need.

If thats not available, go for the 550, because V8, and yes the N63 has its issues and fair share of problems, but nothing more complicated then the N54 and we all know how popular those are.

If not, the N55 in the 535 is incredibly quick, it is a lovely motor and its not going to give you any issues, it lacks torque though.

I am also, to spite popular opinion, against modifiying the N55 in the F10 chassis, its a fair amount more complicated, and there is not a bucket load of knowledge out there. Perhaps that has changed,

But, I recon, pick out of the bunch is a 530d with a tune...

 

[marius777]

Agreed with all of this above

Start out with the 535d and just call it a day

If you cant afford that, the 530d is a magnificent motor vehicle, it really will have everything you need.

If thats not available, go for the 550, because V8, and yes the N63 has its issues and fair share of problems, but nothing more complicated then the N54 and we all know how popular those are.

If not, the N55 in the 535 is incredibly quick, it is a lovely motor and its not going to give you any issues, it lacks torque though.

I am also, to spite popular opinion, against modifiying the N55 in the F10 chassis, its a fair amount more complicated, and there is not a bucket load of knowledge out there. Perhaps that has changed,

But, I recon, pick out of the bunch is a 530d with a tune...

Hi Leonard

thanks for reply. Did you get my pm? I would like to chat to you about 2 options I have..

 

[marius777]

Hi guys

Ok.. I have given the go ahead.. I will shortly own a F10 535i m sport in beautiful white.

After 5 and a half years without a 5'er I must confess I am bloody excited!

Will post a pic when I get this.

So... what can we do to get BEST SOUND? :cartel: