Chuck W.

Someone dropped a mobile scooter onto the freeway and I nailed it. It not only wiped out the front end, it also bent the undercarriage to the point they totaled the car.

I really like the E60s. It is one of five cars my wife and I share and we use it mainly for a trip car. We have a couple long trips planned. I came within a hair of dropping $65,000 on a new 2012 BMW 535I (F10) doing a European Delivery. I just can't do a new car.

So, I am looking at used E60s; either a 535I or a 550I. The 2008 550I has a good look M-Style body look and some standard features that are options on the 535I. The 550 sold new for about $10,000 more new. Now, they are a tad more or even dead even. The V8 in the 550 gets poor gas mileage over the 535; 23 MPG highway verse 28 MPG. Figure in 10,000 miles the 550 will use 434.7 gallons and the 535 will use 357.1. At $4.50 a gallon the 550 will cost $350 more in gas. Not a deal breaker.

There were issues with the 535I fuel system that they have fixed.

I have gone through the BMW forums and there are great arguments on both sides.

Thoughts my 993 brethren?

Quadcammer

v8 all day every day

abiazis

550.....

tanger

long trips? v8 all the way...

inkatouring

IIRC, MIke MIller, the Roundel tech guy, said he would never own the 3.5 twin turbo motor. Now, I'm hesitant to call the v8 reliable, but I've heard there were some serious issues with 3.5TT and that is one reason they are going to the single turbo for the new cars.

Personally, I think the 5-series was at its peak either in the e28 or e34 variation and down hill since. But, that's just me....

No HTwo O

Chuck, glad you are OK. Good thing you were not driving either Porsche.

Nurburger

I doubt if you bought a 550 that in the future if you saw a 535 on the road you'd be envious of the additional 5mpg it's getting compared with your silky v8...

JPP

I know I will be in the minority here ... but I LOVED my BMW 530IS .. that six is hard to beat. It just seems so well balanced and 'right sized' for the car ...

Dr. No

Chuck, PM sent.

007DT

550... I went through the same thought process as you. Albeit the 535 is quick but the V8 just has so much legs over the 535 once you are off the line. It sounds and runs smooth.. I changed out a few things on mine that didn't compromise the gas milage much at all and I have a great sounding and even faster 550. Lastly you can find the 550 Mpkg. if you look and they just look meaner.. Plus you get a better handling car..

P-daddy

go for the 550. They have more aggressive body work and better handlingNot sure if the 35 has the N54 or N55 engine but the N54 has HPFP problems.

Bobby G

Chuck,

Even if the price differential was a few grand, I'd get the 550. I much prefer the looks (like the rims), you can't beat the power, and you've already made the case as to why the 5 mpg savings won't amount to much over a 12 month period. The only issue would be reliability, and those here who've had both should speak to that (but I have heard good things about the V8).

RajDatta

Its actually a 3.0 twin turbo .

IrocMan

While I do like my 335is, I wouldn't go with the 535i.
The 335is is nice even compared to the M3 because it's got torque at low RPM, but I thought the 535 was not powerful enough.

Go V8...

Canyon56

Other than the M, the 550i would be the only E60 I'd consider. I'd probably even consider one with a MT. The mpg isn't worth considering, imho. The 550i is much more engaging.