[jin]

Guys im debating to swap my 335i for a 550i and its not an easy decision.

E60 550i pros are its bigger, fully optioned msport and has comfort seats, dynamic drive, idrive and a HUD. My 335i is also fully optioned with sunroof, CA, L7, msport etc.

The 550i costs a few k more but taking into account deferred maintenance on my 335i its almost the same price and 550i has lower mileage.

I know its a logical choice to get the 550i but i fear will miss the tightness of the 335i and n54 (which has grown on my over time). If i keep it will go FBO.

Thoughts??

[firemanjust1]

The 550i are nice but I just couldnt accept someone driving right around me in a 335. I absolutely destroyed a 550i last summer and the driver was not happy about to say the least. If your ok with not being able to keep up with any of the new sport cars on the road go for it. They seem to hold their value better than the 335 so you could always sell it and buy another 335 and probably not lose too much $$ besides tax and couple thousand.

[Hvyarms]

Yeah I've killed a few 550s. And listen, I loooove the E60 550i. But yeah, my 335 has a few 550 kills.

[John 070]

my buddy did, when he had his 4th child. His response was pretty obvious, it's a nicer car, not as fun to drive. He also had an issue at 54k, just out of warranty that cost him a few grand....his was a manual (da** good luck finding one today, this was 3 yrs ago and the car was a CPO)

[John 070]

Originally Posted by firemanjust1

The 550i are nice but I just couldnt accept someone driving right around me in a 335. I absolutely destroyed a 550i last summer and the driver was not happy about to say the least. If your ok with not being able to keep up with any of the new sport cars on the road go for it. They seem to hold their value better than the 335 so you could always sell it and buy another 335 and probably not lose too much $$ besides tax and couple thousand.

One has to remember, as far as driving goes, smaller is better. People have gotten M5s and said they are ridiculously fast, offer them more prestige and allow them to date ex hockey player's wives. But they do not drive as well as M3s or even 135's.

That 135 is an oddity, so many people love the way they drive.

[Fred_Boosted]

550i is more roomy and comfortable. Its great cruiser with plenty power.

But, Its a very heavy car, so don't expect it go fast as you want.

[Kevinl]

I wouldn't touch a 550i the n62 is a pos

[TBN54]

335 > 550.

If you're looking for an upgrade do M3/4 or Porsche.

[zoppp]

Get a 535i. The n62 v8 has a lot of issues like valve stem seals.
The 535i is also faster with a simple jb4 tune and more reliable.
http://oppositelock.kinja.com/10-rea...-m5-1608323644

I currently have an e60 528i and I like it because it is actually very nimble due to active roll control, has a great ride and is only 200 pounds heavier than the e90 yet handles just as good. I've autocrossed my father's 335i and my 528i get my 528 feels tighter because of that active roll control and active steering.

[Hvyarms]

Yeah I can agree that the 550i is ridiculously heavy. I did some canyons in one and thought I was gonna cliff dive. I've also heard that their engines have issues.

[jin]

Thanks for the replies. My need for speed is met by my bikes these days and the car is really just for carting family around and shopping.

I guess reason im thinking of changing is want something a bit more comfortable and roomy and the roads here are pretty shit so get a lot of jarring and bangs. Id love to get an M3 but cant justify the cost of that plus my bikes.

zoppp yeah id like to get a 535i best of both worlds but they are not common in nz and actually more expensive than the 550i. Im gonna test drive tomorrow and see how good the ars is. I like active steering around town but at speed its annoying it doesnt give a lot of feedback.

Far as i can tell the n62 only has one major issue being valve stems vs the N54 which has lots of little issues like oil spouting all over the place, intake cleaning, wg rattles, waterpump etc. And i can diy these things. But my 335i will probably need the turbos reconditioned within the next 12 months so thats not a job im looking forward to either!

[Kevinl]

Don't forget the coolant pipe failure which requires the engine to be removed to be replaced

[jin]

Originally Posted by Kevinl

Don't forget the coolant pipe failure which requires the engine to be removed to be replaced

You can get an aftermarket pipe that goes in the from the top now.

http://www.agatools.com/part/bmw-n62-coolant-pipe

They also sell a kit to do the valve stems pretty sure the toolkit can be rented from a few places as well.

[Denny347]

Originally Posted by zoppp

Get a 535i. The n62 v8 has a lot of issues like valve stem seals.
The 535i is also faster with a simple jb4 tune and more reliable.
http://oppositelock.kinja.com/10-rea...-m5-1608323644

I currently have an e60 528i and I like it because it is actually very nimble due to active roll control, has a great ride and is only 200 pounds heavier than the e90 yet handles just as good. I've autocrossed my father's 335i and my 528i get my 528 feels tighter because of that active roll control and active steering.

BMW seems to have their issues when they wander away from the I6 engine. Time will tell how their new engines compare.

[roller84]

I own both cars. They are really 2 very different cars so it is hard to compare.

The 550i certainly has more room all around, still moves, is more comfortable for long distance driving but it is quite heavy and you feel it around the turns and when braking. It is also built quite a bit better than the 335i: there are double door seals, doors/hood/trunk all close much better, L7 sound system performs better, suspension soaks bumps better, fit and finish just seems overall much better. Reminds me a little bit of the e38 740il in the way it is built.

335i is certainly more modable and my car in its current form kills my 550i. 335i is sportier and more fun to DRIVE.

I've had less issues with my 550i thus far but then again my 335i has been heavily modded for most of its life so I guess more problems come with the territory.

[lichtgelb]

Go for an F10 535i M-Sport. You get newer tech and the N55 with an 8 speed transmission. It's a big car compared to an E90 but when put in sport mode it handles like a proper BMW. The N55 with the 8speed transmission is surprisingly quick in such a big car. I like cruising down the interstate at 80mph while getting 30mpg.

[Boland01]

I also have a 335i sport and a 535i. It's like comparing apples to oranges. The 335i has a jb4, catless downpipes and a larger FMIC. It handles and goes much faster than the 535i. The 535i has a jb4. It's obviously bigger, rides better, is quieter and has more options. If I need to get on the 535i it still has plenty of power but it's no race car.

It really boils down to what you want/need out of the car. If going fast and great handling are your top priorities then the 335i wins hands down. If a larger more luxurious car is what your after than the 535i fills the check list better. Hope this helps.

[Fundguy1]

550 is a fat cow next to the 335i. I'd rater get a 535 and put in a chip, etc. Most of the 335i mods work.

[KiwiRD]

Originally Posted by jin

Guys im debating to swap my 335i for a 550i and its not an easy decision.

E60 550i pros are its bigger, fully optioned msport and has comfort seats, dynamic drive, idrive and a HUD. My 335i is also fully optioned with sunroof, CA, L7, msport etc.

The 550i costs a few k more but taking into account deferred maintenance on my 335i its almost the same price and 550i has lower mileage.

I know its a logical choice to get the 550i but i fear will miss the tightness of the 335i and n54 (which has grown on my over time). If i keep it will go FBO.

Thoughts??

Funnily enough my eye has started to wander towards the E60 550i M Sport. I personally think they look great - much more road presence than any 335i. Bigger, comfier, better equipped and built, and just generally a nicer car. But, as to whether they're better to drive, that's a matter of opinion and it will come down to your driving style. More and more I think having a manual 335i is a bit wasted on me. I like to waft along in silence and comfort! The 550i has more than enough shove, even with its higher curb weight.

[jin]

So i test drove the 550i and the comments here are spot on. Thought i would share my thoughts as well for anyone interested.

The 550i is a very solid car built for highway miles. Extremely stable with the big tyres and weight of the car. I tried to upset the car on a few corners and a roundabout it stayed planted the whole time. There was some slight bodyroll on the roundabout but much less than what my 335i would be doing. The dynamic drive/ars system works very well.

Build quality and interior is top notch. Even the brushed aluminium is much nicer than you find in the 3 series. Leather is more plush and soft. Comfort seats are very comfortable and hold you tight.

Car is obviously big and heavy (compared to E9x series) but hides its weight well.

Someone mentioned the L7 in the E60 is better than in the E9x. I didnt really notice much difference myself maybe the larger space in the interior gives a better sound stage but if it does its minor. Then again i didnt really test it out and only listened to the radio for a couple of minutes.

The exhaust on this 550i has a remus exhaust on it and i was quite dissapointed with the sound. Could hardly hear the V8 rumble or exhaust note. I guess thats a feature of the 5 series and sound insulation being intentional.

The 550i has active steering as does my 335i. I thought the steering on my 335i was vague but its positively tight compared to the 550i. I also have M3 control arms and newer rods etc on mine so that probably plays a part as well. But i was sure that after i installed these bits it wasnt a big upgrade certainly not worth doing in of itself unless your bushings are worn like mine were. Anyway i guess the difference in feeling is due to both things being newer/upgraded bits on mine and the E60 being bigger comfort cruiser.

Finally the engine itself. I was so dissapointed with the acceleration and speed of the N62. It had acceptable torque to pull off the line from a stop but it was felt lazy to rev once going and didnt really want to get going. Acceleration was also dissapointing and i was surprised by this considering the reviews i have read and that the N62 has 360hp. I wasnt slow by any means but just didnt have the get go of the 335i which shoves me in my seat when i kick down and quickly revs up to 6k rpm with ease.

Also its more thirstier than the 335i. To pay more for gas for less performance was quite hard for me to swallow.

So i chose not to buy it.

As i said in my OP getting the 550i is the logical choice. Its comfortable, has road presence, better quality, more options, its just not as fun as the 335i. So im keeping it for now and will do the deferred maintenance things on it soon starting with new tyres. My 335i is pretty well optioned anyway with sunroof, CA, 193 rims, L7. Cant really ask for more. But I will need to do something about the suspension as im getting tired of banging on potholes and shit.

I would love to get an M3 but that would mean selling the R1 and is just not acceptable to me

Edit. Thought i should add that my 335i is running st 1 MHD map so not stock. Stock for stock the 335i might be a bit faster but they are quite close i think.