Discussion
335d said:
If it is just refined and doesn't come with a meaty soundtrack, I struggle to see the point over a 535d, unless it is for very low miles where the DPF could be a problem.
The point over a 535d is that it isn't a diesel. For town work especially the 550i is a more pleasant place to be.335d said:
If it is just refined and doesn't come with a meaty soundtrack, I struggle to see the point over a 535d, unless it is for very low miles where the DPF could be a problem.
Because one is a refined V8 and one is a diesel 
If cost wasn't an issue either through fuel price or VED I'm not sure the diesel variants would be the default choice as the V8 is a far more pleasing experience - noise or no noise.
In my humble opinion of course, though would be disappointed if it was not the shared view of a site like this
Fox- said:
Max M4X WW said:
These are nice machines, but I assume they don't really 'feel' like they have a V8 as such with it being so quiet and with turbo's? I would imagine the engine is more obvious in an E60 550i.
Why would it be more obvious, the E60 550i was the same sort of thing - an effortless cruiser not a muscle car with V8 roar.I loved the N/A V8 4.8 in my X5 even though it was a little muted from inside but it didn't half sound good revving it at idle with the door open!
Fox- said:
The point over a 535d is that it isn't a diesel. For town work especially the 550i is a more pleasant place to be.
Crombers said:
Because one is a refined V8 and one is a diesel
If cost wasn't an issue either through fuel price or VED I'm not sure the diesel variants would be the default choice as the V8 is a far more pleasing experience - noise or no noise.
In my humble opinion of course, though would be disappointed if it was not the shared view of a site like this
I find the 535d to be pretty refined without too much diesel downside. It is certainly more refined than my 335d with the same engine, thanks to better soundproofing.If cost wasn't an issue either through fuel price or VED I'm not sure the diesel variants would be the default choice as the V8 is a far more pleasing experience - noise or no noise.
In my humble opinion of course, though would be disappointed if it was not the shared view of a site like this
I have a reasonable petrol history, including a few V8 BMWs, but for me the ZF8 gearbox has dealt with the main problem that diesels still had compared with petrol, the narrow power band.
For me to buy another large petrol engined BMW, it has to offer something really special. I adore the M5, but it isn't really practical for me at the moment. For me to consider a 550i or even a 535i, it would need to sound more like an RS6, a C63 or an M5 to justify the higher running cost.
In fact my 335d does sound a bit like a V8 to my ears when flooring it. Sadly this comes from an Active Sound Box linked to the stereo...
335d said:
In fact my 335d does sound a bit like a V8 to my ears when flooring it. Sadly this comes from an Active Sound Box linked to the stereo...
I actually said the same to my mrs with our 640d and I thought it sounded a bit like a V8 in sport when you gun it...I just wish they could eliminate the terrible diesel noise at low revs/low speed but its impossible to hide because its an oil burner.You cant argue with the performance the diesel offers though coupled to decent MPG and I love petrol V8`s to bits but if you are doing over 30k miles a year like we are the lack of refinement from the diesel engine is a small price to pay...if we had a fuel card though the lure of a petrol V8 would be very strong...
If I'm being honest I think the 550i is rather dull, particularly in comparison to my B7 and I'm sure the same would apply (even more so) against an M5.
Having gone out to procure an economical alternative and test driven the 640d with a 90% intention of buying one I can confidently say that the diesel option is even more dull than the 550i.
If i really had to economise I'd take the diesel though and argue in its favour
(None of my chat should take away from the fact that the 35d/40d is a damn fine diesel engine. Unlike my good lady's 1.4TDCI Fiesta which should be pushed off a cliff forthwith)
Having gone out to procure an economical alternative and test driven the 640d with a 90% intention of buying one I can confidently say that the diesel option is even more dull than the 550i.
If i really had to economise I'd take the diesel though and argue in its favour
(None of my chat should take away from the fact that the 35d/40d is a damn fine diesel engine. Unlike my good lady's 1.4TDCI Fiesta which should be pushed off a cliff forthwith)
Crombers said:
If I'm being honest I think the 550i is rather dull, particularly in comparison to my B7 and I'm sure the same would apply (even more so) against an M5.
Having gone out to procure an economical alternative and test driven the 640d with a 90% intention of buying one I can confidently say that the diesel option is even more dull than the 550i.
If i really had to economise I'd take the diesel though and argue in its favour
(None of my chat should take away from the fact that the 35d/40d is a damn fine diesel engine. Unlike my good lady's 1.4TDCI Fiesta which should be pushed off a cliff forthwith)
I think I should hand my Pistonheads card in now we have gone back to diesel! Having gone out to procure an economical alternative and test driven the 640d with a 90% intention of buying one I can confidently say that the diesel option is even more dull than the 550i.
If i really had to economise I'd take the diesel though and argue in its favour
(None of my chat should take away from the fact that the 35d/40d is a damn fine diesel engine. Unlike my good lady's 1.4TDCI Fiesta which should be pushed off a cliff forthwith)
I can also totally back you up on how good petrol V8`s are though because I was at my happiest when I used my V8 X5 as my daily and had my V8 Cerb in the garage...I have fell into the defence of the diesels trap and I need a slap for it!
cerb4.5lee said:
Fox- said:
Max M4X WW said:
These are nice machines, but I assume they don't really 'feel' like they have a V8 as such with it being so quiet and with turbo's? I would imagine the engine is more obvious in an E60 550i.
Why would it be more obvious, the E60 550i was the same sort of thing - an effortless cruiser not a muscle car with V8 roar.Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff