550i Sport Touring - advice

[SJobson]

I don't imagine there'll be too much struggle to find a buyer for a 550i Touring; they sold in tiny numbers, unlike the bulk-purchase diesels, so anyone who wants one is likely to snap them up through lack of choice. Hence there being none for sale currently.

[theboss]

Slightly OT but relevant to the thread - how does the 545i compare to the 550i and as a general proposition vs 530i and 530d?

I need to get a decent sized car as our third kid is due in a months time... the plan is to keep my E39 530d as I'm currently happy doing 1000 business miles a week in it and it owes me nothing... but get something newer/nicer/bigger for family duties only. Fuel consumption isn't really a concern. I just noticed that the V8 is keenly priced compared to the 6 cylinder cars and most of them seem more highly specced too.

ETA come to think of it would anyone care to explain the differences between the E60/E61 540i/545i/550i as I didn't realise there has been 3 different v8s in the range.

Edited by theboss on Wednesday 17th December 20:43

[SJobson]

If you want a Touring, ignore the 540i - that was only ever sold (and still is, I think) in saloon form. It's a 4-litre V8 with 302bhp.

The 545i was replaced by the 550i and 540i. It's the same size engine as the old 4.4 V8 in the E39, but has a Valvetronic head and 333bhp. Should be more economical in theory than an E39 540i, being a little lighter and with a more efficient engine, but I don't know anyone who's had one to find out for sure.

The 550i has a 4.8 V8, with Valvetronic, 367bhp. Like the 545i but 10% more, really.

If you want a Sport/MSport then you should be aware that the Sport trim was only introduced just before the 545i engine was replaced by the 550i. Most 545i Tourings seem to be SE spec, though loads of them have big wheels, sports seats etc. Since there are so few 550is around anyway, I'm not sure the rarity of 545i Sport Tourings is particularly relevant.

Anyway, 545i asking prices look expensive to me now that I've seen what a low mileage 550i Touring sells for as an AUC.

[theboss]

SJobson said:

If you want a Touring, ignore the 540i - that was only ever sold (and still is, I think) in saloon form. It's a 4-litre V8 with 302bhp.

The 545i was replaced by the 550i and 540i. It's the same size engine as the old 4.4 V8 in the E39, but has a Valvetronic head and 333bhp. Should be more economical in theory than an E39 540i, being a little lighter and with a more efficient engine, but I don't know anyone who's had one to find out for sure.

The 550i has a 4.8 V8, with Valvetronic, 367bhp. Like the 545i but 10% more, really.

If you want a Sport/MSport then you should be aware that the Sport trim was only introduced just before the 545i engine was replaced by the 550i. Most 545i Tourings seem to be SE spec, though loads of them have big wheels, sports seats etc. Since there are so few 550is around anyway, I'm not sure the rarity of 545i Sport Tourings is particularly relevant.

Anyway, 545i asking prices look expensive to me now that I've seen what a low mileage 550i Touring sells for as an AUC.

Thanks for the info... I'll enjoy looking around over the next few months. Out of interest is the 550i lump the same as used in the X5 4.8is? The displacement and bhp figure you quoted are the same.

[thegreatdogwood]

SJobson said:

thegreatdogwood said:

Anyone know where there is a 550I sport touring 2006 or 2007 for sale please. Looking at that or E500 Sport estate and both seem quite hard to find

Soper in Lincoln had a 55 plate 550i Touring (Nov 2005 registered) with 28k miles. It was for sale for ages at £28,990, then a couple of weeks ago was reduced to £20,590. I was keen to have a look at it for that price, but it disappeared from their website about a week ago so I guess it has sold.

Was quite expecting the new owner to appear on here, actually - you've got to be keen on cars to buy a 550i over a 535d.

Saw that one thanks - was ideally looking for an 06 or 07 with a higher spec but appreciate I need to be realistic over choice. YES I do love my cars. The 535d is a great engine, it is just that the 4.8 V8 will put a smile on my face every time I fire it up and that is worth the extra cost to me. May even go down the 650i route if needs must or an E500 which is a similar proposition.

[SJobson]

theboss said:

Thanks for the info... I'll enjoy looking around over the next few months. Out of interest is the 550i lump the same as used in the X5 4.8is? The displacement and bhp figure you quoted are the same.

I've noticed the same thing - I only found out recently that the post-facelift X5 gained the Valvetronic 4.4 so I assume it is the same 4.8 too. Wonder why BMW made the 4.4 and 4.8 simultaneously for a while though?

[eliot]

SJobson said:

I'm glad you posted your impressions - I was tempted to change my E39 540i Touring for a 550i but I did wonder how much of a step up it would be, other than being newer. For ~£20k outlay over the value of my car it doesn't sound worth it

On paper the 550 is a reasonable step up from a 540. So for me [on paper] it appeals but if you were driving an e39 M5 such as the o/p I could see how you may be disappointed.

[pgilc1]

SJobson said:

I don't imagine there'll be too much struggle to find a buyer for a 550i Touring; they sold in tiny numbers, unlike the bulk-purchase diesels, so anyone who wants one is likely to snap them up through lack of choice. Hence there being none for sale currently.

They sold in tiny numbers for a reason - there arent too many people who want an estate car, but not a terribly effective one in terms of extra space unless you put the rear seats down, and who need the power but considerable running costs of the 550i.

I would say there are so few for sale because the people who paid maybe £60K for them new a couple of years ago are being offered peanuts for them when they try to trade them in - i'd say most dealers be very wary of a big engined monster like that in the current climate therefore will be bidding very very low.

Your response actually sounds like the sort of banter a salesman will come out with when trying to sell you one - though come trade in time that banter will have changed to 'not as desirable as they used to be / have gone off the boil / unloved during the credit crunch....'

What about this - creamy straight six, lots of power, LCI model so it has the latest extra smooth auto box...

http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/auc/car_details/0,,1260...

Edited by pgilc1 on Thursday 18th December 08:49

[pgilc1]

thegreatdogwood said:

SJobson said:

thegreatdogwood said:

Anyone know where there is a 550I sport touring 2006 or 2007 for sale please. Looking at that or E500 Sport estate and both seem quite hard to find

Soper in Lincoln had a 55 plate 550i Touring (Nov 2005 registered) with 28k miles. It was for sale for ages at £28,990, then a couple of weeks ago was reduced to £20,590. I was keen to have a look at it for that price, but it disappeared from their website about a week ago so I guess it has sold.

Was quite expecting the new owner to appear on here, actually - you've got to be keen on cars to buy a 550i over a 535d.

Saw that one thanks - was ideally looking for an 06 or 07 with a higher spec but appreciate I need to be realistic over choice. YES I do love my cars. The 535d is a great engine, it is just that the 4.8 V8 will put a smile on my face every time I fire it up and that is worth the extra cost to me. May even go down the 650i route if needs must or an E500 which is a similar proposition.

?

Why are you only looking at 550i estates, but would consider a 650i coupe?

[SJobson]

pgilc1 said:

They sold in tiny numbers for a reason - there arent too many people who want an estate car, but not a terribly effective one in terms of extra space unless you put the rear seats down, and who need the power but considerable running costs of the 550i.

I would say there are so few for sale because the people who paid maybe £60K for them new a couple of years ago are being offered peanuts for them when they try to trade them in - i'd say most dealers be very wary of a big engined monster like that in the current climate therefore will be bidding very very low.

Your response actually sounds like the sort of banter a salesman will come out with when trying to sell you one - though come trade in time that banter will have changed to 'not as desirable as they used to be / have gone off the boil / unloved during the credit crunch....'

What about this - creamy straight six, lots of power, LCI model so it has the latest extra smooth auto box...

http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/auc/car_details/0,,1260...

They were too expensive new, but the number of people who have E39 540i Tourings (and the E34 before that) must indicate a level of demand when they drop to sensible prices. A 530i just won't cut it because it's less powerful than the old 540i.

Often when cars are not in demand from new, dealers/manufacturers register the bulk of them. That means supply is generally greater than demand even onto the used market. In the case of the 550i, so few seem to exist that it appears that hasn't happened. You think I sound like a dealer, yet you spend far more of your time on here doing a BMW salesman's job than is normal

[pgilc1]

SJobson said:

pgilc1 said:

They sold in tiny numbers for a reason - there arent too many people who want an estate car, but not a terribly effective one in terms of extra space unless you put the rear seats down, and who need the power but considerable running costs of the 550i.

I would say there are so few for sale because the people who paid maybe £60K for them new a couple of years ago are being offered peanuts for them when they try to trade them in - i'd say most dealers be very wary of a big engined monster like that in the current climate therefore will be bidding very very low.

Your response actually sounds like the sort of banter a salesman will come out with when trying to sell you one - though come trade in time that banter will have changed to 'not as desirable as they used to be / have gone off the boil / unloved during the credit crunch....'

What about this - creamy straight six, lots of power, LCI model so it has the latest extra smooth auto box...

http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/auc/car_details/0,,1260...

They were too expensive new, but the number of people who have E39 540i Tourings (and the E34 before that) must indicate a level of demand when they drop to sensible prices. A 530i just won't cut it because it's less powerful than the old 540i.

Often when cars are not in demand from new, dealers/manufacturers register the bulk of them. That means supply is generally greater than demand even onto the used market. In the case of the 550i, so few seem to exist that it appears that hasn't happened. You think I sound like a dealer, yet you spend far more of your time on here doing a BMW salesman's job than is normal

Yes, i have to agree - a 60K 550i is unpalletable to most, but my thinking is that a £28K 2yo one at the moment falls into that category too - especially when much more 'acceptable' engine variants cost less. Three years time when they can be bought for £10K then they will be good value - though 28K to 10K is a big drop for someone to swallow in the meantime....

I would agree too that very few 550i's were ever registered by dealers - most of their demonstrators / salesmens cars would be models they know they can sell easily.

LOL. Yeah i was a car salesman years ago - old habits die hard.

[drivin_me_nuts]

The only comment I have to make about this car is the paint.

Not sure what it is with Carbon black but it is a very soft paint. If it is a motorwy car, don't be surprised if the front is a peppered mess .

[SJobson]

pgilc1 said:

Yes, i have to agree - a 60K 550i is unpalletable to most, but my thinking is that a £28K 2yo one at the moment falls into that category too - especially when much more 'acceptable' engine variants cost less. Three years time when they can be bought for £10K then they will be good value - though 28K to 10K is a big drop for someone to swallow in the meantime....

You're absolutely right - at £28k that one at Soper hung around for months. When they got the pricing right by lopping over £8k off, it sold almost immediately.

They're a very rational purchase, though (well, maybe not compared to a 535d Touring, but others on my watch list are a Jag XK and Merc CLS55 AMG), so people are unlikely ever to let their hearts rule their heads and buy them. Which means that price will always be a factor.

[thegreatdogwood]

pgilc1 said:

Why are you only looking at 550i estates, but would consider a 650i coupe?

I want a car with an engine that will put a smile on my face. I have driven copious diesels that are all very efficient but for a true petrolhead are uninspiring. A friend of mine has a 599 and it makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up eveytime he fires it up. I want an engine that does the same for me and the 550i or E500 estates are the perfect compromise of space with an exciting engine. However, I am a realist that says there are very few around and I don't want to go for the hardcore M5 touring or E55 as I travel 20k miles p.a. Sometimes in life you have to compromise and that for me could be a 650 rather than a 535D

[pgilc1]

thegreatdogwood said:

pgilc1 said:

Why are you only looking at 550i estates, but would consider a 650i coupe?

I want a car with an engine that will put a smile on my face. I have driven copious diesels that are all very efficient but for a true petrolhead are uninspiring. A friend of mine has a 599 and it makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up eveytime he fires it up. I want an engine that does the same for me and the 550i or E500 estates are the perfect compromise of space with an exciting engine. However, I am a realist that says there are very few around and I don't want to go for the hardcore M5 touring or E55 as I travel 20k miles p.a. Sometimes in life you have to compromise and that for me could be a 650 rather than a 535D

But, my point was, why not a 550i saloon?

[thegreatdogwood]

[quote=pgilc1

thegreatdogwood said:

pgilc1 said:

But, my point was, why not a 550i saloon?

Oh I see - well simple answer is that the 650 is a far better looking car IMHO than the 550 saloon and drives better (500 series is only current BMW chassis NOT designed specifically for run-flats). The touring delivers the practicality that I am ideally seeking but if I can't get that then I would rather have the 650 which has a large boot and would still carry the 3 of us OK. Now I know some people have an issue with the 6 series looks, but I think it looks great

[gizlaroc]

pgilc1 said:

Why are you only looking at 550i estates, but would consider a 650i coupe?

I would own a 5 series estate or the 6 series coupe as well but not the saloon, an estate is an understated and feels more sporty and younger, the coupe is always seen as a younger more sporty car, where as I always see the saloon as the middle aged company car.
Neither one thing or the other.


Same with the Audi avants, or the Merc estates and coupes vs their saloon counterparts.

[dubbs]

Get the 6..... works well and we have no struggles as a family of four travelling in it... boot is V.Useful size, takes luggage plus buggy ok.