BMW 535i Vs 535d

[rickinm]

Ok have a 2005 BMW 535d bought new now looking to change. Choice is 535i or 535d. Thinking might like to get back into the smooth Petrol 6 little disappointed with the 306bhp and more the 295 lb ft when others or even same engine in BMW range offers more 332lb ft or so. Option on that is the Hartge Conversion with Birds very helpful people and that gives 362bhp and 354 Lb Ft. Or Get the Diesel and stay as standard at 308Bhp and 464 Lb Ft or go mad and do Hartge on that to 360BHP and 528 Lb Ft!! Just think had the Diesel so now a Petrol would be better with higher revs and the near silent running. Most of my driving in town so economy will suffer for sure. Had clear vision to get the 535i but now for some reason confused and just cancelled order to think it over. I think if I get 535i will do conversion as 295 lb ft is just not good enough esp as my current 535d has 413 lb ft.
Any help would be good or more important if someone has been in either of these and used daily or even had the conversion?
Thanks

[rickinm]

Thank you for the reply I did test drive and it was not bad but just seemed a little weak and when one sees hot hatches that have 280 lb ft seems a bit tame. I have looked at remaps but I tend to be wary and thus went for either Hartge or ACS. Hartge seems the right one as its as flat as the factory curve please see http://www.hartge.de/UploadPDF/F10%20Limousine/E%2...
There may well be more available but I want one that is reliable and wont be wiped when it goes for service or any software updates etc. Of course with the 535d there are no such issues and every single magazine and article says its an amazing engine but I am just thinking maybe back to a petrol 6 as it will be so smooth and also so much better with the start stop system.

[rickinm]

I was actually ordering a new one and that's what I need to decide.

[rickinm]

My Wife would not be too happy about me attracting all the women and besides I have a Maserati and that does a good enough job! But I do see what you mean and am not looking to put bits and pieces but just an ECU module and that too by Hartge or Schnitzer but am now leaning to the Diesel I think.

[rickinm]

Thank you all for the help but more confused now. I would love the 550i but its way too much and as much is town driving that's an issue - what I am thinking is the 535d and the Hartge Conversion to 360BHP and 525Lb Ft which is like the Alpina D5. I drove the new Alpina D3 which has same engine and that was brutal but D5 would be best but too expensive and am getting great deal on the 535i or 535d.

[rickinm]

A remapped 535i won't be any slower than a 535d...

Probably true to be honest but the torque in the diesel and the relative efficiency makes me think maybe better stay with diesel besides keep reading what a mega engine it is.

[rickinm]

Def worried about warranty and they is part of the reason as thinking diesel as out of box is more suited to 5000k per annum town driving.

I am aware of the relationship of torque and revs but torque is now as they say and revs are more for BHP. The problem I have with the 535i is that whichever way one cuts it they have given a 1900kg saloon the same power etc as all the top hot hatches and torque even worse whereas clearly in the range the same engine does 330bhp and 332 lb ft so why not in the 5?? I find that so strange?? Even the official M Performance upgrade is not available for the 5.

[rickinm]

Thank you all for your help rally has made me think what to do. What bugs me most is that BMW feel that on their 5 series the engine should not match the 330bhp it gets on others in the range. I feel I would have to get the Hartge Conversion. Also depreciation I have looked online and hardly any 535i's an they all depreciate like crazy whereas the diesels fare better so come time to change I will have to find a buyer like me who wants a big petrol.
I also read that the new f10 diesels are much better than the old diesels they have improved a lot in terms of economy, heating up time etc etc and the 8 speed auto helps as well so that's but then the same applies for the petrol as well.
Its strange and am really not sure now.

[rickinm]

Think the 535i with Hartge is better option. I have specced bith with Azurite Black and Black Nappa Leather and Comfort Access Comfort seats
Lumbar support, driver and front pass. M Sport Plus package 19" M Double-spoke style 351M alloy wheels Loudspeaker system - harman/kardon surround sound M rear spoiler Sun protection glass Media package Navigation system-BMW Professional Multimedia Variable Damper Control (VDC)assist camera Ext. mirrors - folding, auto dimming Instrument panel, leather Air conditioning, automatic with four-zone control Adaptive LED Headlights so if ever I sell later there will be a great F10 for sale lol. Also done the 535d the same so now its only to decide 535i or 535d?

[rickinm]

Surprise Surprise dealer has a 535d but no 535i!!! Maybe try a 335i.
rgds

[rickinm]

gizlaroc said:

The diesels are good, but for someone asking about the petrol vs diesel and only concern is how they drive, it has to be the petrol.
His worry seems to be the power, I don't think that comes into it once you have lived with both, there is something about the petrol that is just 'nicer'.

No my problem is actually the torque when the 535i engine does 332lb ft in other cars in range why they leave the heavt 5 series with 295 lbft??
Think for drive petrol is nicer and I would get Hartge ECU.

[rickinm]

Am now leaning more and more to the N55 Engine I have to say but I think I will get the Hartge Conversion. I have a drive in the 535d next week and maybe they have a 335i as well. I think MPG wont be an issue with 8 speeds and eco pro but then it will be even better on the diesel as well.

[rickinm]

Looks like its more and more petrol as I read. Anyone done the Hartge Conversion or indeed the Quaife LSD?

[rickinm]

Finally decided going to get the 535i and put this on
http://www.bmw.co.uk/en_GB/topics/owners/accessori...

Official BMW Performance kit 326BHP and 332 LB Ft for 1100 and full warranty.

Now only need to decide on Azurite Black or Sophisto Grey Xiralic??

[rickinm]

E65Ross said:

What colour interior are you opting for?

Personally I'd go for azurite black with beige leather (or champagne merino if your budget can stretch that far) with piano black trim......lovely.

Problem with Azurite is delivery time but that's first choice and then Sophisto and Black Nappa Leather as I find that the best Beige and Champagne am not too keen and also gets so easily marked.

[rickinm]

hornetrider said:

DING DING! V8 M Sport in Sophisto with Oyster & Piano. Lots of toys too.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

Great car I have to say but really want a new one and also V8 is just too much engine for the driving I do.

[rickinm]

E65Ross said:

You've just lost 10 man points for saying that. A V8 is never too much. In fact, it's only 2/3 a proper engine

Touche and yes I realise after saying how bad it sounds BUT I have a X5 4.4i V8 that's I got new And a Maserati QP Sport V8 to satisfy my V8 urges and yes V8 best engines by far even more so than V10 and V12 IMO.

[rickinm]

Roo3Stuart said:

Mine is Sophisto Grey with black interior and I think it really suits the car, gets a lot of compliments.

Is yours a 535i?? Whats it like everday??

[rickinm]

Fixed on New 535 now with the M Performance Kit Azurite Black with Black Nappa. Really don't like the wheels that BMW offer though on this car.
Has anyone seen these http://morrwheels.com/wheels/details/mono-forged/v... really nice. Maybe will put on my Maserati.

[rickinm]

Thanks for that yes I think best choice. I think the updated engine will be reserved for the new 2016 model.

BMW colour choice is pretty bad I have to say, hence the Azurite.
quote=aeropilot]

Personally I think you made the right choice of the 535i with the BMWPPK as it's a proper remap rather than the less sophisticated 'piggy-back' tuning box that the Hartge is....plus you get BMW factory warranty with it.
You'll find that it will also be a bit more than the advertised power increase figures

There will be a 540i with a 350ish hp version of the same N55 engine out in the future, but maybe not for another year perhaps.


Not so sure on the black and black colour choice though

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