E60 530i vs 545i

[bigdom]

Narrowed down my choice to the 5 as the missue won't drive the 7 and that would cause issues.

So either 3L 258bhp petrol or more likely the V8 as fuel consumption seems negligible between the two, circa 27ish? Manual/Auto?

Any words of owner wisdom?

[rassi]

Depends on your annual mileage, but if you have a chance to go for a 545i (or upping your budget to a 550i) I would certainly go for the V8! Note that the 550i is actually more fuel-efficient than the 545i and apparently more reliable too.

[cerb4.5lee]

If you can stretch to the 550i with the 4.8 in it & you dont do many miles, you will be in heaven its an awesome unit smooth & powerful.

But the straight six 3.0 is still proven so either way i dont think you would be disappointed, i prefer a manual box but i would imagine autos are the prefered gearbox in these cars.

[bigdom]

Not really considered the 550i as thought it wouldn't be much over the 545i, the 3L because the newer co2 engine seems to have issues. Mileage is only 12-15k now, think I need to look at a 550 now.

[scz4]

bigdom said:

Not really considered the 550i as thought it wouldn't be much over the 545i, the 3L because the newer co2 engine seems to have issues. Mileage is only 12-15k now, think I need to look at a 550 now.

I have a 550i M Sport Touring, I would definitely recommend the V8, especially with an Eisenmann back box Drove one 545i when I was looking, have to say it didn't seem to have the same grunt or top end pull. I manage an average of 23mpg and can get 30mpg on a long run. Mine is a (rare) manual though, so not sure how the automatics compare. My 550i is certainly more economical than the E39 540i auto I had.

You need to watch with the 550i, some are pre LCI (facelift in BMW talk), not sure they'll be any more economical than the 545i and will have the same interior. The facelift interior is a much nicer place to be, I've had both.

Only downside is most 550i will be 2006 onwards and thus a higher road tax band. LCI models were out early 2007.

I'd say don't get too hung up on 545i or 550i, you'll enjoy both. But buy based on condition and spec. With these cars it can make a huge difference to your enjoyment. 19" Spider rims & Logic 7 stereo are essential in my opinion.

Don't suppose you have a Z4M and want to swap? A shameless plug here - http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=101...

Edited by scz4 on Wednesday 18th April 20:52

[gf15]

Hi there,
I have the 650 sport (Oct 2005) and have been really impressed, it is quite rapid, I think it is good on petrol long run at ~ 80 it returns an easy 28. I do virtually no town driving though.
Spec wise, Logic 7, exclusive leather (feels soft and wears very well), HUD is one of those options that I thought was a waste of time, now really like it!
Good topic here; http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
6 series is based on the 5,

Only thing to look out for is a warped sump plate on the gearbox which causes it to leak. My BMW specialist gave the 650 a thumbs up and good for big miles.
Ride is firm on the run flats, much better without but still firm.
17k miles over the last 10 months and only non service part has been a wheel bearing.
Firing up the V8 is always an occasion, it sounds wonderful. Good luck

[bigdom]

scz4 said:

Don't suppose you have a Z4M and want to swap? A shameless plug here - http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=101...

Afraid not, don't believe i'd fit, could never drive the original Z4 as it was too small. I saw your sports tourer a few weeks back, very nice, I'd need a dog to get it past the wife though... IMHO it's better looking than the saloon and I'd also take an M5 tourer anytime!

The fuel consumption seems about right, pretty close to the bike when it's used properly!

[scz4]

bigdom said:

I'd need a dog to get it past the wife though...

I can throw a dog in with the deal, no problem I have the opposite problem in the 5 series, I look like a kid who's knicked his dad's car

I think most estates look better than the equivalent saloon, think RS4, etc. I think the 5 series estate has dates better than the saloon.

Anyway, good luck with your search, take your time, find the right one and you won't be disappointed. Let me know if you do decide on a touring

[bigdom]

gf15 said:

Firing up the V8 is always an occasion, it sounds wonderful.

Love V8's. Since I've known one of my mates circa 20yrs, he's never owned or driven anything with less than 8 cylinders! 6 series is also an option, either will be good to drive to the South France/Spain later this year

[Jobbo]

There's no fundamental difference which makes the 550i more economical than the 545i; I got an average of 25mpg out of my last 545 and my recently acquired one seems to be pretty similar. They're more efficient than the E39 540i anyway.

Spec makes all the difference though. Even a 530i didn't get the full climate control as standard for instance. There are some relatively bare 545is out there but plenty of well specced ones.

If you do decide to go for a 550i they were introduced before 2006 so there are some on 55 plates and early 06s which avoid the £400+ car tax. They're usually unjustifiably expensive compared to 545s though.

[c7xlg]

I have a 55 plate 550i auto estate. It has averaged 26.9mpg. From my understanding the 545i is a 4.6l version of the 4.4L in the E39 540i. Whereas the 550i is a different block entirely (alloy vs iron) and is quite a bit lighter, revs higher and is more efficient.

I had a e39 540i previously and the 550i engine certainly feels a lot better, and I would say it is a great improvement, and significantly more efficient, even with 80bhp more. This explains the price difference between used 545i vs 550i.

[bigdom]

The E cars range of engines appear to come from the same stable?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_N62

[CrazyHorse]

scz4 said:

Don't suppose you have a Z4M and want to swap? A shameless plug here - http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=101...

Are you thinking of selling the 550i then? I haven't got a Z4M I can swap but might be interested in buying the car.

[kingmoosa]

c7xlg said:

I have a 55 plate 550i auto estate. It has averaged 26.9mpg. From my understanding the 545i is a 4.6l version of the 4.4L in the E39 540i. Whereas the 550i is a different block entirely (alloy vs iron) and is quite a bit lighter, revs higher and is more efficient.

I had a e39 540i previously and the 550i engine certainly feels a lot better, and I would say it is a great improvement, and significantly more efficient, even with 80bhp more. This explains the price difference between used 545i vs 550i.

The engines in the 545/550i are from the same generation, N62 alloy block, valvetronic, double vanos, 4.4l 333 bhp and 4.8l 367 bhp respectively. The E39 540i used the older iron block M62 engine.

On a run I've been getting roughly the same MPG (28 - 32) from my E60 545i Auto as my E39 528i Manual, although around town the V8 is 5mpg down.

[scz4]

CrazyHorse said:

Are you thinking of selling the 550i then? I haven't got a Z4M I can swap but might be interested in buying the car.

Potentially yes, it's a constant dilema. It's the perfect family car that keeps everyone happy, practical, spacious, reliable, comfortable and a big V8 for me But my mind is made up I want\need a Z4M in my life. I would ideally like to run both, but the missus would prefer if the daily car was something with cheaper running costs. Pressure is on to sell, but I'm still negotiating Plus I've just renewed the BMW Warranty for another year.

Drop me an email and we can chat offline if you like. Let me know if you do send something, as I don't always seem to receive it.

Edited by scz4 on Thursday 19th April 15:03

[Jobbo]

c7xlg said:

I have a 55 plate 550i auto estate. It has averaged 26.9mpg. From my understanding the 545i is a 4.6l version of the 4.4L in the E39 540i. Whereas the 550i is a different block entirely (alloy vs iron) and is quite a bit lighter, revs higher and is more efficient.

I had a e39 540i previously and the 550i engine certainly feels a lot better, and I would say it is a great improvement, and significantly more efficient, even with 80bhp more. This explains the price difference between used 545i vs 550i.

Kingmoosa's already responded, but I would add that I think you have the X5 4.6iS engine in mind. That is entirely different to the 545 engine, which is the same 4398cc as the E39 540 engine but otherwise pretty much identical to the 550i's 4.8. There's a lot more difference between the E53 X5 4.6iS and 4.8iS engines.

[CrazyHorse]

scz4 said:

Drop me an email and we can chat offline if you like. Let me know if you do send something, as I don't always seem to receive it.

email sent

[scz4]

CrazyHorse said:

email sent

Replied

[rumple]

scz4 said:

bigdom said:

Not really considered the 550i as thought it wouldn't be much over the 545i, the 3L because the newer co2 engine seems to have issues. Mileage is only 12-15k now, think I need to look at a 550 now.

I have a 550i M Sport Touring, I would definitely recommend the V8, especially with an Eisenmann back box Drove one 545i when I was looking, have to say it didn't seem to have the same grunt or top end pull. I manage an average of 23mpg and can get 30mpg on a long run. Mine is a (rare) manual though, so not sure how the automatics compare. My 550i is certainly more economical than the E39 540i auto I had.

You need to watch with the 550i, some are pre LCI (facelift in BMW talk), not sure they'll be any more economical than the 545i and will have the same interior. The facelift interior is a much nicer place to be, I've had both.

Only downside is most 550i will be 2006 onwards and thus a higher road tax band. LCI models were out early 2007.

I'd say don't get too hung up on 545i or 550i, you'll enjoy both. But buy based on condition and spec. With these cars it can make a huge difference to your enjoyment. 19" Spider rims & Logic 7 stereo are essential in my opinion.

Don't suppose you have a Z4M and want to swap? A shameless plug here - http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=101...

Edited by scz4 on Wednesday 18th April 20:52

Not bad at all, your getting the same fuel bill as me with a e46 330ci

[SBN]

I'm liking the sound of these 550i, might look at one of these as a replacement for my 330ci