[Neusser]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

You write that the 550 is less dynamic, whatever that means, and that it is only good for straight line acceleration, which does not interest you. I’d like to see a track test of both and my guess is the 550i would spank the 540i in a straight line and around the track. Both the 540i and the 550i are mid size luxury cruisers.

What we know for a fact is that one car has 55% of its weight over the front axle (about 54% is usually considered a critical threshold for anything that purports to be sporting), but runs the same tire size and track width as the car that doesn't. Even the brakes are the same with the M pack.

Balance makes a driver's car a driver's car. The 550 is not only less dynamic, it is less dynamic in a way that you can't change once you near the limits of grip--add in AWD and you have bags of understeer.

[pbonsalb]

Maybe the 530i is the most dynamic 5 series? You should get one.

[DrVenture]

Thanks for the info. I missed that it was only for the 540. The reflective tape is a good thought. Wrapping the cat piping is also a good idea.

[pbonsalb]

I read that one should not wrap cats — that it could make them too hot internally, so I wrapped only the pile in and out. Then while changing the oil on my 2021 Cayenne S, I noticed the Porsche cats in the hot V are fully wrapped from the factory, though with that thin quilted metal sheet wrap.

[drive_to_survive]

Don't know if OP has made a purchase or not, but here are my 2 cents.

I have a 2021 540i (Stage 2 E30 now) and have also driven a 2021 M550i extensively.

Stock to stock, the M550i feels like a powerhouse in regular driving, and I would go for the M550i, hands down.

Between a stock M550i and a Stage 2 E30 540i, I would go for the 540i.

If you plan to keep the car stock mostly or NOT keep it outside warranty period, the M550i is the experience to choose.

If you want to mod it overtime and keep it for longer periods, go for the 540i.

the B58 is cheaper to mod, generally more reliable to keep, super efficient even after stage 2 MOD. (I still get 34- 36 mpg on highways) and feels a tad more responsive and smoother than the N63TU2.

[BlkGS]

I would never used the words "more reliable" when speaking of a modified turbo BMW. Certainly compared to a stock V8 BMW.

[RockCrusher]

Originally Posted by Captain Starbucks

Hi all,

After a 4 year break from owning a BMW (2011 M3 w/6MT) and going down the EV trail, I'm considering stepping back into the world of not only ICE, but BMW as well.

Considering that I'm mid 50's, two kids 7 and 10, wife, and I commute 52 miles a day, it's easy to justify keeping my EV (2012 Model S) because it's truly easy to live with, but the range is starting to suffer and I need a new car one way or the other. Another boring but fast AF EV makes sense.

Reasons for the M550i is that it'll be one of the last V8's made. Regardless of how amazing the 540 and B58 is, I do like V8's (still own a 1968 Impala w/327 bought brand new by my folks, and my 2001 F250 diesel w/6MT). But the reality is, I just drone back and forth to work, run errands, etc. I'm definitely a car guy, but my weekends are spent fishing, hunting, camping, boating, kids stuff. No canyon carving, no car related stuff for the most part.

So, my comfort level of spending is $50k-ish. CPO a must. 2022 M550's are a bit over that amount, 540's a bit below. So if you had to choose, would you step the budget up a bit and go M550, or go 540i Xdrive w/DHP? I'm finding DHP is not super common. Or maybe just not listed.

I've watched all the videos, read all the chatter, I just feel like talking about it and if you're here, you probably do to.

Rob in Tacoma

No 5 series experience but my experience with other cars is when available I prefer the V8 engine option over fewer number of cylinders engine.

The V8 makes more power which given the usage in this context isn't required but what it does mean is the engine is very lightly stressed.

But I note the 540i has xDrive and maybe where you live/drive AWD is a real benefit? If so that could tip the scales in favor of the 540i with its 6-cylinder engine. Still a good engine and equally unstressed given your usage.

[drive_to_survive]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

I would never used the words "more reliable" when speaking of a modified turbo BMW. Certainly compared to a stock V8 BMW.

how about a stage 1 Gen1 B58 vs the Gen 1 STOCK N63

(And yes, its the TU3 here which is vastly more reliable than the gen1 N63.)

A careful tune where the individual components are not pushed to their full duty cycle, on a reliable platform to begin with will probably run good for many miles.

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by drive_to_survive

how about a stage 1 Gen1 B58 vs the Gen 1 STOCK N63

(And yes, its the TU3 here which is vastly more reliable than the gen1 N63.)

A careful tune where the individual components are not pushed to their full duty cycle, on a reliable platform to begin with will probably run good for many miles.

I'd probably say both of those are just waiting to cost you a fortune, lol. And to be fair, if you're gonna compare to a Gen1 N63, you have to compare that to a modded N54. Which well, those are almost all broken by now, lol.

[drive_to_survive]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

I'd probably say both of those are just waiting to cost you a fortune, lol. And to be fair, if you're gonna compare to a Gen1 N63, you have to compare that to a modded N54. Which well, those are almost all broken by now, lol.

lol. That’s fair. The point I was trying to make on reliability was it’s not just about modded vs stock, rather the current state of stress on all the components involved.