Does F10 550 beat E39 540i?
 

Thanks to welcome help from the forum, I'm focused on a 2013 550i, black with beige, and M sport and executive package. Do those who traded from great E 39 models enjoy the new car experience? Is it a happy trade up--or a compromise trade down?

I have some last pangs of parting with the 2002 540i, though I would like the new 2013 technology. Comments welcome. Thanks.

I had an E39 530i and an F10 535i. The E39 was exceptional the F10 was a big disappointment. Is the E39 a better car? In essence yes, it's lighter and much more communicative and direct in it's responses. However it's now an old car and there is no denying that the F10s cabin is far superior in looks and content. So it depends what you are looking far. In power, technology and luxury the F10 beats the pants of the E39.

drive new 550 and compare
 

I think 540 is better car

In February I traded my 2002 E39 540i for a 2012 550i M-Sport. No regrets whatsoever.

The only downside I notice is maneuvering in tight spaces and parking. That's when the car feels big to me. The top-view cameras help somewhat. Around LA, I tend to avoid all the tiny parking lots and park on quiet streets a block or two from my destination. This also avoids door dings and makes me exercise more, possibly adding a few months to my life expectancy. See, it's all good.

Once the car gets going, it's so quick, solid and nimble that I don't notice its size at all. It feels far more powerful than my 540i. I am not one of the people who is disappointed in how communicative or responsive the steering is. I just love driving it.

One big plus I didn't realize on my test drives was how much more quiet the interior is. When it's time to creep along at 3 mph on the 405, the car isolates you into a peaceful bubble away from the stress where you can appreciate the subtleties of some quiet classical music. When you finally pass the ladder that's blocking a couple lanes of traffic and gun it, the engine emits a satisfying snarl and you're back in a race car again.

All the technology is wonderful. The Executive Package includes HUD, right? You'll definitely want the HUD. I turn off the navigation's voice prompts and just watch the magic arrow that's superimposed over the road. Makes nav far less annoying.

I loved my 540i for the seven years I drove it and was very reluctant to trade it in, but I'm so very glad I did. I believe my 550i is my favorite thing I've ever bought.

CA540 - I came from a 2001 540 6-speed in February. The F10 550i is a much nicer vehicle, and obviously much quicker as well. All the latest tech, more comfort, etc., but I do sometimes miss my 540i. Maybe it was the no car payments ...;) Seriously - steering was great, felt a bit smaller, etc. - but the F10 is a lot more car.

thanks
 

Do you have the dreaded throttle tip in issue--lagging acceleration from standing start, then jumps forward too fast?

Thanks.
 

Do you have the dreaded throttle tip in issue--lagging acceleration from standing start, then jumps forward too fast?

Thanks. Good report, much welcome. Have you run into that throttle tip in issue? Slow start from stop, then jump fast, too fast.

Despite being called the same name, I'd argue the F10 and E39 are in totally different classes.

The E39 is about the size of today's 3'er (F30), and the F10 is about the size of the E38 7-Series. You can do all you want to a car in terms of design and suspension, but physics always wins.

Nope. I'm no expert, but I think that was only a 2011 problem...? Mine's very immediate.

Make sure the test drive you take is in a fairly recent 550i and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

What FastMarkA says about the E39 being about the same size as a modern F30 is true. Definitely worth your time to check out both cars. I prefer the larger one for a bunch of my own reasons (like being 6'5"), but the F30s are great if you want a smaller one.

540i response much fast, more feel to the road,more power at any speed and it is very comfortable. But it is old car and need to fix here and there from time to time.
550i is very comfortable and has nice interior and layout, newer technology does make difference to the comfortable levels. But it slower, lag, and feel heavier (vs. the old 540i, which is truly effortless at any speed). I got spoiled by 540i experience and don't personally like the 550i much.
Don't laugh at me for it..., I am now ended up with a Mazda 3:), which has 90% of fun from 540i with 1/3 of the cost, and most important to me now, it is trouble free as I don't have time to DIY anymore. The Snow tires match up each other and this is also a plus.

The E39 will feel faster, but it really isn't. Here are some performance stats for comparison:

C&D Test Results
2001 540i (Steptronic)
0-60 5.7sec
0-100 15.3 sec
1/4mi 14.3@97mph
5-60 6.0 sec
70-0 167ft
Gees .84
EPA 14/19 (today's tests)
Gas Guzzler Tax $1,300

C&D Test Results
2011 550i (Auto)
0-60 4.8sec
0-100 11.0 sec
1/4mi 13.1@109mph
5-60 5.3 sec
70-0 170ft
Gees .86
EPA 17/25 (today's tests)
Gas Guzzler Tax $0

Adding Dinan to the F10 changes it into a beast. :thumbup:

And in some cases, even the F10 535 is faster, per C&D:

C&D Test Results
2011 535i (Auto)
0-60 5.7 sec
0-100 14.1 sec
1/4mi 14.1@100mph
5-60 6.5 sec
70-0 168ft
EPA 19/29

No doubt, the 550 is a beast and really does not compare to the E39 540 one bit.

Great data!
 

Thanks!

Will be better comparison using the Spec from 540i 6-Speed M-sport against 550i M-Sport, both manual, or just using top OEM setups for both, include the torgue and weight of both cars.
There is a reason why 550i is 'felt' heavier and lag at low-speed acceleration while 540i is effortless.
Steptronic sucks, so is Auto. For car like this level, go for manual else one will lost 50% of fun from the car's capability.

Sorry, but an E39 540 will have his head handed to it in an embarrassing way against an f10 550i. A closer comparison is the 535, which the E39 will struggle against. The E39 was a great car but even though it feels fast that doesn't mean it actually is when comparing to modern cars...

Depends on what's your preference, luxury or driving experience.
Yes that 550i wins the luxury and Spec in hp but 550i has to bow to 540i in driving experience obviously;). Maybe the new 335 is a good balance in between both factors now.

As long as you are talking about how you feel. Not actual performance...

Exactly!:thumbup:

OK, you can read reviews from Edmund: http://www.edmunds.com/bmw/5-series/...dan#fullreview

"In Edmunds performance testing, a rear-drive automatic-equipped 550i went from zero to 60 in 5.2 seconds."
--- 540i got low 5s easily, you can also read previous reviews, sorry but the 550i is NOT faster than 540i, dude

"Handling has always been a hallmark of the BMW 5 Series, and although it's still a strong suit, the current model lacks the agility and communication of its predecessors. The steering transmits less feel, the larger dimensions make it feel bulky on tighter roads and there's just a general feel of isolation that didn't exist before. Our editors and BMW customers alike have lamented this change; however, the 5 Series' quieter cabin, more comfortable ride and lighter steering in parking lots may appeal more to the masses than before."

--- Nothing personal, if one did not drive the 540i M-Sport or just 6speed std. before, one does not really know what have been missing, to me, it is a clear "no" to jump into the current versions of 550i

A lot of the speed "disassociation" comparing new to old vehicles is simply that these new cars are so much more insulated, disconnected and quiet compared to the previous generations. I have noticed taking some offramps at a greater speed in the 535 than I do in my 330 and not even noticing it until the 85 mph warning I set starts chiming. It all goes back to the "more fun to drive a slow car fast" axiom where you feel the speed more in the older car.

I owned a E39 528A Touring for 5 years.
I still am sorry for ever trading that car for an E61.
But.
I am more mature now and the F11 is that compared to the old car.
So I choose driving the 530D over any E39 now, in 2012.

And Car & Driver measured the 550i at 4.8s and the 540i at 5.7s. Worse yet the 4.5sec 550xi spanks the 540i even worse. Adding software brings it down to the sub-four second range. E39/E60 M5s can't keep up.

BTW, I test drove an E39 540 in 2003 when they had some pretty deep discounts. I ended up getting an A6 instead. ;)

Don't bother, no matter what facts are given, the 540i will always be the all time worlds fastest car to him....

This is a silly discussion.
Comparing 2 cars of different generation with 10 of years difference that is.
Of course the new car is going to be bigger and heavier, EVERY SINGLE CAR on market is the same.
They have to be increased due to safety regulation and what not.
The way the 5 series is being able to perform the same or even better with the extra weights just proofs the advancement of technology.