New 550i? Sigh...

Are any other 545i owners a bit annoyed that, after only 2 years, BMW has decided to come out with the 550i? Being at the top of the 5-series food-chain for such a short period of time is disappointing. If I had known about the 550i, I may have waited. Can't say I blame them. Everything's getting faster and faster... Lexus, Infiniti, Jag, MB, Big 3... It's hard to keep up with the Joneses. Does anyone know the actual 545i 0-60? I heard/read anywhere from 5.0 to 5.7 seconds. My other car is a Volvo S60R, another rocket. It feels just as fast, just not as smooth.

Happens all the time: 528i-->530i (although it happend in 4 years instead of 2). BMW has to keep up or ahead of the competition.

On the plus side, you could have leased a 2005 545i for cheaper than leasing/buying a 2006 530i. I got such a screaming lease deal on my 545i that I couldn't pass it up even though I wasn't in the market for a new car at the time. Now I'm dumping my lease on this car and actually making some money on it! Kewl....

Originally Posted by dkim

Being at the top of the 5-series food-chain for such a short period of time is disappointing.

I think the top of the 5 series food chain is a spot reserved for the M5

Yeah, I know, but neither the M5 or the 550i were available at the time I got my 545i. My loss... Besides, the new M5 is a myth, like Bigfoot. Haven't seen one in the flesh yet (but can't wait!).

Originally Posted by Ågent99

On the plus side, you could have leased a 2005 545i for cheaper than leasing/buying a 2006 530i. I got such a screaming lease deal on my 545i that I couldn't pass it up even though I wasn't in the market for a new car at the time.

Ditto.

Originally Posted by dkim

Yeah, I know, but neither the M5 or the 550i were available at the time I got my 545i. My loss... Besides, the new M5 is a myth, like Bigfoot. Haven't seen one in the flesh yet (but can't wait!).

I've seen both the M5 and M6, they are spectacular cars. Wish I could have driven them.

placed an 550 order some months ago and should be in Portland in 2 to 3 weeks. Will give details on how it compares to my '02 540 six speed.

I ordered my 2005 545i in August of 2004 and picked it up in November of 2004. I purchased the vehicle after the dealer I purchased the vehicle from accepted my price which I had collected from Jon at BIMMERFEST.COM !! I am very happy with my vehicle and even though the 550i has a bit more horsepower I don't drive the 545i like I just stole it since I leave that to my work vehicle a 2004 Crown Victoria Intercepter. 545i or 550i who really cares??

Nah, plan was always to keep the 545i only two years or pass it on to my wife. I knew about the 550i when I ordered and took delivery in January but the deal was too good to pass up and I wanted a better daily driver. I'll get a 550i once we see if Night Vision, the new Tire Pressure Monitor (March 2006), power folding mirrors, etc. come to the U.S.

Originally Posted by dkim

Are any other 545i owners a bit annoyed that, after only 2 years, BMW has decided to come out with the 550i? Being at the top of the 5-series food-chain for such a short period of time is disappointing. If I had known about the 550i, I may have waited. Can't say I blame them. Everything's getting faster and faster... Lexus, Infiniti, Jag, MB, Big 3... It's hard to keep up with the Joneses. Does anyone know the actual 545i 0-60? I heard/read anywhere from 5.0 to 5.7 seconds. My other car is a Volvo S60R, another rocket. It feels just as fast, just not as smooth.