Dema

I am going to pick one close to end of October. Just curious what kind of deals you get for 36 months lease and 10,000 miles a year.
Any opinion what will be better car for money E550 or 550i? I do not like MB acceleration lag unless you are in sport mode which isn't economical. Any other pros cons for either car?

T.H.Carrera

I think the current MF for e550 is the standard 0.00225 and there is 3k holdback on lease, 5k holdback on finance and another 2k for loyalty. (these apply to 2014 sedans only as far as I know)

So total 5k under invoice or 7k under invoice is possible this month.

Keep us posted with what numbers you get offered and what you eventually beat them down to.

PeterUbers

I think you should drive a 2k14 E550 if you haven't already and then a 550i -- I think the 550i will have less of a lag (based purely on what I have read from other owners, never drove one myself) and our 2k14 has a generous tip-in in the throttle before you really feel the car moving, both in the economy mode, and in sport (but less in sport).

Pro's and Con's -- you can read all about the pros on this forum for the E550, but the 550i -- more hp and torque, 8-spd tranny, more options, better electronics interface and more customizable, more tech for sure (2014 550i), faster than the E550 to 60mph and the 1/4 mile....

BMW may cost you more, however, and not many E550's on the lots, most on this board have been customizing them and ordering them from Germany. Of the ones on the lots, better negotiating power, however often a less desired color combination and less desirable option list.

TH -- you're saying that it's possible to walk out the door (prior to TTL) on a purchased E550 for up to 7k off invoice?? So I could get a car not even on most lots for 54k (sticker 61k base) if I purchase it? That's impressive, don't think any of the stealerships around me would do that as I just went through the process and I found one dealership willing to haggle down to 7500 off msrp, the rest would to msrp or $500 off msrp for custom ordered E550... not much better on an E550 on the lot if there was even one on the lot.

ghstudio

my e350 BT lease is up in December and I've been wrestling with what to replace it with. I have been unable to find an E550 sedan to test drive and I won't order a car without driving it. I've driven most every other car in the class and all have their pluses and minuses. I did not like the 530i..did not drive a 550i but my wife has difficulty seeing because the seat doesn't go up high enough (she's only 5'0"). Jaguar XF had too much road feel in the steering...actually tiring, even on a relatively short test drive. XJ is too big. Lexus GS is dull to drive (even the F) but probably the most balanced of all the cars. Audi A7 is my current first choice and I'd get the diesel which is shockingly as fast as the gas car...but it has a terrible lease compared with the MB e550. I wouldn't consider an infinity after my experience with an M37 and shift problems.

My decision is not to order a car...but I'll find something in stock in December when the bargaining is the best anyway. Who knows, I might just wind up with a porsche 911.

SolidGranite

Lightly used 550i is dirt cheap. I'd look in to buying one if it's your cup of tea.

Dema

Guys, thanks for input. Problem with seat height adjustment isn't a problem for us, since we both a reasonably tall. I will try to drive both cars on next week so give you some feedback as on a car as on a price after.

K-A

The 550i is well above the E550 in about all areas, in my opinion (and on paper, spec and performance wise), especially the 2014 550i which just stepped it up to the N63tu which is underrated at 445 HP, not to mention upgraded iDrive (improved interface all around and a new touch-pad) once again which already was drastically ahead of COMAND. BMW also improved chassis and sporty dynamics of the LCI (facelift) 5 Series' which is getting strong reviews by drivers of earlier F10 5 Series' already. I found the CLS550/E550 were very powerful cars that were very held back by a transmission that isn't sharp, quick nor geared right enough to eek out the potential of the TT V8, which may have contributed to what I felt was significant Turbo lag at low RPM's. The ZF 8 Speed in the BMW's are very good at maximizing the engines potentials, super fast, enough gears, well geared, and they have Sport/Comfort modes that are very comprehensive and go a long way into drastically changing the characters of the cars.

However, I assume it will also be pricier, so depending on how you rate them both on a value scale, you might get your answer as to which is right for you. Of course, there's always the preference of styling, etc. etc.

If you're tall, then frontal headroom will be similar with each. I find the F10 5 Series has a liiiitle bit better front headroom, even with a sleeker roofline as they got the seating position lower (which also gives it a much sportier and "cockpit" like seating environment compared to the upright seating position on the E).

Dema

Did somebody try 535d? I assume 445hp can bring gas bill up, especially for long a commuter as me. However 535d with just 255hp can be really slow. It has tremendous toque, but how does it really affect acceleration? It seem makes sense to hauling something up to a hill.

PeterUbers

never drove 535d, but the 445hp has an 8 spd transmission, for a long commute that's mostly highway, it's likely pretty fuel efficient, but according to bmwusa.com, the city/hwy mpg is "TBD" ... the E550 gets me 20mph in mixed city/hwy driving, and 26mpg all highway... not bad for an underrated twin turbo v8. This v8 has about the same fuel efficiency as my 2k9 infiniti g37x

T.H.Carrera

So what lease were u able to score on e550?