Boxster Base vs S - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

hc115 · 09-15-2010, 02:20 PM

I want to thank everyone again for their input, it was much appreciated.

I finally pulled the trigger yesterday and bought a car. However, it was not the 986, I found a 545i smg with 33k miles, sports/premium pkg for only 21k out the door!
After test driving the 550i I was hooked on the v8, and then found a deal on a 545i that I couldn't refuse.

I'll be over at the 5series.net forums now, if anyone wants to chat over there, I'm under the same name.

Best regards,

Henry

chaudanova · 09-15-2010, 10:34 PM

Not a bad choice! The 5 series of that generation are amesome cars. I've had the pleasure of driving a '08 535i with the twin turbo 6, and it is an amazing car in very many aspects. Power is great, and the handling is SUPERB. Steering is razor sharp, takes bumps very well, and body roll seems nonexistent... Fast right hand turns feel effortless... On the street, I find myself wondering if the 535i handles better than the boxster...

Anyone else feel the same way?

Congrats on your 5 series!

RandallNeighbour · 09-16-2010, 06:30 AM

What an excellent DD you have chosen! I sure do love my 07 550i for driving around town and going to work and such. I even had it at the track this last weekend, and although I wasn't in a run group, I did lag behind everyone by half the track's length in the parade laps so I could really push the car through corners. It handles beautifully for a big heavy sedan. BMW sure knows what they're doing.

Chaudanova, if my boxster's suspension was stock, I'd agree with you completely on handling comparisons. Now when speaking of straight-line acceleration, there's no comparison between the BMW and my boxster. HOLY CRAP the 550i is scary-quick to me on public streets. I would not want an M5 out of a genuine fear it would become the world's most expensive coffin.

fatmike · 09-16-2010, 09:29 AM

I am so confused.

/

extanker · 09-16-2010, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatmike

I am so confused.

/

i think its a cali. thing

ekam · 09-16-2010, 12:29 PM

The only desirable 5-series for me would be E39. Then BMW went downhill on iDrive, Bangle, American diet, etc.

VGM911 · 09-16-2010, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hc115

I want to thank everyone again for their input, it was much appreciated.

I finally pulled the trigger yesterday and bought a car. However, it was not the 986, I found a 545i smg with 33k miles, sports/premium pkg for only 21k out the door!
After test driving the 550i I was hooked on the v8, and then found a deal on a 545i that I couldn't refuse.

I'll be over at the 5series.net forums now, if anyone wants to chat over there, I'm under the same name.

Best regards,

Henry

Well, you sure surprised me. You've been dreaming about a Porsche (Boxster/Carrera) for your transition from a BMW 323i. So what do you buy? A 545i. It's a nice car, but it's not a sports car. It's not a Porsche. What made you abandon your dream?

P.S. Enjoy the BMW - they're nice cars.

VGM911 · 09-17-2010, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hc115

I want to thank everyone again for their input, it was much appreciated.

I finally pulled the trigger yesterday and bought a car. However, it was not the 986, I found a 545i smg with 33k miles, sports/premium pkg for only 21k out the door!
After test driving the 550i I was hooked on the v8, and then found a deal on a 545i that I couldn't refuse.

I'll be over at the 5series.net forums now, if anyone wants to chat over there, I'm under the same name.

Best regards,

Henry

Henry, come back and tell us how you're liking the 545i, and why you gave up your dream for a sports car (and a Porsche, at that).

hc115 · 09-19-2010, 01:26 AM

Hi people.

LOL, I sure surprised myself too. When I started searching for a car, I didn't even have the E60 on my list of cars to search for. It was one of those things that just happened--test drove a 550i and fell for it. So when I lucked out and found a killer deal on a low milage 545i that was within my price range, I guess it was a no brainer.

Been driving the 545i for a few days and I'm having a blast with it. Sure, it's no Porsche but for a sedan, it sure handles amazingly. And the 325hp/325tq v8 really does pull you back into the seat. The SMG transmission shifts very well, very fun to play with in my mind. The iDrive is not bad, I'm getting used to it, and as I become more familiar with the system, the more I like it. The 545i is a wonderful cruiser, yet can still hold its own when I'm in a sporty mood, down shift a gear or two and this boat of a sedan can fly. 33k miles, sports pkg, premium sound, navi, and a v8 for 21k...it was the most logical choice.

I didn't abandon my dreams of owning a Porsche, rather, just postponed. I thought long and hard, and decided that it would be unwise of me to pick up a Porsche while I'm finishing school. If any large unexpected maintenance or repairs were to occur, I would be totally be screwed--and carless.

Although I really wanted a Porsche, I think the wise choice was to hold off until I was more financially stable.

Hope this helps. Enjoy your car, everyone, whether it be Porsche or BMW.

chaudanova · 09-19-2010, 11:31 AM

I think it's one of those things that doesn't make sense until you drive them... The E60's are great cars...

Coming from a modded 986, in my humble opinion, the E60 535i with active suspension handling is extremely impressive. Like I said previously, body roll feels nonexistent, it absorbs bumps in the road with grace, and yet still feels extremely sporty, stiff yet poised, and takes those right hand turns so clean and fast and does them effortlessly.

My 986 with modded suspension compared to the 535i feels much more 'nervous' in comparison.

I think you made a good choice. It's a lot of car for the money and an excellent daily driver car, that gives you great sporty performance and practicality as well.

hc115 · 09-19-2010, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaudanova

I think it's one of those things that doesn't make sense until you drive them... The E60's are great cars...

Coming from a modded 986, in my humble opinion, the E60 535i with active suspension handling is extremely impressive. Like I said previously, body roll feels nonexistent, it absorbs bumps in the road with grace, and yet still feels extremely sporty, stiff yet poised, and takes those right hand turns so clean and fast and does them effortlessly.

My 986 with modded suspension compared to the 535i feels much more 'nervous' in comparison.

I think you made a good choice. It's a lot of car for the money and an excellent daily driver car, that gives you great sporty performance and practicality as well.

Chaudanova basically summed it up in better words.