BMW 535 v Genesis V8

[nextcar]

I just happened to check the latest ratings on Consumer Reports, as they have some updated survey results:

genny 4.6:
reliability: good
owner satisfaction: very good

bmw 535i:
reliability: poor
owner satisfaction: good

both cars by the way are in the same category, luxury sedans.
i am definitely very happy with my genny.
i mention these 2 cars because i almost bought the 535.

 

[Brucealeg]

Thanks for sharing. I always wanted a BMW x35, M3 etc and every time I was closing to buying I would hear a horror story and back off. Guy buy and immediately has engine problems no one will fix. Stuff like consumer reports being iffy on a model I want. I test drove a M3 and really loved it, but always thought I would have problems with it.

I ended up in a Genesis and I really like it.

 

[TJPark01]

Did you come from a 2007 550i ?

 

[cmunic8r99]

Thanks for sharing. I always wanted a BMW x35, M3 etc and every time I was closing to buying I would hear a horror story and back off. Guy buy and immediately has engine problems no one will fix. Stuff like consumer reports being iffy on a model I want. I test drove a M3 and really loved it, but always thought I would have problems with it.

I ended up in a Genesis and I really like it.

This is specifically why I didn't buy the Jaguar XF Supercharged I test drove during my search... Too many horror stories.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk

 

[EXBMWGUY]

I think there are quite a few recovering BMW owners with Genesis 4.6/5.0 in their stables or soon to have. In fairness though, there are many, many BMW owners whose love affair with the brand continues, and who have had trouble-free relationships with their cars. For me, I'm less interested in a relationship with my car than I am just having it serve me in a simple and faithful way. In the case of the R-Spec, reliable and fun to drive seem to co-exist.

 

[Brucealeg]

This is specifically why I didn't buy the Jaguar XF Supercharged I test drove during my search... Too many horror stories.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk

Good to know, I've had a love affair with the supercharged XF for awhile - just couldn't justify the cost in my head.

 

[cheez]

I just happened to check the latest ratings on Consumer Reports, as they have some updated survey results:

genny 4.6:
reliability: good
owner satisfaction: very good

bmw 535i:
reliability: poor
owner satisfaction: good

both cars by the way are in the same category, luxury sedans.
i am definitely very happy with my genny.
i mention these 2 cars because i almost bought the 535.

The Genesis 4.6 will blow the doors off the BMW 535i in the highway.

 

[nextcar]

Did you come from a 2007 550i ?

since you own both, are you more satisfied with the genny over the 535?

 

[mistersteve]

I recently traded in my 2008 BMW 535i for a 2012 Genesis 4.6 so I guess that makes me qualified to offer a comparison (actually, I discussed this at length in a 535i versus V8 post a while back but, heh).

OK, the 535i is the right brand and the right name to drop during a cocktail party. It's not all hype and they are extremely good cars. I've owned 18 BMWs in the last 26 years and still own a 2010 X5 Diesel. As for the BMW 535i, it is a hot little number (not quite the 750iL I was coming from but a lot sportier) but bad on tires and I had more repair and maintenance issues with it than any previous BMW I've had. If I didn't fear future maintenance issues I probably would still have the 2008 535i, but being out of warranty on any BMW is a major financial gamble (unless you like $200 oil changes and $1000 fuel pumps). I really enjoyed all these BMWs I've had but maintaining one out of warrantee is a scary proposition so I started car shopping.

Being recently retired I am a bit more frugal and a whole lot less brand conscious these days. When I looked at buying another 535i, it was $30K more than a comparably equipped Genesis 4.6.

So, was it a mistake to buy the Genesis 4.6 instead of another 535i?

In retrospect, no. As I have posted before, the 535i and Genesis V8 are not 100% equivalent competitors so you have to be careful about what you are comparing. The 535i with active roll stabilization turns corners and handles better than a Genesis because it emulates a sports car while the Genesis is simply a better, tighter built sedan with great pricing. Of course, this "tighter built sedan" with a V8 will blow the socks off a 535i at a stop light (perhaps not a 550i and certainly not an M5).

I liked the seats better in the 535i (an $1800 upgrade) but a no-option V8 Genesis was a better deal this time around, in my opinion. The bottom line is - If you are 35 and still need to impress the chicks or get a better job (i.e. appear to be successful to be successful) then hock your soul and get a BMW - better yet, have two or three at a time like me ;-). If you are an old geezer who doesn't need to impress anyone then it might be worth knowing that the Genesis 4.6 is a great price/performance value.

 

[TJPark01]

Im gonna play devils advocate as I have a '09 4.6 and a '11 535i.
I don't think the Genesis will blow the doors off a 535i. In fact I think they are just about as fast. They get there in 2 very different ways. Although the 535i is down on power on paper, it has much more torque at the bottom of the revrange, so it feels faster off the line. The Genesis you have to wind the thing up to get at the power a bit. But once you get going it's a nice silky smooth V8. I would say the two are a push in terms of their power.

Dynamically the BMW is vastly superior, the chassis is set up in a way that if you have the right options you can configure it in a number of different ways to suit your needs. The Genesis is kinda in the middle ground, not a super luxo barge like a LS and not a sport sedan like the 5.

With that being said, the Genesis is probably still the better car given the biggest measuring stick and that's price.

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[Cut-Throat]

Im gonna play devils advocate as I have a '09 4.6 and a '11 535i.
I don't think the Genesis will blow the doors off a 535i. In fact I think they are just about as fast. They get there in 2 very different ways. Although the 535i is down on power on paper, it has much more torque at the bottom of the revrange, so it feels faster off the line. The Genesis you have to wind the thing up to get at the power a bit. But once you get going it's a nice silky smooth V8. I would say the two are a push in terms of their power.

Dynamically the BMW is vastly superior, the chassis is set up in a way that if you have the right options you can configure it in a number of different ways to suit your needs. The Genesis is kinda in the middle ground, not a super luxo barge like a LS and not a sport sedan like the 5.

With that being said, the Genesis is probably still the better car given the biggest measuring stick and that's price.

Which has the better reliability in your opinion and experience? - That is my number 1 measuring stick.......Lexus has now failed me on that one, My Genesis is superior to my GS350

 

[TJPark01]

Which has the better reliability in your opinion and experience? - That is my number 1 measuring stick.......Lexus has now failed me on that one, My Genesis is superior to my GS350

It's too early to tell. Both cars were first year models and both had a few electrical hiccups. Nothing major just annoying minor things that were fixed under warranty. The BMW has much more electronics than the Genesis but both have been equally reliable, in the early stages. If I had to bet, I'd bet the Genesis because it's just less complicated. Without a doubt the Genesis will be easier and cheaper to fix, that you can bank on. (Although an oil change in the BMW is actually easier).

 

[nextcar]

It's too early to tell. Both cars were first year models and both had a few electrical hiccups. Nothing major just annoying minor things that were fixed under warranty. The BMW has much more electronics than the Genesis but both have been equally reliable, in the early stages. If I had to bet, I'd bet the Genesis because it's just less complicated. Without a doubt the Genesis will be easier and cheaper to fix, that you can bank on. (Although an oil change in the BMW is actually easier).

if reliability seems to be equivalent at this early stage, then the only thing that really matters is the driving experience.
from your posts, it seems that you enjoy the BMW more than the genny?
hence overall, you are more satisfied with the BMW (if you take cost out of consideration).

 

[TJPark01]

if reliability seems to be equivalent at this early stage, then the only thing that really matters is the driving experience.
from your posts, it seems that you enjoy the BMW more than the genny?
hence overall, you are more satisfied with the BMW (if you take cost out of consideration).

From the drivers seat yes I enjoy the bimmer more. It has way nicer seats and it's more of a drivers car and customizable. The Genny is more spacious, softer, easier to see out of and has more trunk space (and a real spare). I like both cars for different reasons, but as more of a auto enthusiast I prefer the 535i. Ask me again after the warranty period and I may have a different answer.

 

[mistersteve]

>From the drivers seat yes I enjoy the bimmer more. It has way nicer seats and it's more of a drivers car and customizable. The Genny is more spacious, softer, easier to see out of and has more trunk space (and a real spare). I like both cars for different reasons, but as more of a auto enthusiast I prefer the 535i. Ask me again after the warranty period and I may have a different answer.

Wow. My words exactly too. I'm not thrilled with the steering on the Genesis (perhaps it's the extra 200 lbs over the front wheels on the V8) versus the 535i but it's still a good car. Even swallowing an extra $30K, if it wasn't for the long-term repair and maintenance cost issue on a BMW, I'd have another 535 along with my X5. Being more logical in retirement, however, it's a Genny 4.6 instead.

As for whether it blows the socks off a 535i or not, perhaps it's a matter of opinion. I have a 2012 Genesis with an 8-speed transmission and not the 2009. I agree that the 535 was a hoot when the turbos spooled up and you blasted off but I can't help but feel that I experienced too much turbo lag off the line. I don't get that feeling in the 4.6 and I'd bet that it gets to 60 faster than my 535i did or, at least in the same time but with more linear acceleration. I've only got 1500 miles on my Genny so far (mostly local driving) so I can't tell you how the 80-110 mph sprint passing compares yet ;-)

Finally, there was a comment/question about reliability. As I mentioned, I've had 18 BMWs in 26 years. Granted, most of them were leased and I never had them longer than 3 years but you can usually spot a lemon early on or not. All my 7-series and X5's have been great. I only had one 535i and it had more maintenance issues (albeit all covered by warrantee) than the last dozen BMWs together. That was one reason not to keep this last 535i and a mitigating reason against another 535i that I'd keep longer than 3 years.
Will the 2012 Genesis 4.6 be more reliable than a 2012 BMW 535i? I hope so but even if it isn't it sure as hell has to be cheaper to fix than a BMW 535i ;-)

 

[TJPark01]

Just the fact that people are cross shopping 5 series and a Genesis is a testament to how good the Genesis really is. The 5 series has been in production for 40 years and is on it's 6th generation. With a long history like that there are many followers of the model. This is my second 5 series, and although I really like the car; The Genesis is such a compelling overall package that it's hard to ignore.
It will be really interesting to see if Hyundai can make a next Generation Genesis that has this much content and still keep the barriers to entry low.

 

[cheez]

Im gonna play devils advocate as I have a '09 4.6 and a '11 535i.
I don't think the Genesis will blow the doors off a 535i. In fact I think they are just about as fast. They get there in 2 very different ways. Although the 535i is down on power on paper, it has much more torque at the bottom of the revrange, so it feels faster off the line. The Genesis you have to wind the thing up to get at the power a bit.

The reason why you feel you get more torque with the 535 from low speed acceleration is because it has shorter gearing. Shorter gears will give you more power, not because it's a BMW. I believe the 535i gears get taller as you approach high speeds. The Genesis 4.6 on the other hand, has taller gears at low end speeds and gets tight at high end range of speeds. From 0-60 you may not see much of difference between the two cars, but if you do roll race from 60 you are done, K.O... that is if you are driving the 535i. The Genesis *will* blow the doors off the 535i. I promise. 535i, similar to 3.8 version Genesis in this regard. Btw, the '10 & '11 has 10 more hp, the 4.6 that is.

Dynamically the BMW is vastly superior, the chassis is set up in a way that if you have the right options you can configure it in a number of different ways to suit your needs. The Genesis is kinda in the middle ground, not a super luxo barge like a LS and not a sport sedan like the 5.

Configure options on the 5 series? what exactly. Does it have suspension tuning and gear ratio setup or something? I don't think the 535i has that. You need to go much more expensive, like the Gallardo LP570 or better, Koenigsegg CCX which has adjustable gear ratios. That's over $750,000.

The Genesis 5.0 R-spec should outperform the 535i at the road course track easily.

 

[TJPark01]

The Genesis *will* blow the doors off the 535i. I promise.

I own both cars. They are about as fast. Blow the doors off is hyperbole. They are both tested and quoted in the 5.5-6.0 second range by various publications.

Configure options on the 5 series? what exactly. Does it have suspension tuning and gear ratio setup or something? I don't think the 535i has that.

Again you're talking about a car that you don't own and guessing on what it does and doesn't have. You can adjust, the suspension settings,transmission,steering and throttle response and you don't need to spend 750K to do it so stop talking out of your @rse.

 

[EXBMWGUY]

I own both cars. They are about as fast. Blow the doors off is hyperbole. They are both tested and quoted in the 5.5-6.0 second range by various publications.



Again you're talking about a car that you don't own and guessing on what it does and doesn't have. You can adjust, the suspension settings,transmission,steering and throttle response and you don't need to spend 750K to do it so stop talking out of your @rse.

I just don't type fast enough! You just took the words right off my iPhone keyboard.

 

[jmo51]

Tough crowd Lol