I think the 440 was the lowest priced Bernina available with the BSR? It has the embroidery capacity built into it too. They found that a lot of people bought the 440 with BSR but not the embroidery That was a lots of capacity being wasted and they are replacing the 440 with the 550? It has the BSR but not embroidery. I paid about $3000 last year for a 440. As others have mentioned the price should be coming down since they are being discontinued. The 550 with BSR may be less expensive because it doesn't embroider? You will have to decide what the BSR is worth to you.