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      05-08-2017, 07:15 PM   #1
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Review: Automobile First Drive M550i

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Bottom Line: Very good overall!


http://www.automobilemag.com/news/20...source=twitter
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      05-09-2017, 09:20 AM   #2
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Looking good!
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      05-09-2017, 02:23 PM   #3
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Nice. This should keep the throne warm enough until the M5 arrives.
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      05-09-2017, 03:32 PM   #4
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As an E39 M5 owner, its funny to think that once 400hp in a sedan was absurd and bordering on lunacy. Now, nearly 460hp is available for non-M models. I know we are mostly all fans of old, but out of the box power is nuts nowadays and you can't beat numbers like that.
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      05-09-2017, 04:09 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SpartaEvolution View Post
As an E39 M5 owner, its funny to think that once 400hp in a sedan was absurd and bordering on lunacy. Now, nearly 460hp is available for non-M models. I know we are mostly all fans of old, but out of the box power is nuts nowadays and you can't beat numbers like that.
i daily a 535x but own a e36 m3. after taking the m3 out after winter storage i can honestly say the raw non electronics controlled everything feels way better on the highway. So even though power is higher the pleasure of driving is almost gone in the newer cars
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      05-09-2017, 04:19 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by ReeferCheefer View Post
i daily a 535x but own a e36 m3. after taking the m3 out after winter storage i can honestly say the raw non electronics controlled everything feels way better on the highway. So even though power is higher the pleasure of driving is almost gone in the newer cars
I guess they're trying to prepare us the eventuality that is the topic of another front page article...

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1382882
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      05-09-2017, 04:27 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by mokrunka View Post
I guess they're trying to prepare us the eventuality that is the topic of another front page article...

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1382882
that shits for the sheep
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      05-09-2017, 05:06 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SpartaEvolution View Post
As an E39 M5 owner, its funny to think that once 400hp in a sedan was absurd and bordering on lunacy. Now, nearly 460hp is available for non-M models. I know we are mostly all fans of old, but out of the box power is nuts nowadays and you can't beat numbers like that.
As unthinkable as a 400hp executive sedan was in the past, today a sub-4000 pound executive sedan is equally unthinkable. I'll take less horsepower and less weight any day.
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      05-09-2017, 07:00 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by hinckley View Post
As unthinkable as a 400hp executive sedan was in the past, today a sub-4000 pound executive sedan is equally unthinkable. I'll take less horsepower and less weight any day.
I keep saying if they could make a modern E36 M coupe againor better yet a E30, they would have the BEST selling drivers' car the world has ever seen. Same spirit, same weight (relatively), same type of engineering with modern technology, that's what dreams are made of.

Its also kind of ironic to me that will all the light weight materials that are available at our finger tips for almost affordable pricing, the cars just continue to get larger and heavier. Like think if we could make an E36 touring out of materials that are available today.
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      05-09-2017, 08:17 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SpartaEvolution View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by hinckley View Post
As unthinkable as a 400hp executive sedan was in the past, today a sub-4000 pound executive sedan is equally unthinkable. I'll take less horsepower and less weight any day.
I keep saying if they could make a modern E36 M coupe againor better yet a E30, they would have the BEST selling drivers' car the world has ever seen. Same spirit, same weight (relatively), same type of engineering with modern technology, that's what dreams are made of.

Its also kind of ironic to me that will all the light weight materials that are available at our finger tips for almost affordable pricing, the cars just continue to get larger and heavier. Like think if we could make an E36 touring out of materials that are available today.
I think thats called the 2 series
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      05-09-2017, 09:14 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by usmabmass View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by SpartaEvolution View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by hinckley View Post
As unthinkable as a 400hp executive sedan was in the past, today a sub-4000 pound executive sedan is equally unthinkable. I'll take less horsepower and less weight any day.
I keep saying if they could make a modern E36 M coupe againor better yet a E30, they would have the BEST selling drivers' car the world has ever seen. Same spirit, same weight (relatively), same type of engineering with modern technology, that's what dreams are made of.

Its also kind of ironic to me that will all the light weight materials that are available at our finger tips for almost affordable pricing, the cars just continue to get larger and heavier. Like think if we could make an E36 touring out of materials that are available today.
I think thats called the 2 series
The 2 is a great car, but light weight (even relatively) it is most definitely not. Mazda is capable of doing it with the mx5, so theoretically any modern company willing to would be capable of it also. Unfortunately in the world of the bottom line meaning everything that's not a likely future (unless some bold new exec management want to rekindle the spirit of old BMWs and build a low sales unit that's specifically made for the enthusiast and focusing brand identity)
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      05-09-2017, 09:22 PM   #12
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      05-09-2017, 10:39 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SpartaEvolution View Post
I keep saying if they could make a modern E36 M coupe againor better yet a E30, they would have the BEST selling drivers' car the world has ever seen. Same spirit, same weight (relatively), same type of engineering with modern technology, that's what dreams are made of.

Its also kind of ironic to me that will all the light weight materials that are available at our finger tips for almost affordable pricing, the cars just continue to get larger and heavier. Like think if we could make an E36 touring out of materials that are available today.
Being new to BMW - I recognize having been here for a bit that there are some hardcore enthusiasts for this class of car. I can't agree with the above poster regarding it would be the BEST se;ling drivers car though - as not just BMW - but all Manufacturers are moving away from lighter sedan sports cars. Manual cars are disappearing - Porsche was almost out, Lamborghini, Ferrari, MB, Mclaren, Aston, Maserati and Alfa's (in the US) are no longer manual and all DCT/autos now. Knowing these companies have strong marketing data - I have to believe they know what they are doing. Heck the entire SEGMENT of sedans is being over-run by the SUV (pun intended).

The earlier gen sedans and coupes' - I do not believe can be reproduced. A poster mentioned the Subaru BRZ. It is a nice driving car for the road course - but it would never swim as a luxury car in any way. It is also severely under powered - as is the Miata. These cars exist and if they were in top demand more would be made across all manufacturers.

Today's market is much more luxury focused and many prefer to buy purpose built cars for their track work. The extra weight makes a smoother ride to answer an earlier question. Reviewers are now directly stating even the new E63S would not and should not be brought to the track (which I agree with).

I don't see this trend reversing. The majority of consumers seem to want luxury and straight line speed - pretty much in that order.
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      05-10-2017, 12:31 AM   #14
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Even 530i is more then adequate for daily needs that 550i is terrific and I wouldn't mind driving it on my daily basis .
It's insane considering 550i is faster than F10 M5 .The latter was just the car that was replaced by ,not a car decades ago
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      05-10-2017, 05:39 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vtknight View Post
I can't agree with the above poster regarding it would be the BEST se;ling drivers car though - as not just BMW - but all Manufacturers are moving away from lighter sedan sports cars. Manual cars are disappearing - Porsche was almost out, Lamborghini, Ferrari, MB, Mclaren, Aston, Maserati and Alfa's (in the US) are no longer manual and all DCT/autos now. Knowing these companies have strong marketing data - I have to believe they know what they are doing. Heck the entire SEGMENT of sedans is being over-run by the SUV (pun intended).

I don't see this trend reversing. The majority of consumers seem to want luxury and straight line speed - pretty much in that order.
You are correct on both points. We hard core enthusiasts are a small and shrinking minority, and BMW and other car makers are playing to where the profits are - as they should. However, it doesn't change my mind. I still want a sub-4000 pound exec sports sedan. And I know I won't get it!

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      05-10-2017, 07:06 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SpartaEvolution
As an E39 M5 owner, its funny to think that once 400hp in a sedan was absurd and bordering on lunacy. Now, nearly 460hp is available for non-M models. I know we are mostly all fans of old, but out of the box power is nuts nowadays and you can't beat numbers like that.
Also kinda amazing that it took 18 years and two turbos to make only 60hp more than the S62
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      05-10-2017, 07:41 AM   #17
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Also kinda amazing that it took 18 years and two turbos to make only 60hp more than the S62
Lets compare the S62 to the S63tu and then see the difference. Plus 0-60 in 3.9 compared to 5.5 in 'optimal conditions'.
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      05-10-2017, 09:49 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hinckley View Post
You are correct on both points. We hard core enthusiasts are a small and shrinking minority, and BMW and other car makers are playing to where the profits are - as they should. However, it doesn't change my mind. I still want a sub-4000 pound exec sports sedan. And I know I won't get it!

Lol - I applaud your enthusiast attitude!
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      05-10-2017, 09:58 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sheharyar_rr View Post
Lets compare the S62 to the S63tu and then see the difference. Plus 0-60 in 3.9 compared to 5.5 in 'optimal conditions'.
That's where technology can be a good thing...
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      05-12-2017, 12:08 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by E90 Skye View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by usmabmass View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by SpartaEvolution View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by hinckley View Post
As unthinkable as a 400hp executive sedan was in the past, today a sub-4000 pound executive sedan is equally unthinkable. I'll take less horsepower and less weight any day.
I keep saying if they could make a modern E36 M coupe againor better yet a E30, they would have the BEST selling drivers' car the world has ever seen. Same spirit, same weight (relatively), same type of engineering with modern technology, that's what dreams are made of.

Its also kind of ironic to me that will all the light weight materials that are available at our finger tips for almost affordable pricing, the cars just continue to get larger and heavier. Like think if we could make an E36 touring out of materials that are available today.
I think thats called the 2 series
The 2 is a great car, but light weight (even relatively) it is most definitely not. Mazda is capable of doing it with the mx5, so theoretically any modern company willing to would be capable of it also. Unfortunately in the world of the bottom line meaning everything that's not a likely future (unless some bold new exec management want to rekindle the spirit of old BMWs and build a low sales unit that's specifically made for the enthusiast and focusing brand identity)
I could be wrong, but isnt the m2 almost exactly the weight as the e46 m3?
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      05-12-2017, 12:12 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nivarox View Post
Even 530i is more then adequate for daily needs that 550i is terrific and I wouldn't mind driving it on my daily basis .
It's insane considering 550i is faster than F10 M5 .The latter was just the car that was replaced by ,not a car decades ago
Yeah its crazy. I have everything set aside and was dead set on the new m5 whenever it comes out, but the new m550i is now so impressive that i really have some hard thinking to do... especially since my new daily commute is a traffic-filled 3 mile trip to and from the train station.
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