I was on the market for a new car some three months ago and test drove a plethora of cars, attended a few M Track Days, etc. In the end I again got 540xi msport. The difference in lease payments between my 540xi and m550 was $120. Not a lot.
So why did I take the 540xi and what does that have to do with the topic of this thread being M550 vs M5?
540xi will never leave you longing for power, ever! I drive in tristate area NY\NJ\CT and some areas of PA and for my daily driving and my driving style 540xi has more power than I will ever need or be able to legally use. Now, the ONLY two factors which made me at some point consider M550 were the exhaust note and active steering. In short, is the m550 faster than 540xi? Absolutely. Will most of us ever need that or be able to use it? No.
Why M5 over M550 then? Because it's M5. Yes, its that simple of an answer. I would rather get the real deal and don't try to talk myself into believing M550 is some M5 lite but way more comfortable and usable as a daily, its not. Suspension on M5 is perfectly fine for daily driving (no RFT by default either). Now, you obviously wont ever need that M5 power unless you're on the track, but your M5 will turn heads, albeit only enthusiast' heads cause its still a sedan. I would take unusable M5 power over unusable M550 power any day. M5 gets you more than just horsepower though. You will drive a car which has been historically, undeniably and unequivocally recognized as a proper sports sedan. The exterior styling will also further differentiate the M5 from the otherwise identical herd of peasant 5 series.
Bottom line, M550 is just another vanilla 5 series (just faster), no greater road presence than a 530. Why then spend extra money on unusable power and otherwise no extra flare?
M550 is my dream car...said no one ever. I am pretty sure its been said many times about the M5.
Yeah...call it badge snobbery, just mind the forum you're a part of. Its BMW after all
Flame suit on.