[MarkerGT01]

The lease on my 2018 M550 is up at the end of October and I have no idea what I’m going to do. This was the first car I custom ordered and I’m already feeling a lot of nostalgia towards it, but I’m trying not to let that cloud my judgment. I have another car (M240 vert) so I’m not desperate for a ride and could wait a few months for something that’s not out yet. I do not want to own a German twin turbo V8 out of warranty, so the M550 must go back.

But where do you go after an M550? It’s such a great car. For me, it was the ideal car for the first year or so, but my needs have changed lately and a sedan no longer makes sense. I’m thinking larger SUV or even a truck. I need to tow 6,000 lbs maybe once or twice a year and per my wife, it must seat at least 5.

Here’s what I’ve looked at so far:
- X5 (don’t know if it can tow enough)
- X7
- MB GLS (don’t love MB interiors)
- Navigator
- Aviator
- Ram 1500 Limited (or wait for TRX with Hellcat motor)

Any advice, either on these vehicles, others I should consider, or even how to organize the decision? I can’t get my head straight about it because I keep coming back to my M550 and that amazing motor.

[Lawguy]

Lease another 550.

[MarkerGT01]

JStein - Thank you! This is exactly the kind of feedback I’ve been looking for.

I had no idea X7 could tow less than X5. I guess I assumed bigger would be better.

I actually prefer the look of the X5 and could see myself in an M50, which I now see from your link can tow 7,200lbs.

[Pierre Louis]

Get a serious vehicle like a diesel Suburban or Yukon XL that can hold people, cargo, and tow really well without penalty or pretentiousness.

[jjscsix]

The new Escalade looks really impressive.

[Pictor]

Originally Posted by jstein55

X7 - tows less than the X5, and really only necessary if you need the space/third row, will cost more.

The above information is incorrect.

The X5 tow capacity with factory hitch is 7,200 lbs.
The X7 tow capacity with factory hitch is 7,500 lbs.

Look it up on the BMW USA web page when you add the tow hitch option.

[SteveinArizona]

I gather that you are a fan of performance and your wife of utility. If luxury is an important consideration, the new Lincolns might fit your bill; if performance is driving your decision making, then the X5 M50i is a better choice.

Either way, make sure both you and your wife sit in the cars you are considering and that the seats in your test car are the ones you are considering for your purchase/lease. From this forum, and the other one, it is clear that reactions to seats vary widely and some folks love a particular seat and others hate it.

[LuvMyE92]

I don't know why people buy something totally inappropriate for their normal needs for that one or two days a year that they need to tow, drive in the snow or get some 2X4 at Lowe's. Seriously, rent a truck! Buy something that's more fun to drive, safer and more economical than some ridiculous SUV/Truck-thing that you don't need.

I'd love to have a truck for those occasional trips to Lowe's, but most of the time I can cram what I need into the 5. If I can't, I rent a truck for a few hours (less than $50) or borrow a friend's or have a neighbor with a truck help me out (pre-covid).

[richard in NC]

I'm leaning towards an X3M or an X4 M40i.
Why? I had an X4 (along with an X3 & X5 at various times) and miss the extra utility. My other vehicle is an M2 Comp so I want something with more cargo capacity and utility than the M550i.

I want to stick with BMW and feel the X5/X6 is too big.
I want plenty of performance and handling without sacrificing too much ride quality or fuel efficiency. The M550i can get 30 mpg, the X3M barely 20.

This leads me to the X4 M40i. The X3 M40i just doesn't offer the sporty color combos I want (such as red interior).

If only there was an M550i Touring in the US

[NHM550]

You have a vast array of vehicle choices! That being said, I have an 18' 550 and also a 20 ram eco diesel limited. If you decide to go the truck route I can say hands down, this is the best truck on the market. I have previously owned 15 years of GM trucks(Escalade ext, silverado, Sierra, denali etc.) this truck does almost everything perfectly and I avg 26mpg. Feel free to ask any questions about it as well.

[bimmer_335]

Originally Posted by MarkerGT01

The lease on my 2018 M550 is up at the end of October and I have no idea what I’m going to do. This was the first car I custom ordered and I’m already feeling a lot of nostalgia towards it, but I’m trying not to let that cloud my judgment. I have another car (M240 vert) so I’m not desperate for a ride and could wait a few months for something that’s not out yet. I do not want to own a German twin turbo V8 out of warranty, so the M550 must go back.

But where do you go after an M550? It’s such a great car. For me, it was the ideal car for the first year or so, but my needs have changed lately and a sedan no longer makes sense. I’m thinking larger SUV or even a truck. I need to tow 6,000 lbs maybe once or twice a year and per my wife, it must seat at least 5.

Here’s what I’ve looked at so far:
- X5 (don’t know if it can tow enough)
- X7
- MB GLS (don’t love MB interiors)
- Navigator
- Aviator
- Ram 1500 Limited (or wait for TRX with Hellcat motor)

Any advice, either on these vehicles, others I should consider, or even how to organize the decision? I can’t get my head straight about it because I keep coming back to my M550 and that amazing motor.

why not add 2021 F150 to the list... its on mine. Also AMG GT 4 door

My lease is expiring in August and i don't see myself getting another bimmer.

[MauiSteve]

Last time in the showroom I sat in an X6. They are a little unusual looking, but for whatever reason I thought it sat more comfortable than the X5. So perhaps give the X6 M50i a look.

[Mach550]

Good luck, it's going to be a very difficult decision when trying to find an M550i replacement. This thing ticks pretty much every box on my must-have list.

[saw1]

Originally Posted by MarkerGT01

The lease on my 2018 M550 is up at the end of October and I have no idea what I’m going to do. This was the first car I custom ordered and I’m already feeling a lot of nostalgia towards it, but I’m trying not to let that cloud my judgment. I have another car (M240 vert) so I’m not desperate for a ride and could wait a few months for something that’s not out yet. I do not want to own a German twin turbo V8 out of warranty, so the M550 must go back.

But where do you go after an M550? It’s such a great car. For me, it was the ideal car for the first year or so, but my needs have changed lately and a sedan no longer makes sense. I’m thinking larger SUV or even a truck. I need to tow 6,000 lbs maybe once or twice a year and per my wife, it must seat at least 5.

Here’s what I’ve looked at so far:
- X5 (don’t know if it can tow enough)
- X7
- MB GLS (don’t love MB interiors)
- Navigator
- Aviator
- Ram 1500 Limited (or wait for TRX with Hellcat motor)

Any advice, either on these vehicles, others I should consider, or even how to organize the decision? I can’t get my head straight about it because I keep coming back to my M550 and that amazing motor.

I am in a similar situation as you. The lease (owners choice) on my '18 m550 is up in November. I had an X5 loaner last weekend and really liked it but I prefer sedans to SUV's. However, in your situation I would go X5m50 as it serves all your needs and is the most similar to the m550.

I am likely to get the m850 vert in November as it is basically the convertible version of the m550 in the same way the X5m50 is the SUV version of the m550. Good luck!!

[HOUTXBMW]

Have you considered an 8? I know you are not interested in a sedan but a M850i GC would be a nice step up in my opinion.

I have a M550xi and whenever I go to the dealership I always spend some time sitting in whatever 8 series they have on the floor. The rear seats are surprisingly roomy.

Either way, nice problem to have! Good luck.

[KoenG]

Originally Posted by LuvMyE92

I don't know why people buy something totally inappropriate for their normal needs for that one or two days a year that they need to tow, drive in the snow or get some 2X4 at Lowe's. Seriously, rent a truck! Buy something that's more fun to drive, safer and more economical than some ridiculous SUV/Truck-thing that you don't need.

I'd love to have a truck for those occasional trips to Lowe's, but most of the time I can cram what I need into the 5. If I can't, I rent a truck for a few hours (less than $50) or borrow a friend's or have a neighbor with a truck help me out (pre-covid).

Exactly!! I see people driving crap cars because they have to tow a few times a year. How great the X5 M50i may be, the M550i is greater as a daily driver.

[Brad4fun]

X5M competition? Sure it's pricey but performance and comfort you'll have both. Maximum towing capacity is 7000

[mjr24]

I went M5 after my M550i.....but I am more into speed still.

That being said, the X5 and X7 are good if you need to seat 5 and tow. Man, the X7 is REALLY big, though. Maybe I would get used to it eventually.....but it's way bigger, or seems like it is, than the X5. I actually had considered one when my M550i lease was up.....but I sat in one and I needed binoculars to see out the rear window (and my wife has a Q7....so it tells you how much bigger it felt).

I think the X5 M50i or X5M might be a sweet spot for you....

I'm just more used to BMW...so Navi, Aviator, etc. would be out......X7 is 20x better than the GLS and has more road presence.

[olarney29]

Avoid the GLS. If you need an SUV that can tow and still perform well maybe consider X7 M50i.

New 2021 Escalade is another option and since your lease goes back in Oct. it should be released by then.

[MarkerGT01]

Thanks, everyone! You’ve given me much to consider. Thanks for the feedback on the GLS, and I agree that I shouldn’t buy a truck for the 2 times a year I’d need one. The X7 would be great for my wife to drive the kids around, but I think it would be too big for me. I think a full on X5M Comp would ride too firmly for my tastes - I agree the X5 M50 is a sweet spot.

Here’s a build I put together, it might be a bit overkill.

https://www.bmwusa.com/build-your-ow...7g0m51/summary

FWIW: Cadillac was dead to me the minute they left the Blackwing motor to rot on the vine. That’s a crime against humanity and I’ll never give GM a dime. They should have come up with a better name. I hear Blackwing and I think Darkwing Duck.

[Jagu]

Lease the x5 M50. It’s a beast.
If you only need to tow 6000lbs twice a year then rent a capable truck twice a year.

My M550 lease ends in September and my M50i build is very similar to yours.
Consider adding the extended shadow line option.

[MarkerGT01]

So I know it's bad form to resurrect an old thread, but I'm interested to know what the posters on this specific thread ended up with after their M550 lease was up. Any updates for anyone still monitoring this forum?

What about anyone else whose lease is about to end?

Personally, I decided to go smaller and more fun to drive, so I'm down to two options:

X3 M40i - Dealer already ordered for me with no obilgation to buy - sitting on dealer lot now

Porsche Macan GTS - Dealer is read to order with a December delivery - 7.2% off MSRP which in excellent deal for a Macan GTS. Would still end being nearly double the lease payment of the X3 M40.