[Joe-BMW33]

Both great cars, but I will be the bad influence here, the M550 is a ton more fun. I have the B58 in my X5, solid engine and as usual for BMW, a smooth pull I6.

If you are the type that will have regrets or see an M550 and wish you had it, or the wheels, or the lower stance, etc. The price difference used is peanuts in the big scheme. Reliability has been addressed. The N63 TU2/3 has proven very solid save for some coolant issues that are resolved with upgraded parts.

[ramparts]

If you’re worried about economy at all, the m550i is immediately the wrong choice.

The 40i engine is excellent, and the handling will be sharper due to the weight differential, but let’s be honest, it’s not a v8, and can’t compete

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by ramparts

If you’re worried about economy at all, the m550i is immediately the wrong choice.

The 40i engine is excellent, and the handling will be sharper due to the weight differential, but let’s be honest, it’s not a v8, and can’t compete

What is your definition of Economy? I get 22 mpg and I do nothing but drive it in Sport mostly. You can easily get high 20's or even 30's if you dumb it down to 540 power utilizing ECO Pro or pedal management in Comfort mode.

I've heard a lot of arguments for the 540 vs. M550 and vice versa, but economy is usually not one of them. Them folks are driving 530e's.

The M550 V8 ain't the stereotypical V8 gas guzzler.

[NRoyalone]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

What is your definition of Economy? I get 22 mpg and I do nothing but drive it in Sport mostly. You can easily get high 20's or even 30's if you dumb it down to 540 power utilizing ECO Pro or pedal management in Comfort mode.

I've heard a lot of arguments for the 540 vs. M550 and vice versa, but economy is usually not one of them. Them folks are driving 530e's.

The M550 V8 ain't the stereotypical V8 gas guzzler.

Very True;
I’m easily getting 320-340* per tank using Eco Mode and most of my driving is on highways.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by NRoyalone

Very True;
I’m easily getting 320-340* per tank using Eco Mode and most of my driving is on highways.

It is surprisingly efficient. One of my daily drivers is a 2015 Infiniti QX60. It's got a weak V6 in it, I get like 15mpg. At least I can put the cheap 87 octane stuff in it.

I think the M550 may get the best gas mileage of any car in my garage/driveway, including the new B58 X5.

[adhrp]

Originally Posted by NRoyalone

Very True;
I’m easily getting 320-340* per tank using Eco Mode and most of my driving is on highways.

If I drive mostly on highways, even in Comfort mode I get 400 out of a tank guaranteed. If I drive 90% on highways (road trip), I consistently get 28-30 mpg as noted earlier...almost 500 per tank if I push it down to the last couple of gallons. Unless you drive in moderate/heavy traffic all the time, gas consumption is really not a big deal with this car, it's quite amazing.

[NRoyalone]

Originally Posted by adhrp

If I drive mostly on highways, even in Comfort mode I get 400 out of a tank guaranteed. If I drive 90% on highways (road trip), I consistently get 28-30 mpg as noted earlier...almost 500 per tank if I push it down to the last couple of gallons. Unless you drive in moderate/heavy traffic all the time, gas consumption is really not a big deal with this car, it's quite amazing.

Now thats impressive! I live near and commute in DC so unfortunately traffic is always “heavy” lol

[NGT2]

These mpg conversations always make me laugh. I don’t “think” I drive very hard but I’m easily under 20 mpg. Still better than the big GM trucks though, so I consider it efficient on a relative scale.

[adhrp]

Originally Posted by NGT2

These mpg conversations always make me laugh. I don’t “think” I drive very hard but I’m easily under 20 mpg. Still better than the big GM trucks though, so I consider it efficient on a relative scale.

After spending time on this forum, I have realized that the definition of driving hard is very relative

[adhrp]

Originally Posted by NRoyalone

Now thats impressive! I live near and commute in DC so unfortunately traffic is always “heavy” lol

I know what you mean. I used to live in the NE and often drove down to visit family in DC. I love the place but don't envy you for the traffic.

[NRoyalone]

Originally Posted by adhrp

I know what you mean. I used to live in the NE and often drove down to visit family in DC. I love the place but don't envy you for the traffic.

Tell me about it. I’m from CT (and miss it dearly) this DMV traffic is another level of ridiculous

[Gautam]

It’s all about the traffic profile. I’ve mostly lived on the coasts. My commutes are largely with heavy traffic and lots of gridlock. It’s a struggle to stay above 20 on my M550i, even in eco pro, which doesn’t really help. (Someone spent several months on Reddit comparing eco pro to comfort and found the difference to be around .2mpg, which sounds about right)


I had a 328i in both the northeast and California and got in the low 20’s with that, I’d say about 2-3mpg better than the M550i, but barely over half the hp.

The most I’ve gotten on one tank in the m550i was around 540 miles on a long road trip. Not that it isn’t possible, but it’s not typically going to happen if you mostly drive in major cities.

[adhrp]

Originally Posted by Gautam

(Someone spent several months on Reddit comparing eco pro to comfort and found the difference to be around .2mpg, which sounds about right)

My own observational opinion is the same - Eco Pro does not provide a significant benefit over Comfort. On my 328i it was downright dangerous with the throttle lag, etc so I never used it. On the M550i there's still decent power, but I don't find it worth using. In other words, if that toggle didn't exist it would make zero difference to me.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by adhrp

My own observational opinion is the same - Eco Pro does not provide a significant benefit over Comfort. On my 328i it was downright dangerous with the throttle lag, etc so I never used it. On the M550i there's still decent power, but I don't find it worth using. In other words, if that toggle didn't exist it would make zero difference to me.

I assume it has a better chance to make a difference on a highway drive than in any meaningful traffic.

[adhrp]

Originally Posted by NGT2

I assume it has a better chance to make a difference on a highway drive than in any meaningful traffic.

I used to think so but now I actually believe the opposite. When I am stuck in long, heavy traffic, I activate DAP and set it to Eco Pro, that way it doesn't go forward-brake-forward-brake in bursts under an aggressive gear and transmission shifts, which I think consumes more fuel and also doesn't seem good for the transmission. On that rare occasion, I find it useful to let the car lug along under Eco Pro.

[G30M]

Originally Posted by NGT2

These mpg conversations always make me laugh. I don’t “think” I drive very hard but I’m easily under 20 mpg. Still better than the big GM trucks though, so I consider it efficient on a relative scale.

i don't drive the beast hard but anytime my RPM counter goes above 2000rpm you the MPGs are in the low single digits. insane. maybe coz the car is under 2000 miles? maybe it gets better? but i doubt it. if i keep it under 2000rpm throughout the entire 3 hour drive i get 23mpg.

not sure how other people get such good mileage.

[SquareWheels]

https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=2033795

[esc1]

550 is the way to go

[AnthonyVincent]

Originally Posted by Gautam

Interesting combo. How does the gs-f compare with the 540?

The GS F is certainly more powerful. Braking is incredible. At just over 4000 lbs, it has a heavier feel to it. The build quality on the Lexus is fantastic as is the BMW. The 540i M Sport is far superior with respect to handling and center of gravity. Interior and technological refinement is superior with the BMW as well.

The GS F looks very similar to the 6 cyl GS 350 F Sport which was just about half the price. The fenders, wheels and exhaust are the only way to differentiate. I personally don't care if someone mistakes it for a 6 cyl GS 350 F Sport but I think that bit Lexus in the rear which was probably a contributory factor in them discontinuing the GS series.

[choppedliver]

Originally Posted by adhrp

My own observational opinion is the same - Eco Pro does not provide a significant benefit over Comfort. On my 328i it was downright dangerous with the throttle lag, etc so I never used it. On the M550i there's still decent power, but I don't find it worth using. In other words, if that toggle didn't exist it would make zero difference to me.

XHP makes eco pro useable, the throttle is less lazy (like comfort), but you get the benefits if eco pro. I use it all the time now.

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by NGT2

I assume it has a better chance to make a difference on a highway drive than in any meaningful traffic.

I’ve had my 540i for almost 5 years, added the Dinan tune in 1st year to get it to ~380BHP and torque. Yeah there’s definitely some M550i envy from time to time, but the 540i’s been a great car. On my 1000 mile trips to/from the NE in summer, my somewhat scientific test says I get better highway mpg in comfort than eco pro. I also find the eco pro throttle lag dangerous and the deactivation of AC in the summer intolerable.

[G30EPE]

M550 is perfect old guy M car. I traded a porsche Panamera for my 2020 M550. It's just as fast as the porsche. But the porsche is more crisp. The PDK transmission in the porsche is amazing. But the ZF is not bad. Just different.

I like the M550 better than the 2015 Panamera. But honestly in 3-4 years I'll probably be back in a Panamera if I can find 1 with better seats.

The 540 M package with all the same bells and whistles as mine would be just as much fun. Just slightly slower. Ever so slightly.