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      07-10-2020, 12:01 PM   #1
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Thinking about moving to M550 from F30 335

Hi everyone,

As the title says, I am thinking of replacing my beloved 2013 f30 335i with 2018 G30 M550i. Looking for more space and updated tech + car that can put a smile on my face the same as my 335 does. I am 6'5 tall and we have a 4-year-old and 3-month-old baby.

Currently, it's nearly impossible to have back-facing seat behind me. We do have Lexus RX350 as a family hauler so my car will be used for shorter trips when needed. I know I am going go sacrifice nimbleness for comfort (to some degree).

Wondering if anyone was in my situation and what was your experience making the switch?

Thank you
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      07-10-2020, 04:35 PM   #2
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Very similar situation and just went from a 2013 335i to a 2017 540i. Maybe I’m just getting older but I appreciate all the upgrades in comfort and technology. 540 is quick, doesn’t feel as heavy as the 535i I test drove before. I’m sure the 550 is a monster so I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Kids like the extra leg room too.
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      07-13-2020, 08:36 AM   #3
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Went from M4 to M550. Of course, lost some cornering ability, but not much. The M550 is very nimble, easy to drive, very well behaved (compared to the rawness of the M4), and is a beast on acceleration. Gone is the constant wheelspin the M4 had. The ZF8, in sport mode, behaves very similarly to the DCT in the M4. In comfort mode, the car is a dream. I bet you will not be disappointed with the M550, and you'll also get room and luxury to boot. Love my M550.
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      07-15-2020, 01:26 PM   #4
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Not the same situation but similar. Went from my E46 330i and then inherited my mother's G30 540i. Used it as my daily driver for over one year until it was totaled. Overall a nice and comfortable car with good tech, great materials and a comfy ride, but boring compared to other Bimmers that I've owned, more highway cruiser than canyon carver in a sense. I did test drive the M550 before getting my CLS and the engine is very impressive performance wise, although the 40i Inline-6 is also plenty enough for everyday driving and has a lighter front end feel due to the smaller engine and the I6 will be more reliable in the long run than the V8.

Space wise, know that inside while it is mid sized it isn't that much bigger than the new G20 3-series, I believe the rear legroom is only one inch larger and the width/shoulder room is larger, but overall both cars aren't as drastic in size differences as you would think, so I do advise you bring any car seats with you to a test drive and see whether the space is enough for you.
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      07-15-2020, 05:38 PM   #5
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It's some how delightful to see people buying M550i to bring their babies and todlers to the day care centre! Such a pleasant thought!
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      07-16-2020, 02:48 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KoenG View Post
It's some how delightful to see people buying M550i to bring their babies and todlers to the day care centre! Such a pleasant thought!
The "baby on board" sign was a badge of honor for E39 M5 owners as they were blasting past Corvettes and Porsches on the racetrack. The assumption being the fun was had after the baby was dropped off.

The same would apply to the M550i.
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      07-16-2020, 11:45 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by richard in NC View Post
The "baby on board" sign was a badge of honor for E39 M5 owners as they were blasting past Corvettes and Porsches on the racetrack. The assumption being the fun was had after the baby was dropped off.

The same would apply to the M550i.
As long as the racetrack didn't have turns, the M5 maybe has a chance. If you are talking about a road course, I don't see how an E39 M5 has any kind of a chance against a Porsche or a Corvette.
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      07-17-2020, 11:56 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sygazelle View Post
As long as the racetrack didn't have turns, the M5 maybe has a chance. If you are talking about a road course, I don't see how an E39 M5 has any kind of a chance against a Porsche or a Corvette.
Maybe it was their lack of driver skill but I outran many with my E39 M5. It could be their equal in turns and pull them on the straights. Remember this was early 2000s when the top Corvette had 405 HP and most Porsches were in the low 300s. Sorry I don't have any videos online from those years.
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      07-17-2020, 05:14 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jstein55 View Post
Not the same situation but similar. Went from my E46 330i and then inherited my mother's G30 540i. Used it as my daily driver for over one year until it was totaled. Overall a nice and comfortable car with good tech, great materials and a comfy ride, but boring compared to other Bimmers that I've owned, more highway cruiser than canyon carver in a sense. I did test drive the M550 before getting my CLS and the engine is very impressive performance wise, although the 40i Inline-6 is also plenty enough for everyday driving and has a lighter front end feel due to the smaller engine and the I6 will be more reliable in the long run than the V8.

Space wise, know that inside while it is mid sized it isn't that much bigger than the new G20 3-series, I believe the rear legroom is only one inch larger and the width/shoulder room is larger, but overall both cars aren't as drastic in size differences as you would think, so I do advise you bring any car seats with you to a test drive and see whether the space is enough for you.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jstein55 View Post
Not the same situation but similar. Went from my E46 330i and then inherited my mother's G30 540i. Used it as my daily driver for over one year until it was totaled. Overall a nice and comfortable car with good tech, great materials and a comfy ride, but boring compared to other Bimmers that I've owned, more highway cruiser than canyon carver in a sense.
Sounds like it lacked msport pkg
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      07-17-2020, 05:15 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bimmer_335 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by jstein55 View Post
Not the same situation but similar. Went from my E46 330i and then inherited my mother's G30 540i. Used it as my daily driver for over one year until it was totaled. Overall a nice and comfortable car with good tech, great materials and a comfy ride, but boring compared to other Bimmers that I've owned, more highway cruiser than canyon carver in a sense. I did test drive the M550 before getting my CLS and the engine is very impressive performance wise, although the 40i Inline-6 is also plenty enough for everyday driving and has a lighter front end feel due to the smaller engine and the I6 will be more reliable in the long run than the V8.

Space wise, know that inside while it is mid sized it isn't that much bigger than the new G20 3-series, I believe the rear legroom is only one inch larger and the width/shoulder room is larger, but overall both cars aren't as drastic in size differences as you would think, so I do advise you bring any car seats with you to a test drive and see whether the space is enough for you.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jstein55 View Post
Not the same situation but similar. Went from my E46 330i and then inherited my mother's G30 540i. Used it as my daily driver for over one year until it was totaled. Overall a nice and comfortable car with good tech, great materials and a comfy ride, but boring compared to other Bimmers that I've owned, more highway cruiser than canyon carver in a sense.
Sounds like it lacked msport pkg
It was loaded to the gills. Every sport option ticked. Same with the 550 I test drove.
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      07-17-2020, 08:38 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by richard in NC View Post
Maybe it was their lack of driver skill but I outran many with my E39 M5. It could be their equal in turns and pull them on the straights. Remember this was early 2000s when the top Corvette had 405 HP and most Porsches were in the low 300s. Sorry I don't have any videos online from those years.
Driver skill is everything. Congrats on beating those great cars with your M5.

I read car forum comments about M5 vs Porsche and Corvette and almost all the discussion is about straight line racing. I've not seen a post that talks about lap times on a road course between the E39 M5 and either a Porsche or or a Corvette. With the same driver, the advantage would probably go to the lighter cars. The E39 M5 is 4,000 pounds. The Corvette is 3200 and the Porsche is around 3,000. That weight difference is a huge advantage.
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      07-19-2020, 02:50 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sygazelle View Post
As long as the racetrack didn't have turns, the M5 maybe has a chance. If you are talking about a road course, I don't see how an E39 M5 has any kind of a chance against a Porsche or a Corvette.

I think you massively underestimate the variance in driver skills also amongst car enthousiasts. I remember following a 3 days drivers course on Francorchamps in 2002, one of the participants was a serial M owner claiming to play the car's limits like a virtuoso. Even after 3 days, the guys with their average cars with half the bhp were outrunning him.
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      07-20-2020, 12:45 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sygazelle View Post
Driver skill is everything. Congrats on beating those great cars with your M5.

I read car forum comments about M5 vs Porsche and Corvette and almost all the discussion is about straight line racing. I've not seen a post that talks about lap times on a road course between the E39 M5 and either a Porsche or or a Corvette. With the same driver, the advantage would probably go to the lighter cars. The E39 M5 is 4,000 pounds. The Corvette is 3200 and the Porsche is around 3,000. That weight difference is a huge advantage.
I will admit I could only play with the top cars for a few laps. Over a full session the heavier car destroys tires.
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      07-20-2020, 03:08 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by richard in NC View Post
I will admit I could only play with the top cars for a few laps. Over a full session the heavier car destroys tires.

How do you like your M550? I'm looking for my next car and its on my list. I went from a 2003 E39 540 with M-tech package to an 2014 328 m-sport. I loved the E39 (obviously), but I also love my 328 with DHP and go flat tires. It nimble and it is plenty fast for my taste. That said, my wife got a 2019 G05 X5 40i and I find myself driving it more and loving the additional power and the additional weight and luxury. So, I'm thinking I'll go back to a 5er. M550 or 540?
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      07-22-2020, 06:05 PM   #15
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sygazelle, I went from M4 to M550i. I love the M550. It is almost as nimble, definitely as quick off the line (probably because there is not ridiculous wheelspin, and all the power gets to the wheels), and so much more roomy and luxurious than the M4. Best car I have owned. I bet you will like it!
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      07-24-2020, 12:28 PM   #16
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      07-26-2020, 04:01 PM   #17
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We made the same change from an F30 335 to an M550 with DHP. The power delivery is crazy in the M550 and it does not feel big or heavy with the V8 motor. You add DHP / active steering and the size shrinks even further.

I really think it comes down to what your expectations are from the car. The M550 is not an M5, but a very capable and balanced family ride that can put the power down in a very satisfying manner. I did test drive an M5 prior to making the decision and found it to be a bit "harsh" for a family / long trips kind of car. We do have an F80 M3 and recently acquired an X5M and hence can satisfy my "M hunger" otherwise.

If this version of the N63Tu does not develop the same issues that the prior versions were plagued with than I think its a winner.
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