[Skyrider01]

When I was shopping for a new 5 series, I built both a 540i and an M550i. A lot of the options on the 540 were standard on the 550. At the end of the day, the M550 was about $7-8K more than the 540. I figured it was well worth the difference with the faster engine and the fact that the M550 is not as common as the 540.

The only negatives I can see is that the M550 gas consumption is more and the V8 may not be as reliable as the i6, but it's an incredibly fun car to drive. No regrets!

[Scotty B]

With the 550 you are getting the M performance kit standard which includes exhaust, brakes, aero, steering wheel, wheels, black headliner, adaptive leds standard, adaptive suspension and I think upgraded seats.

As far as which one you should get, it depends on your driving type. If you don't plan on taking advantage of the power, then go with the I6. If you like to full send your cars, get the V8.

edit- looks like you get sensatec dashboard and upgraded body color standard as well. Just built a 540 and a 550, it was 78k vs 85k. Some things you can't get on a 540 though like Bowers Wilkins, leather dashboard, anthracite headliner, ventilated seats. So really it is a closer number than you may think.

[Rodders2018]

Originally Posted by Scotty B

With the 550 you are getting the M performance kit standard which includes exhaust, brakes, aero, steering wheel, wheels, black headliner, adaptive leds standard, adaptive suspension and I think upgraded seats.

As far as which one you should get, it depends on your driving type. If you don't plan on taking advantage of the power, then go with the I6. If you like to full send your cars, get the V8.

edit- looks like you get sensatec dashboard and upgraded body color standard as well. Just built a 540 and a 550, it was 78k vs 85k. Some things you can't get on a 540 though like Bowers Wilkins, leather dashboard, anthracite headliner, ventilated seats. So really it is a closer number than you may think.

Brilliant!

My favorite currency is OPM. We can rationalize anything...

[1badTKE]

Originally Posted by Scotty B

edit- looks like you get sensatec dashboard and upgraded body color standard as well. Just built a 540 and a 550, it was 78k vs 85k. Some things you can't get on a 540 though like Bowers Wilkins, leather dashboard, anthracite headliner, ventilated seats. So really it is a closer number than you may think.

You can get ventilated seats on a 2021 540. It's part of the Luxury seat package upgrade.

[LuvMyE92]

Thanks all for the comments. I drove an M550i this weekend. More on that below.

Originally Posted by Rodders2018

Are you leasing...?

Yes. There is always the potential to buy the car at the end of the lease, but usually I'm ready for something else. Heck, I rarely keep a car through the entire lease term!

Originally Posted by Scotty B

With the 550 you are getting ... and I think upgraded seats.

edit- looks like you get sensatec dashboard and upgraded body color standard as well.

So, I went to the dealer this w/e to look at the color of the Aventurin Red Metallic Individual Color only available on the 550 for $1950. OMG. Gorgeous! Rarely do I think something like that is worth $2K, but it is stunning. Gotta have it.

They said, want to drive it and I'm like, sure, why not. It had the upgraded Nappa leather which, OK, yeah, it's worth it. I liked the quilting. And the sensatec dashboard. Oh, that was a let-down. I've had an M5 and a 6 and a 7 with the leather dashboard, and this fake stuff doesn't do it for me. I'd rather have the plastic, quite frankly.

OK, this falls into the "duh, what'd you expect, dummy?" category, but the V8 is sublime. I had the V8 in my last 7 (F01) but that's a subdued grown-up old man car. This is boy racer stupid with the fake exhaust sound but I don't care because it sounded so good and went so darn fast. Yeah baby!

The driven car had 20" wheels which of course stiffens up the ride, and the M suspension even in "comfort" mode is noticeably stiffer than my base 540i suspension on 19". Deal breaker? No, but it's a concern. I like my comfort.

The stereo sounded weird. It was the standard system, and it sounded like all the sound was coming from the front center. I verified that it was all on the basic non-tweaked setting, and it wasn't "bad" it just wasn't good. Not a deal breaker either, since BMW has never had great sound systems.

Still undecided... I'll play with the configurator a bit more. My lease isn't up for 11 months, but I like to plan ahead, and the special paint would likely require a couple of extra months and I will probably look at the new Mercedes E class just, you know, to rule out all alternatives. I drove the new A6 before leasing the 5, and it was a huge disappointment. The steering was abysmal. But that's for a different thread.

Thanks again guys and gals!

[LuvMyE92]

Update:

Mostly comparable 550 vs. 540 with tiny wheels and no major options, assuming a 12% discount, gave me a $14K delta, with a calculated lease payment difference of $150.

I ain't payin' $14K... but I can rationalize $150. LOL That's only $5400 over the term of the lease.

And so then I added in some necessary options, and that's only another $13 a month, so why not? LOL again.

[EMB4]

Get the M550! You wont regret it.

[admranger]

I just talked to my go to BMW sales guy (now a BMW Center manager). When I was talking M340i/540i/M550 he said M550 (for what I was going to use the car for). No question.

Sure, it's the most expensive so potentially the most profit but he knows the deals he gives me result in essentially the same profit for him so...

He did tell me to drive all three, which I plan to do soon if I can. He was very confident I'd end up in the M550 after the comparison drive. I'm afraid he's likely right.

Now if he's right I'll need to configure and order so I have one in January 2022 when my lease on the 330i GT ends. Maybe get a December delivery to help him make his year end numbers (and get a better deal?!).

[Socom]

Originally Posted by COBodom

Had a 2018 540xi and again got 2021 540xi. Sticker was 76k. No regrets at all. Lease on an identically equipped M550 was 120 bucks more. Engine was the delta.

There aren't a lot of exclusive options reserved only for M550; B&W Sound is one then there's a difference in Dynamic Handling Package, on M550 DHP includes Integral Active Steering, Msport Active Suspension and Active Roll Stabilization. DHP on 540 is different, no 704 with active suspension and no IAS, 704 comes with msport package. That's pretty much it in terms of available optional equipment; 540 vs M550. In terms of luxury and amenities there is borderline no difference between properly equipped 540 and M550. The engine and the exhaust note are the main items.

Sitting in traffic with a V8 under the hood made zero sense to me.

If only infrastructure for electric cars was just as readily available as gas stations...

Wow thanks for this information! I didnt realize DHP on the 540 was different from the dhp on the m550. Thank you! I was going to buy a 2020 540 but ill wait for a fully loaded 2020 m550 to pop up. The 2020 540 i saw had every package including rse, night vision, and bowers and wilkins