[BMW012]

About to pull the trigger on a new 550xi or 540xi M Sport order. Unfortunately due to low inventory was only able to drive an used 550 vs the 540.

The 550 felt more harsh on the road but not sure if it was the 20 vs 19 (540) and being used, who knows if the 20s are bent. Just to confirm are both suspensions exactly the same or is the 550 more harsh in general?

Thanks in advance!

[HerkHealer]

Originally Posted by BMW012

About to pull the trigger on a new 550xi or 540xi M Sport order. Unfortunately due to low inventory was only able to drive an used 550 vs the 540.

The 550 felt more harsh on the road but not sure if it was the 20 vs 19 (540) and being used, who knows if the 20s are bent. Just to confirm are both suspensions exactly the same or is the 550 more harsh in general?

Thanks in advance!

What drive mode were you in ? If you were in Sport, Sport +, etc. it makes a HUGE difference in ride quality. Also did the M550 have M Sport handling, suspension, etc ? All that makes a difference. Hopefully you tried all the driving modes.

Suspensions on M550's are not the same. It depends on the build and how the car is equipped.

[Joe-BMW33]

If ride quality and handling are important to you, I would suggest dynamic handling package which is only available on the M550. Besides DHP, you should not notice that much difference between the two if they are Apples to Apples. Wheels and Tire choice can make a big difference. I'm curious what kind of rubber the M550 had on it. Run flats vs non runflats can make a huge difference in ride quality.

If it helps, my M550 with summer non runflats rides like butter in comfort mode.

[AF]

I have a 2021 M550 xdrive with DHP and the ride is very smooth, previously had a 2019 540i xdrive with standard suspension and the Dynamic dampers (though it had the Msport look) and the M550 is much smoother and if anything softer in comfort mode then my 540 was, both cars had the 19" wheels with Run flat all season tires.

[cclcal]

2018 M550 w 20" wheels and non-run flats, car is almost too smooth for me.

[WinoGregorio]

2020 m550i with DHP and RFTs (for now) and it is very smooth. I'd be more concerned with the difference in price and power. These are not the same cars, IMO.

[jsf721]

Well I really Enjoy my 2019 540 x drive m sport. Never drove a 550 but I’m sure is great too.

For me it was about getting the most I could out of the lease number I was targeting.

It’s fast enough but more is always better

[RonronEG]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

If ride quality and handling are important to you, I would suggest dynamic handling package which is only available on the M550. Besides DHP, you should not notice that much difference between the two if they are Apples to Apples. Wheels and Tire choice can make a big difference. I'm curious what kind of rubber the M550 had on it. Run flats vs non runflats can make a huge difference in ride quality.

If it helps, my M550 with summer non runflats rides like butter in comfort mode.

DHP is available on the 540i- I have it on mine.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by WinoGregorio

These are not the same cars, IMO.

+1, VERY different cars. It's really a matter of if you want to spend $10-$15k more for significantly more power (~200HP) not to mention the 668M's which are exclusive to the M550.

The other thing for me was some type of exclusivity. There are a zillion 5-series on the road and on a weekly basis, if you see 100 of them, 99 are 530's and 540's. It's nice having something different although 90% of people on the road don't know the difference, but I do.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by RonronEG

DHP is available on the 540i- I have it on mine.

I stand corrected.

[BMW012]

Just for a simple comparison - lets say if both cars had the same 19s and same rfts from factory and both were on comfort mode without DHP.

Both on the same highway cruising around 60 - 80. Would it be basically the same suspension/ride?

[BMW012]

Originally Posted by AF

I have a 2021 M550 xdrive with DHP and the ride is very smooth, previously had a 2019 540i xdrive with standard suspension and the Dynamic dampers (though it had the Msport look) and the M550 is much smoother and if anything softer in comfort mode then my 540 was, both cars had the 19" wheels with Run flat all season tires.

Considering you had both - if you had to do it again, would you have picked the 550 over the 540 in the first place?

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by BMW012

Just for a simple comparison - lets say if both cars had the same 19s and same rfts from factory and both were on comfort mode without DHP.

Both on the same highway cruising around 60 - 80. Would it be basically the same suspension/ride?

Yes, although the M550 is slightly heavier +250lbs.

[YETIinFL]

I did not test drive the 540, but I did drive a 2018 M550 with 20" RFTs. It did not have DHP but was extremely smooth in all drive modes. The power and the solid drive sold me, so I ordered a 2022 M550.

[Brucelinc]

I have never driven a 540 but I did test drive 2 different used M550s - a 2019 and a 2020. Both had 19 inch all season run-flats. I was amazed at the ride quality. In comfort mode they were at least as soft as my Lincoln Continental and maybe a bit softer. I will be picking up the 2022 that I ordered tomorrow.

[DNYC1919]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

+1, VERY different cars. It's really a matter of if you want to spend $10-$15k more for significantly more power (~200HP) not to mention the 668M's which are exclusive to the M550.

The other thing for me was some type of exclusivity. There are a zillion 5-series on the road and on a weekly basis, if you see 100 of them, 99 are 530's and 540's. It's nice having something different although 90% of people on the road don't know the difference, but I do.

I would say more like 8-10k for similarly built fully loaded for a 2021

[Gautam]

Originally Posted by RonronEG

DHP is available on the 540i- I have it on mine.

That’s right, though dhp on the m550 also includes rear axle steering, while on the 540, you can get only one or the other.

Op, any chance you can test drive another, even a used one? Ride and handling are very subjective. I’ve personally test driven 4 M550i’s, but no 540’s so I can’t speak to them.

The tires have a noticeable impact on ride quality. Best is non rft 19”, but hard to find on the lot. 20” rfts will generally bring more drama. Dhp makes the ride a lot more composed but stiffer, while stock is bouncier and softer. I’ve never driven an m550 whose ride I’d call harsh, but it’s all eye of the beholder so it might be harsh for you.

[Warp Ten]

When I ordered my 2019 540xi M Sport i seriously considered an M550xi as well but decided that the 540 fit me better. I like the power of the M550 but I already have a powerful car for fun (650 HP 2016 Corvette Z06) and I liked saving the $10k-$15k. And the 540xi is certainly no slouch. But I do encourage anyone buying these cars to make sure the 456 Multi-Contour seats are included and I do like the M Sport package on the 540xi.--Bob

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by DNYC1919

I would say more like 8-10k for similarly built fully loaded for a 2021

2022 540ix MSRP $62,250
2022 M550 MSRP $76,800

Difference - $14,550

So if they start $15,000 apart, how do you get closer to a spread of $8-$10k when adding the same options to each car? Are their things included on the M550 but paid for options on the 540?

[DNYC1919]

thats for base 540. my 540 pretty much fully loaded sticker was about 76k similarly built 550 was 84k

[LuvMyE92]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Are their [sic] things included on the M550 but paid for options on the 540?

Yes.

And there are options (leather dash for example) available on the M550ix and n/a on the 540i. Leather seats are standard on the 550, optional on the 540. Soft close doors optional on the 550, n/a on the 540. Wheels, adjustable suspension... it's quite a list. Of course, right now the soft close doors have been dropped d/t semiconductor shortages.


I had a 19" 540i on conventional tires, and test drove a 20" 550i on RFT, and the difference was noticeable. Of course, as noted above, RFT + larger wheel = harsher ride.

[DNYC1919]

adjustable suspension is nice and not available on the 540 and also B&W. oh yea and also a couple of colors.
i would of liked the adjustable suspension but not sure i would want the increased cost for B&W, although i would imagine the sound is great.

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

2022 540ix MSRP $62,250
2022 M550 MSRP $76,800

Difference - $14,550

So if they start $15,000 apart, how do you get closer to a spread of $8-$10k when adding the same options to each car? Are their things included on the M550 but paid for options on the 540?

Originally Posted by LuvMyE92

Yes.

And there are options (leather dash for example) available on the M550ix and n/a on the 540i. Leather seats are standard on the 550, optional on the 540. Soft close doors optional on the 550, n/a on the 540. Wheels, adjustable suspension... it's quite a list. Of course, right now the soft close doors have been dropped d/t semiconductor shortages.


I had a 19" 540i on conventional tires, and test drove a 20" 550i on RFT, and the difference was noticeable. Of course, as noted above, RFT + larger wheel = harsher ride.