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      11-12-2020, 09:37 AM   #1
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Considering a M550i

I currently have a 18 M3 comp, lease is up in 6 months. I’m considering the M550i. I like the idea of a softer ride, a little more room and all wheel drive. Not to mention I really like the sound of a V8 with 528hp Am I right to assume the ride is more comfortable than my M3? Even in comfort mode the M3 is still pretty hard. I’m also wondering about the color Bluestone. It looks like a silver , does it have blue components? Last, how long has this current generation been out? Is there a new model coming in the next couple years?
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      11-12-2020, 09:56 AM   #2
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Originally Posted by Bch53211 View Post
I currently have a 18 M3 comp, lease is up in 6 months. I’m considering the M550i. I like the idea of a softer ride, a little more room and all wheel drive. Not to mention I really like the sound of a V8 with 528hp Am I right to assume the ride is more comfortable than my M3? Even in comfort mode the M3 is still pretty hard. I’m also wondering about the color Bluestone. It looks like a silver , does it have blue components? Last, how long has this current generation been out? Is there a new model coming in the next couple years?
I think you'll find the M550i a bit more comfortable. I think you'll see that there is a light blue hue to bluestone. The 2021 model is the first of the LCI years, so likely just 3 model years left (including this one). The car is refreshed from the 2017-2020 model years (full iDrive 7.0, larger iDrive screen, revised front and rear). Probably more that I'm forgetting.
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      11-12-2020, 10:16 AM   #3
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Thanks so much for the info you’ve answered all my questions. That is bluestone in the pic, yes? Looks similar to MG in those pics. I wanted silver stone for my M3 but it wasn’t available in 2018. This is the front runner for my next vehicle right now.
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      11-12-2020, 10:20 AM   #4
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Thanks so much for the info you’ve answered all my questions. That is bluestone in the pic, yes? Looks similar to MG in those pics. I wanted silver stone for my M3 but it wasn’t available in 2018. This is the front runner for my next vehicle right now.
Yes, that's Bluestone in the pics on the M5 Comp (2021)
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      11-12-2020, 10:21 AM   #5
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I went from a 2017 340xi with Dinan S1 & MPPSK, it's not an M3, but similar power and probably a bit more comfortable in the ride. I went to M550 and it's MUCH more comfortable from the seats, to the ride quality, the sound, the interior feels way more inviting and pleasing. The engine pull is entirely different it's more of a linear and confident pull and less of a snotty gnarly acceleration. this sure footed acceleration makes it much more comfortable to drive. Having more room was the biggest change from arms to legs, the trunk is twice the size.

I ordered my M550 sight unseen, no test drive (couldn't find one nearby) and my expectation was "it'll probably be a bigger 3 series with V8 added power" I can tell you it's NOT a bigger 3 series, it's an entirely different beast of a car in every way... Very happy with my move.
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      11-12-2020, 10:23 AM   #6
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Originally Posted by Bch53211 View Post
Thanks so much for the info you’ve answered all my questions. That is bluestone in the pic, yes? Looks similar to MG in those pics. I wanted silver stone for my M3 but it wasn’t available in 2018. This is the front runner for my next vehicle right now.
Just FYI, here is another pic of the Bluestone on a non M car. It looks a little different in various lighting situations. Easy to keep clean too.

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      11-12-2020, 10:28 AM   #7
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All that sounds great and exactly what I am looking for. I think my dealer has one I’m going to go take a look but I will likely need to order my own to get the options and color I’m looking for. A little more refinement and luxury but still lots of power. I live the upgraded seats with the extra stitching. The all wheel drive is essential for me, I always thought the M3 was over powered for a rear wheel drive car.
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      11-12-2020, 10:55 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bch53211 View Post
I currently have a 18 M3 comp, lease is up in 6 months. I'm considering the M550i. I like the idea of a softer ride, a little more room and all wheel drive. Not to mention I really like the sound of a V8 with 528hp Am I right to assume the ride is more comfortable than my M3? Even in comfort mode the M3 is still pretty hard. I'm also wondering about the color Bluestone. It looks like a silver , does it have blue components? Last, how long has this current generation been out? Is there a new model coming in the next couple years?
Caveat: I've never driven a 3-series...at 6'5" I've never really fit into "compact" cars.

I have an '18 M550i and I really enjoy it. It definitely does the "luxury sedan" thing well. And when put into the sporty settings it does a good job at the "sporty sedan" thing. Is it a "true" M car? Not to my senses. Not even close. But I don't think it's supposed to be, either.

Some amusing anecdotes...

At one point my M550 was in for service and they gave me a 540i sDrive as a loaner. The 540 is much more tilted toward the "luxury sedan" side of things. So if that's what you're looking for you might consider that direction. For me, after about a day, I was missing the sportiness of my M550...in particular, the 540 felt a bit floaty at freeway speeds whereas the 550 feels like it's ready for action...nothing a huge spoiler on the 540 couldn't help! Also, every time I mash on the accelerator in my 550 it brings this ridiculous smile to my face. Not so much in the 540. There really is nothing like a V8! (Perhaps a V12, but I'll probably never know).

As part of an M Town Tour I had the chance to drive an M5 Comp. After the first 10 minutes of "M5, woah" wore off I noticed a few things. (i) The M5 is way louder in the cabin than the M550. (ii) The M5 felt harder to see out of because the bonnet seemed to sit higher (those big turbos have to go somewhere!). (iii) You "feel" the road a lot more in the M5. Basically, the M5 felt like a lot of car that would have to be "managed" and "looked after" on a daily driver basis. So after about 10 minutes driving the M5C around I became 100% certain that the M550 was the correct choice for me. For my preferences, BMW did a fantastic job balancing luxury and sportiness with the M550. And several car reviewers echo that sentiment with words to the effect of "if I could afford it, this would be the car I would buy as a daily driver."

So while I can't address the M3 vs. M550 comparison directly, I think the M550 is worth a serious look in the sporty sedan segment if you're looking to tilt the balance more toward luxury. Something else I've noticed is that people on the forums around here who are used to "true" M-cars have been keeping an open mind toward the M Performance cars like the M550 and M340. These are not "true" single-digit M-cars. And for a meaningful segment of the car-buying public who don't want to drive what feels like a race car on a daily basis (I am included in this segment), that's a good thing. And that means it's a good thing for BMW the company because then they can still make "true" M-cars.*



* To see what I mean here consider the case of Porsche. If all Porsche made were "true" Porsche cars, such as the 911 variants, they'd have been shuttered years ago by their VW overlords.
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      11-12-2020, 11:11 AM   #9
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That’s all great to know. I’m not concerned at all that the 550 is not a true M car, that’s what I’m looking for really. Something powerful but more refined and luxurious. I appreciate the info.
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      11-12-2020, 06:57 PM   #10
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I went from an M4 to the M550i. No comparison. The M550 is comfortable, luxurious, and stable, with no wheelspin (a constant nagging problem with the M4) and incredible acceleration (probably because of not having wheelspin). I love it so much, it is the best car I have ever owned. Highway driving in cruise control nets 30+ mpg. Sport or Sport+ nets a truly thrilling experience, totally equal to the M4, except no wheelspin. Hooks up and rockets out of corners via Xdrive. You cannot go wrong with the M550i. Get one now!
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      11-12-2020, 10:42 PM   #11
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I love my 2021 M550i. Haven't broken it in yet but the power is absurd. Haven't floored it nor revved over 4500 rpm yet. Mine is the Bernina Gray. Looks like a flat gray but has the cool pearl effect. I've received a ton of compliments on it. The $3400 stereo is worth the money by the way. Mine stickered for $91,250. Other than the 20" wheels I wanted it was equipped just how I would have ordered it.
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      11-12-2020, 11:13 PM   #12
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M550 is an awesome car. I just got a 2018 w/27k miles!
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      11-13-2020, 10:32 AM   #13
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Sounds great I like my M3 but have always been disappointed by the wheel spin and the hard ride. The combination of luxury, performance and comfort is just what I’m looking for. All wheel is a must on my next car, we can have some harsh winter weather here in southeast WI. I really like that Bernina, thinking it’s an individual color? I’m going to go take a look at the one at my dealer soon.
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      11-13-2020, 11:22 AM   #14
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Sounds great I like my M3 but have always been disappointed by the wheel spin and the hard ride. The combination of luxury, performance and comfort is just what I’m looking for. All wheel is a must on my next car, we can have some harsh winter weather here in southeast WI. I really like that Bernina, thinking it’s an individual color? I’m going to go take a look at the one at my dealer soon.
The Bernina Gray is a standard (no charge) color for the M550i. It has a cost for other models below it. It's not an option for the M5.. not sure how it would work if you wanted it for the M5.
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      11-13-2020, 11:37 AM   #15
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Ok I see that now it’s also described as “amber affect”. I don’t need a ton of options, I like the all black 19” wheels, premium package, contrast stitching seats and m performance spoiler - whole build is 80k, about 2k less than my M3 comp!
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      11-13-2020, 11:54 AM   #16
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i ordered the 540xi and was about to pull the trigger on the carbon black as i always get black cars. i saw the bernina grey in person and it looked real nice. i paired it up with the black rims and red brakes and the combo is real nice.
i wish the tanzanite was an option on the 540xi as that is another color that looks amazing.

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Sounds great I like my M3 but have always been disappointed by the wheel spin and the hard ride. The combination of luxury, performance and comfort is just what I’m looking for. All wheel is a must on my next car, we can have some harsh winter weather here in southeast WI. I really like that Bernina, thinking it’s an individual color? I’m going to go take a look at the one at my dealer soon.
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      11-13-2020, 12:00 PM   #17
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Originally Posted by Bch53211 View Post
Sounds great I like my M3 but have always been disappointed by the wheel spin and the hard ride. The combination of luxury, performance and comfort is just what I'm looking for. All wheel is a must on my next car, we can have some harsh winter weather here in southeast WI. I really like that Bernina, thinking it's an individual color? I'm going to go take a look at the one at my dealer soon.
The Bernina Gray is a standard (no charge) color for the M550i. It has a cost for other models below it. It's not an option for the M5.. not sure how it would work if you wanted it for the M5.
I believe it's a $550 option but I could be wrong. I do know it isn't an individual color.
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      11-13-2020, 12:53 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by hlothery View Post
I went from an M4 to the M550i. No comparison. The M550 is comfortable, luxurious, and stable, with no wheelspin (a constant nagging problem with the M4) and incredible acceleration (probably because of not having wheelspin). I love it so much, it is the best car I have ever owned. Highway driving in cruise control nets 30+ mpg. Sport or Sport+ nets a truly thrilling experience, totally equal to the M4, except no wheelspin. Hooks up and rockets out of corners via Xdrive. You cannot go wrong with the M550i. Get one now!
Ditto, ditto and ditto !!!! Me: M4 (non comp) to 2018 M550i, now a 2020 M550i. Read the above paragraph again and it totally covers my input too!

Last edited by Rotherd31; 11-15-2020 at 09:36 AM..
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      11-13-2020, 02:27 PM   #19
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I believe it's a $550 option but I could be wrong. I do know it isn't an individual color.
$550 if you are looking to get the color on a 540/530/etc. NC if M550
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      11-13-2020, 04:45 PM   #20
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Ditto, ditto and ditto !!!! Me: M4 (non comp) to 2018 M550i, now a 2020 M55i. Read the above paragraph again and it totally covers my input too!
The M550i is a different car from the M55i or are you just missing the 0?
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      11-13-2020, 06:52 PM   #21
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Originally Posted by Rotherd31 View Post
Ditto, ditto and ditto !!!! Me: M4 (non comp) to 2018 M550i, now a 2020 M55i. Read the above paragraph again and it totally covers my input too!
The M550i is a different car from the M55i or are you just missing the 0?
Just missing the "0". There isn't a M55i. Some of the SUVs can be a M50i
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      11-13-2020, 07:34 PM   #22
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I have both a M3 (mine) and M550i (wife), and the two cars are really different. M3 is raw, harsh, loud, and incites excitement. M550i is quiet, luxurious, fast, and stable. I love the M550i and enjoy driving it most of the time. However, there's a time and place where I want to drive the M3 - when I fire up the engine I feel like I'm on a racetrack. The excitement is an intangible feeling that you only realize you miss after you drive another car that's more bland.
That being said, if I can only have one car, I'll pick the M550i. I guess I'm getting old.
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