[Bt31st]

I think I'm finally going to part with my 2016 M3 that I ordered new and have daily driven for 48k miles over the last 8 years. Don't like the new M3 or the new 5 series. I feel like the G30 may be the last body style that looks like an actual BMW as every new vehicle they release just gets uglier. Anyway I've never bought a used BMW so I wanted some advice. Looking to get a 2021-2022 M550i. Probably in blue or grey.

First off, anyone make the same move from an F80? I love my M3 and would be happy to keep driving it. But it's not the most comfortable car for longer distances and I wouldn't mind a little more luxury and comfort. I realize the 5 won't be as much fun to drive but I think I'm OK with that. Also, I can't keep the M3 forever and if I wait another couple of years I don't know that BMW will even make anything I would want.

Warranty wise, I'll look at the Route 66 option that has been discussed so much here as it seems like the way to go. That would be important because I would probably keep the m550i for 6 or 7 years.

The other question I had was on the wheels. Obviously the 20 inch wheels look the best. But there isn't much sidewall there so I wondered if people had experienced a lot of damage from potholes etc. The roads aren't terrible where I live but I had an E90 335i years ago that I put 19 inch wheels on and I had several flats and eventual wheel damage that forced me to go back to 18 inch Wheels. I would try to get some sort of wheel and tire insurance if I went with the 20s on the M550i. Any thoughts on that would be appreciated along with any other advice. Thanks.

[AP]

Can speak for the wheels , I guess it depends if you have run flat tyres or not. Not sure what is fittted by default in the US which I assume is where you are.
I have runflat on my 20” wheels here in the U.K. and have had to replace one tyre soon after picking up the car due to hitting one of our many potholes we have here
So yes there is a good chance sooner or later you may have to replace a tyre. I guess a hidden cost here is that with xdrive I think if the tyre have to have similar tread depth so if tyres are getting low, you may have to replace both on the same axle potentially

I’ve no experience with normal tyres on these wheels but would assume they are better in that regard.
The runflats just get a bulge and there fire replacing before they fail

If you runflats you can at least continue your journey

Something to budget for I guess

[G30M]

the 550 will take one corner maxed out just as well as your F80 probably.

you will however notice being shoved into your seat at any imaginable speed, at any gear, which would be different

also super quiet and insulated, like a poor man's rolls royce.

what you cannot do it make the car do 2 maxed out turns one after another. it won't.

i prefer the M550 to my M340. my M340 is like your F80. wild, twitchy, like a caged tiger - you can fling it around and it will bounce off walls for you. throttle response in sport plus sport mode is instant. while the 550 is like a lazy lion. majestic, but measured. i'm an old man.

comfort wise, both are "comfortable". no complaints (i did a 6 hr drive in my 340 today). but when in the M340i from day 1 i didn't think it had any luxury car feel whatsoever. 550 is luxury all round.

[AP]

The m550 can be very comfortable car to drive and although there is tons of power there, it huge amount of torque makes it relaxing to drive as only low revs are required day to day which co tributes to a relaxed drive. I would describing it wafting along , the suspension is comfortable but you will be aware if imperfection but coming from a m3 that may not be an issue?

[Gautam]

Didn’t switch, but I have plenty of experience with the f80.

The m550i puts power down with more ease. The f80 gives you much more drama. In a straight line they’re very similar on paper and feel like it as well.

Both of the cars are almost opposites in character though. The 5er is plush and insulated from the road, the m the opposite. 5 is and feels way heavier. Tech is much better, the G’s are a lot more modern than the f’s.

I’d consider a non LCI m5 as well, would be more of a straight upgrade. (Haven’t driven one of those)

[Joe-BMW33]

Depending on your budget, you could score a 2021 lower mile F90 M5C for low 80's. Just throwing that out there so you don't overlook the option. It will handle better than your M3 and feel lighter. The downside is you may not be able to find many aftermarket warranty options on M cars.

On the wheels, I vote with my eyes. Staggered 20"'s all the way. Given how little you drive and how "ok" your roads are, I would roll the dice. The M550 looks it's best with 668's. AAA has a great deal on wheel and tire insurance.

[Bt31st]

Originally Posted by g21

the 550 will take one corner maxed out just as well as your F80 probably.

you will however notice being shoved into your seat at any imaginable speed, at any gear, which would be different

also super quiet and insulated, like a poor man's rolls royce.

what you cannot do it make the car do 2 maxed out turns one after another. it won't.

i prefer the M550 to my M340. my M340 is like your F80. wild, twitchy, like a caged tiger - you can fling it around and it will bounce off walls for you. throttle response in sport plus sport mode is instant. while the 550 is like a lazy lion. majestic, but measured. i'm an old man.

comfort wise, both are "comfortable". no complaints (i did a 6 hr drive in my 340 today). but when in the M340i from day 1 i didn't think it had any luxury car feel whatsoever. 550 is luxury all round.

Appreciate the feedback. The run flats definitely can make a difference.

[Bt31st]

Originally Posted by g21

the 550 will take one corner maxed out just as well as your F80 probably.

you will however notice being shoved into your seat at any imaginable speed, at any gear, which would be different

also super quiet and insulated, like a poor man's rolls royce.

what you cannot do it make the car do 2 maxed out turns one after another. it won't.

i prefer the M550 to my M340. my M340 is like your F80. wild, twitchy, like a caged tiger - you can fling it around and it will bounce off walls for you. throttle response in sport plus sport mode is instant. while the 550 is like a lazy lion. majestic, but measured. i'm an old man.

comfort wise, both are "comfortable". no complaints (i did a 6 hr drive in my 340 today). but when in the M340i from day 1 i didn't think it had any luxury car feel whatsoever. 550 is luxury all round.

Makes sense. Thanks.

[Bt31st]

Originally Posted by AP

The m550 can be very comfortable car to drive and although there is tons of power there, it huge amount of torque makes it relaxing to drive as only low revs are required day to day which co tributes to a relaxed drive. I would describing it wafting along , the suspension is comfortable but you will be aware if imperfection but coming from a m3 that may not be an issue?

Yes it would probably be much more comfortable than the M3. Thanks.

[Bt31st]

Originally Posted by Gautam

Didn’t switch, but I have plenty of experience with the f80.

The m550i puts power down with more ease. The f80 gives you much more drama. In a straight line they’re very similar on paper and feel like it as well.

Both of the cars are almost opposites in character though. The 5er is plush and insulated from the road, the m the opposite. 5 is and feels way heavier. Tech is much better, the G’s are a lot more modern than the f’s.

I’d consider a non LCI m5 as well, would be more of a straight upgrade. (Haven’t driven one of those)

I'll look at the pre LCI M5s too. That's a good idea thanks.

[Bt31st]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Depending on your budget, you could score a 2021 lower mile F90 M5C for low 80's. Just throwing that out there so you don't overlook the option. It will handle better than your M3 and feel lighter. The downside is you may not be able to find many aftermarket warranty options on M cars.

On the wheels, I vote with my eyes. Staggered 20"'s all the way. Given how little you drive and how "ok" your roads are, I would roll the dice. The M550 looks it's best with 668's. AAA has a great deal on wheel and tire insurance.

Appreciate the info. I'm with you on the 20s. They look so much better.
Didn't know AAA was an option. I'd be afraid not to get the insurance. Thanks.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Bt31st

Appreciate the info. I'm with you on the 20s. They look so much better.
Didn't know AAA was an option. I'd be afraid not to get the insurance. Thanks.

Yeah, I always get it and I live in Boston, the state with the worst roads. It always pays for itself and gives you peace of mind to run 20's. Good luck with your search.

[Neusser]

If I were coming from an F80, I would either get another M car or get the inline 6er and new quality dampers to improve the rebound a bit (stockers are the biggest letdown on the car).

The benefits of the F80 are weight, balance, and suspension tuning, and the first two items rule the 550 out for me.

[Bt31st]

Originally Posted by Neusser

If I were coming from an F80, I would either get another M car or get the inline 6er and new quality dampers to improve the rebound a bit (stockers are the biggest letdown on the car).

The benefits of the F80 are weight, balance, and suspension tuning, and the first two items rule the 550 out for me.

Yeah they are very different cars and there's a lot I'd miss about my F80. Just trying to look to the future knowing I can't keep this car forever.

[Neusser]

Originally Posted by Bt31st

Yeah they are very different cars and there's a lot I'd miss about my F80. Just trying to look to the future knowing I can't keep this far forever.

The agony of choice.

[G30M]

i find the M340i with non run flat 18" tires and adaptive dampers to be very comfortable to drive on

if OP wants to keep car for a long time, and doesn't have a V8 itch to scratch, maybe get a new 340.

i'm always suspicious buying used because of the auto stop start, crazy long oil change interval, the engine internals might have damage already.

that car is very fun and flickable. sticks to the road like glue. faster than most other cars on the road. i think because of the AWD, about as fast as the F80 on real roads.

[Bt31st]

Originally Posted by g21

i find the M340i with non run flat 18" tires and adaptive dampers to be very comfortable to drive on

if OP wants to keep car for a long time, and doesn't have a V8 itch to scratch, maybe get a new 340.

i'm always suspicious buying used because of the auto stop start, crazy long oil change interval, the engine internals might have damage already.

that car is very fun and flickable. sticks to the road like glue. faster than most other cars on the road. i think because of the AWD, about as fast as the F80 on real roads.

I've actually considered the M340i as well. They're great cars.

[G30M]

The 340 is more like a race car. The 550 is more like a cruiser. I think depends on your brain age and what kind of roads you drive on, if you have access to a track for example.

[Neusser]

Originally Posted by g21

The 340 is more like a race car. The 550 is more like a cruiser. I think depends on your brain age and what kind of roads you drive on, if you have access to a track for example.

The 340 is nothing like a race car. It is a family sedan or wagon that goes fast and handles pretty well.

It is very close to the G30/31 in terms of dimensions and weight.

The latter is one reason I went for the G31 540 instead of the M340, as the performance differences are marginal, but the difference in suspension quality (components in particular, no MacPherson strut) and quality of the cabin are noticible.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by g21

The 340 is more like a race car. The 550 is more like a cruiser. I think depends on your brain age and what kind of roads you drive on, if you have access to a track for example.

The M340 is definitely more nimble than ANY G30. You are spot on, it is a matter of trade-offs.

All G30's are great, but some people have M550/V8 envy.

[Neusser]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

The M340 is definitely more nimble than ANY G30. You are spot on, it is a matter of trade-offs.

All G30's are great, but some people have M550/V8 envy.

Of course it is more nimble, Joe-Joe. It has a shorter wheelbase.


Don't let my comments upset you so much.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Neusser

Of course it is more nimble, Joe-Joe. It has a shorter wheelbase.


Don't let my comments upset you so much.

I don't Larry, you just need to be corrected once in a while.