[Tk718]

I currently have m550i and my lease coming close to the end , in the city I barely use the power even though it's great when I do.
I was thinking of getting 540i msport but couldn't not get extended test drive to compare. Is the handling the same , better , worse ? Comparing Both cars without dhp.
I test drove standard 540i a while ago but the suspension was way too soft.

[Scotty B]

Would need to get adaptive msport to compete with stiffness of m550. But, then the weight of the 540 would be in your favor around corners. If you are in the city, you probably wouldn't notice a difference.

[jsf721]

I have the Msport 540i x drive and I really wanted the M5 but the price difference was too much. It’s my daily driver and it’s plenty of power for me. More is always better but I’m really happy with the car. The different between a regular 540 and the M sport is dramatic in the ride and suspension department. I’d never be Happy with stock 540.
It’s too soft. My wife drives a 530 I x drive luxury and it’s perfect for her.

[COBodom]

Tk718 If you get 540xi with 704 car will handle great. Flat and precise.

DHP package on M550 is different than on 540xi.

DHP on M550 gets you Adaptive M Suspension Professional, Integral Active Steering and Active Roll Stabilization. DHP on 540xi gives you with Adaptive Drive, Active Roll Stabilization, Dynamic Damper Control. Some may consider this setup a bit too floaty. This will not feel exactly like DHP on M550. If you want stiffer, sportier ride dont get DHP on 540xi, just keep the static msport 704 and you will be happy.

Interesting you consider going from m550 to 540xi reason being you can barley use the power. This was exactly my thought process before I ordered another 540xi (MY21). I test drove m550 extensively. Yes, 540xi is slower, but then so what if, as a daily driver, I can rarely even open up the 540xi. The advantage that m550 has over 540xi, and that's something that I could actually appreciate daily, is the exhaust note and the optional Integral Active Steering (in the DHP package).

Good luck with your choice.

[Tk718]

Found interesting C&D test drives of 2017 540i msport with dhp and 2018 m550i with dhp and the handling of m550i was better .94 vs .88 for 540i , but that could be due the all season tires vs summer tires on the 550.

[MauiSteve]

Originally Posted by COBodom

Tk718 If you get 540xi with 704 car will handle great. Flat and precise.

DHP package on M550 is different than on 540xi.

DHP on M550 gets you Adaptive M Suspension Professional, Integral Active Steering and Active Roll Stabilization. DHP on 540xi gives you with Adaptive Drive, Active Roll Stabilization, Dynamic Damper Control. Some may consider this setup a bit too floaty. This will not feel exactly like DHP on M550. If you want stiffer, sportier ride dont get DHP on 540xi, just keep the static msport 704 and you will be happy.

Interesting you consider going from m550 to 540xi reason being you can barley use the power. This was exactly my thought process before I ordered another 540xi (MY21). I test drove m550 extensively. Yes, 540xi is slower, but then so what if, as a daily driver, I can rarely even open up the 540xi. The advantage that m550 has over 540xi, and that's something that I could actually appreciate daily, is the exhaust note and the optional Integral Active Steering (in the DHP package).

I 100% agree with these points made by COBodom.

The B58 inline 6 is a great engine with plenty of power for daily driving. You won't have to visit the gas station as often. And if you should happen to keep your vehicle beyond a 3-year lease chances are that the long term reliability will be better than that of the N63TU3 engine in the M550ix. The 540 is also closer to true 50-50 weight distribution being less nose heavy.

[haustheiss]

I recently picked up my 2021 540x with static Msport suspension and 19 RFT at Performance Center in SC. I was able to drive the 550 with dynamic Msport suspension on their track and boy was it fun. The 550 had tons of power and felt glued to the ground. However, after driving my 540x on the Blue Ridge Parkway, I found the car felt very tight, balanced with little body roll and yet did a very good job of soaking up bumps. For what it's worth, the 540 with static Msport suspension is a great compromise for those of us who don't get to drive on a track and/or push both the horsepower and tight cornering at speed. Very pleased with 540x after three weeks. Was afraid that static suspension would be too hard for everyday driving but have not found that to be the case, even in potholed Illinois.

Picking up the car at the Performance Center was a great experience and I highly recommend it.

[///M-er-gized]

Originally Posted by haustheiss

I recently picked up my 2021 540x with static Msport suspension and 19 RFT at Performance Center in SC. I was able to drive the 550 with dynamic Msport suspension on their track and boy was it fun. The 550 had tons of power and felt glued to the ground. However, after driving my 540x on the Blue Ridge Parkway, I found the car felt very tight, balanced with little body roll and yet did a very good job of soaking up bumps. For what it's worth, the 540 with static Msport suspension is a great compromise for those of us who don't get to drive on a track and/or push both the horsepower and tight cornering at speed. Very pleased with 540x after three weeks. Was afraid that static suspension would be too hard for everyday driving but have not found that to be the case, even in potholed Illinois.

Picking up the car at the Performance Center was a great experience and I highly recommend it.

I have a 540 with MSport package too. Love it in Sport or Sport Plus mode. Don't like it in Comfort mode at all; steering is floaty and ruins the handling.

[DAYINAZ]

I have leased 3 550/Msport with 704. Loved the balls to the wall Twin Turbo v-8, ......just screams. I just leased a 2020 540i Msport Xdrive here in IL. I definitely notice the weight distribution improvement. As much as I enjoyed getting the 550 to roar on occasions when on highways it has just become overkill. Trotting around the city in a v-8 is senseless.

[Roki_014]

Originally Posted by DAYINAZ

I have leased 3 550/Msport with 704. Loved the balls to the wall Twin Turbo v-8, ......just screams. I just leased a 2020 540i Msport Xdrive here in IL. I definitely notice the weight distribution improvement. As much as I enjoyed getting the 550 to roar on occasions when on highways it has just become overkill. Trotting around the city in a v-8 is senseless.

hey i have the 2018 540i and lease expires in the next couple months, test drove the m550, sounds so good yes it is faster , but wasnt sure if i could justify extra $200-300 per month

do you miss it? and do you feel like you made a good choice

i had a broker quote me $780 for 2021 540i and $960 for m550, and that was w October incentives, waiting to see December ones

[1newbmwowner]

After 6 Audi A6s with the last 2 being S6s, I switched to a 2021 M550i. I started looking at BMW because my S6 lease was coming due in the spring and the 2020 S6 no longer offers a V-8 biturbo. I took a 2020 M550i for a test drive in April and I was sold.

I ordered the 2020 M550, but then my order was cancelled by the factory due to the Covid shut down. When I was finally able to order my car, I lucked out because the new 2021 version became available. I took delivery on August 30 of a 2021 M550i with every option except for the rear window shades, ceramic controls and B&W sound system.

The M550 has 100 more HP than the stock S6 and more torque. It's a beast and I love it. I drove the 540 and it was very impressive, but the V8 sound and power is hard to give up after owning 5 Audi V-8s. I very happy that I sprung for the M550i.

I agree with previous posters that the 540 is an excellent daily driver. It's fast enough to get into a lot of trouble in the suburbs of Philadelphia where I live. Better gas mileage too than the M550i. That said, I'm still very happy that I went for the M550i. The engine sound and performance is addictive.

Both are great cars but I would definitely opt for the optional handling package.

Here are photos of my new ride. It is bluestone metallic with the optional M-sport shadow package and 20" wheels. I had a 30% ceramic tint applied to the side windows and rear windscreen. I applied two coats of graphene to the paint. The resulting gloss and water shedding properties are insane. The coating is supposed to last 4-5 years.

Regards,
Bud James

[Texox]

Beautiful car bud!

[G30 545e]

Real good looking 550. How much did it cost for the two coats of graphene? Is this the same as ceramic coating your car?

[1newbmwowner]

Originally Posted by 540

Real good looking 550. How much did it cost for the two coats of graphene? Is this the same as ceramic coating your car?

I did my research and the bought the GP Graphene Kit from GlassParency. https://www.glassparency.com/pan/

The kit was $99.95 and is still on sale for that price on the GlassParency website.

After a through hand washing and drying, I applied the recommended 2 coats of the graphene coating myself. It was an easy process.

My local BMW dealer's detailing shop charges about $900 to apply the coating. They use ceramic coatings.

I did purchase a 19" BMW winter tire and wheel package from my dealer. The set came with run flat Perelli winter tires. Before I swapped the summer tires and wheels, I had the dealer ceramic coat the wheels. They charged $300.

Now that I have the winter wheel set on my car, I'm having my dealer ceramic coat the summer wheels while they have them for winter storage. My dealer stores for the wheel set for free and they will charge me $100 to swap my wheels in the spring.

Since I purchased my car and I intend to drive it for many years as I only drive about 9k miles per year, it was cheaper in the long run to buy the winter wheel set than pay $400 twice a year to swap and balance tires on the same rims each year.

Regards,
Bud James

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

Originally Posted by Tk718

I currently have m550i and my lease coming close to the end , in the city I barely use the power even though it's great when I do.
I was thinking of getting 540i msport but couldn't not get extended test drive to compare. Is the handling the same , better , worse ? Comparing Both cars without dhp.
I test drove standard 540i a while ago but the suspension was way too soft.

It appears you answered your own question.