[raddy]

I test drove the M550 today and MAN!!!

It was heaven LOL.

I will test drive the 540 and see what I think.

Good thread!

[BGT3]

Originally Posted by visualguy

In summary, it says no reason to bother with the M550i other than on the Autobahn because elsewhere it doesn't do any better than the 540i, so just get a 540i...

Funny, I have an M550, puts a smile on my face every time i drive it, rain or shine. The only time model makes no difference is in bumper to bumper traffic otherwise I'll take the M550 every day. Luxury, comfort and performance what a great combo. I spent a weekend test driving a 540, nice but not in the same league.

You remind me of a friend of mine who I gave a ride to in my modified 600HP 911 Turbo who said what do you need that for, a few minutes later i couldn't get the smile off his face and he understood, it's got nothing to do with need.

[visualguy]

Originally Posted by BGT3

Funny, I have an M550, puts a smile on my face every time i drive it, rain or shine. The only time model makes no difference is in bumper to bumper traffic otherwise I'll take the M550 every day. Luxury, comfort and performance what a great combo. I spent a weekend test driving a 540, nice but not in the same league.

You remind me of a friend of mine who I gave a ride to in my modified 600HP 911 Turbo who said what do you need that for, a few minutes later i couldn't get the smile off his face and he understood, it's got nothing to do with need.

It's not a matter of what's needed, it's a matter of what's usable on public roads.

I own a 550i... The problem is that there's nothing that you can do with the extra power over a 540i that's even remotely legal on public roads. It's basically wasted potential. Sure, I could drive it like a maniac, but that gets old and dangerous pretty quick on public roads, not to mention the risk of a reckless driving or speeding ticket. I'd rather have the much lighter car.

[mjr24]

Huh? Then why did you buy a M550?

[Belford]

I agree with BGT3's earlier comment. I own a 2015 550i w/M sport package (with a 2018 M550ix on the way to replace it). True, I don't actually "need" all that power, but the acceleration puts a smile on my face every time. It's overall a lot of fun to drive as my daily driver, plus can accommodate the wife and kids.

[visualguy]

Originally Posted by mjr24

Huh? Then why did you buy a M550?

I leased a 550i to give it a try and see why there's so much excitement about cars with a lot of power/torque. I pushed it to its potential a few times when I had the opportunity, and, yes, it can accelerate like a rocket. Is it something that I can do regularly? Not on public roads. Also, once experienced a few times, there's no desire to keep doing it again and again - it's a "been there, done that, got it out of my system" kind of thing, and a 540i has more than enough power/torque for any remotely reasonable "spirited" driving on public roads.

[BGT3]

Originally Posted by visualguy

It's not a matter of what's needed, it's a matter of what's usable on public roads.

I own a 550i... The problem is that there's nothing that you can do with the extra power over a 540i that's even remotely legal on public roads. It's basically wasted potential. Sure, I could drive it like a maniac, but that gets old and dangerous pretty quick on public roads, not to mention the risk of a reckless driving or speeding ticket. I'd rather have the much lighter car.

It's not about driving like a maniac on public roads which i don't do. It's the effortless passing on the highway, the effortless way you can enter highways and accelerate up to speed etc., etc., wrapped in extremely comfortable seats in the lap of luxury and it handles pretty well too, why would someone not want all that in a 4 door sedan.

We're not talking about hybrids or sports cars. The 5 series is a luxury 4 door sedan and the M550 covers all the bases.

[visualguy]

Originally Posted by BGT3

It's not about driving like a maniac on public roads which i don't do. It's the effortless passing on the highway, the effortless way you can enter highways and accelerate up to speed etc., etc., wrapped in extremely comfortable seats in the lap of luxury and it handles pretty well too, why would someone not want all that in a 4 door sedan.

We're not talking about hybrids or sports cars. The 5 series is a luxury 4 door sedan and the M550 covers all the bases.

Right, but you get the same thing with the 540i. I test drove one in a driving event to make sure, including passing and merging on highways. You would truly need to drive like a maniac to exploit the extra power of the M550i.

[BGT3]

Originally Posted by visualguy

Right, but you get the same thing with the 540i. I test drove one in a driving event to make sure, including passing and merging on highways. You would truly need to drive like a maniac to exploit the extra power of the M550i.

I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.

That's why they make different cars in different colors with different options and different sized engines so we can get not only what we can afford but what we enjoy, you only live once after all.

[Canuck99]

Originally Posted by visualguy

once experienced a few times, there's no desire to keep doing it again and again...

Okay, you're clearly not in the M550i target market and that's okay. As BGT3 said, that's why there's different options and different colours...

[5fix]

If you have to ask, you shouldn't get a 550.

[kriegs]

Originally Posted by Roger_M

Dear Falafel,

Good question, in the beginning I didn't "get" the M550i at all, as it appears neither a strong mid-range 5-er nor an M-car, but seemed to simply hang in the middle.

But after a lot of thought I realised it was ideal for someone like me i.e. I wanted plenty of power, I wanted the M-suspension and some of the toys which come standard, but I did not want a sports car. I was driving Porsche for 10+ years and honestly getting sick of feeling like I should be on the track all the time. I wanted speed but even more than that I wanted comfort and relaxation, to be able to drive a few hours and not make it feel like a marathon.

With all that in mind, I felt the M550i could be the perfect compromise and it has turned out so: after 16 weeks with it, I'm absolutely delighted with the car, no regrets at all - I hope I have explained myself in a way you guys can sympathise with.

Taking it one step further with respect to the M5, who really wants a fire-breathing monster every day (which is how often I would use it), and how compromised must such a large sports saloon feel when you are used to a very nimble, hyper-responsive small 2-door sportscar?

Also, I'm getting older.....need a car which lies well with my image!

Originally Posted by Roger_M

Dear Falafel,

Good question, in the beginning I didn't "get" the M550i at all, as it appears neither a strong mid-range 5-er nor an M-car, but seemed to simply hang in the middle.

But after a lot of thought I realised it was ideal for someone like me i.e. I wanted plenty of power, I wanted the M-suspension and some of the toys which come standard, but I did not want a sports car. I was driving Porsche for 10+ years and honestly getting sick of feeling like I should be on the track all the time. I wanted speed but even more than that I wanted comfort and relaxation, to be able to drive a few hours and not make it feel like a marathon.

With all that in mind, I felt the M550i could be the perfect compromise and it has turned out so: after 16 weeks with it, I'm absolutely delighted with the car, no regrets at all - I hope I have explained myself in a way you guys can sympathise with.

Taking it one step further with respect to the M5, who really wants a fire-breathing monster every day (which is how often I would use it), and how compromised must such a large sports saloon feel when you are used to a very nimble, hyper-responsive small 2-door sportscar?

Also, I'm getting older.....need a car which lies well with my image!

This! Could not have said it better myself coming from an F80 and when you add all the tech and driver assistance packages, the prices are very close

[mjr24]

Originally Posted by visualguy

I leased a 550i to give it a try and see why there's so much excitement about cars with a lot of power/torque. I pushed it to its potential a few times when I had the opportunity, and, yes, it can accelerate like a rocket. Is it something that I can do regularly? Not on public roads. Also, once experienced a few times, there's no desire to keep doing it again and again - it's a "been there, done that, got it out of my system" kind of thing, and a 540i has more than enough power/torque for any remotely reasonable "spirited" driving on public roads.

Not trying to bust your balls but wouldn't a test drive of the 550 have accomplished this for much cheaper than paying more for the 550 versus the 540 lease?

[visualguy]

Originally Posted by mjr24

Not trying to bust your balls but wouldn't a test drive of the 550 have accomplished this for much cheaper than paying more for the 550 versus the 540 lease?

Maybe renting it, but not a test drive. You can't really do much on a short test drive with the salesman in the car! Leasing is basically a long-term rental.

[Canuck99]

Originally Posted by visualguy

You can't really do much on a short test drive with the salesman in the car!

That's why anything that I was truly interested in I took for a 24 hour test drive. Had it overnight, drove it to work, went to lunch,.... you get over the initial euphoria of being in something new and see what it's like in real life...

[visualguy]

Originally Posted by Canuck99

That's why anything that I was truly interested in I took for a 24 hour test drive. Had it overnight, drove it to work, went to lunch,.... you get over the initial euphoria of being in something new and see what it's like in real life...

If that's commonly allowed in your area, then you are very lucky. In my area, it can be challenging to get even a short test drive with a salesman. You will very rarely be able to borrow the car for 24 hours unless it's a service loaner car. There's no way I could have done it with the 550i - no loaner cars are 550i...

[RM707]

Who is the ideal ///M550i buyer?

There is nothing to discuss here

550 - people who think that M5 is too fast or can't afford it.
540 - people who think that M550 is too fast or can't afford it.
530 - people who think that M540 is too fast or can't afford it.

[Falafel Combo]

Originally Posted by RM707

Who is the ideal ///M550i buyer?

There is nothing to discuss here

550 - people who think that M5 is too fast or can't afford it.
540 - people who think that M550 is too fast or can't afford it.
530 - people who think that M540 is too fast or can't afford it.

Well, this is a ridiculous post, isn't it?

You know, it is possible that not everyone buys the most expensive car they can "afford". I am sure buyers across the BMW spectrum are much more thoughtful than you think and can afford a heck of a lot more car than they actually buy.

Unless you just walk into the dealership and ask what the most expensive car you can afford is, and buy it. Sure.

[visualguy]

Originally Posted by RM707

Who is the ideal ///M550i buyer?

There is nothing to discuss here

550 - people who think that M5 is too fast or can't afford it.
540 - people who think that M550 is too fast or can't afford it.
530 - people who think that M540 is too fast or can't afford it.

It's not that simple... For example, the M550i isn't all-around better than the 540i. It has a more powerful engine, but it is MUCH heavier - 525 lbs over the 540i RWD and 353 lbs over the 540ix. This is a huge weight difference which affects the feel of the car.

[BGT3]

Originally Posted by RM707

Who is the ideal ///M550i buyer?

There is nothing to discuss here

550 - people who think that M5 is too fast or can't afford it.
540 - people who think that M550 is too fast or can't afford it.
530 - people who think that M540 is too fast or can't afford it.

You are an idiot.

[Canuck99]

Originally Posted by RM707

Who is the ideal ///M550i buyer?

There is nothing to discuss here

550 - people who think that M5 is too fast or can't afford it.
540 - people who think that M550 is too fast or can't afford it.
530 - people who think that M540 is too fast or can't afford it.

I think you guys are taking this a little too literal/serious. I took it as a joke and it made me chuckle. I don't believe anyone would think that's the story...

[Roger_M]

550 - people who think M5 is too fast or too sporty or too hard-riding or too uncompromised or not comfortable enough or can't afford it



Yeah don't take this stuff too seriously.......