[thabozz]

Hi All,

So ive been given the OK to trade my daily in for something and after test driving a bunch of cars (S4, S5, 340i, C43AMG, SQ5) i decided to drive a 540i and liked it more than any of those, now I'm stuck with do I go with a M550i or 540I.

Background - My other car is a 1007whp 2015 Camaro, will be tearing it down and hoping that a fast bimmer would keep me from rushing it back on my new build.

Now here's my questions:

- Which has better tuning support? The car will go full bolt-on right away, but I do like the sound of the V8 but not opposed to the 6 if it has better support, I will likely hit up the strip and do some lapping with the car.

- Turbo upgrades, is it worth it on the V8? I looked at VTT and Pure Turbo and i do like the sound of 700-800WHP

- Fuel System Limits, any benefit to either N63 or B58?

- Hows resale? I plan on upgrading to an M5 at some point in the future... she just said M5 is a No unless I come up with the difference in cash but as stated

Thanks

[tjohnson]

The 540's are great... probably one of the best "all around" cars you can buy. Faster than your average sedan, AWD and gets 30mpg on the freeway at 85mph.

However, the M550i is a totally different car. I've owned LOTS (50+) of cars over the years (including a 535i and a MY-2019 M550i), and I just recently picked up a 2022 M550i that was completely loaded (B&W, massaging/cooling/heating seats, red calipers, etc) and I absolutely love it. It is my favorite car that I have ever owned.

Just did a 500 mile road trip with it... got 26mpg doing 85mph and it's not even broke in yet. LOL

Get the M550i... you will regret it if you don't.

[Rocket455]

I can't answer your specific technical questions, but the V8 is in a league of its own and puts you pretty close to M5 numbers right out the gate; just a tune and exhaust will turn it into an absolute animal for a low cost. The 6 in the 540i is an excellent powerplant in its own right and the total package is automotive bliss, but the performance gap between the two models is *massive*.... once you do seat time in the V8, here's really no looking back. Previously, I opted for a 2020 M340i over the 540i because of the performance, and today, I have a choice between a 2022 540i (loaded) and M550i (mid-grade), and the cost differential is so miniscule, the decision to go with the 550 is easy. Plus, who knows what the future holds for these big V8s; I'd say go for the 550 and make hay while the sun shines.

[2022M550i]

I wouldn't buy either car for resale. Coming from high horsepower cars myself, I wanted to buy a V-8 for a daily driver. Enjoy them while they are still available.

The M550i is a mid 11 second quarter mile car out of the box. I can click off an 11.5 second quarter mile with the massage seats going. The M550 I sounds the best out of all of them, even better than the M5.

Seems like there's a pretty good amount of support for aftermarket tunes. I test drove both 540 and M550i and wound up with the M550i. It's exactly what the doctor ordered.

The high hp cars have their purpose, but get to be a drag to drive because they sometimes dont have the best street manners, they suck gas like no other, I get tired of the fuel pump whine and loud exhaust. The M550i will give you just enough balls with great fuel economy (im used to 5-8 mpg), unparalleled comfort and room to grow if you want.

With respect to fuel system limits, it depends how much power you're going to make of course. The latest revision of the N63 is pretty damn stout. Crank, connecting rods and block are the same as the M5. All quality forged parts. The Pistons are different because the rings are a little bit of a different configuration on the M5. Two oil pumps in the M5 versus one for the M550i. The M5 has additional oil passageways. The turbos are different. Both ZF transmissions are extremely beefy and shift like a dream. Smooth shifting driving around in comfort mode, and dual clutch like shifting (speed wise) in sport plus mode. The M550i is the best bang for the buck.

One last thing, there is a quarter mile thread in this five series section. You'll be quite impressed with some of the numbers that they are getting from the M550i's. Pretty simple to get into the deep tens.

[choppedliver]

I would research tuning on the M5 forum. They bend rods at 800-880ft-lb at the crank. You can do a built motor but not cheap.

[2022M550i]

Originally Posted by choppedliver

I would research tuning on the M5 forum. They bend rods at 800-880ft-lb at the crank. You can do a built motor but not cheap.

I would imagine they're bending rods as a result of detonation. Knock sensors sense the detonation, but the damage has already been done.

[choppedliver]

Originally Posted by 2022M550i

I would imagine they're bending rods as a result of detonation. Knock sensors sense the detonation, but the damage has already been done.

It can be detonation, but also torque related, especially low down torque which needs to be managed i.e. rolling into at low rpm in a higher gear. This can also cause detonation.

https://f90.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1835262

RKTunes (US) and Evolve (UK) have rods that will allow you to go higher (1000hp+ for Evolve).

[thabozz]

Thanks on the Input guys, on the lookout for the right M550i now.

Hoping to find one by winter to do baseline 1/4 mile runs.

[kring]

Was a similar thread here the other week. https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1948803

The V8 is substantially more performance and comes with the added refinement up in that price range.

[540iSUP]

I have a tuned 540i with bolt ons. Intake, Intake elbow, Charge pipe, Catless Down pipe, Dorch Stage 1 HPFP, turbo blanket, 10.5 rear wheels, and Bootmod3 stage 2+ on a Flex Fuel tune, RWD. My car is really fast and fun to drive, but its nothing compared to an AWD m550.

If I upgrade to a Dorch Stage 2 HPFP and swap out a big or hybrid turbo, its a different story, but at that point why not just get the M550.

[Oldgixxer]

Originally Posted by 540iSUP

I have a tuned 540i with bolt ons. Intake, Intake elbow, Charge pipe, Catless Down pipe, Dorch Stage 1 HPFP, turbo blanket, 10.5 rear wheels, and Bootmod3 stage 2+ on a Flex Fuel tune, RWD. My car is really fast and fun to drive, but its nothing compared to an AWD m550.

If I upgrade to a Dorch Stage 2 HPFP and swap out a big or hybrid turbo, its a different story, but at that point why not just get the M550.

0-60 and 1/4mi for your setup?

[Rocket455]

Originally Posted by 540iSUP

I have a tuned 540i with bolt ons. Intake, Intake elbow, Charge pipe, Catless Down pipe, Dorch Stage 1 HPFP, turbo blanket, 10.5 rear wheels, and Bootmod3 stage 2+ on a Flex Fuel tune, RWD. My car is really fast and fun to drive, but its nothing compared to an AWD m550.

If I upgrade to a Dorch Stage 2 HPFP and swap out a big or hybrid turbo, its a different story, but at that point why not just get the M550.

This is right on point. For all the effort and $ spent making the 540i faster (which is unique and incredible in its own right), you basically have a turn-key solution in the M550i without doing all the work to get there at what is a comparatively marginal upfront cost.

[HerkHealer]

Originally Posted by thabozz

Thanks on the Input guys, on the lookout for the right M550i now.

Hoping to find one by winter to do baseline 1/4 mile runs.

If you're not aware, the 2020+ M550's make significantly more HP and Torque than BMW advertises. It's closer to 570HP and over 600 Torque If I remember correctly. Dinan did a bone stock dyno run on a 2020 M550. The graph is available on their website.

In terms of power, it's deceptively fast. From 60 to 100 is laughable. It's just effortless. You are in the 10's with just a simple tune. Nothing else.

[Duta569]

Originally Posted by thabozz

Hi All,

So ive been given the OK to trade my daily in for something and after test driving a bunch of cars (S4, S5, 340i, C43AMG, SQ5) i decided to drive a 540i and liked it more than any of those, now I'm stuck with do I go with a M550i or 540I.

Background - My other car is a 1007whp 2015 Camaro, will be tearing it down and hoping that a fast bimmer would keep me from rushing it back on my new build.

Now here's my questions:

- Which has better tuning support? The car will go full bolt-on right away, but I do like the sound of the V8 but not opposed to the 6 if it has better support, I will likely hit up the strip and do some lapping with the car.

- Turbo upgrades, is it worth it on the V8? I looked at VTT and Pure Turbo and i do like the sound of 700-800WHP

- Fuel System Limits, any benefit to either N63 or B58?

- Hows resale? I plan on upgrading to an M5 at some point in the future... she just said M5 is a No unless I come up with the difference in cash but as stated

Thanks

The great thing about an m550 is the V8 engine.

The bad thing about the m550 is the V8 engine.

If you're going to leave the thing stock, the V8 is awesome. If you want to go for big power, you're limited to 700 wheel horsepower and 700 wheel torque on the V8. Issue with the V8 is.... Low end torque on the rods, transmission and transfer case.

That's why the s58 is the engine to have nowadays, less torque and a lot of horsepower.

Do some research on the Toyota supra forums where they're putting Pure 800s and upgraded high pressure fuel pumps on the b58. (Keep in mind the Supra is a lot lighter than the 540)

B58/S58 has better tuning support and products out on the market.

If you roll race your good with the V8. The torque concern is if you like to race from the dig.

Also, this is all just my opinion.

[KeyyBond]

And im here getting 27mpg in my 1.4 Scirocco