RE: Spotted: BMW 550i manual
Discussion
Maxus said:
I get the Q car thing but this and other obscure colours look so much better on the Sport/M Sport/M models. Too bland on this SE.
This pic shows off the potential of the colour on the right car
I dont have any doubts on the colour as a friend of mine has an Individual M3 in this colour. As for your picture, that actually does the car justice, awesome!This pic shows off the potential of the colour on the right car
Will_S said:
P4ROT said:
Amazing- I bet it wasn't easy even persuading them to allow a manual spec....
Interestingly, SC08ZHP was a cancelled customer order after the BMW dealer (Harry Fairbairn) specced it thinking the 550i was auto only. Therefore no automatic gearbox option was ticked, and it arrived as a manual.The customer didn't want a manual one, cancelled the order, and a lot of money was lost reducing this to a price they could find a buyer for it at.
Brill, I bet someone got a right shoeing for that. 
E60 550i was a nat asp 4.8, E60 545i was a nat asp 4.4. F series 550i has a twin turbo 4.4.
The thing about these cars (manual SE V8) is that they waft around serenely and in utter comfort for the 90% of driving that is done these days and yet can be a decent slice of fun when the opportunity / mood takes you.
I drove a C350cdi recently - real world (I.e. quick pick up from low revs) it felt a fair bit faster than my car. But a). I'd completely forgotten how noisy and unrefined even a modern sophisticated Diesel engine is and b) if you rev the BMW (I.e. run between 4500rpm and 6500rpm in 2nd and 3rd gear) it can cover ground at a seriously exhilarating pace with lovely linearity, throttle response and control - with a decent power band to play with rather than the on/off elastic band pull of a big tdi. Given the lack of low down torque compared to a modern big diesel and an auto's propensity to shuffle up the box at the first opportunity, I'd find an auto as frustratingly as hell - step on the throttle and wait for it to drop 4 cogs one-by-one before anything happens.
I'm sounding like an old man now, but I find it perfect for current times - all the comfortable practical car that you need for today's majority based lack of spirited driving opportunities but can pull up its skirt and dance when you need it to. I'm sounding very un-PH now but would struggle to live with a 10/10ths car on a daily basis at this stage in my life. Wouldn't stop me from having a C63 estate if I didn't think they were still too expensive / have too much depreciating to do though!
Only real gripe is the mpg (although the performance between the 550i and 545i are indistinguishable the economy is said to be about 10% better in the larger engine) - but even then at 10,000 miles per year the best I could hope to save with a modern efficient 2 litre diesel would be only a coupe of grand per year - which I'd more then lose in depreciation in a modern car.
The thing about these cars (manual SE V8) is that they waft around serenely and in utter comfort for the 90% of driving that is done these days and yet can be a decent slice of fun when the opportunity / mood takes you.
I drove a C350cdi recently - real world (I.e. quick pick up from low revs) it felt a fair bit faster than my car. But a). I'd completely forgotten how noisy and unrefined even a modern sophisticated Diesel engine is and b) if you rev the BMW (I.e. run between 4500rpm and 6500rpm in 2nd and 3rd gear) it can cover ground at a seriously exhilarating pace with lovely linearity, throttle response and control - with a decent power band to play with rather than the on/off elastic band pull of a big tdi. Given the lack of low down torque compared to a modern big diesel and an auto's propensity to shuffle up the box at the first opportunity, I'd find an auto as frustratingly as hell - step on the throttle and wait for it to drop 4 cogs one-by-one before anything happens.
I'm sounding like an old man now, but I find it perfect for current times - all the comfortable practical car that you need for today's majority based lack of spirited driving opportunities but can pull up its skirt and dance when you need it to. I'm sounding very un-PH now but would struggle to live with a 10/10ths car on a daily basis at this stage in my life. Wouldn't stop me from having a C63 estate if I didn't think they were still too expensive / have too much depreciating to do though!
Only real gripe is the mpg (although the performance between the 550i and 545i are indistinguishable the economy is said to be about 10% better in the larger engine) - but even then at 10,000 miles per year the best I could hope to save with a modern efficient 2 litre diesel would be only a coupe of grand per year - which I'd more then lose in depreciation in a modern car.
Edited by Bencolem on Monday 15th October 13:13
Will_S said:
Interestingly, SC08ZHP was a cancelled customer order after the BMW dealer (Harry Fairbairn) specced it thinking the 550i was auto only. Therefore no automatic gearbox option was ticked, and it arrived as a manual.
The customer didn't want a manual one, cancelled the order, and a lot of money was lost reducing this to a price they could find a buyer for it at.
Wow.The customer didn't want a manual one, cancelled the order, and a lot of money was lost reducing this to a price they could find a buyer for it at.
Nice, sale-able spec too, being an unfancied SE spec and with a manual. Bet someone's bonus was cut to ribbons.
Kawasicki said:
PH lurker said:
Kawasicki said:
The main benefit of a Q-car is the ability to blend in, especially useful when enjoying country roads.
But how often do you feel the need to be more inconspicuous than say, an MX-5, M5, or Cayman etc.? That, I love.
It's a jolly good idea calling him, if you do not like the ride of the M package
chassis.
Having had the pleasure of piloting a succession of 545i and 550i over ca.50K Miles
I can only attest, that those are amongst the best touring cars money could buy. Lots
of torque combined with high end horsepower, precise steering and a relaxing ride
without becoming a waftmobile. A rare breed.
To me it was always puzzling to see how few of those were ordered as manuals with a
decent sporty spec, as this one was.
Sepang is not that bad. But the combination with chrome is a bit too nursing home for
my liking. Dechrome it and it will lose some of the senior citizen efect.
Martin 480 Turbo
P.S.: You could spin the tires in 3rd on an autum day. But you wouldn't, of course.
chassis.
Having had the pleasure of piloting a succession of 545i and 550i over ca.50K Miles
I can only attest, that those are amongst the best touring cars money could buy. Lots
of torque combined with high end horsepower, precise steering and a relaxing ride
without becoming a waftmobile. A rare breed.
To me it was always puzzling to see how few of those were ordered as manuals with a
decent sporty spec, as this one was.
Sepang is not that bad. But the combination with chrome is a bit too nursing home for
my liking. Dechrome it and it will lose some of the senior citizen efect.
Martin 480 Turbo
P.S.: You could spin the tires in 3rd on an autum day. But you wouldn't, of course.
You must have re-set that whilst going downhill!
The OBC definitely under reads on mine - I saw 28mpg on the computer going to Bury and back on Friday (steady 65/70mph due to traffic - which was actually 31.6mpg by calculation when filling up. I've averaged 24mpg since the day I bought it.
The OBC definitely under reads on mine - I saw 28mpg on the computer going to Bury and back on Friday (steady 65/70mph due to traffic - which was actually 31.6mpg by calculation when filling up. I've averaged 24mpg since the day I bought it.
Will_S said:
P4ROT said:
Amazing- I bet it wasn't easy even persuading them to allow a manual spec....
Interestingly, SC08ZHP was a cancelled customer order after the BMW dealer (Harry Fairbairn) specced it thinking the 550i was auto only. Therefore no automatic gearbox option was ticked, and it arrived as a manual.The customer didn't want a manual one, cancelled the order, and a lot of money was lost reducing this to a price they could find a buyer for it at.
I've no idea what happened to the member of staff who ordered it. Can't help but think it would have been cheaper for the dealer to convert it to auto for the customer, than lose on the huge depreciation.
With regards to whether it has an automatic twin - I unfortunately don't know if the customer bought another one, or went elsewhere.
With regards to whether it has an automatic twin - I unfortunately don't know if the customer bought another one, or went elsewhere.
Bencolem said:
You must have re-set that whilst going downhill!
The OBC definitely under reads on mine - I saw 28mpg on the computer going to Bury and back on Friday (steady 65/70mph due to traffic - which was actually 31.6mpg by calculation when filling up. I've averaged 24mpg since the day I bought it.
50-60 mph on the motorway The OBC definitely under reads on mine - I saw 28mpg on the computer going to Bury and back on Friday (steady 65/70mph due to traffic - which was actually 31.6mpg by calculation when filling up. I've averaged 24mpg since the day I bought it.
Kong said:
Love the 550i, I wonder why so many opted for the (much uglier) SE spec rather than M-Sport.
when I bought my e60 SE, there were a few things which turned me away from the M-sport version:-a)M-Sport trim screams "I WANT AN M5 BUT CANT AFFORD ONE"
b)The ride on M-sport suspension was far less comfortable on long journeys than SE
c)M-Sports only look good with 19" tyres - these cost an absolute fortune, and I get through two sets of tyres a year.
d)The M-Sport cost approx. £1.5-2k above the SE spec car - the difference was not worth the additional outlay.
hman said:
Kong said:
Love the 550i, I wonder why so many opted for the (much uglier) SE spec rather than M-Sport.
when I bought my e60 SE, there were a few things which turned me away from the M-sport version:-a)M-Sport trim screams "I WANT AN M5 BUT CANT AFFORD ONE"
Hellbound said:
Okay, just had a quick look at the Alpina section...
If it wasn't your daily driver, remembering the manual box isn't the last word in sportiness, which would you go for?
Or...
Engine power (BHP): 500 (Supercharged V8)
Torque (lbs/ft): 700 (!!)
Top speed (MPH): 196
Acceleration: 0 to 62 in 4.7 seconds.
That was my thoughts and route to q car 370bhp in the e39 alpina b10 v8 and at a cost of £5k its a darn sight cheaperIf it wasn't your daily driver, remembering the manual box isn't the last word in sportiness, which would you go for?
Or...
Engine power (BHP): 500 (Supercharged V8)
Torque (lbs/ft): 700 (!!)
Top speed (MPH): 196
Acceleration: 0 to 62 in 4.7 seconds.
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