RE: Spotted: BMW 550i manual

[BeirutTaxi]

PH lurker said:

Way better Q car.

Erm in what respect? Without having driven either I imagine that the E60 would urinate all over that.

That car is the opposite of a Q machine, everyone will notice!

[rob.e]

When Tiff Needell came to one of the vmax events a few years back (with the 5th gear crew) he arrived in a 550i manual touring IIRC. Probably would have been an M-sport though not an SE - can't remember the details..

[cerb4.5lee]

I would love a 550i tourer, it's a great engine & a nice manual box to keep you involved.

[thehype]

GranCab said:

I thought the "colour" was called Sepang Bronze ...

Correct. And it actually looks much better in the flesh than you'd think - although that would depend on what you thought initially...

Certainly looks a bit better here:

Edited by thehype on Monday 15th October 11:59

[Luca Brasi]

thehype said:

That is one fine looking car.

[5pen]

I always thought it was Sepang Bronze too (and only available on M5, M6 and Z4M). I used to regularly see an M6 in this colour and to my eyes at least, it looked fantastic in the flesh.

[GranCab]

PH lurker said:

Way better Q car.

Nooo THIS is what you want ...

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/msn/CARS_popup.js...

[anything fast]

GranCab said:

PH lurker said:

Way better Q car.

Nooo THIS is what you want ...

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/msn/CARS_popup.js...

has everyone gone mad?

both nice cars, love the black and gold combo on the T/A but comparisons with a BMW 550 is like chalk and cheese

[Hellbound]

Sepang Bronze is a great colour.

The whole concept of a Q-car is way, way overrated.

[rwd.wiganer]

I quite like the manual 550 but I can't see how people can refer to it as the ultimate Q car with only around 220bhp/tonne?! Hardly impressive IMO, but a nice comfortable cruiser I suppose

[PH lurker]

Hellbound said:

Sepang Bronze is a great colour.

The whole concept of a Q-car is way, way overrated.

True, it's a nice idea but I can't see any benefits when out enjoying the countryside.

[anyideas]

edo said:

Here you go, and only £12k.

BMW 5 SERIES 550I M SPORT 5DR 4.8 2006

5 Doors, Manual, Estate, Petrol, 60,700 miles, Metallic SILVER GREY, MOT-03-2013, 1 Owner. ONE OWNER FROM BRAND NEW FULL BMW SERVICE HISTORY BLACK DAKOTA LEATHER ACTIVE STEERING PANORAMIC GLASS SUNROOF AUTO DIM MIRRORS TV FUNCTION HEAD LIGHT WASH DARK POPLAR WOOD IN HIGH GLOSS VISABILTY PACK MEDIA PACK NAVIGATION ABS, Air conditioning, Alloy wheels, Cruise control, Front armrest, Immobiliser, Passenger airbag, Rear armrest, Roof rails, Side airbags, Radio/CD, Rear headrests, Sports seats, Traction control, Trip computer, Front head restraints, Rear electric windows, Service indicator, Steering wheel rake adjustment, Body coloured bumpers, Isofix child seat anchor points, Drivers airbag, Electric door mirrors, Alarm, Height adjustable drivers seat, 3x3 point rear seat belts, PAS, Remote central locking, Front fog lights, Front electric windows, Metallic Paint, Electrically adjustable drivers seat, Leather seat trim, Heated door mirrors, Electrically adjustable passenger seat, Audio remote control, Steering wheel reach adjustment, Rear wiper, Reverse parking aid. Insurance Group:20. £11,995




http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

I've just bought something similar (mines an auto) and I'm waiting to pick it up, should hopefully be this week.

[Remagel2507]

I was actually looking at this the other day wondering what it might it be like to drive as IIRC Clarkson said the clutch on the 645i was stupid. There is a sepang bronze E60 M5 local to me and it looks amazing in the flesh so the only thing I would do to this one would be to change the wheels to the other SE wheels. On the subject of the wheels they look so crap here but look really nice on the E65

[Contigo]

Where are all the "It's not an M5" comments? Very disappointed....

[robinessex]

The 300C SRT is over priced by at least £3,000. Earlier in the year, there was one with 10 miles on the clock for £25,000.

[Kawasicki]

PH lurker said:

Hellbound said:

Sepang Bronze is a great colour.

The whole concept of a Q-car is way, way overrated.

True, it's a nice idea but I can't see any benefits when out enjoying the countryside.

The main benefit of a Q-car is the ability to blend in, especially useful when enjoying country roads.

[mackie1]

I'd imagine it'd keep an VXR8 honest but it's still a heavy brute and no LSD either. I hate to say it but my 550i would be an auto, it'd just suit the car better.

[PH lurker]

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.?

[Kawasicki]

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.?

Very often

[Hellbound]

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.?

Exactly. It's just a 'feeling' owners have. It's fantasy. Nobody really cares if you're driving an S5 or RS5 or A5 TDI. In the real world nobody gives a crap, beyond a passing thought. But maybe it's that split second passing thought that bothers you? It taps into some deep rooted insecurity perhaps?

I guess it's some sort of child like delight in feeling like you're undercover. Until of course you put your foot down and the lard ass in the Golf you'd been teasing for 10 miles is slightly surprised by your pace as you waft further up the road.

I know I know, someone's going to come along and say I'm an idiot because they don't want their customers/clients/colleagues noticing their car, etc etc.

I do like the E60 5 series. And this is a moderately quick car. But it doesn't have the M suspension geometry or any of the other specialness. It's quick but without the drama.

Have we been reduced to that? Quick executive cars that are borderline sensible? Not very Pistonheads-y.

Anyway. I'm waffling on because it's my morning off. Ignore the brain farts!

Serious question - How much power can you get out of a 550i? I'm thinking remap, exhaust etc etc?