550i F10

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Discussion

edition

Original Poster:

955 posts

189 months

Sunday 23rd November 2014
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Hi,

I was looking at M3's (e90's) and M5's (e60's) but have noticed the odd F10 550i that have interested me.

I realise they won't be as sporty but are they still a wow car? The car would be used for weekend family trips so maybe I'm best with something barge like?

Any experience on the 550i would be great. I would want to buy one with bmw warranty and keep it on extended.


Thanks for any help!

rassi

2,447 posts

250 months

Sunday 23rd November 2014
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I almost bought one this summer and test drove it three times. Pro: superb 8 speed auto with the twin turbo V8, builds speed completely effortlessly and is very comfortable. Con: no engine sound whatsoever, engine is so linear that it almost feels without character, EDC a must (the one I looked at didn't have it and it was very soft and IMHO struggled the contain the power and was too wallowy at higher cornering speed).

Get one with as many toys as possible, including HUD and upgraded hifi (Hifi or Professional) and rear camera (it is a BIG car).

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

197 months

Sunday 23rd November 2014
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It is a big car no question and wide - I'm noticing on B roads there really isn't much room width wise against other traffic.

Spuffington

1,203 posts

167 months

Sunday 23rd November 2014
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Keep looking at them myself.

Had a E60 550i for just over a year. Loved it but it had a few issues and traded it on but would otherwise have still had it.

Same issues with the F10 - lack of noise. Was great at full chat but just pootling you lost much of the burble other other german marques seem to be able to create. Shame.

Lovely, effortless cars though. One day.

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

197 months

Sunday 23rd November 2014
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Don't these pump way more bhp than previous M5's

Fox-

13,228 posts

245 months

Sunday 23rd November 2014
quotequote all
Welshbeef said:
Don't these pump way more bhp than previous M5's
No.

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

197 months

Sunday 23rd November 2014
quotequote all
Fox- said:
Welshbeef said:
Don't these pump way more bhp than previous M5's
No.
It produces 401 bhp so yes it does E39 M5 400bhp.

Fox-

13,228 posts

245 months

Sunday 23rd November 2014
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Welshbeef said:
It produces 401 bhp so yes it does E39 M5 400bhp.
So now 1bhp is 'way more'?

Wills2

22,666 posts

174 months

Sunday 23rd November 2014
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Fox- said:
Welshbeef said:
It produces 401 bhp so yes it does E39 M5 400bhp.
So now 1bhp is 'way more'?
Welcome to the world of welshly! hehe

DVandrews

1,315 posts

282 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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I think they probably punt out a much more substantial torque curve than the E39 M5.

Dave

rassi

2,447 posts

250 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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E39 M5: 400 bhp and 500 nm
F10 550i: 408 bhp and 600 nm, LCI 450 bhp and 650 nm


Crombers

374 posts

190 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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I 'accidentally' picked up a 550i last month having decided to add a more economical daily driver to the family and keep the miles off the Alpina B7.

I struggled to find anything that really floated my boat within budget (bearing in mind I set out on an economy drive with a promise to get back into something more exciting in 18 months or so) but the 640d had some appeal at the 30k mark so I arranged a test drive. Although I found them particularly capable they were all lacking in spec and what's more, no matter how good the 40d is it can't hide the fact it's still a diesel.

That said, I had resigned myself to 18 months on the black pump until I spotted this out of the corner of my eye in the back of the showroom in Sytner High Wycombe



I dare say trying to break many years ownership of V8 powered cars is difficult to do and I failed at the first hurdle smile

The 550 doesn't set the world alight, it's noticeably down on power from the B7 so there's no point pretending it's a junior M5. That said, it's no slouch and it handles competently. Mine sits on 20" alloys and the ride quality even with run flats is impressive, although i'm used to 21s on the B7.

I'm pleased with the toys and the mpg is better than the B7 (25mpg) (perhaps not as good as I tell the missus but hey ho).

I think it makes a fairly decent noise as well from the quad pipes, better than my E39 540 from days gone by and probably better than the B7 - although the noise under the B7 bonnet is unmatched.

As a daily driver I'm quite pleased with it and glad I opted for the F10 over the 6...

It's probably worth adding that I was an E39 fan boy at the time (528, 540 and B10 V8 Touring on the drive at some point) but never got on with the E60 although I did pick one up for my father. The F10 cabin is a nice place to be and even the sports seats are greatly improved from the E60 / E65 variants making comfort seats more of a luxury than a necessity.

Edited by Crombers on Monday 24th November 09:15

rassi

2,447 posts

250 months

Monday 24th November 2014
quotequote all
Crombers said:
I 'accidentally' picked up a 550i last month having decided to add a more economical daily driver to the family and keep the miles off the Alpina B7.

I struggled to find anything that really floated my boat within budget (bearing in mind I set out on an economy drive with a promise to get back into something more exciting in 18 months or so) but the 640d had some appeal at the 30k mark so I arranged a test drive. Although I found them particularly capable they were all lacking in spec and what's more, no matter how good the 40d is it can't hide the fact it's still a diesel.

That said, I had resigned myself to 18 months on the black pump until I spotted this out of the corner of my eye in the back of the showroom in Sytner High Wycombe



I dare say trying to break many years ownership of V8 powered cars is difficult to do and I failed at the first hurdle smile

The 550 doesn't set the world alight, it's noticeably down on power from the B7 so there's no point pretending it's a junior M5. That said, it's no slouch and it handles competently. Mine sits on 20" alloys and the ride quality even with run flats is impressive, although i'm used to 21s on the B7.

I'm pleased with the toys and the mpg is better than the B7 (25mpg) (perhaps not as good as I tell the missus but hey ho).

I think it makes a fairly decent noise as well from the quad pipes, better than my E39 540 from days gone by and probably better than the B7 - although the noise under the B7 bonnet is unmatched.

As a daily driver I'm quite pleased with it and glad I opted for the F10 over the 6...

It's probably worth adding that I was an E39 fan boy at the time (528, 540 and B10 V8 Touring on the drive at some point) but never got on with the E60 although I did pick one up for my father. The F10 cabin is a nice place to be and even the sports seats are greatly improved from the E60 / E65 variants making comfort seats more of a luxury than a necessity.

Edited by Crombers on Monday 24th November 09:15
That is a great looking car, and looks so much better as an M Sport (the one I was looking at was an SE on 18" and looked like an 520D, or ultimate sleeper).

You mention "quad pipes", do you mean the pipes actually behind the trapezoid exhaust trim, or an aftermarket system? My main problem with the 550i I testdrove was the lack of sound (unless accelerating hard), almost too refined. No doubt an aftermarket exhaust system could have dealt with that.

Crombers

374 posts

190 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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rassi said:
That is a great looking car, and looks so much better as an M Sport (the one I was looking at was an SE on 18" and looked like an 520D, or ultimate sleeper).

You mention "quad pipes", do you mean the pipes actually behind the trapezoid exhaust trim, or an aftermarket system? My main problem with the 550i I testdrove was the lack of sound (unless accelerating hard), almost too refined. No doubt an aftermarket exhaust system could have dealt with that.
Thanks, although it's not an M Sport but it looked just as good in my eyes that I didn't knock it back. I had the option of a black M-Sport with black interior but preferred the light interior of the non M.

I refer to the standard exhaust, which is effectively quad pipes with the trapezoid surround.

You are right though there isn't any noise unless you put the boot down, and then it sounds pretty decent. I prefer subtle so it suits me nicely.


Jobbo

12,958 posts

263 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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Welshbeef said:
It is a big car no question and wide - I'm noticing on B roads there really isn't much room width wise against other traffic.
That 10mm extra width over your RS6 doesn't appear much on paper...

anonymous-user

53 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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Jobbo said:
Welshbeef said:
It is a big car no question and wide - I'm noticing on B roads there really isn't much room width wise against other traffic.
That 10mm extra width over your RS6 doesn't appear much on paper...
It's not that bad, I don't feel they're overly big at all.

Jobbo

12,958 posts

263 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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Nor me, which is why I commented. I'll still be looking for one with surround view next year; the more toys the better smile

Tea Pot One

1,842 posts

227 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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Welshbeef said:
It is a big car no question and wide - I'm noticing on B roads there really isn't much room width wise against other traffic.
It is not too bad ! I have been driving 5 series at work for 10+ years in London without issue. On narrow lanes it will feel big but on 'normal' roads I don't find it much different to a 3 series.

All cars these days are seemingly wide - which is why I have a Smart car for shopping biggrin

Max M4X WW

4,788 posts

181 months

Monday 24th November 2014
quotequote all
These are nice machines, but I assume they don't really 'feel' like they have a V8 as such with it being so quiet and with turbo's? I would imagine the engine is more obvious in an E60 550i.

Fox-

13,228 posts

245 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
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Max M4X WW said:
These are nice machines, but I assume they don't really 'feel' like they have a V8 as such with it being so quiet and with turbo's? I would imagine the engine is more obvious in an E60 550i.
Why would it be more obvious, the E60 550i was the same sort of thing - an effortless cruiser not a muscle car with V8 roar.