Tuesday 21st November 2023

BMW M550i xDrive (G30) | Spotted

The new M Performance 5 is all-electric and £100k; the old one is V8 and less than half that...

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There can be no doubting the talent of the new BMW i5 M60. It really is BMW at its best; a fast, handsome, luxurious, capable and commanding sports saloon, simply one that’s powered by electricity. It bodes very well both for future electric cars with M badges and the upcoming fast 5 Series - plug-in M5 most importantly. 

The M60 is another very good M car in what currently looks like a formidably strong lineup. Even if the styling of cars like the M2 and M3 might not be to all tastes, they’re fantastic to drive. However, in creating a range of cars with more technology, power and ability than ever, the M cars are now more expensive as well. An M3 is from £81,000, an M2 is from £65k… even the M240i xDrive, the entry point for six-cylinder M Performance models, is £49,225. And there are nearly new V8 5 Series available for less than that…

The M550i xDrive launched in Britain in May 2020. Always likely to be a rare beast, the timing could hardly have been worse. It seemed to offer a lot for £68,000, most notably a 530hp version of the 4.4-litre, twin-turbo V8, enough for 0-62mph in just 3.8 seconds. There was also an M Sport differential to make the most of the rear-biased xDrive, Adaptive M Suspension with its own spring and damper settings for ‘superb poise, even when the driver is exploring the upper end of the car’s dynamic repertoire’, plus upgraded M Sport brakes. Previously the sub-M5 5 Series comprised a big engine and not very much more, but the M550i reflected a more thorough approach. 

So much so, in fact, that the only logical rival back in 2020 was the Alpina B5 - watch that video here. However, whereas the special status of Buchloe ‘bruisers keeps residual values strong, the M Performance BMWs are not afforded the same privilege. To many, they’re just another 5 Series; even to those who know, it’d be hard to deny the appeal of a fully-fledged M car. 

So they’ve depreciated, even in these bizarre times for used car values. For those who like their M cars large, discreet and V8-powered (the love for the E39 M5 would suggest there are a few on PH), this M550i ought to appeal. The light leather brightens up the interior, it’s got the Technology Plus Pack, and it’s for sale with just 6,696 miles - not far off dealer demo mileage, really - for £48,000. £20k off list with not very many miles at all. 

Given the age and mileage, the 5 Series looks essentially brand new. Obviously, it sailed through its first MOT. It should want for nothing. The interior may seem a tad old against the amazing driving environment of an i5, though it still looks more than smart enough. A V8 5 Series that isn’t an M5 will surely depreciate for a while longer yet, though a drop has to be much easier to accept from two-thirds of the original RRP. And then it’ll be the pick of Bargain Barges, for sure… 

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SPECIFICATION | BMW M550I xDRIVE (G30)

Engine: 4,395cc, twin-turbo V8
Transmission: 8-speed auto, all-wheel drive
Power (hp): 530@5,500rpm-6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 553@1,800-4,600rpm
MPG: 25.5
CO2: 235g/km
First registered: 2020
Recorded mileage: 6,696
Price new: £67,595
Yours for: £48,000

See the original advert here

[Spiros115]

Second hand 5ers have long represented some of the best value motoring out there. They seem to depreciate quicker than most (maybe the suv craze has hit this bracket of saloon the hardest) but are fabulous all round cars. there are many good ones for sub £25k if you’re aiming at a more economical cruiser but fair play if you’ve got a few more bucks this just might be peak 5, beautiful spec and this version is the best looking of all, I’d love it.

[Rob 131 Sport]

I’ve had three 5 Series over the years the last one being a 2019 G30 530d M Sport that I sold last year. They are great cars and this one looks absolutely stunning.

[Augustus Windsock]

Oh for the times when after 3yrs a car lost around 40-50% of its new price…

[MOOSECORTINA]

Hmmm, twin turbo V8, four wheel drive. This could get me out of my S4 Audi

[Robertb]

New i5 handsome? Matt Bird got his beer goggles on…

Same money as this can get you into (an admittedly older) G30 M5. Be a nice dilemma.

[aston addict]

Robertb said:

New i5 handsome? Matt Bird got his beer goggles on…

Same money as this can get you into (an admittedly older) G30 M5. Be a nice dilemma.

Yep it’s a munter of a looker. Seen a few in some god-awful matt black paint jobs - makes them look even worse.

The predecessor is far better resolved inside and out - saw one today (or rather heard it first) after every gear change it let out a large ‘fart’, not sure if it was a 550 or M5, nice looking car but sounded ridiculous.

[anonymous-user]

A big fat YES from me, the only thing better than this would be an estate version...

[cerb4.5lee]

Saloons don't always do a lot for me, because I find them very impractical for carrying stuff(especially if the rear seats don't fold). However I find this a handsome car though, and I'm in for the V8 too. Very nice.

[bluemason]

The most handsome looking bmw sedan. Great spec,practical and afain no other sedan of that generation can beat it in terms of looks.

[flatso]

Very attractive, a shame they never did the M550i as a Touring version.

[E90_M3Ross]

Robertb said:

New i5 handsome? Matt Bird got his beer goggles on…

Same money as this can get you into (an admittedly older) G30 M5. Be a nice dilemma.

There is no G30 M5, it is the F90

[smilo996]

Cannot past one of these for one of those. Better looking, same engine but with the competition pack, more powerful, cheaper.
Or plus 10k 620bhp M8.

[FlukePlay]

LBW2020 said:

A big fat YES from me, the only thing better than this would be an estate version...

Agreed...but I'd prefer it in one of the nice shades of blue

[anonymous-user]

flatso said:

Very attractive, a shame they never did the M550i as a Touring version.

Yep, a Touring in Tanzanite blue would be perfection.

[cerb4.5lee]

smilo996 said:

Cannot past one of these for one of those. Better looking, same engine but with the competition pack, more powerful, cheaper.
Or plus 10k 620bhp M8.

The old 6 was a great looking thing in Coupe and Gran Coupe form I agree. We only had the lowly 640d Coupe, but that still got a lot of positive comments about the way it looked from folk. I only followed one the other day, and I thought how nice they still look out on the road for sure.

I wouldn't mind the current 8 series either.

[E90_M3Ross]

smilo996 said:

Cannot past one of these for one of those. Better looking, same engine but with the competition pack, more powerful, cheaper.
Or plus 10k 620bhp M8.

My old man used to have a sakhir orange M6 (coupe, though). Good car, if a little dull for what it was, in my opinion.

[cerb4.5lee]

E90_M3Ross said:

My old man used to have a sakhir orange M6 (coupe, though). Good car, if a little dull for what it was, in my opinion.

The 640d always felt a bit too big/heavy to be all that enjoyable to drive I thought too, plus the steering was garbage in it(it was great at just cruising though). I presume that the M6 will be better, however it is still difficult to hide the size/mass though I'd imagine.

[DaveH23]

There is a thread in the BMW sub forum of someone on here documenting their experience with one since purchase in 2021.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Something I've been reading with interests as I have my heart set on a 540i.

[E90_M3Ross]

cerb4.5lee said:

E90_M3Ross said:

My old man used to have a sakhir orange M6 (coupe, though). Good car, if a little dull for what it was, in my opinion.

The 640d always felt a bit too big/heavy to be all that enjoyable to drive I thought too, plus the steering was garbage in it(it was great at just cruising though). I presume that the M6 will be better, however it is still difficult to hide the size/mass though I'd imagine.

It is a GT car ultimately, not a sports car. It is a very good GT car, but the engine, I found, just a bit dull. Capable, for sure, but no real drama IMO.

[redroadster]

Acceleration for a big car in comfort perfect motorway muncher .