2005 BMW 550i M Sport Manual
Discussion
So, I've just sold my 165k E92 M3. After 6 months, 6k miles and 3 trackdays, it's been a truly great car to own.
However - it wasn't what I set out to buy. I was initially looking for another E39 M5 (I owned one a few years ago and loved it). When I realised that they were no longer a viable proposition due to inflated prices, I saw the M3 for sale locally and thought I'd give it a try. It was the newest car I've ever owned, and I had many negative presumptions about the ownership experience and I must say that I was pleasantly surprised.
This period of ownership made me realise I wanted a nice 4-door version. Not for any practical reason (in fact - they are less practical as non of them have bloody folding seats) but because I have always chosen BMW saloons over their coupe counterparts. I just prefer the look. The trouble is, the have gone from being the most undesirable version to the most desirable within the space of a couple of years. Literally, doubled in price. It was going to cost me around 23k to get into one. Ludicrous - when I sold my M3 for £12,750.
However, something else caught my eye whilst I was browsing the classifieds. I had previously discussed this particular breed of unicorn with my mate, Dave, on a couple of occasions. We are always trying to find the perfect, no-compromise, do everything car (hint- it doesn't exist).
The E60 550i manual is, and always has been, a bit of a misfit. Not particularly hard-edged enough in M Sport guise to take seriously as a proper driving tool but (with the manual transmission, at least) not quite reserved enough to fit into the wafty barge category.
However, when you compare it to it's direct rivals (with similar mileage), it starts to make a very compelling case for itself.
VXR8 - torquey, powerful, brash, plastic-y £17k upwards
E39 M5 - the same but less brash and less plastic-y - £30k plus now...
E90 M3 - less torque and less rust than the M5 - but still £23k
This makes the 550i seem pretty tempting - even with it's lack of LSD (more on that later). A full 7k less than the cheapest of the aforementioned trio. Yes, it's a few bhp down (361bhp) but it's also not as heavy as you'd think, sitting neatly between the M3 and M5. It's even 80kg lighter than an M3 convertible.. With 362lb ft, available 500rpm lower than the M3's peak of 295, it also makes a good case for easy power-on oversteer..
N62 engine woes aside (my initial reason for refusing to entertain the idea) there isn't alot to be scared of with the e60. Most of the problems and fixes are well documented now. Certainly, when compared to M car engine bork-age, the oil and coolant leaks seem relatively trivial.
The condition and history of this particular 550i made the decision much easier than it otherwise might have been. Owned by another pistonheader, who made a brief appearance with the car in an old 'spotted' article comments section, it had been with him for the best part of ten years. Having only 1 previous owner, the history was all there and I was assured the car was in fine order, with none of the usual issues apparent. Sporting a fine set of replica (and so, more concave) style 128 19" alloy wheels and an Eisenmann exhaust, it certainly looked the part.
Dave offered to go and look at the car - it turned out both he and the seller worked for the same company and were relatively close to each other - and reported that the condition was excellent and the seller a very nice chap. The deal was done and the car was collected today. Amusingly, Dave purchased an E12 M535i on recommendation a few weeks ago and had it delivered to my house for reasons. We have both helped facilitate the purchase of each others cars and now have the others BMW sat in or respective garages, 2.5 hours apart...
Once the swap has been done, I will let you know if it was the right move to make! I have already ordered a Gripper LSD unit, which should be here in a week or so.
Have some pictures:
However - it wasn't what I set out to buy. I was initially looking for another E39 M5 (I owned one a few years ago and loved it). When I realised that they were no longer a viable proposition due to inflated prices, I saw the M3 for sale locally and thought I'd give it a try. It was the newest car I've ever owned, and I had many negative presumptions about the ownership experience and I must say that I was pleasantly surprised.
This period of ownership made me realise I wanted a nice 4-door version. Not for any practical reason (in fact - they are less practical as non of them have bloody folding seats) but because I have always chosen BMW saloons over their coupe counterparts. I just prefer the look. The trouble is, the have gone from being the most undesirable version to the most desirable within the space of a couple of years. Literally, doubled in price. It was going to cost me around 23k to get into one. Ludicrous - when I sold my M3 for £12,750.
However, something else caught my eye whilst I was browsing the classifieds. I had previously discussed this particular breed of unicorn with my mate, Dave, on a couple of occasions. We are always trying to find the perfect, no-compromise, do everything car (hint- it doesn't exist).
The E60 550i manual is, and always has been, a bit of a misfit. Not particularly hard-edged enough in M Sport guise to take seriously as a proper driving tool but (with the manual transmission, at least) not quite reserved enough to fit into the wafty barge category.
However, when you compare it to it's direct rivals (with similar mileage), it starts to make a very compelling case for itself.
VXR8 - torquey, powerful, brash, plastic-y £17k upwards
E39 M5 - the same but less brash and less plastic-y - £30k plus now...
E90 M3 - less torque and less rust than the M5 - but still £23k
This makes the 550i seem pretty tempting - even with it's lack of LSD (more on that later). A full 7k less than the cheapest of the aforementioned trio. Yes, it's a few bhp down (361bhp) but it's also not as heavy as you'd think, sitting neatly between the M3 and M5. It's even 80kg lighter than an M3 convertible.. With 362lb ft, available 500rpm lower than the M3's peak of 295, it also makes a good case for easy power-on oversteer..
N62 engine woes aside (my initial reason for refusing to entertain the idea) there isn't alot to be scared of with the e60. Most of the problems and fixes are well documented now. Certainly, when compared to M car engine bork-age, the oil and coolant leaks seem relatively trivial.
The condition and history of this particular 550i made the decision much easier than it otherwise might have been. Owned by another pistonheader, who made a brief appearance with the car in an old 'spotted' article comments section, it had been with him for the best part of ten years. Having only 1 previous owner, the history was all there and I was assured the car was in fine order, with none of the usual issues apparent. Sporting a fine set of replica (and so, more concave) style 128 19" alloy wheels and an Eisenmann exhaust, it certainly looked the part.
Dave offered to go and look at the car - it turned out both he and the seller worked for the same company and were relatively close to each other - and reported that the condition was excellent and the seller a very nice chap. The deal was done and the car was collected today. Amusingly, Dave purchased an E12 M535i on recommendation a few weeks ago and had it delivered to my house for reasons. We have both helped facilitate the purchase of each others cars and now have the others BMW sat in or respective garages, 2.5 hours apart...
Once the swap has been done, I will let you know if it was the right move to make! I have already ordered a Gripper LSD unit, which should be here in a week or so.
Have some pictures:
Edited by e28525e on Monday 28th February 21:23
Edited by e28525e on Monday 28th February 22:17
Edited by e28525e on Monday 28th February 22:19
Edited by e28525e on Monday 28th February 22:28
e28525e said:
So, I've just sold my 165k E92 M3. After 6 months, 6k miles and 3 trackdays, it's been a truly great car to own.
However - it wasn't what I set out to buy. I was initially looking for another E39 M5 (I owned one a few years ago and loved it). When I realised that they were no longer a viable proposition due to inflated prices, I saw the M3 for sale locally and thought I'd give it a try. It was the newest car I've ever owned, and I had many negative presumptions about the ownership experience and I must say that I was pleasantly surprised.
This period of ownership made me realise I wanted a nice 4-door version. Not for any practical reason (in fact - they are less practical as non of them have bloody folding seats) but because I have always chosen BMW saloons over their coupe counterparts. I just prefer the look. The trouble is, the have gone from being the most undesirable version to the most desirable within the space of a couple of years. Literally, doubled in price. It was going to cost me around 23k to get into one. Ludicrous - when I sold my M3 for £12,750.
However, something else caught my eye whilst I was browsing the classifieds. I had previously discussed this particular breed of unicorn with my mate, Dave, on a couple of occasions. We are always trying to find the perfect, no-compromise, do everything car (hint- it doesn't exist).
The E60 550i manual is, and always has been, a bit of a misfit. Not particularly hard-edged enough in M Sport guise to take seriously as a proper driving tool but (with the manual transmission, at least) not quite being reserved enough to fit into the wafty barge category.
However, when you compare it to it's direct rivals (with similar mileage), it starts to make a very compelling case for itself.
VXR8 - torquey, powerful, brash, plastic-y £17k upwards
E39 M5 - the same but less brash and less plastic-y - £30k plus now...
E90 M3 - less torque and less rust than the M5 - but still £23k
This makes the 550i seem pretty tempting - even with it's lack of LSD (more on that later). A full 7k less than the cheapest of the aforementioned trio. Yes, it's a few bhp down (361bhp) but it's also not as heavy as you'd think, sitting neatly between the M3 and M5. It's even 80kg lighter than an M3 convertible.. With 362lb ft, available 500rpm lower than the M3, it also makes a good case for easy power-on oversteer..
N62 engine woes aside (my initial reason for refusing to entertain the idea) there isn't alot to be scared of with the e60. Most of the problems and fixes are well documented now. Certainly, when compared to M car engine bork-age, the oil and coolant leaks seem relatively trivial.
The condition and history of this particular 550i made the decision much easier than it otherwise might have been. Owned by another pistonheader, who made a brief appearance with the car in an old 'spotted' article comments section, it had been with him for the best part of ten years. Having only 1 previous owner, the history was all there and I was assured the car was in fine order, with none of the usual issues apparent. Sporting a fine set of replica (and so, more concave) style 128 19" alloy wheels and an Eisenmann exhaust, it certainly looked the part.
Dave offered to go and look at the car - it turned out both he and the seller worked for the same company and were relatively close to each other - and reported that the condition was excellent and the seller a very nice chap. The deal was done and the car was collected today. Amusingly, Dave purchased an E12 M535i on recommendation a few weeks ago and had it delivered to my house for reasons. We have both helped facilitate the purchase of each others cars and now have the others BMW sat in or respective garages, 2.5 hours apart...
Once the swap has been done, I will let you know if it was the right move to make! I have already ordered a Gripper LSD unit, which should be here in a week or so.
Have some pictures:
Very nice. Always fancied one of these or the slightly older 545i. Great cars. However - it wasn't what I set out to buy. I was initially looking for another E39 M5 (I owned one a few years ago and loved it). When I realised that they were no longer a viable proposition due to inflated prices, I saw the M3 for sale locally and thought I'd give it a try. It was the newest car I've ever owned, and I had many negative presumptions about the ownership experience and I must say that I was pleasantly surprised.
This period of ownership made me realise I wanted a nice 4-door version. Not for any practical reason (in fact - they are less practical as non of them have bloody folding seats) but because I have always chosen BMW saloons over their coupe counterparts. I just prefer the look. The trouble is, the have gone from being the most undesirable version to the most desirable within the space of a couple of years. Literally, doubled in price. It was going to cost me around 23k to get into one. Ludicrous - when I sold my M3 for £12,750.
However, something else caught my eye whilst I was browsing the classifieds. I had previously discussed this particular breed of unicorn with my mate, Dave, on a couple of occasions. We are always trying to find the perfect, no-compromise, do everything car (hint- it doesn't exist).
The E60 550i manual is, and always has been, a bit of a misfit. Not particularly hard-edged enough in M Sport guise to take seriously as a proper driving tool but (with the manual transmission, at least) not quite being reserved enough to fit into the wafty barge category.
However, when you compare it to it's direct rivals (with similar mileage), it starts to make a very compelling case for itself.
VXR8 - torquey, powerful, brash, plastic-y £17k upwards
E39 M5 - the same but less brash and less plastic-y - £30k plus now...
E90 M3 - less torque and less rust than the M5 - but still £23k
This makes the 550i seem pretty tempting - even with it's lack of LSD (more on that later). A full 7k less than the cheapest of the aforementioned trio. Yes, it's a few bhp down (361bhp) but it's also not as heavy as you'd think, sitting neatly between the M3 and M5. It's even 80kg lighter than an M3 convertible.. With 362lb ft, available 500rpm lower than the M3, it also makes a good case for easy power-on oversteer..
N62 engine woes aside (my initial reason for refusing to entertain the idea) there isn't alot to be scared of with the e60. Most of the problems and fixes are well documented now. Certainly, when compared to M car engine bork-age, the oil and coolant leaks seem relatively trivial.
The condition and history of this particular 550i made the decision much easier than it otherwise might have been. Owned by another pistonheader, who made a brief appearance with the car in an old 'spotted' article comments section, it had been with him for the best part of ten years. Having only 1 previous owner, the history was all there and I was assured the car was in fine order, with none of the usual issues apparent. Sporting a fine set of replica (and so, more concave) style 128 19" alloy wheels and an Eisenmann exhaust, it certainly looked the part.
Dave offered to go and look at the car - it turned out both he and the seller worked for the same company and were relatively close to each other - and reported that the condition was excellent and the seller a very nice chap. The deal was done and the car was collected today. Amusingly, Dave purchased an E12 M535i on recommendation a few weeks ago and had it delivered to my house for reasons. We have both helped facilitate the purchase of each others cars and now have the others BMW sat in or respective garages, 2.5 hours apart...
Once the swap has been done, I will let you know if it was the right move to make! I have already ordered a Gripper LSD unit, which should be here in a week or so.
Have some pictures:
Edited by e28525e on Monday 28th February 21:23
E63eeeeee... said:
I very nearly bought one of these, as pretty much the definitive Q car (although I think your wheels and exhausts tip the balance slightly). I ended up getting the F10 version instead. Nice colour, and nice to see one of these unicorns finding a good home.
Cheers! I could pop 18s on, refit the standard exhaust and then carry out a cheeky de-badge. 
Seems a bit of a shame, though. I think it looks smart.
e28525e said:
E63eeeeee... said:
I very nearly bought one of these, as pretty much the definitive Q car (although I think your wheels and exhausts tip the balance slightly). I ended up getting the F10 version instead. Nice colour, and nice to see one of these unicorns finding a good home.
Cheers! I could pop 18s on, refit the standard exhaust and then carry out a cheeky de-badge. Seems a bit of a shame, though. I think it looks smart.
Magnificent! I am drawn to fast 4 doors as they always seem like getaway cars. My formative driving years were spent watching Ronin, The Transporter, Heat and various other films with a fast saloon car (usually a BMW or Mercedes).
If you paid around what you got for the M3 on it then seems a decent buy.
If you paid around what you got for the M3 on it then seems a decent buy.
cerb4.5lee said:
What an absolutely lovely and rare car. 
I've hankered after a manual 550i for as long as I can remember, and when I had my E53 X5 4.8iS I loved the engine so much...but the auto gearbox ruined the car for me in so many ways.
What a fantastic find, enjoy it.
Cheers! Yes, if it was an auto, it wouldn't have got a look in!I've hankered after a manual 550i for as long as I can remember, and when I had my E53 X5 4.8iS I loved the engine so much...but the auto gearbox ruined the car for me in so many ways.
What a fantastic find, enjoy it.
DanG355 said:
Magnificent! I am drawn to fast 4 doors as they always seem like getaway cars. My formative driving years were spent watching Ronin, The Transporter, Heat and various other films with a fast saloon car (usually a BMW or Mercedes).
If you paid around what you got for the M3 on it then seems a decent buy.
They do - especially when they're in a darker colour.If you paid around what you got for the M3 on it then seems a decent buy.
By the time the diff is in, that will be the case!
Boobonman said:
Have you changed the final drive with the gripper diff? Have driven a few of these and the gearing always felt far too tall for any fun.
A friend had an auto one and it used to pull lengths on his brothers E46 M3 in a straight line...
I will do, I'm looking at a 3.38 from an E65 750i. That will still allow it to do 60mph in second (down from 70), and 92 in 3rd (down from 106). 70mph will still be reasonable in 6th at 2700rpm.A friend had an auto one and it used to pull lengths on his brothers E46 M3 in a straight line...
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