RE: BMW M550i: Driven

[Roma101]

Herbs said:

moffat said:

Terrible article and way off the mark, it's the perfect competitor to the Audi S6 and S7.

There is a large market for M 'lite' cars. Just look at the success of Audi S and now MB's 43 cars. Just wait and see how successful the M340i and M440i cars will be, the new B58 engine is a cracker and combine with a BMW remap, decent exhaust and more focused suspension equals a decent car. I know I love my 440i which has been fettled with the M Performance Power and Sound Kit (MPPSK - remap and exhaust) and the M Performance bodykit.

I agree to a certain extent however:

The largest engine you can get in the Audi A6 is a 3.0L

The S6 is petrol only and is 4.0L

BMW already comes in a raft of SE, M sport trims as well as RWD and 4WD, petrol and Diesel. There simply isn't room for a 540i, 540 xdrive, 550, 550d and M5 at the top of the tree.

I just check on how many left and there are 22 different variation of the 540 sold alone in 2017!

Edited by Herbs on Thursday 28th September 14:32

I may be mistaken, but I think that refers to how many were taxed in 2017, not how many were sold or registered. Therefore, many of them are older, previous gen 540s. BMW only sell four 540 variants in the UK - SE and M Sport in saloon and Touring guise. So, not many.

[Roma101]

The Surveyor said:

Not really bothered about the M550i, but it is refreshing to read an article which isn't just pointless praise. Nice to see a journalists having the courage of their conviction to say they don't like it.

Their subjectivity goes too far in this article though.

[Roma101]

Herbs said:

Roma101 said:

Sorry, have to completely disagree with the tone of the article. It is a 2 tonne (near enough) modern barge. It is not a sports car. What were you expecting? The M5 is where the hard work will have gone - the Sub M models are, generally speaking, slightly fettled standard cars with whopping big engines. That's certainly what the M140i is.

Also, probably a majority of people in this country don't commute to work on lovely Alpine passes or beautiful B roads. We sit on motorways, dual carriageways and boring urban roads where straight line pace, comfort and toys are more important than steering feel and chassis delicacy. So perhaps, this is not really the type of car if you are looking to go out and have a blast?

This car is exactly what I would consider for commuting / general family duties, so it is a shame it is not coming to the UK. IMO the 540i isn't quite quick enough and the M5 is too quick (for my budget and needs). This sits perfectly in between. Another strange decision by BMW.

How is a sub 5 second barge that is limited to 155MPH not fast enough for day to day duties when we sit on "motorways, dual carriageways and boring urban roads"?

Because it weighs the best part of 2 tonnes (once you have people and crap in it) and its 0-62 time (which is not that relevant - in gear acceleration is more relevant) is aided by 4 wheel drive and clever electronics. I agree though that it is still a very quick car, but once you have a certain level of power, it is hard to go down in the world!

Edited to add, when I say 'sit' I don't mean sit in traffic jams. I mean drive on those types of roads. Although, such roads can be congested at times, obviously.

Edited by Roma101 on Thursday 28th September 16:28

[Herbs]

Roma101 said:

Herbs said:

Roma101 said:

Sorry, have to completely disagree with the tone of the article. It is a 2 tonne (near enough) modern barge. It is not a sports car. What were you expecting? The M5 is where the hard work will have gone - the Sub M models are, generally speaking, slightly fettled standard cars with whopping big engines. That's certainly what the M140i is.

Also, probably a majority of people in this country don't commute to work on lovely Alpine passes or beautiful B roads. We sit on motorways, dual carriageways and boring urban roads where straight line pace, comfort and toys are more important than steering feel and chassis delicacy. So perhaps, this is not really the type of car if you are looking to go out and have a blast?

This car is exactly what I would consider for commuting / general family duties, so it is a shame it is not coming to the UK. IMO the 540i isn't quite quick enough and the M5 is too quick (for my budget and needs). This sits perfectly in between. Another strange decision by BMW.

How is a sub 5 second barge that is limited to 155MPH not fast enough for day to day duties when we sit on "motorways, dual carriageways and boring urban roads"?

Because it weighs the best part of 2 tonnes (once you have people and crap in it) and its 0-62 time (which is not that relevant - in gear acceleration is more relevant) is aided by 4 wheel drive and clever electronics. I agree though that it is still a very quick car, but once you have a certain level of power, it is hard to go down in the world!

Edited to add, when I say 'sit' I don't mean sit in traffic jams. I mean drive on those types of roads. Although, such roads can be congested at times, obviously.

Edited by Roma101 on Thursday 28th September 16:28

I fully understand that and agree with you but surely that's what the M5 is for.

I used to have a 6 series and the actual real world difference between the 645 and 650 was minimal. You had the 630i for running costs, 635d for the frugal option, 645/650 for v8 petrol and M6 for warp speed which catered for all requirements.

[Roma101]

Herbs said:

Roma101 said:

Herbs said:

Roma101 said:

Sorry, have to completely disagree with the tone of the article. It is a 2 tonne (near enough) modern barge. It is not a sports car. What were you expecting? The M5 is where the hard work will have gone - the Sub M models are, generally speaking, slightly fettled standard cars with whopping big engines. That's certainly what the M140i is.

Also, probably a majority of people in this country don't commute to work on lovely Alpine passes or beautiful B roads. We sit on motorways, dual carriageways and boring urban roads where straight line pace, comfort and toys are more important than steering feel and chassis delicacy. So perhaps, this is not really the type of car if you are looking to go out and have a blast?

This car is exactly what I would consider for commuting / general family duties, so it is a shame it is not coming to the UK. IMO the 540i isn't quite quick enough and the M5 is too quick (for my budget and needs). This sits perfectly in between. Another strange decision by BMW.

How is a sub 5 second barge that is limited to 155MPH not fast enough for day to day duties when we sit on "motorways, dual carriageways and boring urban roads"?

Because it weighs the best part of 2 tonnes (once you have people and crap in it) and its 0-62 time (which is not that relevant - in gear acceleration is more relevant) is aided by 4 wheel drive and clever electronics. I agree though that it is still a very quick car, but once you have a certain level of power, it is hard to go down in the world!

Edited to add, when I say 'sit' I don't mean sit in traffic jams. I mean drive on those types of roads. Although, such roads can be congested at times, obviously.

Edited by Roma101 on Thursday 28th September 16:28

I fully understand that and agree with you but surely that's what the M5 is for.

I used to have a 6 series and the actual real world difference between the 645 and 650 was minimal. You had the 630i for running costs, 635d for the frugal option, 645/650 for v8 petrol and M6 for warp speed which catered for all requirements.

I would love an M5, but management would never entertain it. Might have to sell a child to afford it as well. If BMW sold all three in the UK, I would go for the M550i as that would fit my budget / usage / desire needs best.

[Herbs]

What would the difference in price be out of interest? As actually, that's the most important part!

[paranoid airbag]

I'd say the opposite.

What's the point of the M5?

It's too big for back roads.
Too heavy to be all that fun on a track, whatever BMWs marketers say.
And autobahn cruising doesn't actually need, or even benefit from, sharp responses.

Enough informal feedback from car dealers is that the most M5 sales are to get "THE BEST". In which case we'd be a hell of a lot better served if "THE BEST" two-tonne executive saloon/estate focused on its job - being a good, fast, comfortable car - instead of frankly stupid sporting pretensions.

Just buy the M-minus one and get a frigging track day car with the spare change.

[fred bloggs]

Theyll slap an M badge on anything if it gets a couple more sales. I wouldnt mind betting the dealers have a stash of eBay badges under the counter to stick on when a customer speccs the Msport valve caps.
BMW lost its 'premiumness' after around 2002 and just churn out rubbish that the masses buy because it wears a BMW badge.
I suppose if your a bottom rung rep,an Mbadge on your 320d makes you feel a little bit better about your life.

[skylarking808]

So its a BMW 550 Sport in old money.

Even the 80's sport beemers used to have touches of M Genius. Limited Slip Diffs, light BBS wheels and suspension tuned to make it more of a special car than the standard range.
You would get a bit more of a sporty car in feel and if you wanted a fast/track car you got an "M".

[Kawasicki]

paranoid airbag said:

I'd say the opposite.

What's the point of the M5?

It's too big for back roads.
Too heavy to be all that fun on a track, whatever BMWs marketers say.
And autobahn cruising doesn't actually need, or even benefit from, sharp responses.

Enough informal feedback from car dealers is that the most M5 sales are to get "THE BEST". In which case we'd be a hell of a lot better served if "THE BEST" two-tonne executive saloon/estate focused on its job - being a good, fast, comfortable car - instead of frankly stupid sporting pretensions.

Just buy the M-minus one and get a frigging track day car with the spare change.

I lived in rural Cheshire for a few years. I drove on back roads a lot, most of them were not narrow, so it depends where you live.

I've also driven cars much heavier than the M5 on track and had a lot of fun....why does the weight of a vehicle stop it being fun to drive?

Sharp responses are pretty handy on the Autobahn. I'm struggling to think where sharp responses are not useful.

[Usget]

I wonder how different this review would have been had the car been identical but fitted with conventional hydraulic steering? Would that make the difference?

[cerb4.5lee]

Helicopter123 said:

cerb4.5lee said:

l don't think the 550i would sell that well here but I think there's a strong market for the 550d though.

...not really Mr Current Affairs are we?

The cult of diesel is over.

Thank Christ

Don't get me wrong diesels do sound garbage and I personally much prefer petrol, but big engined petrols(4litre plus V8's) have been pretty much dead in the UK for years in this type of car(M5 aside), and sales have been very poor.

Economy is king in the UK, and diesels will still do well over here for some years to come I reckon, I liked the engine in my 640d(for a diesel) and I think the M550d would sell pretty well if it was available.

Edited by cerb4.5lee on Thursday 28th September 19:35

[Ares]

kambites said:

Whilst I agree that the review isn't really fair and that it's silly celebrate a lack of choice in the UK, it has to be said that BMW were asking for this sort of review when they started putting M badges on normal BMWs with big engines.

How should they have chosen to distinguish their competitor to the Audi S and Merc AMG 43 range?

Or do you decry the S6 and E43 for pretending to be something they're not?

And of course, you've driven the M550i do decide it's wrong to give it a soft-M moniker?

[Ares]

Roma101 said:

Herbs said:

Roma101 said:

Sorry, have to completely disagree with the tone of the article. It is a 2 tonne (near enough) modern barge. It is not a sports car. What were you expecting? The M5 is where the hard work will have gone - the Sub M models are, generally speaking, slightly fettled standard cars with whopping big engines. That's certainly what the M140i is.

Also, probably a majority of people in this country don't commute to work on lovely Alpine passes or beautiful B roads. We sit on motorways, dual carriageways and boring urban roads where straight line pace, comfort and toys are more important than steering feel and chassis delicacy. So perhaps, this is not really the type of car if you are looking to go out and have a blast?

This car is exactly what I would consider for commuting / general family duties, so it is a shame it is not coming to the UK. IMO the 540i isn't quite quick enough and the M5 is too quick (for my budget and needs). This sits perfectly in between. Another strange decision by BMW.

How is a sub 5 second barge that is limited to 155MPH not fast enough for day to day duties when we sit on "motorways, dual carriageways and boring urban roads"?

Because it weighs the best part of 2 tonnes (once you have people and crap in it) and its 0-62 time (which is not that relevant - in gear acceleration is more relevant) is aided by 4 wheel drive and clever electronics. I agree though that it is still a very quick car, but once you have a certain level of power, it is hard to go down in the world!

Edited to add, when I say 'sit' I don't mean sit in traffic jams. I mean drive on those types of roads. Although, such roads can be congested at times, obviously.

Edited by Roma101 on Thursday 28th September 16:28

Trust me, on any road, it is a quick car, from any (legal) speed.

[mainaman]

skylarking808 said:

So its a BMW 550 Sport in old money.

Even the 80's sport beemers used to have touches of M Genius. Limited Slip Diffs, light BBS wheels and suspension tuned to make it more of a special car than the standard range.
You would get a bit more of a sporty car in feel and if you wanted a fast/track car you got an "M".

+1

If the S6 and the C43 are the same,shame on the manifacturers.Nobody expects a hardcore saloon,but there should have been more effort than just dropping the V8 in a 520i chassis.

[Ares]

mainaman said:

skylarking808 said:

So its a BMW 550 Sport in old money.

Even the 80's sport beemers used to have touches of M Genius. Limited Slip Diffs, light BBS wheels and suspension tuned to make it more of a special car than the standard range.
You would get a bit more of a sporty car in feel and if you wanted a fast/track car you got an "M".

+1

If the S6 and the C43 are the same,shame on the manifacturers.Nobody expects a hardcore saloon,but there should have been more effort than just dropping the V8 in a 520i chassis.

I've driven a 530d and a M550i. The M550i is more than just an engine upgrade.

[anonymous-user]

skylarking808 said:

So its a BMW 550 Sport in old money.

Even the 80's sport beemers used to have touches of M Genius. Limited Slip Diffs, light BBS wheels and suspension tuned to make it more of a special car than the standard range.
You would get a bit more of a sporty car in feel and if you wanted a fast/track car you got an "M".

Exactly. This is just a 550i with added M for Marketing bks. Nothing wrong with a 550i, why make it out to be something it clearly isn't.

[alpinab3]

It needs to be touring otherwise its a waste of space

[JMF894]

fred bloggs said:

Theyll slap an M badge on anything if it gets a couple more sales. I wouldnt mind betting the dealers have a stash of eBay badges under the counter to stick on when a customer speccs the Msport valve caps.
BMW lost its 'premiumness' after around 2002 and just churn out rubbish that the masses buy because it wears a BMW badge.
I suppose if your a bottom rung rep,an Mbadge on your 320d makes you feel a little bit better about your life.

Go and have a lie down chap and let everyone else enjoy themselves

[mainaman]

Ares said:

I've driven a 530d and a M550i. The M550i is more than just an engine upgrade.

Well,i am sure they have done some tweaks,but apparently it is a lot closer to a 520i than a M5.M for marketing,indeed,should have been called 550i.

Did you find it much more special than the 530d(M sport?)?What does it do that the latter doesnt,appart from the straight line speed(and the diesel is not exactly slow).

Edited by mainaman on Friday 29th September 04:47