Discussion
ExecutiveAction said:
Hi chaps!
I'm about to make a 5 series purchase, probably an M550, and I'd like the benefit of your wisdom.
I'm finding YouTube very contradictory. Jeremy Clarkson thinks it is wonderful. Autogefuhl thinks that you would be better buying a 540i, because the lighter engine gives better handling. Somebody else thinks that the 540i is trading on the reputation of past straight-six BMW's, and is not actually as good as the 530d (which was where I started). Some people think that you have to have the Adaptive Rear Wheel Steer option, others say it ruins the purity of the handling (the reason I first got a 5 series). There are as many conflicting opinions as stars in the sky.
I'm interested in handling, performance, driving pleasure, 4 hour autobahn blasts, alpine passes, all that good stuff. I'm prepared to sacrifice fuel economy for fun.
Which would in your opinion be best, 530d, 540i or M550i? The M5 is just too expensive, and I need to be able to use the car as a daily.
If the answer is M550i, what options do you consider important? Particularly the Adaptive Suspension/Rear Wheel Steer Package.
I would say test drives are in order. Your selection criteria is very subjective and can’t really be settled by other peoples opinions.I'm about to make a 5 series purchase, probably an M550, and I'd like the benefit of your wisdom.
I'm finding YouTube very contradictory. Jeremy Clarkson thinks it is wonderful. Autogefuhl thinks that you would be better buying a 540i, because the lighter engine gives better handling. Somebody else thinks that the 540i is trading on the reputation of past straight-six BMW's, and is not actually as good as the 530d (which was where I started). Some people think that you have to have the Adaptive Rear Wheel Steer option, others say it ruins the purity of the handling (the reason I first got a 5 series). There are as many conflicting opinions as stars in the sky.
I'm interested in handling, performance, driving pleasure, 4 hour autobahn blasts, alpine passes, all that good stuff. I'm prepared to sacrifice fuel economy for fun.
Which would in your opinion be best, 530d, 540i or M550i? The M5 is just too expensive, and I need to be able to use the car as a daily.
If the answer is M550i, what options do you consider important? Particularly the Adaptive Suspension/Rear Wheel Steer Package.
ExecutiveAction said:
Trouble is, I can’t find a dealer who has a demonstrator available for a test drive. Do you have rear steer on yours?
No heavy options on mine such as Sunroof, rear wheel steering, and active roll bars.Curb weight is just over 1800kg as a result.
Handles better than equivalent Audi V8's as the motor isn't hanging over the front wheels. I have not driven an E63 for comparison mind.
Curb or 'kerb' weight is used often in the US and Australia to represent the weight of the exact vehicle specified with a full fuel tank. To the best of my knowledge EU mass figures are with driver, luggage and fuel on the heaviest version of the model (all options added).
For example In Australia the M550i is sold in a few spec packages, the Bobby basic one without soft closing doors, hydraulic roll bars and sun roof etc is called 'Pure'. The official stats for curb weight of that model spec is 1826kg. This is the actual weight of mine with a full tank before I get in it.
Curb weight is much more valid for performance estimates I'm my view.
For example In Australia the M550i is sold in a few spec packages, the Bobby basic one without soft closing doors, hydraulic roll bars and sun roof etc is called 'Pure'. The official stats for curb weight of that model spec is 1826kg. This is the actual weight of mine with a full tank before I get in it.
Curb weight is much more valid for performance estimates I'm my view.
naturalaspiration said:
EU norm is DIN + 75kg. DIN is a standard car (no optional equipment), with all operating fluids at 100%, apart from fuel which is "at least" at 90%.
Well I'm booked in at https://suspensionsecrets.co.uk/ In a few weeks time to get a proper geo setup at the hands of experts.I will have the car weighed with new wheels and tyres on at that point. I will be highly amused if it comes in at the same weight or less than an M5 CS...
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a38516720/202...
Managed to find a full set of F90 roll bars for cheap. Will fit these with the camber arms when the car goes in for custom geo in two weeks time. Rear will go straight on the front will likely need adjustable drop links.
Really happy with the way the car looks, sounds and moves now. Only other area I would consider upgrading is the brakes, the 395mm M performance kit is the likely choice.
Really happy with the way the car looks, sounds and moves now. Only other area I would consider upgrading is the brakes, the 395mm M performance kit is the likely choice.
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