Monday 15th October 2012

Spotted: BMW 550i manual

A V8 5 Series with a rare and most PH-worthy feature (clue: it's not the 'Sepang Brass Metallic' paint)

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On the face of it, this BMW 550i appears another example of why there should be some kind of taste Polizei at BMW Individual. Not content with the standard BMW colour chart, the first owner of this E60 has chosen a unique 'Sepang Brass Metallic' hue, which is in reality a sludge of grey, brown and gold that does the bold styling of the last 5 Series no favours. The wheels are from the Individual catalogue also, but they are more pleasing on the eye than that paint.

Like an M5. Just more beige.

The Sepang Brass outside is accompanied by an 'Extended Platinum Merino' leather interior which results in a rather beige-looking Five. Then there's the wood and the ... hold on, that gearstick is sprouting a bit high, isn't it?

Yes, this 550i is fitted with a manual gearbox. Would you like to guess how many SE-spec E60s there are with a 4.8-litre V8 and three pedals? 20 perhaps? Maybe just a dozen? Nope, according to howmanyleft.com, just three such 5 Series are registered in Britain.

Not only is this a phenomenally rare car in terms of numbers then, it's very seldom you see a luxurious BMW powered by such a driver-focused engine and transmission combo. This 550i, mechanically at least, is most comparable to an E39 M5. Whilst that car is subtle even by M standards, compared to the Sepang Brass 550 it looks like a touring car with its four exhausts and lowered stance. Even an equivalent 550i in M Sport spec would be noticeably more outlandish.

Wait a second, what's that in the centre console?

Moreover, the 550i delivers performance so out of keeping with its retired dentist appearance that it could be an excellent Q-car. Debadged and with the same exhaust pipes as feature on everything above a 525d, it is no exaggeration to say the exterior doesn't hint at all that a 367hp 4.8-litre V8 lurks under the bonnet. Allied to 361lb ft of torque, a 550i is capable of 0-62mph in 5.2 seconds and is limited to the obligatory 155mph.

The potential for embarrassing others in this car is massive. Can you imagine the look on the face of a Porsche Boxster driver as you surge past in beige majesty?

Some may say this would be priceless, but here a price tag is attached, albeit a reasonable £19,895 one. Of course it isn't breaking news that large-engined exec saloons depreciate rapidly, but this BMW probably hasn't been helped by its unique colour specification and the stark reality of typical buyers preferring an automatic 'box.

Better than that (eh?) it's got a sunroof too!

You won't want for any more equipment (it even has a sunroof!), whilst all its services have been carried out at a BMW main dealer. If you can stand the colour this 550i looks like a great value, and very rare, proposition.

And if you want a 350+bhp Q-car for under £20K but don't fancy the BMW? Have a look at the Jaguar XF S V8. No manual here, but the colour's better...

 

 

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BMW 550i manual
Engine: 4,799cc V8
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Power (hp): 367@6,300rpm
Torque (lb ft): 361@3,400rpm
MPG: 25.9
CO2: 246g/km
First registered: 2008
Recorded mileage: 39,900
Price new: £48,305 (standard 550i M Sport)
Yours for: £19,895

See the original advert here.

[P4ROT]

Amazing- I bet it wasn't easy even persuading them to allow a manual spec....

[Bladedancer]

Only 5? I've seen one in Uxbridge latelly (similar color to this) and a black estate a few week back.

Great car though. Still on my list of replacements for my 2-door in the "family friendly" category.

[thinfourth2]

A rare BMW

One i like

If it was a touring it would be even better

[BeirutTaxi]

Much, much cooler than an ///M sport or possibly an M5. Classy and conservative firepower, a bit like a wolf in a tuxedo.

Now just the wait for the first utter idiot to suggest the diesel models are just as quick.

Edited by BeirutTaxi on Monday 15th October 09:04

[edo]

Yup, I posted this in the "5-20k" thread the other day. Closest thing to an M5 if you dont like SMG...

[K50 DEL]

Hmm.... think there must be something wrong with me as I actually like the exterior colour of that.
Couldn't live with the interior though.

A manual 550, wonder who bought it originally?

[edo]

thinfourth2 said:

A rare BMW

One i like

If it was a touring it would be even better

Here you go, and only £12k.

BMW 5 SERIES 550I M SPORT 5DR 4.8 2006

5 Doors, Manual, Estate, Petrol, 60,700 miles, Metallic SILVER GREY, MOT-03-2013, 1 Owner. ONE OWNER FROM BRAND NEW FULL BMW SERVICE HISTORY BLACK DAKOTA LEATHER ACTIVE STEERING PANORAMIC GLASS SUNROOF AUTO DIM MIRRORS TV FUNCTION HEAD LIGHT WASH DARK POPLAR WOOD IN HIGH GLOSS VISABILTY PACK MEDIA PACK NAVIGATION ABS, Air conditioning, Alloy wheels, Cruise control, Front armrest, Immobiliser, Passenger airbag, Rear armrest, Roof rails, Side airbags, Radio/CD, Rear headrests, Sports seats, Traction control, Trip computer, Front head restraints, Rear electric windows, Service indicator, Steering wheel rake adjustment, Body coloured bumpers, Isofix child seat anchor points, Drivers airbag, Electric door mirrors, Alarm, Height adjustable drivers seat, 3x3 point rear seat belts, PAS, Remote central locking, Front fog lights, Front electric windows, Metallic Paint, Electrically adjustable drivers seat, Leather seat trim, Heated door mirrors, Electrically adjustable passenger seat, Audio remote control, Steering wheel reach adjustment, Rear wiper, Reverse parking aid. Insurance Group:20. £11,995




http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

[dowahdiddyman]

Now that is a proper `q` car.

[CampDavid]

Uprated contour seats too. Nice.

Personally though I think the car ideally sorts the auto box. It'll be pretty much as good on a back road while being a perfect cruiser and ideal in trafic

[Trellis]

An E39 M5 is a better Q car than this. Nearly everyone sees them as 'just another old 5 series' until you've gone by and they get a flash of the M and the quad pipes.

[Kong]

Love the 550i, I wonder why so many opted for the (much uglier) SE spec rather than M-Sport.

[va1o]

Definitely seen this one for sale before, IIRC the story behind it was the dealer originally registered it to themselves as a demo of the BMW Individual options and struggled for months to move it on.

I want to like it, but the manual gearbox is unappealing IMO. Shame as otherwise SE spec with a few extras and the V8 engine is a nice combination, far better than the vulgar M Sport model. Also preferable to the tedious diesels.

EDIT: Pretty sure this was it - http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... thread from 2009. No pictures but the registration definitely rings a bell.

Edited by va1o on Monday 15th October 09:29

[decadence]

BeirutTaxi said:

Much, much cooler than an ///M sport or possibly an M5. Classy and conservative firepower, a bit like a wolf in a tuxedo.

Now just the wait for the first utter idiot to suggest the diesel models are just as quick.

Edited by BeirutTaxi on Monday 15th October 09:04

Its not really a Tuxedo though is it....more of a Wolf in a beige knitted jumper with leather patches on the elbows and pair of Jesus sandals.

I just dont get the point of having a dull boring looking car but with a great engine. I'd rather have both great looks and good engine, or if the choice and for road use (where theres speed limits and traffic) i'd far rather a really cool looking car even if the engine was pants....am i missing something?

Someone show me a sleeper that will change my mind.... but a sleeper car is a bit like being an ugly bloke but with a massive appendage ....its a bit of a waste.

[GroundEffect]

TBH, I'd have this car with an auto.

Even if it has a great V8, it's still a executive car. Should be auto or at the very least DCT.

[RenesisEvo]

decadence said:

i'd far rather a really cool looking car even if the engine was pants....am i missing something?

I think you're missing the problem of having a car that cannot deliver what its appearance promises. I'm not a fan of 'all mouth, no trousers'.

It is a shame about the colour because that 550i does appeal. Perhaps it looks better in the metal with the right light, some colours don't come out in photographs nearly as well as they do for your eyes.

[va1o]

This had led onto me finding possibly the coolest car in the world! Another 550i SE, but this time with the Auto gearbox and its armoured (as well as looking 100% standard!)



A tad expensive though...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ARMOURED-BMW-550i-/16085...

EDIT: Few more of them here http://www.freedom.eu.com/bmw-550i-b4-armored-c38....

Edited by va1o on Monday 15th October 09:44

[Johnnytheboy]

If the difference in suspension settings is the same as on other BMW models, I'd have the SE.

[CampDavid]

The Crack Fox said:

I like that, but will buy it in a couple of years when (thanks to the colour and thirst of it) it will be shed money.

Book says 27mpg, a handy 50% improvement in economy over my 740i (which is the same weight and same engine, sans Turbo) so actually it's not that uneconomical, in fact, driven gently I bet you could get some decent figures out of it.

This one looks like a diesel, is gloriously over spec'd and the 550i boot badge will scare people. It will be an utterly devine purchase when it hits £5000 in 24 months time

[thinfourth2]

edo said:

thinfourth2 said:

A rare BMW

One i like

If it was a touring it would be even better

Here you go, and only £12k.

BMW 5 SERIES 550I M SPORT 5DR 4.8 2006

5 Doors, Manual, Estate, Petrol, 60,700 miles, Metallic SILVER GREY, MOT-03-2013, 1 Owner. ONE OWNER FROM BRAND NEW FULL BMW SERVICE HISTORY BLACK DAKOTA LEATHER ACTIVE STEERING PANORAMIC GLASS SUNROOF AUTO DIM MIRRORS TV FUNCTION HEAD LIGHT WASH DARK POPLAR WOOD IN HIGH GLOSS VISABILTY PACK MEDIA PACK NAVIGATION ABS, Air conditioning, Alloy wheels, Cruise control, Front armrest, Immobiliser, Passenger airbag, Rear armrest, Roof rails, Side airbags, Radio/CD, Rear headrests, Sports seats, Traction control, Trip computer, Front head restraints, Rear electric windows, Service indicator, Steering wheel rake adjustment, Body coloured bumpers, Isofix child seat anchor points, Drivers airbag, Electric door mirrors, Alarm, Height adjustable drivers seat, 3x3 point rear seat belts, PAS, Remote central locking, Front fog lights, Front electric windows, Metallic Paint, Electrically adjustable drivers seat, Leather seat trim, Heated door mirrors, Electrically adjustable passenger seat, Audio remote control, Steering wheel reach adjustment, Rear wiper, Reverse parking aid. Insurance Group:20. £11,995




http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

And only £11,495 above my normal car buying budget

[Cheib]

Bladedancer said:

Only 5? I've seen one in Uxbridge latelly (similar color to this) and a black estate a few week back.

Great car though. Still on my list of replacements for my 2-door in the "family friendly" category.

They're talking about SE's in the article....most will be M Sports.

There was a thread on here about a Manual Touring 550i M Sport in Moonstone recently

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