Exactly... I came from a GS400 with 300 HP. My 545i has 325 HP. Not so much difference on paper... but the 545i feels like an F1 sports car in comparison. There's so much power available so soon that I have to relearn all of my road instincts. But it sucks that there are so flew places in the Bay Area I can floor it. However, this is partially compensated by the large number of wonderful scenic and twisty (and occasionally well-paved) mountain roads in this area.

I think the best use for M5-scale power&torque in crowded areas is for when you're pulling 3 or 4 passengers and need to compensate.

 

[quote name='stream' date='May 21 2005, 07:25 PM']

Another consideration is SMG only for the M5, at least initially. Lots of people on this board have/love it. I've driven the current E60 SMG and it wasn't my cup of tea (no offense intended to anybody). The M5 is supposed to have SMG III which will likely be more refined, but I've driven sequential manual gearboxes in a few cars and didn't like any of them. Personal preference.


Just reading in the latest Autoweek. Looks like BMW has announced a True 6 Speed Manual Option on the M5, due to U.S. Grumbling and Demand.

I have driven the SMG and would like to spend more time with it, on a daily basis before making a choice.

Stopped by my dealer, to check out the E90 and he said, they will start taking orders for the 550i in July, for late September Delivery. He also said the 645i will become the 650i.

I too am trying to decide between the M5 and the 550i. Unfortunately, my dealer said I would be lucky to even see one in 2005 or early 2006. The waiting list is far longer than the allocated amount of cars they will receive. Wife is currently the driver of the 545i.

So, I have made a decision to get the 550i in the late fall. Probably order it around August/September and take Performance Center Delivery in Spartanburg, SC. Pretty Neat Deal in Spartanburg, if you have never been.

Good Luck and keep us in the loop.

Regards,

Michael

 

Thanks for the feedback.

If you lease and do an ED, do you make payments during the peroid the car is being transported to the US?
[/quote]

Actually, it is closer to two months that you won't have use of the car; 14 days before pickup, and about 6 or 7 weeks after dropoff. Additionally, currently, BMWFS pays for the second month of the lease; so, in theory, you are paying for about a month or a month and a half without use of the vehicle.

Just at the dealer talking about this today. The answer is "yes", you do make lease payments starting from before your trip. In the end, you'll only have the car for ~33 months post Europe, though you'll make 36 payments.
[/quote]

Actually, it is closer to two months that you won't have use of the car; 14 days before pickup, and about 6 or 7 weeks after dropoff, depending upon location. Additionally, currently, BMWFS pays for the second month of the lease; so, in theory, you are paying for about a month to a month and a half without use of the vehicle.

 

I cant make a sound judgement... dont listen to me but if you ask me and you can afford it I would say ///M5. I love it too much. Oh ya dont forget me when you do get it I would love to see it in person.