550 vs M5?
03-19-2008, 02:23 PM
#41
Contributors
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 586
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mine's a daily driver, including hauling kids to soccer games. The X3 was supposed to be used for soccer and grocery getting but I always take the M5 because I love it too much not to drive it. Very low compromise car imo and far from harsh.
The steering feels light at first compared to a 550 but once you have lived with the car for awhile the 550 steering seems heavy and less percise. I think it's hard to get a really good feel for the M5 unless you drive one for a while (which is of course difficult/impossible without buying it). I enjoy mine more the more I live with it. I do get tired of all the gas mileage banter though...I mean yes, it's 10 mpg, move on. If that is an issue rule out the car. It's almost like if we debate the bad fuel economy enough the car will start getting better mileage....
I haven't seen any post where guys have moved from a 550 to an M5 and said they wished they hadn't, in fact seems quite the opposite. That is something to think about as you make your decsion.
The steering feels light at first compared to a 550 but once you have lived with the car for awhile the 550 steering seems heavy and less percise. I think it's hard to get a really good feel for the M5 unless you drive one for a while (which is of course difficult/impossible without buying it). I enjoy mine more the more I live with it. I do get tired of all the gas mileage banter though...I mean yes, it's 10 mpg, move on. If that is an issue rule out the car. It's almost like if we debate the bad fuel economy enough the car will start getting better mileage....
I haven't seen any post where guys have moved from a 550 to an M5 and said they wished they hadn't, in fact seems quite the opposite. That is something to think about as you make your decsion.
03-19-2008, 03:52 PM
#42
Senior Members
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Huntington Beach, CA & Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 2,850
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by JeffNNJ' post='547263' date='Mar 18 2008, 06:34 PM
As for steering, the clear advantage goes to the 550. Like all M cars I thought the M5's steering was way over boosted.
Have you driven a M3? No other BMW comes close to the steering/handling abilities of the M3(Mcoupe is close, but its not the same).
03-19-2008, 05:12 PM
#43
Members
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: san antonio tx
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 550i, alpine white with beige nasca ventillated leather, cold weather package, sport package, active steering, comfort access, rear power sunshade, land departure, navigation, heads up display, ipod adapter, satellite radio, pro logic sound, and rear side airbags.
Originally Posted by Lamont' post='545445' date='Mar 15 2008, 08:24 PM
Hi all,
I'm a new member. My 2002 530 was totaled and I am now in the market for a new car
I loved my 530, but sometimes regretted not buying a 540 or even an M5 at the time. I've gone back and forth over the last few weeks between a 2007 M5 and a 2008 550. Both woud be a 6-speed (so 06 M5 is out). Price would be similar with the M5 probably a litte cheaper. I've driven both. While they drive very differently, I've enjoyed both. As I've done some research on these boards and others, questions have come to mind. My initial response was an M5 for 550 money seemed like any easy decision given the depreciation already taken on the 07. I tend to keep my cars for relatively long periods of time (I had the 530 for 6 years on my way to 8-10 years). The M5 has me a little concerned regarding upkeep and maintanence costs once its out of the factory warranty. If I plan to keep both cars to ~80-100k miles, how much worse will the M5 be? Even with the 1st year depreciation on the 550, could I have a lower total cost of ownership with the 550? ALG says the 550 holds its value the worst of the 5-series cars including the M, but there seems to be some concern that the M5 will see larger depreciation once the factory warranty expires. Unfortunately, no M5 is old enough to know that yet. I suppose if I found a nice 08 with a few miles at a nice discount to MSRP my decision might be easier.
I tried the search function before posting, but it was giving me an error message. Sorry if this has been discussed before.
Joe
I'm a new member. My 2002 530 was totaled and I am now in the market for a new car
I loved my 530, but sometimes regretted not buying a 540 or even an M5 at the time. I've gone back and forth over the last few weeks between a 2007 M5 and a 2008 550. Both woud be a 6-speed (so 06 M5 is out). Price would be similar with the M5 probably a litte cheaper. I've driven both. While they drive very differently, I've enjoyed both. As I've done some research on these boards and others, questions have come to mind. My initial response was an M5 for 550 money seemed like any easy decision given the depreciation already taken on the 07. I tend to keep my cars for relatively long periods of time (I had the 530 for 6 years on my way to 8-10 years). The M5 has me a little concerned regarding upkeep and maintanence costs once its out of the factory warranty. If I plan to keep both cars to ~80-100k miles, how much worse will the M5 be? Even with the 1st year depreciation on the 550, could I have a lower total cost of ownership with the 550? ALG says the 550 holds its value the worst of the 5-series cars including the M, but there seems to be some concern that the M5 will see larger depreciation once the factory warranty expires. Unfortunately, no M5 is old enough to know that yet. I suppose if I found a nice 08 with a few miles at a nice discount to MSRP my decision might be easier.I tried the search function before posting, but it was giving me an error message. Sorry if this has been discussed before.
Joe
I was in your same situation 2 months ago and I finally went with an 08 550 and I couldnt be happier. I loved the m5 when I looked at it but I just didnt want to mess with the 6 speed or the smg. I lovr the 550 I got and so will you.
03-19-2008, 07:53 PM
#44
Contributors
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SoCal
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The cover story of this month's "Bimmer" magazine is "550i vs. M5." Good reading. Car mags often side with the performance champ, and this article is no exception. That said, if I had cash-in-hand to buy either, I'd go for the 550i and use the rest to buy one of these BMWs...
(BMW R1200GS Adventure)
(BMW R1200GS Adventure)
03-19-2008, 08:25 PM
#46
Contributors
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Vancouver, BC , Canada
Posts: 4,459
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2011, X6 Hybrid . Alpine White , every option. 20" Conti' NON runflats,OEM trunk spoiler , LUX V3 AE's , HP Thunder Fogs , custom front bumper reflector delete........
Originally Posted by Westcoast M5' post='547725' date='Mar 19 2008, 06:23 PM
Mine's a daily driver, including hauling kids to soccer games. The X3 was supposed to be used for soccer and grocery getting but I always take the M5 because I love it too much not to drive it. Very low compromise car imo and far from harsh.
The steering feels light at first compared to a 550 but once you have lived with the car for awhile the 550 steering seems heavy and less percise. I think it's hard to get a really good feel for the M5 unless you drive one for a while (which is of course difficult/impossible without buying it). I enjoy mine more the more I live with it. I do get tired of all the gas mileage banter though...I mean yes, it's 10 mpg, move on. If that is an issue rule out the car. It's almost like if we debate the bad fuel economy enough the car will start getting better mileage....
I haven't seen any post where guys have moved from a 550 to an M5 and said they wished they hadn't, in fact seems quite the opposite. That is something to think about as you make your decsion.
The steering feels light at first compared to a 550 but once you have lived with the car for awhile the 550 steering seems heavy and less percise. I think it's hard to get a really good feel for the M5 unless you drive one for a while (which is of course difficult/impossible without buying it). I enjoy mine more the more I live with it. I do get tired of all the gas mileage banter though...I mean yes, it's 10 mpg, move on. If that is an issue rule out the car. It's almost like if we debate the bad fuel economy enough the car will start getting better mileage....
I haven't seen any post where guys have moved from a 550 to an M5 and said they wished they hadn't, in fact seems quite the opposite. That is something to think about as you make your decsion.
Life moves in a progression.............. you're going to make mine more expensive .............. !!!!
03-19-2008, 09:02 PM
#47
Contributors
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Northern NJ, USA
Posts: 1,102
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2011 M3 Convertible, Alpine White/black, 6 speed
2011 535xi Tasmin Green, Venetian Beige
Originally Posted by JetBlack5OC' post='547764' date='Mar 19 2008, 07:52 PM
Are you sure about that? M cars steering is way over boosted?
Have you driven a M3? No other BMW comes close to the steering/handling abilities of the M3(Mcoupe is close, but its not the same).
Have you driven a M3? No other BMW comes close to the steering/handling abilities of the M3(Mcoupe is close, but its not the same).
03-19-2008, 09:10 PM
#48
Senior Members
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Huntington Beach, CA & Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 2,850
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by JeffNNJ' post='547917' date='Mar 19 2008, 10:02 PM
I had a 2002 M3 convertible for 4 years and hated the steering. It was the single largest complaint on e46fanatics.com. Was like super power steering and all too effortless.
My friend use to have a E46 M3, he had a E36 M3 before that. I use to drive them all the time. I personally thought they were some of the best handling cars I had ever driven. Especially the E36 the turn-in on that car was perfect, such a well balanced car. He now has a 996 911 and I honestly think the M3 felt better, the M3 felt like it had no limit. Maybe the fact you had a convertible M3 was part of the problem, convertible cars tend to lose some structural rigidity.
03-20-2008, 04:46 AM
#49
Contributors
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Northern NJ, USA
Posts: 1,102
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2011 M3 Convertible, Alpine White/black, 6 speed
2011 535xi Tasmin Green, Venetian Beige
Originally Posted by JetBlack5OC' post='547920' date='Mar 20 2008, 01:10 AM
Interesting.
My friend use to have a E46 M3, he had a E36 M3 before that. I use to drive them all the time. I personally thought they were some of the best handling cars I had ever driven. Especially the E36 the turn-in on that car was perfect, such a well balanced car. He now has a 996 911 and I honestly think the M3 felt better, the M3 felt like it had no limit. Maybe the fact you had a convertible M3 was part of the problem, convertible cars tend to lose some structural rigidity.
My friend use to have a E46 M3, he had a E36 M3 before that. I use to drive them all the time. I personally thought they were some of the best handling cars I had ever driven. Especially the E36 the turn-in on that car was perfect, such a well balanced car. He now has a 996 911 and I honestly think the M3 felt better, the M3 felt like it had no limit. Maybe the fact you had a convertible M3 was part of the problem, convertible cars tend to lose some structural rigidity.
03-20-2008, 05:25 AM
#50
Members
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Alexandria VA
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 535Xi
2006 X3, wife's car
Originally Posted by alpinewhite' post='547881' date='Mar 19 2008, 11:56 PM
135i. That thing is quick. Test drove it today and loved it
When we were in class at the Performance Driving Center last November, one of the instructors said they had gotten in some 135s to test drive. He told us they had a drag race between a 135 and an M6, and up to about 80 mph the 135 was ahead of the M6, but after that the M6 pulled ahead.
Bruce