eugene23

Hello everybody,

Have just finished driving 2008 M5 with 6 sp manual, drove 08 550i a while back. I am truly hoping there is somebody on this forum that has driven both and can confirm/disagree/discuss.

The purpose for this car is really a third car, I already have a dedicated sports car ( 06' C4S) and need this to be an everyday car - fun enough not to be bored but livable. Here are my observations:

- M5 is a faster car, but it seemed to me like you really have to work hard for it. There is lack of torque at lower RPM and the car doesn't really come alive until about 5k. 550 seems to be very smooth at launch and seems to have plenty of usable power all throughout the range. Can somebody please comment on this? Does it truly make that much difference when torque is readily available? Or perhaps this V10 engine was not really designed for true manual tranny and therefore gears are much taller? Anybody?

- this active seat bs is something out of this world, distractive as hell. I wanted to stop on the side of the road and rip it out

- is it true that sport suspension on 550 = comfort setting on M5?


Any advice is appreciated, money difference is no object, I would want more suitable car for what I need it for.

Regards

Eugene

AlB

In my opinion, the 550i makes a better DD than the M5. I'm not just saying this because I drive a 550i. I had the same decision as you and decided not to get the M5. I came from an E39 M5 (which really doesn't compare with the E60 M5), but I find the 550i to be very close to the E39. As you noted, the benefits of the E60 occurs in the upper RPM ranges which is great for w/e twisties or other high speed venues, but truly an overkill as a grocery getter in my opinion.

It is nice to be fortunate enough to even contemplate these options. good luck with your choice.

al

550isport

Hi there,

I have driven SMG E60 M5s but never a manual. I own a 550i step. IMHO, base your decision on the 'attitude' you want the car to have. 550 is very polite and user-friendly...a grandma can drive the car to the store without knowing it has 360 hp. The M5 requires more dedication/understanding/appreciation. It feels like much more of a sports car than the 550 (the suspension is completely different..550 sport cannot be compared to M5 on any setting- apples to oranges because M5 uses traditional mechanical sway bars not dynamic drive w/hydraulics & computers). You already have a 911, so I would opt for the 550 sport with the new sport automatic for those times when you want to travel fast but in comfort. But if you are a sports car driver through and through, the M5 is the better choice IMHO. 550 is lux, the M5 is hard edged.

good luck,
DRP

hinckley

I can't answer your direct comparison question, but I also have a 911 and chose the 550 over the M5. I think the P-car and the M are true sports cars, and sometimes it's nice to drive a car that's just a bit more to the luxury side of the sport-luxury continuum.

Hormazd

I have driven both. The 08 LCI 550 is closer to an M5 than the 07 550. The 19" non RF tires, the suspension, short shifter and exhaust note make the 550i drive like the M5 6spd without the M button engaged. There are less settings in the 6spd as compared to the 7spd SMG. So the difference is the active side bolsters (which you hate) and that magical M button on the steering wheel, which instantly adds 100BHP and makes the tamed beast into a wild brute.

If it was your only car I would get the M5. (just for that button). But since you already get your kicks from the S4 I would go with the 550i.

eugene23

Thanks a lot everybody, what you guys said actually resonates very well with what I was thinking. Funny enough I also owed e39 M5 and found 550i sport manual very close.

So, since I already have 997 C4S, and also looking at a used 360 I concluded to order 08 550i sport manual ( 19's, sport exhaust, body kit etc.) in titanum silver which was done last night.

Thanks once again!

hinckley