Considering 550 for the first time. Advise needed....
#11
Senior Members
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Seattle, Wa.
Posts: 386
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
My Ride: 2006 550i Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Anthracite Maple Wood Trim, Cold Weather Package, Premium Sound Package, Sport Package, Steptronic, Navigation, Electric Rear Sunshades, Heated Rear Seats, Sirius Radio
My previous car was an e46M3. My biggest complaint with my new 550i was the steering feel. I just did not feel as connected to the road as I was used to in the 3. This all changed for the better when I changed to the M5 166 wheels with Michelin PS2 (non- runflat) tires. I am now completely satisfied with my 550. It handles great and has a ton of torque; in fact, it has more torque per pound than the e60 M5.
#12
I have pretty much had every 4-door (body-style) BMW over the past 10 years or so. Last year I got an '05 545 after selling an '04 325 SMG and was initially dreading the decision due to the same concerns you have. However, the e60 is different. And the 545 was so awesome that I am picking up an '06 550 in a couple of weeks. As much as I loved the 3, the current 5 is almost as great to drive -- with the added advantage of a whisper-quiet ride, extra room and actually an extremely comfortable ride which defies the rules of delivering a great driving machine. Go for the 550 (or better yet an M5, if finances permit; sadly mine do not).
Originally Posted by caesar' post='257375' date='Mar 19 2006, 05:02 PM
Hey Folks-
So, I've been a 3 series owner for many years and many cars. Driving a 325i Step right now. Lease is out this year (summer) and I of course assumed I'd go with the e90. Nice car. I've driven it a couple times. I've also tested the 5 for the first time. Really not hating it. I thought the bigger the car, the less fun it would be to drive. After hitting a sweet 550 the other weekend I'm not convinced that's true. I LOVED it. The main reason I even looked at it is that it's bigger than my 3 and I've got 2 kids and would love a bit more room in the car. I can swing a lease patment no sweat. My question is, have any of you gone from a 3 to the 5? Any regrets?
Alec
So, I've been a 3 series owner for many years and many cars. Driving a 325i Step right now. Lease is out this year (summer) and I of course assumed I'd go with the e90. Nice car. I've driven it a couple times. I've also tested the 5 for the first time. Really not hating it. I thought the bigger the car, the less fun it would be to drive. After hitting a sweet 550 the other weekend I'm not convinced that's true. I LOVED it. The main reason I even looked at it is that it's bigger than my 3 and I've got 2 kids and would love a bit more room in the car. I can swing a lease patment no sweat. My question is, have any of you gone from a 3 to the 5? Any regrets?
Alec
#14
Contributors
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: NJ (EXIT 4), SUMMERS IN GREECE
Posts: 1,447
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2006 550 SMG
The 550 is a BEAST , you will love the power, room, drive feel, handling, I think it handles better than the 3series, because the 3 series does not have active roll.
#16
Members
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: New Jersey, U.S.A
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 750Li;CLK63 Black Series (Retired);
Before the 550i, I had a Lexus 2005 LS 430 and the car never let me down. I got rid of it because it did never let me down. The car was too perfect to the point that I never made a visit to the Lexus dealer unless it needed a regular maintenance. So, the salesmen and service people never recognized me and my car. However, as soon as I went out and got the 550i, I began making a whole bunch of friends @ the dealer. The car was delivered last Dec. and I've already driven all possible loaners on the lot from a 3 to a X5 even the manager's 7. So what I have to say here is simply one thing: All BMW's I've driven as a loaner were all ultimate driving machines with only one mission, the mission to provide the ultimate driving experience.
So please go on~ go get a BMW.
So please go on~ go get a BMW.
#17
Senior Members
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 2,074
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: '05 545i - scheduled for ED pickup in Munich on 7/22!
I had an E36 328 and have had seat time in the new E90 330, including sessions around an AutoX course. There's no doubt you'll be trading some viceral feel for added space when you get into a 5 from a 3.
The 5 feels less tossable, less connected with the road surface, and more isolated in steering than the 3. The 3 is more eager to play, while the 5 seems more cold and lazy - even if the 5's performance abilities surpass the 3.
The 3 is feels more natural under hard driving. After you push hard in the 3, you realize that it was designed to give the driver more feedback of what's going on (steering feel, tire grip, engine noise, etc)
The 5 feels deceptively too luxurious and unwilling to play at first. After you push hard in the 5, you realize that it was designed as a luxury car first, with the sportiness secondary. (less feedback of traits mentioned above)
The 3 is more raw, the 5 more refined. Both are effective at what they're designed to do, so its up to your preference. If I didn't need the space, I'd rather have an M3 or 330 over my 545. I just feel the 5 is too compromised towards luxury and not sporty enough for me. After hard drives, it just leaves me feeling a bit empty inside, my quest for driving pleasure unsatisfied. The V8 power does make up for some of the missing fun factor though.
The 5 feels less tossable, less connected with the road surface, and more isolated in steering than the 3. The 3 is more eager to play, while the 5 seems more cold and lazy - even if the 5's performance abilities surpass the 3.
The 3 is feels more natural under hard driving. After you push hard in the 3, you realize that it was designed to give the driver more feedback of what's going on (steering feel, tire grip, engine noise, etc)
The 5 feels deceptively too luxurious and unwilling to play at first. After you push hard in the 5, you realize that it was designed as a luxury car first, with the sportiness secondary. (less feedback of traits mentioned above)
The 3 is more raw, the 5 more refined. Both are effective at what they're designed to do, so its up to your preference. If I didn't need the space, I'd rather have an M3 or 330 over my 545. I just feel the 5 is too compromised towards luxury and not sporty enough for me. After hard drives, it just leaves me feeling a bit empty inside, my quest for driving pleasure unsatisfied. The V8 power does make up for some of the missing fun factor though.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
th3h1ghlander
New Member Introductions
8
10-09-2015 07:40 AM
Bogdan7
F10, F11 Parts, Accessories and Mods
0
09-23-2015 11:40 AM