AlexFW

From your words someone could guess the M5 is another car, better and better than the 550i .
Sorry, it isn't true, the M5 is only a little faster 550i (if the road is free and you are able to reach 6-7000 rpm).

It has a sporty transmission (SMG, that the 550i doesn't have anymore) and a different differential : these two elements make the car a little different . But the car is basically the same .

The difference between 550i and M5 is the same there is between 530d and 535d .

Edit : just a curiosity leburpor : do you use kmh in Australia ?

JSpira

Ja, indeed.

JSpira

This might depend on how your 550i was equipped because - except on the track - I found the 550i to be better in ride comfort and urban handling (maybe up to 80 km/h). I don?t have active steering on my 550i by design but again, the M5 seemed better on the track for steering and the 550i on the street.

Seats - the M5 I drove had comfort seats so it was a toss-up.

Interior - the M5 has nicer touches.

Petrol - well, it makes the 550i look like a Prius.

iversonm

While I'm not trying to nitpick, the number above is more like 150hp, not 50hp.

Heelsonwheels

Thanks for the comparison and good luck w/the M5.
Play around with the shift modes to adjust to your driving style for both 'auto' and 'manual' modes. Auto mode is not very smooth but is nice when in traffic. Manual mode...(fourth setting)Auto mode(third) were my preferences...I still go for the paddles from time to time...I personally loved the SMG.
How noticeable is the adjustable suspension?
thanks

Richard in NC

No Active Roll Stabilization on the M5, but I thought it had EDC adjustable suspension with comfort, sport, and track settings. I would assume track should be stiffer than the 550i.

I'd love to own the M5 but the 550i is plenty for me, especially used as a daily driver.

Leburpor

Unless there was something wrong with my 550i and the published stats, and various stats on the net, it is more than just 'a little faster' I've also driven against numerous M5's in the past when I had my 550i and they are quite different in handling, performance. Speaking to the trainers at the various advanced driver training courses that I've been to, they've all assured me that the M5 will track far better than the 550i as well.

Is it enough difference to justify the $? Well, I must admit this was a point that I had agonized with for days before pulling the trigger and now that I have, the answer is yes it was worth it. However, and this is a big however, the only reason I said yes was because of the discount they gave me. In fact, I had said no a few days earlier on their first offer. Their second offer however, was too good to pass on for me. Prior to the 2nd offer, after I had told them no, I had gone to the Porsche dealer and asked to find me a 2 car combo of a 996 GT3 or Turbo + a used Cayenne or X5, which they were keen to do. Interestingly enough, about an hour later the BMW guys called me up to better their offer...they must have seen me at the Porshce dealer ship ...lol...Adelaide is a small town...

Anyway, Alex, I'd say we'd just agree to disagree then. However, if I was comparing full price 550i vs full price M5 then I'd agree with you for the most part.

And yes, we do use KMH here in Australia.

Leburpor

Re the adjustable suspension, it is very noticable between Comfort setting vs the hardest setting. However, I'm not convinced that it is harder than my previous 550i with the after market equip I had on it.

Am leaving for a long drive in the hills and country side in 30 mins, will share with you guys more thoughts on this upon my return!

vroom vroom boys! ....I feel like a kid again LOL!!

BTW, Richard NC, I'd agree that the 550i has more than plenty of power for a daily driver, but I've become a power nut..."I need mooore puh-werr Scotteee..."

EuroCarFan

Hey Alex, this is a subjective comparison and everyone will have a different opinion which will be neither true nor false. You make it sound like Leburpor is wrong for his assessment based on his experience. His opinion is 100% right to him.

And the cars are basically the same just that the M5 has SMG and a different differential? I guess you forgot about the relatively "small" difference between a V8 and a V10. In MY opinion, I think that's a bigger difference than your comparison between a 530d and a 535d. Of course, this is not to say that one engine is better than the other; but that they are different..

Anyway, Leburpor, I did find the M5 to have noticeable body roll even after I had installed RDSport lowering springs and carbon fiber front and rear strut braces. I then went with the Dinan Front Roll Control system and their rear sway bar and the car handles awesome through the curves now; very flat. You may want to consider upgrading the stock sway bars. Congrats on the new car and enjoy!

Happy Holidays everyone!

JSpira

I think almost every major nation except one uses the metric system. Very sad about that one, though.