LCI 550 SAT Vs. 2003 E39 M5
09-10-2007, 06:11 PM
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My Ride: Close to ordering 2008 550i Sport Packg w/ sport auto tran.
Previous owner of 2000 328i and 2003 E39 M5
Well Im at 1800 miles and the past 700 or so have been exhilarating to say the least...
As a previous E39 M5 owner, I never would have thought that a non-M car would make me forget how incredible the M5 was to drive. The LCI 550 with SAT is a demon. When in Sport Mode, in Gears M3-M5, on the highway coming from Orlando to Miami...the car is ridiculous. People just dont understand what I am eperiencing as I down shift into M3 from M5 and walk them....doing 105. You can run a slollum course doing 115.
The gears shift so fast and fluid at high RPMs. The grunt in all ranges is why the 550 makes me forget how the E39 pulled. Its very refined in every manner.
People are afraid to drive my car and you can forget about me sitting in the front seat giving tutorials to 35 year old men on how to handle the transmission.
I have become fully aware today thet BMW makes BMWs for BMW enthusiasts first and the lay person second. I know this because everything is this car was second nature to me the minute I jumped in. To those outside the loop, a feeling of being overwhelmed combined with a clueless 'awe' is the most common of observed first impressions. I smile and try to lower the learning curve as best I can.
As a previous E39 M5 owner, I never would have thought that a non-M car would make me forget how incredible the M5 was to drive. The LCI 550 with SAT is a demon. When in Sport Mode, in Gears M3-M5, on the highway coming from Orlando to Miami...the car is ridiculous. People just dont understand what I am eperiencing as I down shift into M3 from M5 and walk them....doing 105. You can run a slollum course doing 115.
The gears shift so fast and fluid at high RPMs. The grunt in all ranges is why the 550 makes me forget how the E39 pulled. Its very refined in every manner.
People are afraid to drive my car and you can forget about me sitting in the front seat giving tutorials to 35 year old men on how to handle the transmission.
I have become fully aware today thet BMW makes BMWs for BMW enthusiasts first and the lay person second. I know this because everything is this car was second nature to me the minute I jumped in. To those outside the loop, a feeling of being overwhelmed combined with a clueless 'awe' is the most common of observed first impressions. I smile and try to lower the learning curve as best I can.
09-10-2007, 06:29 PM
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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........
I had a big smile on my face reading this, Congrats !
Cheers
Cheers
09-10-2007, 07:08 PM
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My Ride: 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S Convertible. Midnight Blue, 6 Speed.Retired - 2007 997 Carrera S, Midnight Blue, Grey leather, premium audioRetired - 2007 550i, Monaco Blue over Beige, Navigation, Logic 7, Cold Weather Pack, Comfort Access, Sport Package
Model Year: 2008
Nice write up! I have to say I agree, even before the LCI the 550 was a monster, and now with the new SAT it should be even better.
09-10-2007, 07:17 PM
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My Ride: 2008 550i, Carbon Black Metallic with Black Dakota Leather, Sport Package, Sport Automatic Transmission, NAV, Cold-Weather Package, Folding Rear Seats, Rear Side Impact Airbags, Sirius, iPod/USB Adapter,
Model Year: 2008
Thanks for the write up. Can't wait for mine to be delivered.
09-10-2007, 07:28 PM
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My Ride: 545iSMGSilver GrayAuburn Dakota LeatherLogic 7 Premium SoundSports Package
Yup... you are correct! I'm glad there are still car manufactures like BMW... I wont be very happy with any other... well I'll probably be ok with Porsche 
All hail the SAT! All hail the SAT!! 
09-11-2007, 02:47 AM
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My Ride: 11 550i Sophisto Gray/Oyster Black/Anthracite, Sprt Trns, DHP, IAS, SP, PP1, PP2, CWP, HUD, DAP, AVSP, SF RS, CA, ACC - Euro Del
The 550 Sport with the SAT is a great car. The shifts are lightning fast. You have wonderful control and interaction with other key car components while in sport mode. The SAT is truly a great piece of engineering. BMW hit a home run with this transmission.
09-11-2007, 07:44 AM
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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........
The e39 M5 really looks great though, I had a black 2003 540 Msport which looked virtually identical to the M with thre exception of the dual exhausts. They still look awesome to me when I see them, somewhat more understated than the current M5 . That aside I would never trade back.
Cheers
Cheers
