jochet

..

UM" let me if I have this one wright; sell a 60+ thousand dollar car which averages about 17MPG for a 90 thousand dollar car and your worrying about spending 2 or 3 grand more a year for gas? If this is whats holding you back, then you might want to pass on the M5, nobody buys this car to drive it in non sport mode.

M500 AED

I guess everyone has different reasons for their choices.

I got the M5 partly because I have always admired the M5 line from the earliest models and because there are some things you just have to do before you die.
I also ride superbikes, I love the performance and sensitive responses of these and accept the responsibility for control of the performance.
The M5 is one of the few cars which comes close to a good bike in the way it responds, driver and machine become one, with control being almost instinctive.

I am not a pro racing driver but a retired sales manager who has driven over a million miles in Company vehicles, which always provided adequate transport, but rarely evoked any emotion.
I admit I felt slightly apprehensive at first, but this is such a well engineered car that you will only get into trouble with it, if you lose your self-control.
It is also highly adjustable in its responses so it can be a big softy or a 4 door sports car.

I would say go ahead and do it, drive an M5 for at least a year until you truly meld with it and you will find it difficult to part. Also take an advanced driving course or two.
Gas milage is not good, but I excuse the car because it has so many other good features. Someone asked what they could expect in commuting 0-30-0 etc.
I have found this situation shows this car in the worst possible light.
You may well find you only get 7 to 10mpg on a commute. On a long highway drive this will probably go up to 16 - 20mpg (US small gallons not the more generous UK gallon).
I have never owned a 550i but my 645Ci was only a little better than the M5 on gas and was far less fun to drive.

AlexFW

Rationally, no sense : the M5 isn't enough faster to justify all major costs .
But if you want to get it ...

Heloha

Not really about the $$$ but the number of times I'd have to go to the gas station in a week. As it is now, I'm clicking off aprox. 300-500 miles a week which means I currently hit the gas station sometimes twice a week. Having to go 3X would be a bit extreme...of course BMW could put in a larger tank (say 24 gallon) which would help out alot! ARe you listening BMWusa????

Bimmer32

Wow, twice a week? I fill up once a week on my Camry, and the M5 is not twice as fast. There needs to be some efficiency gains here. In any case, you're probably having twice as much fun, and that's what matters.

Heloha

Well...I guess the bottom line is the 550 is not ment as a commuter car and probably the last thing on the mind of BMW engineering was some fool in California would want an M5 as a commuter too!