Shebs

I was waiting for this test for some time now and it finally arrived.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/tests/car/2011-bmw-550i

In general the author praises the F10 from all aspects including the dynamic one, which is the most important to me. The acceeration figures are almost idnetical to the E60 550i as well, although logically they should have been much better due to the extra hp and torque from the turbo chargers.

The skidpad figures are still lower than the E60 as noted by all other magazines mainly due to the extra weight issue and partly due to the tires. Surprisingly though, the F10 has better slalom speed than the E60 according to Road and Track:

The 5 Series now rides on a 116.9-in. wheelbase, up 3.2 in. over the previous car. Overall length increased 2.0 in. to 193.1 overall and the car is about a half-inch wider. This translates to a slightly larger footprint with most of the benefit coming in a roomier cabin. Weight is also up significantly, about 400 lb. or so. Much of this added girth comes from more equipment and a more complex powerplant. The twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 replaces the previous car?s normally aspirated 4.8-liter unit and makes 400 bhp (a 40-bhp gain) peaking from 5500 to 6400 rpm. Torque is also a healthy 450 lb.-ft. from 1750 to 4500 rpm.

This output equates to some quick numbers: 0?60 mph comes up in 5.0 sec., 100 mph in 11.4 sec. and the quarter mile was covered in 13.4 sec. at 106.8 mph. While it?s larger and heavier, the new 5 generates numbers nearly identical to those of the previous 550i we tested in July of 2006. That car also posted 0?60-mph acceleration of 5 sec. flat and was a tenth of a second slower through the quarter.

The extra heft of the new car is one of the reasons why there?s no demonstrable improvement in either lateral g?s or braking. We measured 0.88g on the skidpad (the previous 550i pulled 0.92) and braking was 125 ft. from 60 mph and 218 ft. from 80 mph, respective gains of 8 and 6 ft. over the previous generation. While the new 550i doesn?t possess the same grip on the skidpad as the previous car, it was quicker through the slalom at 66.0 versus 65.3 mph.

Attached is the Data Sheet for the test and it is concluded with the following test notes:

* The weight of the 550i shows on the skidpad and in braking. Smooth inputs are important to keep the mass settled. The brake pedal is soft, but effective, and there's surprisingly little ABS feedback.

* Although tidy in size, the 550i feels heavy, with tires that aren't especially sporty. Moreover, the steering feels a bit unnatural, the that in the BMW Z4.

Regardless of these minor dynamic shortcomings, the article praises the F10 for continuing to set the standard for its class in all the other aspects.

m630

Sure sounds like the same story already written, luxurious but oversized and over weight, wake me when the next generation and smaller 5er comes back

ipp

I wasn't aware of the fact that 6-speed manual is available for the 550i. Really nice!

Petes550i

What else is new? Even though Motor Trend and C&D posted little better acceleration numbers, everything else is essentially the same.

For those still cryin about F10's size & weight, get over it and go buy a 3. It is what it is.

Have a nice day.

Shebs

Very true Pete. I am buying a 2010 E60 530i and will retain it for two years till the new 3 series, the F30, is released and tested.

I hope the F30 turns out to be a good car dynamically as well as comfort and space wise.

pjinca

Nothing any of the reviewers has said deters me from liking the new F10. I like it a lot, especially after test driving it when my car was in for maint, obviously the TT v-8 550 is a beast compared to my current I6 530, but it's more than that. It felt more like a luxury sport sedan. I know I'll hear about the handling and weight, but the fact is my car has coilovers for a reason - I still wanted better handling, so if I get an F10 i'd probably put coilovers on it anyway.

johnbmwx6

I have just got the 550i M Sport AUTO and it's quicker than the E60 and miles better.

bm323

If the price of the F10 528i were the same as the E60 530i, which would you have bought?

bm323

ps I do agree that the E60 530i is the correct route for you. Is there a similar article for the F10 535i?

e60hodzic530

I got a quicker 1/4 mile