Richard in NC

I happened to be at Hendrick BMW to drop off my Z4 for service. BTW, my loaner is an Alpine White/Cinnamon Brown 328i.
I talked to my salesman re the lease end of my '08 550i. He had an F10 550i and a new X5 5.0 to test drive.

I drove the F10 second and just around the block but since its the point of the post.......
First it was Sparkling Graphite with 20in BBS style gray wheels added by the dealer. The car looked sharp and the wheels were far better than the factory 550i wheels.
The interior was the Ivory/Black 2 tone and looked nice. The car had the sport package with adjustable suspension, and the 8 speed auto with paddles. The car drove very nice, with that BMW feel but its different, more isolated, and more quiet than the '08 550i. It had plenty of pep but I didn't have the opportunity to really get on it or compare with mine. The interior is a step up from the '08. The new iDrive is nice as well (already have it in the Z4). I would be happy with it but I can't say I'd like it better or worse than the '08.

I first drove an '11 X5 5.0 with the M Sport package and 20in chrome wheels in Titanium Silver and Black Nappa leather. It was really sharp. Even though it was the same motor as the 550i, you could actually hear it in the X5. A nice throaty strong 400hp sound. It moves well for a 5300 lb truck. BMW quotes it at 5.3 0-60, only a tick or 2 behind the '08 550i. It did not have the optional adjustable suspension or paddles (n/a) but it seemed more fun to drive than the 550i. I was able to do a nice test drive in it and certainly would be happy with it. Plus an X5 will give me back the utility I lost trading the X3 for the Z4.

The other car I would look at is the E90 M3. Definitely the sportiest of the bunch but it lacks some of the luxury, room and comfort of the 550i or X5.

sdg1871

Yikes! You are a driving/handling enthusiast. A tepid review doesn't bode well for how much I'll like it.

Markymark

Is your Z4 a 2009? What do you think of it? I'm considering replacing my E60 with a Z4, I really find the E60 a bit too big but find the 3 series a bit spartan.

Richard in NC

It just didn't say "sports sedan" even though it had plenty of power and felt like it would stick in the corners. I am hoping I can get in the Ultimate 5 test drive but that's not until July for Charlotte.

sdg1871

Do you think it's the massive weight gain from E60 to F10?

Richard in NC

I really like the new Z4. The car is really good looking, the interior, especially with the Ivory White package really stands out, and its a blast to drive top down. Even though its not a sharp handling as an M3, M Coupe, or Boxter S, it still handles the twisties quite well, yet retains an acceptable ride for a daily driver or long trips. I love the 3.0 TT and DCT although its not the quiet power of the 550i V8. I'm crossing fingers I don't succumb to the HPFP problem (same as a 535i). It has decent room for a roadster but obviously would not be a car to transport anything around in. I could not even fit a 24x36 picture frame in the trunk (it was an inch to big in either direction) and barely got it in the passenger seat.
Here is the thread from when I bought it...New Z4
but here's a better interior pic.

Richard in NC

It could be the weight gain but also the additional isolation and quietness of both the ride and steering. I would like to drive it in the twisties to get a true feel for its handling.

sdg1871

Me too. But a 400 pound weight gain is a crime. It has to have a negative effect on feel and nimbleness. This is one area where Jaguar got it right. Loading hundreds and hundreds of pounds of weight can only dull/deaden the driving dynamics.

Richard in NC

Although the X5 with 1000 more pounds and a higher center of gravity felt more fun to drive.

sdg1871

Unbelievable.....

If the handling really sucks, I would consider other cars in the class in 2012 such as the Infiniti M56. I love BMW. But what I love about it is the handling. Infiniti has it beat in terms of the interior, stereo and electronics and the M56 is also more powerful than the F10 550. I will have to drive it and see for myself.