ObD

This evening was my turn behind the wheel of the F10 550i. I got to the event about 35 min ahead of my 6 pm appointment and checked out the two F10's in the showroom. The showroom cars were a 535i Sophistico/Oyster/Black and 550i Black Sapphire/Beige.

Non-Driving Impressions

Exterior:

I first want to say that the F10 looks much better in person than in the pictures. It's not as aggressive looking as the E60, especially when compared to the E60 M sport kit bodywork or an M5 but it did not offend me. The 550i trapezoid exhaust tips were less of a focus than in the pix. I detest chrome. I'd still powder coat them black but again nothing offended me.

Interior:

The beige had the oyster headliner which IMHO, is dumb. Oyster was not as much as of a dislike as I expected from the pix, though I would never order it ... too light. The rear seat room looked more cramped than the E60, though in retrospect when getting back in my car I noticed the E60 had a deeper bench so maybe there is a tad more legroom. The comfort seats were as good as the E60.


Driving impressions:

I probably waited about 15 minutes for the 550i to be returned and at 5:40 pm I was in the car. It was Sophistico/Oyster/Black with SP and the 19" wheels. I asked the gal who escorted me to the car how long I had for time. She said 20-25 mins and there was a prescribed route but she heard there was traffic so maybe I wanted to take some back roads. , in a NY minute I was calculating my own route with opportunities to put the hammer down. I took a few minutes to adjust the mirrors, seating, steering wheel, and controls. Typical BMW ergonomics, everything fell within arms reach and other than the layout of the climate control, it was no different than the E60. It took me a few seconds to get used to the auto since I drive a manual. Then it was sport mode on the auto and sport+ on dynamic handling.

The first part of my route had some traffic and stop lights. Probably max speed was 30 mph or so. I made a few lane changes in moderate traffic and didn't find the F10 to be that much bigger or heavier than the E60. I think the V8 torque/8 speed gearing really helps overcome the weight at low speed. I played around with the comfort, normal, and sport and they all seemed be what the button says. But it was back to sport+ The driving position was excellent and the longer hood didn't bother me. I set my right knee against the center console and found that I had maybe an inch more room than in the E60. The NAV screen was excellent. Fumbled the radio for Sirius but it wasn't there. Nor was there a rear sunshade. No Premium 2 on this car. :thumbsdown: Played with the radio on an FM station and decided just to shut it off, roll down the drivers window, and open the sunroof. The low speed portion took about 7 minutes and then I was on the on ramp to the freeway.

Mashed the throttle to merge in and the turbo V8 assumed warp speed. No real kick in the pants but it kept accelerating forever. A Lexus SUV coming up behind pulled left to pass but alas it kept getting smaller in the mirror, and limped back in line. Me LMAO. About 90 I backed off to 80 to assume BMW cruising speed and in typical BMW fashion, you can cruise all day unfatigued. I started playing with the electric steering feel and found the road feel good. When I got back in my E60, the steering effort was much heavier with similar road feel. Took a few high speed corners and found that you had to mind your speed since you were really hauling azz with 400 hp. Most of the bumps were absorbed well and I found sport+ to be to my liking. Then it was more four lane highway with some curves and dips, bumps, etc. This was another 10 min so I decided to turn around.

Got off one exit too early and ended up getting stuck in a no outlet area. That'll teach me to trust the NAV to save me. 5 min of backtracking and maneuvering and I made it to the next exit. A few minutes of suburban residential driving and it was back to the highway for the return trip. Another blast on the on ramp to 90 and life was good. Had a little burble of exhaust note here but overall the exhaust was unobtrusive. Pulled in to the dealer with 30 min of seat time under the belt.


550i I tried to dislike this car but I couldn't. I found it equal to the E60. The way the F10 design solves the problem is just different from the E60. Not better nor worse. It's just different. You never really feel the weight of the 550i until you brake hard. When the road gets rough, you can feel the un-prung weight of the 19" RFT's in Sport+ mode. Put this car on a diet, add some sporting bodywork, and it will surpass the E60. Sounds like an M5

My grading:

Engine A
Braking A
Handling A
Interior A
Styling B
Steering B
Weight B-

Next spring I'll do another test drive, and it will come down to $$$. and if the M sport is available.

I asked about the M sport and the info guys said there will be one but they have no idea as to timing.


I love my E60. With the right price and options, I could be convinced to be pried out of it by the 550i. Not really interested in the F10 535i. The 400 lb weight adder is a killer. Though BMW claims the N55 and 8 speed gearing manages the weight. Gotta love MMMarketing.

sdg1871

Great write up. Very encouraging.

Gene

thank you for sharing your thoughts...

Rudy

Thanks for the input. I've driven the 550 twice now for short periods and went ahead and locked in a scheduled time to do it again for the UDE some time in July...

tachyon

Damned with faint praise.

beaker

Interesting. I did the UDE in Nashua On Tuesday, and I probably drove the same 550 you did. I'm currently in an E60 535, and I found the F10 550 to feel very different; it felt like a much larger car than my E60.

I also drove the F10 535, and that felt much better, so it must be the weight. My short list for my next car was the 550 or an M3, but after Tuesday I've taken the 550 off the list. It's a nice car to be sure, but it just feels too big for me. Going from the F10 550 back to my 535 felt like the difference between a 5 series and a 3. The 550 actually felt more like my Dad's A8.

I'm going to get the extended warranty for my E60, so I won't be due for a new car until 2014 or so. I may end up in an LCI F10 535, but then again that M3 seems to be calling me as well.

Richard in NC

My turn with the Ultimate Driving Event. I saw no reason to drive the E350 or GS350 so first up was the 550i. It didn't help that I pulled out of the BMW dealership right behind an M5 with Eisemann Sport exhaust. All I could hear was that M5 V10 being wound out in 1st, and even blipping the throttle creeping along in traffic. OK back to the 550i. It had all the goodies INCLUDING SIDE VIEW CAMERAS! They are already entering production per the UDE assistant. He first walked me around a 550i in the showroom but realized I already knew most things about the F10. I even corrected him on the "AUTO H" button. Once in the 550i, I pulled out into traffic in normal mode but quickly put it in Sport mode and Manual shift mode to play with the M5. We both turned right at an intersection and took off. I was a little easy in first gear being wet roads and not actually able to hear the 550i until wound out. After an initial surge because I wasn't full on it, he only pulled another car length or two by 60 so the 550i is fast. Once he turned off my route, I began to play with the 550i features. The adjustable suspension can be felt. Comfort has a slight float to it, Normal is what you'd expect from a BMW, and Sport is nicely firm without being harsh. The 8 speed auto and paddles are great but you do have to hit the paddle several times to drop from cruising to an optimal gear (although there is plenty of torque to pull from a higher gear). Once I hit some twisties, it was back to Sport mode and a drop to 4th (from 7th). There is definitely plenty of grip and a nice balance but the steering is a bit light and uncommunicative as has been mentioned. Although I was well below trying to feel the handling limits thru the curves I was on. Overall its a great car. A little more steering feel and exhaust note, and I might call it brilliant.

I then test drove an X5 5.0 on the same route. It had the M Sport package and 20's. Steering was rather stiff at low speeds. It really needs the Active Steering option with the 20's. It did have the Active Suspension but Normal is like Sport in the 550i, and Sport mode is very firm, but still not quite harsh like the Z4 can be in Sport. The X5 5.0 does have a GREAT sounding exhaust, something that needs to be aftermarket with the 550i. The X5 performs and handles very well but you can feel the weight and higher CoG than the 550i.

Since my "wants" are more towards the X5, I'm leaning that way but as a sedan, I would enjoy the 550i.

SilberGrauE60

You should have driven the E350. We drove the 535i at our UDE and then jumped in the E350. We got maybe three blocks before turning around! The UDE organizers said this was common. The E350 seemed much heavier, less responsive in all aspects. Just no fun at all. The 535i, as many have described already, was not as spry as our 545i, but still enjoyable. Loved the interior luxury. Probably will make a great traveling car. So maybe BMW has moved the target demographic to the right in terms of age, but that's okay with me.