darkside

The quarter mile was 13.5 sec. at 15.5 mph. I do not have active steering, but before I changed to non-runflats I too was a little dissappointed in the steering feel. With Michelin PS2's I once again feel connected to the road.

JeffNNJ

I have a couple of things to say on this topic. First of all ARS is THE ONLY reason I bought a 550 over a 530xi. I thought that the handling was far superior and not at all artificial. I really think that for him to call it artificial, he must have been on crack or something because that observation is absolutely wrong. If ARS was offered in an all-wheel drive I would have bought it. I simply chose better handling and a lot more power over the ability to be able to get around better in bad weather.

Second of all, I don't care what the article says or what the stats are on the Lexus. I still consider it to be an old man's car and do not give them, or most anything else Japanese a second glance on the road. To me, they lack character, cache or just about anything I look for in buying a car, performance aside. My father's friend, who is appropriately in his 70s has an LS430. I looked at it, drove it and cannot believe this is the best they could come up with. It neither feels or looks impressive. matter of fact, I think it's rather ordinary looking. When I asked him about what he liked best about it, it was those sensors that tell him how far he is from another car when parking. Wooo Hooo. Maybe when I retire, move to West Palm and wear a colostomy bag I will feel different but right now compare it to anything you'd like and I will take my 550.

SRV

Is this in the most current Road and Track?

Oaktree

I did a track event two weeks ago and I had three instructors in amazement on how well the car behaved. 2 of them wanted to go an purchase an e60 afterwards. The car didn't roll at all because of ARS and at no point was AS an issue. It helps balance the 3800+ pound car at it limits. It takes a month or two to get used to AS but I love it - I think the magazines need longer stints in the car.
The e60 is an awesome car on the track because of these features and the free revving V8 - a little off subject but relevant.

CVTBenhogan

BMWP

AS is a killer app my friend. While there is always some little debate round here, I'd roughly say 9 of 10 owners are very happy with AS. I'd get it every time and trade the AC if necessary.

Nice to see a 550 test other than the CNET review. Seems the article was split with the 550 winning the objective stuff. Oh, how suprising. Two editors, one a driver and another a techie softie? Apples to grapes. I'd like to review the article and can't believe a heavy 450H is much of a drivers car. However, it is a damn fine looking car in the H trim, IMHO, probably second to the E60 in terms of exterior. The Lexus interior might be more appealing for the late 50 somethings. But despite the high quality, hasn't everyone seen this type of interior concept repeated over and over again?

I'm somewhat suprised that the Lexus only got 18 mpg assuming its mixed driving. It listed at 25 city? My guess is you start whipping a hybrid and those consumption advantages simply vaporize. Your left with the weight and no truck space.


CVT Benhogan

znod

The 5.0 time is a great one--about what many of us were expecting. I have been expecting about 5.0 to about 5.2 from the big 3 US mags. RT got the best Steptronic 545i results too (see below). It will be interesting to see what the other mags get. Thanks for the info. I wonder why my RT is late this month?

BMW 545i--Steptronic RT 6/05 325 330 3814 5.2 13.7 104.0
BMW 545i--Steptronic MT 8/04 325 5.4 13.7 102.1
BMW 545i--Steptronic MT11/05 325 330 5.5 13.8 102.8

530iii

I guess ya meant 105.5 mph?


June 2006 issue of Road & Track?

RAI

How about long-term reliability? Granted that the Japanese take the prize here, but nonetheless I find it hard to believe that all the electro-gizmos in the Lexus hybrid system aren't going to be an expensive nightmare to keep going over a long term. Not the mention the durability of the batteries in the thing. Plus, the batteries are HEAVY, and they make the Lexus much heavier than the 550i. Finally, the R&T article rightfully acknowledges that the engine sound in the 550i is wonderful, while the V-6 sound of the Lexus is far less enjoyable. All in all, I'd take the 550i in a heartbeat. The Lexus wouldn't even be on my shopping list.

znod

I think that is what he meant too. Or maybe a new feature is that high-speen 1/4's are outlawed via BMW system management--so the brakes are automatically thown on near the finish line.

darkside

Yes it was 105.5 mph. These are similar times to my erstwhile 03M3SMG. Not bad.