picture via: autocar.co.uk
The BMW M550i has just been updated, and it is an absolute monster. The pre-facelift model only had 456hp, which was decent but nothing compared to the 600hp+ M5. Now though on the facelift model that power has increased by 67hp to a whopping 523hp, which is more than the new G80 M3 Competition! The torque lays at 568 lb-ft which is a 73 lb-ft increase from before. This means the M550i can hit 60 in 3.6 to 3.8 seconds with a limited top speed of 155 mph.
Is it the ultimate sleeper then? Well, it can 100% outrun sports cars and even some supercars, yet it looks no different to an M-Sport 530i. Well, it does have different alloys, badges, and exhaust tips but other than that it looks like any normal M-Sport BMW 5-Series, a car that is very common nowadays. Inside, it isn’t anything special either. It has different gauges and in some areas nicer trim, but ultimately it is the same as a normal 5-Series.
Under the hood lays a 4.4 liter twin-turbo V8. This is the same engine used in the M850i, the X5 M50i, the X6 M50i, and the X7 M50i as well as the current V8 Alpina cars such as the B5 Biturbo and the B7 Biturbo. It is also very similar to the engine used in the M5 and the M8. It’s a very muscular engine indeed and it sounds amazing. This engine can also be tuned past the 600 and even 700 mark too.
The M550i isn’t as good or as fast as an M5, but surely it isn’t far off. The M550i starts at $76,800 whilst a base M5 starts at $102,700. That is almost $30,000 more for a car with only 67 more horses and 15 fewer torques. The M5 is quicker to 60 though and it has a higher top speed. It also handles better, looks better, and the inside feels better. But, is it really worth that bit extra?
The M550i seems like the bargain of the century then. However, would you want is a weekend toy? I don’t think so, and let me tell you why.
You Just Know It Can Be So Much More
picture via: sundaytimesdriving.co.uk
If you want a weekend car that seats a family of five and is a sedan, get an M5. The M550i has purposely been made to be not as good as the M5 in order for the two cars to justify their price tags. It has been made softer and the engine isn’t as performance-orientated (believe it or not). The M550i is held back by that price justification, and it is a shame as you just know deep down that most of the M550’s problems were made by BMW themselves on purpose.
No matter how quick the M550i is, when you sit in it you always think that it could have been just so much more. BMW has spent so much money and development on this car to make it so quick, that you ask yourself why did they develop it in the first place? It’s faster than all of its rivals but it’s not as fast as the M5 or its rivals. Where does the M550i sit then? As a mid-range performance sedan, the second best or the poor man’s M5?
Well, the M550i does have one card above the M5 which for many is the deal closer. It’s not the fact that you can get a fully loaded M550i for the price of an M5 or the close performance, tuning, etc. Allow me to explain what I’m on about.
The M550i Is The Perfect Daily Driver For Car Enthusiasts
picture via: cnet.com
The M550i is the perfect daily driver for car enthusiasts. It takes the good bits out of a normal 5 series and an M5, mixes them together, and creates something special. This M550i has a set customer base who will want to buy it. It’s the person who wants a fast 5-series that isn’t as harsh as an M5 but still has a trick up its sleeve. They also want it to be as comfortable as a normal 5-series too and be pretty discrete in order not to attract unwanted attention. The result? The M550i.
BMW has made the M5 finally more enjoyable. For some, 600hp is just too much. You’re never going to use all of it, so what is the point? The M550i allows you to enjoy near enough the same engine (with a better exhaust note) in peace. Nobody will try to race you since it’s so discrete yet if you do want to spank some fat middle-aged man in his Boxster Porsche, you can.
The M550i seats five comfortably, it has a big trunk and it is pretty comfortable on long journeys. The MPG isn’t anything special since it is a powerful V8, but it is a tad better than the M5. If you live in a state like California, this could be an issue. However, in other states where the gas is cheaper, there really are no problems.
There is also the Alpina B5 Biturbo though, which has more power and is just as comfortable. It is based on the M550i BMW except, it has been tuned a little to be more powerful and more comfortable. The B5 Biturbo pushes out 613hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. It hits 60 in 3.4 to 3.6 seconds with a top speed of over 200 mph. There is also a touring wagon version available. Not many people in the USA know what an Alpina is, and it looks more so like a “grandad” car inside and out. It is very classy, but it certainly won’t break any necks or attract any attention at all.
The issue with the B5 Biturbo though, is that it starts at around $133,000. That is more than a decent spec BMW M5 Competition and the same price as a base-spec BMW M8 Competition. It is also $56,200 more than the M550i. I don’t think at all that car is good value and is even worth the extra cash in comparison to the M550i.
Now I am not trying to be a “fanboy” for the M550i, but I do feel that it provides amazing value. It’s quick enough for anyone, and it can easily be modified to produce even more power. Is it the ultimate sleeper? I think I would give that title to the Audi S8 since it is so discrete and so fast. The M550i is definitely up there with the best sleeper cars.
The “discreteness” is what makes the M550i potentially a better car than the M5. It may sound controversial, but there are a lot of people who avoid M-cars like the plague not because they think they’re bad cars. But because they attract a lot of unwanted attention. The M550i gives you the benefits of a “sporty” BMW without being too up in arms about it. The M550i doesn’t shout out that it’s fast or has over 500hp, etc. It instead just blends in with everyone else, but when you want to, can be used to obliterate many cars on the road today.
Is It Worth It?
picture via: automotiveaddicts.com
Yes, 100% of the M550i is worth the asking price. It is fast, comfortable, discrete and it can be used every day easily. As a weekend car, I would rather something else since there is a wide choice on the new and used market. However, as an everyday car, it is perfect. It’s a bit softer than an M5 so it is more comfortable and usable every day. Is it just a big 5 series with a V8 on board though?. Certainly not! It is far more than that, and I feel that this car will surprise many people.