[kripsykreme]

My M5 is past warranty and i was thinking of getting rid of it and get a 550i for a year until my F10 M5 arrives.

So i went to BMW ultimate drive event today at BMW fremont. I have to say I came away not impressed. (This is my fault, since 550i was never intended to be a M5).

Impression-

1. Interior design- The interior is a huge improvement over E60. I really liked the 10" LCD. in addition, like F10 driver oriented center stack design. Much better than crappy E60.

2. Interior space- This is where is bugs me. While the F10 is wider, the room is not really bigger in terms of width. Then entire transmission console area is way too wide. Foot space is cramp compare to E60. Didn't like it.

3. I-drive- No comparison. I think E60 system should be banned after using the F10 system.

4. Power train- I really liked the 550i's torque and new 8 speed automatic. Power delivery is so smooth and effort less. Low end grunt is so addictive. This is where my V10 complete falls apart.

5. Chassis- F10 chassis feels a lot tighter than E60. Even in M5 form on E60, the chassis still flexes during hard cornering. This is less pronounced on the 550i that i drove today.

6. Steering response- This is where I think F10 take a step backward compare to E60. The power steering boost is little too much at low speed. It felts like a lexus. What bugs even more as speed builds, the steering boost reduction is not linear. Didn't like this.

7. Steering wheel- Who ever designed the 550i sports steering wheel should be shot. The wheel is too thin and not easy to grip. The E60 steering wheel is so much better. Thick and easy to grip.

Overall impression- Not that good. 550i is a very capable car. But it still felt heavy and bulky as compare to E60 M5. Its more fun and agile than regular E60, but no where close to M5. Chassis on F10 is quiet rigid. I really liked it.

Funny thing, driving the F10 550i reminds me so much of W211 E55 that i used to own, just with better interior, more smooth power train. BUT JUST NOT MUCH FUN.

Driving away in my M5, despite its lousy interior, shitty low end grunt, and crap SMG-III. It just so much fun to toss it around.

I look forward when my F10 M5 arrives next year. F10 is a step in right direction. I hope the difference between M version vs regular F10 is as pronounced as E60 M vs regular E60. The basis is there. But 550i still has a long way to go to convince me to drop my E60 M5 and get it as stop gap car.

But it does make a good daily driver for the wife.