[arachnyd]

F10 550i M sports are priced very similarly to e60 M5s. I'm only looking at Manual transmission versions of the cars, so waiting for the G30 is futile.

I know the e60 M5 outperforms the 550i officially, but how much does it matter for Daily Driver duty? I have a CTS ST Performance right now and I love it (only selling it because its pretty much end of life). I have track day toys already including a ferrari 360 and corvette z06.

I feel like the interior of the F10 is a lot nicer, and the infotainment system is way better. the seats seem more comfortable for DD duty. It also felt a little bigger which I like. I thought the 550i M sport performed really really well... in fact While maybe I can tell the difference between the M5 and the 550i if I really thought about it, in daily duty I don't think I'd notice.

The M5 engine won tons of awards and is supposed to be solid, But the F10 seems pretty solid.

Just thought I'd let you weigh in.

(sold my wife's e90 in 2013 and bought her a cayenne)

[xxpanipuri]

I have a 550i and i'd go for a f10 550i or m5 for DD

the e60 m5 is a beast, but in a DD you want comfort and practicality along with some performance.

I feel like the the f10 550i or m5 will give you both. (the 550i will need some suspension work to make it handle better)

For me i also take clients out for lunch / happy hour etc and they ride in my car, so the extra room in the f10 makes it easier for that.

and you're right the idrive in the f10 (specially my 2014) is worlds better than the e60 idrive.

just my $.02

[Boulder Bill]

I use the F10 550 as my DD as well, and no complaint.

The manual transmission may be a little better than the M5 if you are facing any traffic issues (Haven't driven the E60 M5 stick, so don't actually know this).

The tech would seem to make that decision pretty easy though from a commuting standpoint.

[Bbb34]

Looks being subjective and all, to me it's no contest in that department, F10 for my taste is much better looking car. Just for that and interior space I'd go for F10 as a daily driver. You already have performance/fun cars and won't be able to use either of these BMWs to it's full potential on the road anyway. That's my logic for going with newer, bigger and in my opinion better looking of the two.

[Nalod]

M5. Man up.

[ezaircon4jc]

If it's just a DD and you already have the toys why not look at a 535 or 528 F10??? Just curious...

[DDD31]

Two completely different cars.

The F10 550i would definitely be a better DD because it's more comfortable, has more up to date technology, more luxurious, and slightly more fuel efficient than an E60 M5 (of course neither car is considered fuel efficient). On the other hand, the F10 is a very large car and handling won't be anywhere near the M5.

The F10 550i's massive torque at low rpms makes the cars performance more accessible at normal driving speeds. The E60 M5's engine has fairly low torque and has to be revved very high before it starts to perform.

But, the S85 V10 engine in the E60 M5 is a breath taking engine. Revving the S85 to redline will make your hair stand on end and has to be experienced. You would also need a large stockpile of cash if anything went wrong with the S85 engine.

BMW will probably never make an engine like the S85 again so I would actually vote for the M5 since it's truly a unique car.

[SLVSRFR]

I've owned both. My 550i was/is faster than my E60 M5. I would pick the F10 550 everyday of the week if I had to make a choice. Both are speed governed to 155 (stock of course) so it doesn't really matter for DD needs. The E60 M5's power only starts to shine at 125+ mph which makes it a lousy drag car.

The only con the 550 has to me in regards to both is it's far less agile.

Sad to say but the S85 V10 is far from solid, you should head over to m5board.com and get their input. The E60 M5 S85 is notorious for throwing rods due to the lack of clearance with the rod bearings, also throttle actuators on both banks, and the VANOS are known to fail. Don't get me started on the SMG pump failure rates. So if you do get one, I would buy one off a forum member that took care of all these as preventative maintenance. Also look for an 08+ (LCI) those models have upgraded VANOS components and 1 less thing you have to worry about.

Here's a thread to start, members trying to come together for a class action suit against BMW for the S85 and S65 blown motors due to rod bearings.

http://www.m5board.com/#/topics/509722?page=2&_k=z8xzxj

[Gpfarrell]

"stockpile cash"... great line!

[PJinCA]

Originally Posted by SLVSRFR

I've owned both. My 550i was/is faster than my E60 M5. I would pick the F10 550 everyday of the week if I had to make a choice. Both are speed governed to 155 (stock of course) so it doesn't really matter for DD needs. The E60 M5's power only starts to shine at 125+ mph which makes it a lousy drag car.

The only con the 550 has to me in regards to both is it's far less agile.

Sad to say but the S85 V10 is far from solid, you should head over to m5board.com and get their input. The E60 M5 S85 is notorious for throwing rods due to the lack of clearance with the rod bearings, also throttle actuators on both banks, and the VANOS are known to fail. Don't get me started on the SMG pump failure rates. So if you do get one, I would buy one off a forum member that took care of all these as preventative maintenance. Also look for an 08+ (LCI) those models have upgraded VANOS components and 1 less thing you have to worry about.

Here's a thread to start, members trying to come together for a class action suit against BMW for the S85 and S65 blown motors due to rod bearings.

http://www.m5board.com/#/topics/509722?page=2&_k=z8xzxj

I have to agree here, the e60 m5 is a great car, but it isn't without issues. the man knows what he's talking about.
examples, from friends who owned the m5:
smg clutch - $5k
brakes - rotors over $800 each, parts only
then add in the motor issues, one friend was quoted $32k to replace the engine due to the rod bearing issue.
that's a big chunk of change.

[arachnyd]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

If it's just a DD and you already have the toys why not look at a 535 or 528 F10??? Just curious...

Why would I want a semi-reliable BMW when I can have a non-reliable one?

535 Is probably fine, but when I look at the price differences of a 535 vs 550, I think hmmm double the torque and add 150 HP for pocket change? OK. I also have a local 550i manual and there isn't a 535, but I'll look.

Now that comes at the expense of reliability, so really a 535 is probably the smarter choice.

The 528 feels very underpowered... Well I've never actually driven the 528, but the 328 feels very underpowered, so I can only imagine what more weight does...

Originally Posted by PJinCA

I have to agree here, the e60 m5 is a great car, but it isn't without issues. the man knows what he's talking about.
examples, from friends who owned the m5:
smg clutch - $5k
brakes - rotors over $800 each, parts only
then add in the motor issues, one friend was quoted $32k to replace the engine due to the rod bearing issue.
that's a big chunk of change.

I'm talking stick, so SMG clutch is moot. I do agree on the rod bearing issues, but the N63 has also been quite frequently called a "bomb on wheels". The 32k quote sounds absolutely rediculous. It should be closer to 13k to replace the M5 motor. Thats still a lot of money, but 32k seems a bit high... I'd be skeptical of a shop quoting that!

But the 550i does sound like a safer bet, and the 535 is even safer, but the 550i is something enthusiastic... something worth talking about and having, more like the M5. I feel like the 535 (I'm offending 90% of the forum here), is kind of like the every-executive car. Sometimes you have to pay to play.

Really appreciate the thoughts!

[PJinCA]

Originally Posted by arachnyd

Why would I want a semi-reliable BMW when I can have a non-reliable one?

535 Is probably fine, but when I look at the price differences of a 535 vs 550, I think hmmm double the torque and add 150 HP for pocket change? OK. I also have a local 550i manual and there isn't a 535, but I'll look.

Now that comes at the expense of reliability, so really a 535 is probably the smarter choice.

The 528 feels very underpowered... Well I've never actually driven the 528, but the 328 feels very underpowered, so I can only imagine what more weight does...

I'm talking stick, so SMG clutch is moot. I do agree on the rod bearing issues, but the N63 has also been quite frequently called a "bomb on wheels". The 32k quote sounds absolutely rediculous. It should be closer to 13k to replace the M5 motor. Thats still a lot of money, but 32k seems a bit high... I'd be skeptical of a shop quoting that!

But the 550i does sound like a safer bet, and the 535 is even safer, but the 550i is something enthusiastic... something worth talking about and having, more like the M5. I feel like the 535 (I'm offending 90% of the forum here), is kind of like the every-executive car. Sometimes you have to pay to play.

Really appreciate the thoughts!

lol, you won't offend me, and I have a 535. I bought mine to replace an e60 550 that was totaled by a drunk. I heard the same things you did about the n63, hence the reason I got the 535. the reason I like the 550 better, usually, was that the buyers who paid the premium for the v8 didn't skimp on other options either. so most of the time if you're looking for a fully loaded car you want either the 550 or the m5. I got lucky and found a really loaded 535. basically so it can be paid off quickly and replaced with the g30, which was what I was keeping my e60 for, I hadn't planned on getting an f10

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by arachnyd

I feel like the 535 (I'm offending 90% of the forum here), is kind of like the every-executive car. Sometimes you have to pay to play.

Really appreciate the thoughts!

Not offended here!! I first started out looking for a 550 but after reading about all the issues with the N63 I re-evaluated. This was/is going to be our main car so reliability was a a big consideration. We make a 180ish mile round trip up to my mother-in-law's house every couple of weeks to take her shopping (87 and she has never driven!) so economy was a bit of a factor. I figured I could never really be able to use the power anyway and could get in plenty of enough trouble with the 535!! I have been very happy with my decision for the last 20 months and 32Kish miles.

Hope you find your "dream" car!!!!

[SLVSRFR]

As of April 2015 the cheapest replacement S85 from BMW I was quoted was $27k all parts + labor. TROY JEUP from the m5board runs a company that sells 0 mile S85's for around $10k labor not included

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by arachnyd

(I'm offending 90% of the forum here)

Another 535 owner here, also not offended at all.

I do disagree with your statement "gotta pay to play", I mean not in general, but when it comes to 535/550. I don't think that's the reason for getting one over the other for most folks. I get the whole desire for more power, bigger engine and all that, 550 is a monster, no doubt. But in my mind, anybody who's buying 450+HP vehicle needs to track it frequently, otherwise you will never get a chance to really use all of the power it has on tap without getting arrested frequently. Then again, getting F10 as frequent track car, kinda odd in my opinion

My vote in your case still goes to 550 given your other toys.

[jzcrna]

I love my 550i and use it as a daily driver. My present job brought me much closer to work so the extra power isn't tapped too often. Now that I have had it, I'm ready to go back to something less powerful.

My car is actually on swap a lease if anyone is interested.

[Quicksilv3r]

If you can find a low mileage 2010 M5, i would bet you would enjoy it more than an F10 550i. Having owned several M-cars in the past, nothing compares. Get you an extended warranty and you're set.

[krautmeister]

Originally Posted by Bbb34

Another 535 owner here, also not offended at all.

I do disagree with your statement "gotta pay to play", I mean not in general, but when it comes to 535/550. I don't think that's the reason for getting one over the other for most folks. I get the whole desire for more power, bigger engine and all that, 550 is a monster, no doubt. But in my mind, anybody who's buying 450+HP vehicle needs to track it frequently, otherwise you will never get a chance to really use all of the power it has on tap without getting arrested frequently. Then again, getting F10 as frequent track car, kinda odd in my opinion

My vote in your case still goes to 550 given your other toys.

It's all about managing expectations. There's a lot of folks in the enthusiast spectrum that want a Ferrari spanking M5 that could care less about the back seats as well as those who want an executive saloon that the 5er originally was designed for.

Considering your toys, I highly recommend a 550. I wouldn't mod it... just a nice comfortable car that will get up into traffic effortlessly and be reasonable in turns. That's the 5er... sports oriented sports saloon.