[YUN]

Recently I've test driven M5 and what can I say like it even though its not as involving as my M3. What I'm looking for is 4 door midsize sedan, so I was pretty much set on m5 but start thinking about 550i. I'll be doing ED on either, now on my question the price difference (monthly lease) for m5 is almost twice as much compare to 550i. My commute is mostly DC traffic and occasional drive on weekend. Do you think the price is justified, with 335i vs M3 it was obvious not so much with these big and bloated 5 series.

[KoenG]

I'am afraid nobody can help you, but I give you my advice any way...

When the price is double for the M, I would try to wait for the facelifted 550i available soon, for probably the same conditions as the current one. It will narrow the gap with the M in driving experience while it will be massively more frugal on running costs. When you're a millionaire, don't bother, go for the M but when you have other dreams or projects, I'd go for the 550i.

But hey, in the county I'am living in, even a 550i is considered a crime against humanity. Actually, anything with more than a 2-liter engine is. So I can only wish you a hard time choosing between both.

[LastFrontierBimmer]

+1 ^^

I like the reply above. Especially when recalling my days stuck in stop and go commuting traffic in the "Beltway," not to mention those pothole riddled DC roads. That'd be torture in an M.

Now blowing through the countryside up or down the coast on a long weekend, that's a different story. Just don't get caught with that radar detector in Virginia.

[TheBlackGT]

The M5 is an amazing car no doubt, but an upgraded 550 is a whole different story. Buy a 550, mod it like crazy, get a muffler delete or exhaust, get DINAN or the ECU tuned, and you'll be smoking M5s all the way. The 550 feels more customizable to me at least, and thank God there isn't no piped in sound.

Tuning the ECU can unleashed more than 500 hp and way more torque than a M5. My 550 GT (F07 not F10) has DINAN Stage 2 with Muffler Delete and Quad Tips... 520 Hp and 580 ft-lb of torque, only 32 hp less than an M5 but over 75 more ft-lb of torque! Get Stage 4 for the 550 and IDK how mad that is.

For exhaust, you can get anything from Eisenmann to Meiserchaft, but for me it was a simple muffler delete. Sounds amazing (for me I think it's even better than the aftermarket exhausts).

The choices are almost unlimited when it comes to modding. Black grilles, yellow fogs, 3D Design fenders, ACS spoilers, Carbon Fiber this and that, there are way too many options. You can even make your 550 look like an M5 (although I would not recommend that).

In the end the M5 is a $30K premium for the fact that it is an M5 badge and has some more horsepower. For around $2000-5000 you can make your 550 equally or even faster than an M5. For anywhere from $400-4000 you can make your car sound much better than an M5 (and even if you get an M5 you would still need an exhaust setup). And for anywhere from $50-Unlimited you can make your 550 look unique and original, unlike no other on the road.

Just my 2 cents. Get a 550.

[mwlmd]

Originally Posted by YUN

Recently I've test driven M5 and what can I say like it even though its not as involving as my M3. What I'm looking for is 4 door midsize sedan, so I was pretty much set on m5 but start thinking about 550i. I'll be doing ED on either, now on my question the price difference (monthly lease) for m5 is almost twice as much compare to 550i. My commute is mostly DC traffic and occasional drive on weekend. Do you think the price is justified, with 335i vs M3 it was obvious not so much with these big and bloated 5 series.

If you can afford it get the M5. If you can't get the 550i and try not to drool when an M5 pulls up next to you at a stoplight. Coming from an M3 you should know better than the non-M owners that the M difference is much more than numbers on paper. So much more. Good luck!

[Luigi524TD]

Commuting into Washington DC in anything less than a Ferrari 138 is so, well, ... it's just so

[mjr24]

I had some of the same questions and although the M5 is a great car (I had a M6)...the difference between the M and the non-M cars have closed greatly the last 5-7 years. You literally are paying $30k more for a badge (and that can be up to a $50k difference if you buy a used 550). It was one thing when the M5 had 200-250 more HP than a non-M model......but as people said, you can Dinan the 550i and it's going to be as fast.....and I almost feel the M-Sport package looks better than the M5 body (front bumper and rear valance). Sure.....the M5 might have better brakes and suspension and handling.....but honestly 99% of the people driving these cars don't drive them the way you have to in order to even feel that difference (meaning unless you are tracking the car around curves, etc.....there isn't going to be a noticeable difference).

[YUN]

Tough choice, you all gotta point. There is something about M cars its just with this particular model I felt like I was in fast sedan but not in a sports sedan. Track and modding is out of question, I try to appreciate the car for what it is and making 550i look like m5 would be big no for me
I just feel that in 100K territory there are better choices out there and more sportier and fun to drive. I have time till May to order LCI model, decisions decisions decisions .

[Lee]

Learned a good saying a couple years ago: buy cheap, buy twice.

I plan on getting an M5 some time down the road.

[mlai]

Originally Posted by UNKN0WN

In the end the M5 is a $30K premium for the fact that it is an M5 badge and has some more horsepower. For around $2000-5000 you can make your 550 equally or even faster than an M5. For anywhere from $400-4000 you can make your car sound much better than an M5 (and even if you get an M5 you would still need an exhaust setup). And for anywhere from $50-Unlimited you can make your 550 look unique and original, unlike no other on the road.

Just my 2 cents. Get a 550.

I disagree that $30K premium is just a badge and a bit more horsepower....

For instance:
1. M5 comes with Brembo brakes standard.
2. Real Limited Slip Differentials!
3. Hydraulic steering
4. DCT!!!!
5. Standard non-runflat PSS tyres.....
etc.

Some of the above can be retrofitted and some can't (well, not easily anyway). If you are going to mod the 550i to the M5 level, you will be spending more money than buying the M5 outright.....

And yes. I tried with my F10 550i. Not the same

[Russkey]

It's a tough choice. I've been thinking about it for months. I finally decided to get 550 and don't regret.

[Russkey]

Originally Posted by mlai

If you are going to mod the 550i to the M5 level, you will be spending more money than buying the M5 outright.....

[LiveLarger]

Originally Posted by mlai

I disagree that $30K premium is just a badge and a bit more horsepower....

For instance:
1. M5 comes with Brembo brakes standard.
2. Real Limited Slip Differentials!
3. Hydraulic steering
4. DCT!!!!
5. Standard non-runflat PSS tyres.....
etc.

Some of the above can be retrofitted and some can't (well, not easily anyway). If you are going to mod the 550i to the M5 level, you will be spending more money than buying the M5 outright.....

And yes. I tried with my F10 550i. Not the same

Exactly, you can upgrade a 550 with more power, have stiffer suspension etc, but it still isn't driving like a M5 and it most likely never will. In a drag race it can, but that is the least interesting part of the story.

[Sjoerd]

I tested the M5 the other day. It is a great car; very easy on the limit. The only downside is the lack of engine sound inside the car.

But...

For me (in Holland) the car is too quick. A blink on the throttle and your are doing 125 mph easy. I would definitely loose my license with that car.

I drive about 25000 miles per year (not a lot for EU standards) all company miles (I don't drive it for private miles to save about $ 1200 company car tax per month) which is commuting to office and airport (I fly about 150.000 miles per year which is a lot for EU standards ) and a few pan EU trips. 99% of the time (even on the German autobahn) you will not enjoy the full potential of the M5 as it is too quick...

A good alternative would be getting a 'normal' commuting car and a fun car for the weekends!

[YUN]

Originally Posted by Lee

Learned a good saying a couple years ago: buy cheap, buy twice.

I plan on getting an M5 some time down the road.

Now let me ask you where do feel that your 550 is lacking compare to M5?
I wouldnt call it cheap though like you said. Like in my wife's 4.8 X5 I can drive pretty fast and take turns at the decent speed without the hesitation but even if it was X5M I still can feel the weight and we cant defeat the law of physics its just my thinking. I think M division should have never released those SUV's badged as M and make F10 M5 lighter at least by 300lb.

[YUN]

Originally Posted by Russkey

It's a tough choice. I've been thinking about it for months. I finally decided to get 550 and don't regret.

I like your style, very subtle changes and to the point and not overdone.
Odnim slovom "Krasavica", assuming that you're fellow countrymen

[Die Wolfe]

Originally Posted by YUN

Now let me ask you where do feel that your 550 is lacking compare to M5?
I wouldnt call it cheap though like you said. Like in my wife's 4.8 X5 I can drive pretty fast and take turns at the decent speed without the hesitation but even if it was X5M I still can feel the weight and we cant defeat the law of physics its just my thinking. I think M division should have never released those SUV's badged as M and make F10 M5 lighter at least by 300lb.

I've heard the argument that BMW/M "purists" don't think the SUVs deserved the M badge. I also know what you mean about the weight and laws of physics that cannot be defeated. But damn, I test drove a regular X5 before buying my X5M and man there is a HUGE difference (pun intended lol). Seriously though, I took an aggressive test drive and hit all kinds of corners; the X5M grips and holds to the ground like a low slung two door! I never felt it lose traction and although I could feel the weight and size of the SUV; it didn't drive like one at all.

[Lee]

Originally Posted by YUN

Now let me ask you where do feel that your 550 is lacking compare to M5?
I wouldnt call it cheap though like you said. Like in my wife's 4.8 X5 I can drive pretty fast and take turns at the decent speed without the hesitation but even if it was X5M I still can feel the weight and we cant defeat the law of physics its just my thinking. I think M division should have never released those SUV's badged as M and make F10 M5 lighter at least by 300lb.

Don't get me wrong, I love my 550i, and actually I'd have to change my garage to own a M5 -- need the xDrive (see photo).

I guess my point is, if you can afford it, without negecting food for your family, etc, I would go for it. No real good reason, guess I am a great marketing target. I have a Breitling and just bought my wife a Cartier -- Timex or Swatch keep time just as well.

[TheBlackGT]

Originally Posted by mlai

I disagree that $30K premium is just a badge and a bit more horsepower....

For instance:
1. M5 comes with Brembo brakes standard.
2. Real Limited Slip Differentials!
3. Hydraulic steering
4. DCT!!!!
5. Standard non-runflat PSS tyres.....
etc.

Some of the above can be retrofitted and some can't (well, not easily anyway). If you are going to mod the 550i to the M5 level, you will be spending more money than buying the M5 outright.....

And yes. I tried with my F10 550i. Not the same

Well considering it is only for a daily drive to work and not for the racetrack or some country roads, I would say get a 550 and mod it a bit. The M5 is amazing, no doubt, (the E60 was what got my son into cars first), but for his case a 550 is just as good.

[Tuffyboy]

I say go 550 with X drive if back east. Get the Dinan 3 with the Meistershaft remote valve exhaust and call it a day.

The exhaust is a world of difference- cost $100 to install and hasnt gotten old shutting the value when want a quiet ride or opening and feeling like you really have a powerful car. Dinan will also make the car feel like it should but only when you want it.

Money no object I would have an M5 but if I lived where it is cold I would rather have a lightly modded 550 with all wheel drive I could enjoy year round

[BigKutta]

Get the M5 so I can drool all over the Clara Barton pkwy as I follow you out of Potomac!!

[IaHawk]

This is an interesting discussion. I've had 2 previous M cars - 2000 M5 and most recently a 2008 M3. Coming from Wi, I might've been interested in an M5 if it came with AWD. I've heard the MB E63 AMG will be coming out in AWD this yr or next. But in the end, I wanted a bigger high performance sedan than my M3 but in AWD. I also looked at the S7 and RS5. With that in mind - the much better VALUE is the 550i xdrive with modifications. I chose the Dinan S2, Dinan springs, and the Dinan exhaust - it added $8000 to the stock price and total was under $74,000. Quite a bit less than the M5 - but getting within ballpark on performance AND with AWD. I know that current M car guys might disagree, but having had 2 previous M cars, the only thing I really miss from my most recent 2008 M3 is the DCT. It isn't as important to me as the AWD. There is something to be said (and felt) about putting the torque on all 4 wheels.