[GARBAJ]

As a propsective buyer who is sure he wants to order a 5 or 7 M sport, in the next 6-8 months, I have these random thoughts...

1. I really don't like the 5 hood at all.
2. I don't like the 7 interior door handles or the 6 speed trans. (Presumably, these will be fixed during the LCI next spring)...

Beyond these, I'm OK with the cars... Just sayin...

[bodonx]

The F10 hood lines give more characters to the car than the boring hood on the 7-series IMO

[EdM5]

Even bimmer hater Jeremy Clarkson loved the F10 hood/bonnet.

['17 750i Msport]

Originally Posted by bodonx

The F10 hood lines give more characters to the car than the boring hood on the 7-series IMO

certainly agree.

[BMWrules7]

IMHO, door pulls are cool in the seven. At first it seems to intimidate anyone who sits in the car, even cocky know it alls. Second, from a design perspective it gets the vehicle occupants to touch the wood. Highly unusual and it grows on you.

Originally Posted by GARBAJ

As a propsective buyer who is sure he wants to order a 5 or 7 M sport, in the next 6-8 months, I have these random thoughts...

1. I really don't like the 5 hood at all.
2. I don't like the 7 interior door handles or the 6 speed trans. (Presumably, these will be fixed during the LCI next spring)...

Beyond these, I'm OK with the cars... Just sayin...

[GARBAJ]

Originally Posted by BMWrules7

IMHO, door pulls are cool in the seven. At first it seems to intimidate anyone who sits in the car, even cocky know it alls. Second, from a design perspective it gets the vehicle occupants to touch the wood. Highly unusual and it grows on you.

Ok, I'll play along... Am I blowing the 6 speed thing out of proportion?

[Bandini3]

Originally Posted by GARBAJ

As a propsective buyer who is sure he wants to order a 5 or 7 M sport, in the next 6-8 months, I have these random thoughts...

1. I really don't like the 5 hood at all.
2. I don't like the 7 interior door handles or the 6 speed trans. (Presumably, these will be fixed during the LCI next spring)...

Beyond these, I'm OK with the cars... Just sayin...

My neighbour owns two BMW dealerships, so I see a different 550i, 750i or 650i model most mornings.

The 750i with M Package I saw the other day struck me as a poseur car:
- the M Package signifies an interest in performance and vehicle dynamics;
- ideally, that driver would prefer to drive an M3 (or a 911), which will drive circles around any 550i, 750i or 650i
- but, he needs space, luxury and effortless speed. So he goes for a 550i

Why would that buyer go for a 750i, which weighs more, accelerates more slowly, and does not handle as well as a 550i?

Oh, it's because he doesn't care about performance. He just wants to look the part.
i.e. Poseur.

But, it's a personal choice. Adding aerodynamic pieces to a 7-Series is certainly a harmless activity.

[GARBAJ]

Originally Posted by Bandini3

My neighbour owns two BMW dealerships, so I see a different 550i, 750i or 650i model most mornings.

The 750i with M Package I saw the other day struck me as a poseur car:
- the M Package signifies an interest in performance and vehicle dynamics;
- ideally, that driver would prefer to drive an M3 (or a 911), which will drive circles around any 550i, 750i or 650i
- but, he needs space, luxury and effortless speed. So he goes for a 550i

Why would that buyer go for a 750i, which weighs more, accelerates more slowly, and does not handle as well as a 550i?

Oh, it's because he doesn't care about performance. He just wants to look the part.
i.e. Poseur.

But, it's a personal choice. Adding aerodynamic pieces to a 7-Series is certainly a harmless activity.

While logic might have me agree with you, Road and Tracks' tests would say they are even in a straight line--(Though this is by no measure a complete picture of performance by any means...)

550 tested 3/11 5.0 0-60 and 11.4 Qtr
750 tested 10/10 4.9 0-60 and 11.3 Qtr...

BTW, I really like the 550 M Sport, and frankly, am leaning toward it. BUT, let's not get silly and characterize it as a drivers' car materially more than a normal 550... C'Mon, you be Frank and I'll be Ernest, it has a kit on it... Sheesh.

[Bandini3]

Originally Posted by GARBAJ

While logic might have me agree with you, Road and Tracks' tests would say they are even in a straight line--(Though this is by no measure a complete picture of performance by any means...)

550 tested 3/11 5.0 0-60 and 11.4 Qtr
750 tested 10/10 4.9 0-60 and 11.3 Qtr...

BTW, I really like the 550 M Sport, and frankly, am leaning toward it. BUT, let's not get silly and characterize it as a drivers' car materially more than a normal 550... C'Mon, you be Frank and I'll be Ernest, it has a kit on it... Sheesh.

That (750i vs. 550i times) surprises me. Simple physics would suggest the 550i should be quicker: lower weight, less frontal area (i.e. less drag, assuming similar drag coefficient) and the advantage of an 8-speed over 6 AT (closer ratios). But, a difference of 0.1 second is within a margin or error and could be explained by differences in ambient temperature, altitude, tires, driver reaction, or timing equipment.

And, I do agree the M Sport 550i adds nothing to performance (assuming Dynamic Handling would be added to regular 550i). But, it does look pretty cool (especially in a lighter metallic, which highlights F10 ducting and curves). It is a defensible choice for a true performance aficionado, who just happens to 'need' size and luxury.

Besides, I wouldn't want to critique both of your candidates.

[newowner35i]

Originally Posted by Bandini3

My neighbour owns two BMW dealerships, so I see a different 550i, 750i or 650i model most mornings.

The 750i with M Package I saw the other day struck me as a poseur car:
- the M Package signifies an interest in performance and vehicle dynamics;
- ideally, that driver would prefer to drive an M3 (or a 911), which will drive circles around any 550i, 750i or 650i
- but, he needs space, luxury and effortless speed. So he goes for a 550i

Why would that buyer go for a 750i, which weighs more, accelerates more slowly, and does not handle as well as a 550i?

Oh, it's because he doesn't care about performance. He just wants to look the part.
i.e. Poseur.

But, it's a personal choice. Adding aerodynamic pieces to a 7-Series is certainly a harmless activity.

How is a 7 a posers car. They handle similarly, the reason I have a 7 is space and the looks

[BMWrules7]

Well, I have a 750 LI Xdrive. It is the most untame BMW I have ever driven. It is not smooth as silk by any stretch.

I don't know if an 8 speed is the solution. I mean it will probably make better use of the expended energy and give this thirsty beast better gas mileage.

But, it would suck if they tame the car by making you feel like you are always in overdrive.

I thought the crudeness was due to the xdrive. This thing is no caddy from a tranny perspective. But for general driving at speed it is very smooth. The 0 to 80 is not a linear push you in your seat experience. Rather, it is disjointed thrust that starts to get out of control.

You can capitalize on its wildness after you learn its behavior. That's part of the fun factor.

But, it is also the funnest BMW I have ever driven. The xdrive is unbelievably amazing in the winter. It gives you total confidence even on snowy and icy roads.

While the interior is highly refined, the ride not so much.

But it is fun and after seven months I feel this vehicle is worth every blessed nickel.

Originally Posted by GARBAJ

Ok, I'll play along... Am I blowing the 6 speed thing out of proportion?

[Matt01]

Can you get you hands on anything from the alpine family?????? Both the b5 and the b7 look amazing... If your going to spend that much cash, might a well do it right!

http://www.bmwalpina.co.uk/fileadmin/user_upload/website/IMAGES/gallery/B7_Bi-Turbo/ALPINA_B7_BITURBO_08.jpg

[Matt01]

Originally Posted by Matt01

Can you get you hands on anything from the alpine family?????? Both the b5 and the b7 look amazing... If your going to spend that much cash, might a well do it right!

http://www.bmwalpina.co.uk/fileadmin/user_upload/website/IMAGES/gallery/B7_Bi-Turbo/ALPINA_B7_BITURBO_08.jpg

Sorry stupid phone and it's spell check.... ALPINA....

[MileHiGolfer]

Originally Posted by BMWrules7

it gets the vehicle occupants to touch the wood.

[GARBAJ]

Originally Posted by MileHiGolfer

Wait just a doggone minute! I don't let just anybody touch my wood-and only females...

['17 750i Msport]

Originally Posted by GARBAJ

While logic might have me agree with you, Road and Tracks' tests would say they are even in a straight line--(Though this is by no measure a complete picture of performance by any means...)

550 tested 3/11 5.0 0-60 and 11.4 Qtr
750 tested 10/10 4.9 0-60 and 11.3 Qtr...

BTW, I really like the 550 M Sport, and frankly, am leaning toward it. BUT, let's not get silly and characterize it as a drivers' car materially more than a normal 550... C'Mon, you be Frank and I'll be Ernest, it has a kit on it... Sheesh.

uh..shouldn't that be 13.4 and 13.3 in the quarter??

[yogi799]

Originally Posted by bodonx

The F10 hood lines give more characters to the car than the boring hood on the 7-series IMO

I totally agree.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by GARBAJ

Ok, I'll play along... Am I blowing the 6 speed thing out of proportion?

I would prefer to go back to the 6 speed. This 8 speed thing kind of annoys me. It seems weird to shift every 500 rpm. I don't want to have to use SPort mode to rev over 2,000 RPM.

[Bandini3]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

I would prefer to go back to the 6 speed. This 8 speed thing kind of annoys me. It seems weird to shift every 500 rpm. I don't want to have to use SPort mode to rev over 2,000 RPM.

Interesting.

So, I guess a Continuously Variable Transmission ("CVT", found in some Audi, Nissan, Honda, and other models) probably wouldn't be high on your list of desirable features in a car.

Although you would get a bigger gap between shift points, you probably wouldn't want to go back to the 3-speed GM 'Hydramatic' from the 1960s. Everything in moderation.

[GARBAJ]

Originally Posted by '11 Bimmer

uh..shouldn't that be 13.4 and 13.3 in the quarter??

Yes

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by Bandini3

Interesting.

So, I guess a Continuously Variable Transmission ("CVT", found in some Audi, Nissan, Honda, and other models) probably wouldn't be high on your list of desirable features in a car.

Although you would get a bigger gap between shift points, you probably wouldn't want to go back to the 3-speed GM 'Hydramatic' from the 1960s. Everything in moderation.

Honda has a CVT?

In any event, no, I am not a fan of the motorboat effect of the CVT.

I base that comment on driving a 335i with the N55 and 6 speed auto. I did not prefer that transmission overall, but I did prefer the lack of constant shifting and the car's behavior revving up through the powerband.

[Bandini3]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

Honda has a CVT?

In any event, no, I am not a fan of the motorboat effect of the CVT.

I base that comment on driving a 335i with the N55 and 6 speed auto. I did not prefer that transmission overall, but I did prefer the lack of constant shifting and the car's behavior revving up through the powerband.

Honda has had a CVT-equipped cars on the market since 1995 (Honda Multimatic) and CVTs are apparently in wide use on the Civic.

In theory, a CVT offers advantages in terms of efficiency. But, a CVT is not designed for performance driving (e.g. downshifting; holding a lower gear in corners). And, even for normal city driving, people tend to be put off by the 'odd' effect (which feels like slippage).

I happen to think the 8-speed ZF Sport Automatic is a great piece of engineering, although I haven't driven it extensively (yet). I do like the Sport AT 6-speed on the 335i (even though I've had manuals in three BMWs).