[tomwac]

Currently driving an F10 525dA (2.0l TT) but after owning M cars in the past (which due to new tax regulation here now equals to financial suicide ) I miss the power and top end as I drive a lot in Germany...I read a lot about the M550d and I know that I won't get the sharp handling and feeling of a true M car, but that's not what I'm expecting... I want a very fast car, tax friendly, comfortable, economical...it's got it all, but what I read are very mixed reviews...I have all set up to sign the paperwork with delivery beginning of September, a test drive next tuesday, but I don't want to get disappointed and so would really like to know what to really expect...Now, without ever driven the car before I expect:
- insane power with torque which could affect earth rotation
- much nicer sound than the 525d (I believe it has the same artificial sound producing system as the M5)
- excellent road holding due to 4WD

What I don't expect is:
- to be it a sports car like an M

I read somewhere that it goes like a rocket to 200-210, but then kind of looses its breath...Is that correct?

Given the above information, am I correct as what to expect?

[Sjoerd]

My only advice would be to drive a 535d as well. I fancy that car because of RWD. Get it in combination with Active Front Steering and you will have a nice handling car with similar IRL pace as a 550d.

I am about to order a 535d which I prefer over a 550d.

Non of the non-M cars will even get close to a proper M car. I consider a M550d not an M car, a M135i comes close but is non as well. A 1M is a proper M car.

[rsyed]

on the german forums, there is a lot of disappointment with respect to the 550xd. some say it is not spectacular (missing the diesel punch because of x-drive and linear torque distribution, some claim lack of power... click here for the thread)... but for me, the main reason to take a 535d (as supposed to 550d) is the active steering.. with AS, the handling just is in a different class..

[tomwac]

Well yes, I know it's not an M car, and I don't expect it to be...I think/hope that a lot of the negative talk is because people expect an M diesel, when it's not... It is a very fast autobahn cruiser imo, and when I will be testdriving it next week, I'll try to keep that in mind...I drove an 640d, which is the same engine as the 535d, and it was fast, but nothing spectacular...it felt 'ok', but more refined than my 4 banger...and with the special deals right now, equally equipped, the price difference between the 535d and 550d is about €12000 for 70hp and 100Nm more... A lot of money, but we're not talking 40% or so...

Thanks for the links to the German forums, from what I understood, some people are disappointed with the (lack of) fraude-am-fahren, some say it's the best diesel they had...it seems it's a controversial car and a lot of people mistake it for an M which is a confusing designation...

[Pierval]

I drove a M550d last year for about 200km and I was really impressed about the "push in the back" you get when you push the pedal all the way down. Even there were 4 people in the car, the accelerations at all speeds were exciting. However the steering felt a bit "numb" and less agile in comparing with my 520d, I suppose it's because of the xDrive and the 20" rims.
The average consumption on my 200km drive was about 16l/100km, which immense to Belgian standards! I know a test drive isn't representative for the overall consumption, but owner of the car told me you couldn't get the consumption below 10l/100km and in daily drive mode it's around 11-12 Liters.
Scandalous bmw is advertising is with an avg consumption of about 6l/100km!
I think it's a great performance car for everyday use here in Belgium, and unlike an M5 you will not pay your car a second time on taxes..

[remmib]

Got to drive the M550d brifely, and is sounded great.

Anybody know if the sound is "fake" is in the M5??

[Sjoerd]

Sound is fake yes...

[Boss330]

Originally Posted by Sjoerd

Sound is fake yes...

The M550d has an "audio enhanced" sound, not a "fake" sound like in the M5.

The actual sound of the engine is amplified via the speakers, it's not a digitally made artificial sound.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/...w-m550d-xdrive

What’s more it sounds terrific. Unlike the M5, which receives a synthetic soundtrack, the M550d xDrive’s aural traits are genuine – although in a process that is gaining popularity right across the automotive spectrum, BMW does rely on the speakers to enhance their effect. The combination of engine and exhaust sounds is not unlike the original Audi quattro, with a deep warble at low revs and a wonderfully exuberant baritone wail up high

[Boss330]

To judge the M550d you must first define what you expect of the car.

Similar to a M5 - You will be disapointed (and you allready knew that)

A more powerful 535d with X-drive stability - You will be pleased

Because of it's X-drive it's very stable and therefore maybe not as "fun" as a RWD version. It's power delivery is smooth and strong, but perhaps not amazing or scary. it just pulls like a train. 0-100km/h is fast but doesn't feel spectacular (like it does in the M5/M6). Where it really shines is in mid range acceleration. Make no mistake, it's a fast car. It just doesn't feel extreme at any point.

Handling and steering is noticeably sharper than a M-sport F10.

[remmib]

I see, sure sounded great not only for a diesel, too bad I only got to drive it a few km's.