BMW M550d X Drive Road Test by Chris Harris of Drive

j0hn · 03-07-2012, 05:29 PM

Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

It has more torque than the space shuttle and BMW claims it will do over 40mpg. BMW also says it won't be selling the car in the UK or the US, the places that DRIVE is most commonly viewed. But when something has 3 turbos, you've got to go drive it at 155mph: no?

UltimateBlogger · 03-07-2012, 05:45 PM

Great ending to a very useful review.

BMWI6 · 03-08-2012, 02:22 PM

I usually love his reviews, but I dunno what happened with this one. I guess he tried to be funny and he is not? He is in my opinion the best automotive journalist because he drives more and talks less.

Singletrack · 03-08-2012, 02:43 PM

Good, honest review.

Redcapote · 03-08-2012, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWI6

I usually love his reviews, but I dunno what happened with this one. I guess he tried to be funny and he is not? He is in my opinion the best automotive journalist because he drives more and talks less.

Agree. This is the vehicle I want to talk my dad into getting instead of the X6, but this review was weak. "I dunno, something's missing."

nordic@telia.com · 03-08-2012, 02:54 PM

I agree, diesel is boring.. even in a BMW

rvladescu · 03-08-2012, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nordic@telia.com

I agree, diesel is boring.. even in a BMW

This shows that you don't own one

VodkaOne · 03-08-2012, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWI6

I usually love his reviews, but I dunno what happened with this one. I guess he tried to be funny and he is not?

Couldn't agree more !

Bimmernerd · 03-08-2012, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nordic@telia.com

I agree, diesel is boring.. even in a BMW

No it's not (pretty easy to say when you have a 550 and a Porsche...)!

M3_WC · 03-08-2012, 03:42 PM

He said he was expecting more.

Well simply put...he was expecting a M-car. After all BMW put a M-badge on it.

What he drove was a high powered diesel car, nothing else.

EdwinF10 · 03-08-2012, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nordic@telia.com

I agree, diesel is boring.. even in a BMW

I'm with you on that. I've had an e92 M3 and a F10 535d simultaneously.

The M3 was definitely much more exciting. The engine/exhaust sound is incredible and to go fast you need to work hard and rev. high which only adds to the excitement.

But, having said that, I'm quite sure that for ordinary drivers (like myself and 99% of all forum members

) the M550d is in real life conditions just as quick as the M5.
Buying an M car doesn't necessarily mean the public road changes to a race track or all of a sudden you have the skills of Fernando Alonso.

宝马.e90 · 03-08-2012, 04:27 PM

All I got from this review was, despite not having the same direct response as a petrol engine, it still is a good engine given what it is and that's it. Didn't really go into chassis or anything like that so I'm starting to question whether or not putting the M badge was really a waste. I'd understand if drove like a M car (but not full out) but to slap on a M badge and characterize it as M Performance with just a powerful engine, makes no sense to me. That or i totally missed the whole point of the video/review.

Sweeper · 03-08-2012, 04:30 PM

He have one strange eyes. Is he use dope in everyday ?

The car is awesome , should be a super saler in Europe for sure when you choose 550i/m5 or even a 7er in terms of price and autobahn usage.

fusion01 · 03-08-2012, 04:35 PM

Surely this is what buyers of this sort of car will want - comfort, a grand tourer with decent fuel economy alongside a touch of sports kit. They won't be disappointed. I'd doubt you'd get a high performance driver opting for one.

M3_WC · 03-08-2012, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fusion01

Surely this is what buyers of this sort of car will want - comfort, a grand tourer with decent fuel economy alongside a touch of sports kit.

The classic definition of car deserving of a M-badge. LOL

jonw · 03-08-2012, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fusion01

Surely this is what buyers of this sort of car will want - comfort, a grand tourer with decent fuel economy alongside a touch of sports kit. They won't be disappointed. I'd doubt you'd get a high performance driver opting for one.

It's got an M badge on it !!!!

You've missed the point totally .

Remonster · 03-08-2012, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonw

It's got an M badge on it !!!!

You've missed the point totally .

They have an M badge just like the old M535i and M635i, but they aren't badged as true M cars you need to understand the difference. I know a guy who used to have an M635i so I know firsthand what that car was like and from what I'm reading, these new M Performance cars live up to their badging.

They are half-way M cars, designed for someone who wants a car that is a little sportier than a regular 5 series but doesn't need (or want to pay for) the full M5. You can't just look at the base price of the M5, you have to remember that M cars require Inspections every 15,000 miles which are a $1-2,000 expense the regular cars do not need, insurance rates are a little higher for M cars, gas mileage is significantly worse, etc. etc. there are plenty of reasons for a person to want a more understated sporty car. BMW's press releases indicate that these cars have firmer bushings than regular series production cars, unique suspension, hydraulic power steering instead of the electronic system in the normal cars...the bushings and power steering alone would make these cars worth it to me. I am very seriously interested in an M135i or M235i if I ever decide to let go of my E82.

Most people who are fanatical enough about BMWs to spend time on this forum would prefer the actual M5, that's obvious, but there is still a market for these cars and I'm glad they are finally making them.

m balla · 03-08-2012, 07:32 PM

Just get the full ///M unless you need the x-drive... Everytime I am in G-P, I get really sleepy. He was prob tired at altitude. Plus the steeper roads can be found south on the way to innsbruck... I think there is a 16% grade and a 21% grade

burrito007 · 03-08-2012, 07:43 PM

as usual this guy's reviews are rubbish... tries to be more humorous and falls on his face.

JulieDriving · 03-08-2012, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3_WC

He said he was expecting more.

Well simply put...he was expecting a M-car. After all BMW put a M-badge on it.

Yeah, I think that could be it...

YolkyPalky · 03-08-2012, 08:55 PM

Most boring review ever, the first four minutes are nothing but self-indulgent nonsense of someone trying to be an actor lol.

the infamous... · 03-09-2012, 12:38 AM

great vid! thx 4 sharin

03-07-2012, 05:29 PM	#1
j0hn Expired Drives: Everyday Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 17,170 iTrader: (1)	BMW M550d X Drive Road Test by Chris Harris of Drive Featured on BIMMERPOST.com It has more torque than the space shuttle and BMW claims it will do over 40mpg. BMW also says it won't be selling the car in the UK or the US, the places that DRIVE is most commonly viewed. But when something has 3 turbos, you've got to go drive it at 155mph: no? __________________
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03-07-2012, 05:45 PM	#2
UltimateBlogger Alexander Drives: '11 E92 335i M-Sport Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Toronto Posts: 102 iTrader: (0)	Great ending to a very useful review. __________________ Gone but not forgotten '11 135i M-Sport (Company Car)/'90 325i Convertible (Resto Project)/'07 GTI (Storage)/'94 ex-police Grand Cherokee (1st)

03-08-2012, 02:22 PM	#3
BMWI6 Major Drives: 335is Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Miami, Fl Posts: 1,314 iTrader: (2)	I usually love his reviews, but I dunno what happened with this one. I guess he tried to be funny and he is not? He is in my opinion the best automotive journalist because he drives more and talks less. __________________ If everything seems under control, then you aren't going fast enough"

03-08-2012, 02:43 PM	#4
Singletrack 4th down; 4th quarter? Renegade. Drives: 09 SSII E92 M3; 12 AW X5d Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 3,800 iTrader: (3)	Good, honest review. __________________ Singletrack's M3 iND/Singletrack's X5d

03-08-2012, 02:54 PM	#6
nordic@telia.com Love V8! Drives: BMW M5 F10, Maserati GranCabri Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Sweden Posts: 141 iTrader: (0)	I agree, diesel is boring.. even in a BMW __________________ M5 F10 Citrine Black, Champagne leather

03-08-2012, 03:42 PM	#10
M3_WC Lieutenant Colonel Drives: M3 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: CA Posts: 1,840 iTrader: (0)	He said he was expecting more. Well simply put...he was expecting a M-car. After all BMW put a M-badge on it. What he drove was a high powered diesel car, nothing else.

03-08-2012, 04:27 PM	#12
宝马.e90 Major Drives: E90 325i, R56 MINI Cooper Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 1,273 iTrader: (0)	All I got from this review was, despite not having the same direct response as a petrol engine, it still is a good engine given what it is and that's it. Didn't really go into chassis or anything like that so I'm starting to question whether or not putting the M badge was really a waste. I'd understand if drove like a M car (but not full out) but to slap on a M badge and characterize it as M Performance with just a powerful engine, makes no sense to me. That or i totally missed the whole point of the video/review.

03-08-2012, 04:30 PM	#13
Sweeper Private First Class Drives: X5 E70 , X5 E53 , R8 , F30 M Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Europe Posts: 178 iTrader: (0)	He have one strange eyes. Is he use dope in everyday ? The car is awesome , should be a super saler in Europe for sure when you choose 550i/m5 or even a 7er in terms of price and autobahn usage.

03-08-2012, 04:35 PM	#14
fusion01 Private First Class Drives: Ford Focus ST: 2.5l /5 cyl Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Cape Town South Africa Posts: 199 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 135i / N54 [0.00]	Surely this is what buyers of this sort of car will want - comfort, a grand tourer with decent fuel economy alongside a touch of sports kit. They won't be disappointed. I'd doubt you'd get a high performance driver opting for one.

03-08-2012, 07:32 PM	#18
m balla m balla Drives: ///M Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: bslava Posts: 150 iTrader: (0)	Just get the full ///M unless you need the x-drive... Everytime I am in G-P, I get really sleepy. He was prob tired at altitude. Plus the steeper roads can be found south on the way to innsbruck... I think there is a 16% grade and a 21% grade

03-08-2012, 07:43 PM	#19
burrito007 Private First Class Drives: e46 M3 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NY Posts: 140 iTrader: (0)	as usual this guy's reviews are rubbish... tries to be more humorous and falls on his face.

03-08-2012, 08:55 PM	#21
YolkyPalky Private First Class Drives: 2011 E90 M3 DCT ZCP SPACE GRAY Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 185 iTrader: (0)	Most boring review ever, the first four minutes are nothing but self-indulgent nonsense of someone trying to be an actor lol.

03-09-2012, 12:38 AM	#22
the infamous... Lieutenant General Drives: like I'M BOUT THAT LIFE Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: PARADISE aka DAWNTOWN Posts: 16,889 iTrader: (0)	great vid! thx 4 sharin __________________ "simple is clean" -The ///ModFather [ iND ] - [ eAs ] - [ ACM ] - [ LTMW ] - [ AA ]

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