M5 or 550i M Sport-Why?
Discussion
550i's are rare in this country as they are terrible value compared to a 535d for example. They are really aimed at other countries (e.g. USA) where large petrols are preferred over diesels. An M5 isn't a true automatic and Alpina don't sell the B5 in the States, so if they want a fast auto 5 they go for the 550.
There's a navy blue 550i sport on my road, and it looks great. It's stealthier than an M5 and probably no slower in everyday driving. I think if you are parking your car on the street in central London, you would rather have that over an M5. Debadged, it could be a 520i which I think is pretty cool.
I very nearly bought one recently, a 'Touring' version, in blue, a real looker.
The near 370bhp 4.8 litre V8 in these cars produces a wonderful howl on full crank and it can seriously shift - the slush shifter works superbly.
Less demanding than the 'easy to get it wrong' recalcitrance of the M'd SMG boxes but with old money M grade grunt, for £30k in a near new condition, it makes eminent sense to the stealth hoon endemic within any self respecting PHer weighed down by the unavoidable practical realities of daily rigour.
Unfortunately, some git reminded me of a specialist breed run by a bloke called Burkard and it became impossible to resist opening the piggy tub just a smidgeon wider.
After all, we are not communists...
The near 370bhp 4.8 litre V8 in these cars produces a wonderful howl on full crank and it can seriously shift - the slush shifter works superbly.
Less demanding than the 'easy to get it wrong' recalcitrance of the M'd SMG boxes but with old money M grade grunt, for £30k in a near new condition, it makes eminent sense to the stealth hoon endemic within any self respecting PHer weighed down by the unavoidable practical realities of daily rigour.
Unfortunately, some git reminded me of a specialist breed run by a bloke called Burkard and it became impossible to resist opening the piggy tub just a smidgeon wider.
After all, we are not communists...
RossiT said:
Olf said:
RossiT said:
Just a question I've been thinking about, I didn't even know there was a 550 but why would anyone buy a 550 and not an M5 when they are so close in price? What would be the reasons for having a 550?
Have you ever seen one?If you are scared of the M5 (I drive mine into central London every day, so it mystifies me that one could be scared), then you buy a 535D, not a 550i.
Deutscher said:
No good - no satnav or bluetooth. I think they will be worth more than any other optional extra over coming years if only in terms of getting rid of the car in a congested market.Olf said:
What's wrong with grey - or are you referring to the poplar trim?Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff