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      12-12-2020, 02:34 PM   #1
Fullthrottlebg
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M5 vs M550 2021 Comparison

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Test drove the new M550i for a few days and I'm really impressed by the car. Feels smoother, quieter and definitely more powerful than the pre-facelifted car.

Overall a sharp difference between this model and M5 as BMW has clearly tried to set the models apart. The M550 has a noticeably lighter steering and suspension, is extremely quiet inside. It also looks a lot more restrained if that's something your looking for. What's surprising is that the exhaust note is pretty loud on the outside, even with the OPF filters and sounds pretty good.

In terms of power, the car feels just as powerful as the M5 from a roll. The launch is definitely much weaker and that's probably set from BMW as the car didn't feel aggressive at all.

Going more in depth in the video!


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      12-12-2020, 03:44 PM   #2
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good catch, I did the test drive 550i last friday and currently doing a M5c test drive over the full weekend.

clear difference:
1. Light steering wheel, very annoying to me, I need more firmer
2. Suspension is softer (compared to M5C), so good for people who like soft
suspension
3. Gear box: must slower in shifting, 550i is like sleeping dog, which you need to kick and it takes like half second to come alive. M5C can pull in any gear at any time ( this is the deal breaker for me, I need a car that can pull on the press.
4. Burble's are still there, it sound better then M5C, how ever the sound is very muted so it is of no use.


Video is very good, well done !!
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      12-12-2020, 05:28 PM   #3
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Apples and oranges; Different price points, different specifications and different performance and handling. I have had 3 550i M sports and now how a 2020 M5 competition.
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      12-12-2020, 06:17 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flanker25 View Post
good catch, I did the test drive 550i last friday and currently doing a M5c test drive over the full weekend.

clear difference:
1. Light steering wheel, very annoying to me, I need more firmer
2. Suspension is softer (compared to M5C), so good for people who like soft
suspension
3. Gear box: must slower in shifting, 550i is like sleeping dog, which you need to kick and it takes like half second to come alive. M5C can pull in any gear at any time ( this is the deal breaker for me, I need a car that can pull on the press.
4. Burble's are still there, it sound better then M5C, how ever the sound is very muted so it is of no use.


Video is very good, well done !!
Thank you very much! Glad that you enjoyed it.

Otherwise, yup, would agree on all points. The M550 feels slower to react and a little muted with the throttle response. But at the same time its feels much better suited for a daily/cruiser, with the softer suspension and lighter steering. Also, there's definitely less ''kicking'' from the car and much smoother drive.
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      12-12-2020, 06:19 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stealth7 View Post
Apples and oranges; Different price points, different specifications and different performance and handling. I have had 3 550i M sports and now how a 2020 M5 competition.
Yeah, that was my impression as well. Even though a lot of people seem to think the M550 is a budget M5, the cars are very very different, with the M550 being a much softer and more comfortable car.
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      12-12-2020, 10:13 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fullthrottlebg View Post
Test drove the new M550i for a few days and I'm really impressed by the car. Feels smoother, quieter and definitely more powerful than the pre-facelifted car.

Overall a sharp difference between this model and M5 as BMW has clearly tried to set the models apart. The M550 has a noticeably lighter steering and suspension, is extremely quiet inside. It also looks a lot more restrained if that's something your looking for. What's surprising is that the exhaust note is pretty loud on the outside, even with the OPF filters and sounds pretty good.

In terms of power, the car feels just as powerful as the M5 from a roll. The launch is definitely much weaker and that's probably set from BMW as the car didn't feel aggressive at all.

Going more in depth in the video!


I agree except for "it feels just as powerful as the M5 from a roll" I don't think so...
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      12-13-2020, 09:23 AM   #7
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Spot on. Great for people looking to compare the two. I gave the M550i a quick test drive because I was impressed with the LCI (honestly, when does BMW do a bad LCI?), and thought I could get most of the performance of the F90 for a discount, but they're just too different. As of now, I'm still on track to order an F90 in the Spring.

I'm not sure what I expected, as I went through this with the 335 and M3. The M550i is a fantastic car, but it won't scratch the itch of an M if that's what you're used to, or what you really want.

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      12-13-2020, 11:35 AM   #8
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Are the headlights from an Accord? or Lexus, can't tell for sure.



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      12-13-2020, 01:08 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Aronis View Post
Are the headlights from an Accord? or Lexus, can't tell for sure.



Mike
I don´t think the LCI headlights look bad at all, but you certainly get a feeling that they are influenced by Skoda.
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      12-13-2020, 02:28 PM   #10
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I just traded a '19 M550i in on my new '21 M5 Comp and they are light years apart. Yes I know the '19 didn't have the power of the '20 M550i but the cars are totally different in my opinion. Really no comparison needed.
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      12-13-2020, 02:42 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EKD View Post
I don´t think the LCI headlights look bad at all, but you certainly get a feeling that they are influenced by Skoda.
Its not a matter of looking 'bad,' they look fine to me, but they are NOT classic BMW.

BMW is loosing it's identity. The Double Set of round head lights that is classic BMW. Timeless. Ageless. Now gone.


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      12-13-2020, 04:21 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Aronis View Post
Its not a matter of looking 'bad,' they look fine to me, but they are NOT classic BMW.

BMW is loosing it's identity. The Double Set of round head lights that is classic BMW. Timeless. Ageless. Now gone.


Mike
My 550i has the angel eyes and awaiting my M5 which is arriving soon. The angel eyes are timeless BMW. However, I think time will tell with the new light design. I think we will get used to it. It's like the iDrive when it was first introduced in the 2001 7 series. Everyone hated it as the menu system was not intuitive but it was revolutionary. It was a deviation to the traditional BMW interior design and function. In the next few years, all auto makers adopted some form of BMW's iDrive. Today, no one questions it and BMW's iDrive is the most intuitive system.

The lack of the hofmeister kink in the new 4 coupe is another thing to get used to. I think that might be a bigger stab against the iconic BMW design.
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      12-13-2020, 04:23 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Aronis View Post
Are the headlights from an Accord? or Lexus, can't tell for sure.



Mike
Definitely , audi or vw!
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      12-13-2020, 04:32 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stealth7 View Post
Apples and oranges; Different price points, different specifications and different performance and handling. I have had 3 550i M sports and now how a 2020 M5 competition.
Exactly! I'm not a big fan of how BMW's marketing department is slapping the "M" badge all over the place. Mercedes is doing this as well with their "AMG" badging. Both the M550 and E53 AMG are really just a 550i M Sport and E550 w/ AMG Package respectively. By putting an "M" in front and with the "E53" moniker, BMW and Mercedes are charging a higher premium for these vehicles.

The issue is that by naming it an "M550i, M850i etc" it creates an expectation the vehicle doesn't live up to. I test drove both the M550 and M850 GC and they are great fun cars to drive. The former is a huge upgrade to my F10 550i. However, they are no M cars. They are luxury executive cars with performance.

BMW is doing the same with the new 8 series moniker. We all agree it's the new 6 series but the higher number denomination commands a much higher price. Before settling on the M5, I cross shopped the M850i GC. I don't even want to go there. Let's just say I couldn't justify the cost of that car when I can get an M5.
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      12-14-2020, 02:05 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EKD View Post
I don´t think the LCI headlights look bad at all, but you certainly get a feeling that they are influenced by Skoda.
When i first saw the comparisons with the new Octavia, I also thought they looked alike, but seeing the car in person, it looks much more like a modernised version of the prefacelfited model and really nothing like the WW group models.

I also parked next to the 2018 5 series and it instantly looked out of date compared to the facelift.
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      12-14-2020, 02:07 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BlueString View Post
Exactly! I'm not a big fan of how BMW's marketing department is slapping the "M" badge all over the place. Mercedes is doing this as well with their "AMG" badging. Both the M550 and E53 AMG are really just a 550i M Sport and E550 w/ AMG Package respectively. By putting an "M" in front and with the "E53" moniker, BMW and Mercedes are charging a higher premium for these vehicles.

The issue is that by naming it an "M550i, M850i etc" it creates an expectation the vehicle doesn't live up to. I test drove both the M550 and M850 GC and they are great fun cars to drive. The former is a huge upgrade to my F10 550i. However, they are no M cars. They are luxury executive cars with performance.

BMW is doing the same with the new 8 series moniker. We all agree it's the new 6 series but the higher number denomination commands a much higher price. Before settling on the M5, I cross shopped the M850i GC. I don't even want to go there. Let's just say I couldn't justify the cost of that car when I can get an M5.
I get where you're coming from, but I don't 100% agree. Because these new mini M cars are pretty potent so you could't really call the M340 slow or the 530 hp M550. I think they are giving customers more choice and a more daily and budget friendly way to enter the M world.

Nobody said anything about Audi S models for years, which have been pretty much the same. Don't know why BMW is getting that much hate for doing the same.
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      12-14-2020, 02:15 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dctodvm View Post
I just traded a '19 M550i in on my new '21 M5 Comp and they are light years apart. Yes I know the '19 didn't have the power of the '20 M550i but the cars are totally different in my opinion. Really no comparison needed.

The prefacelifted model is years apart from the new one. Wouldn't recommend the previous at all, and that's not even considering how often the engine blows up.
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      12-14-2020, 06:11 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fullthrottlebg View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlueString View Post
Exactly! I'm not a big fan of how BMW's marketing department is slapping the "M" badge all over the place. Mercedes is doing this as well with their "AMG" badging. Both the M550 and E53 AMG are really just a 550i M Sport and E550 w/ AMG Package respectively. By putting an "M" in front and with the "E53" moniker, BMW and Mercedes are charging a higher premium for these vehicles.

The issue is that by naming it an "M550i, M850i etc" it creates an expectation the vehicle doesn't live up to. I test drove both the M550 and M850 GC and they are great fun cars to drive. The former is a huge upgrade to my F10 550i. However, they are no M cars. They are luxury executive cars with performance.

BMW is doing the same with the new 8 series moniker. We all agree it's the new 6 series but the higher number denomination commands a much higher price. Before settling on the M5, I cross shopped the M850i GC. I don't even want to go there. Let's just say I couldn't justify the cost of that car when I can get an M5.
I get where you're coming from, but I don't 100% agree. Because these new mini M cars are pretty potent so you could't really call the M340 slow or the 530 hp M550. I think they are giving customers more choice and a more daily and budget friendly way to enter the M world.

Nobody said anything about Audi S models for years, which have been pretty much the same. Don't know why BMW is getting that much hate for doing the same.
Maybe because the M models sit on the thrown of their class. Not just amongst their own model lineup but also against their competitors. I don't think people necessarily think of the S models in the same light as the M models.

Then couple that with the internal justifications within brand. Everyone with an M has to tell you why it's infinite distance away from the model below it and infinite times better.. no comparison. Then everyone with the model below the M has to be able to quickly explain the hundreds of reasons they didn't get the M version and wouldn't take it even if it was free. It's kind of funny actually lol.
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      12-14-2020, 06:28 PM   #19
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There’s no wondering or what if’s when you get the F90, and no thinking “Geez I wish I got the M550i...” Get the M550i and it’s most likely just the opposite, lusting for the real thing.
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      12-14-2020, 09:49 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fullthrottlebg View Post
I get where you're coming from, but I don't 100% agree. Because these new mini M cars are pretty potent so you could't really call the M340 slow or the 530 hp M550. I think they are giving customers more choice and a more daily and budget friendly way to enter the M world.

Nobody said anything about Audi S models for years, which have been pretty much the same. Don't know why BMW is getting that much hate for doing the same.
Just to qualify your statement....you don't enter the M world in the M550i. They are apples and oranges (and I had a 2019 M550i for 2 years). It is not a real M car.....end of story. They are quick, though, and great bang for the buck....as opposed to the pathetic AMG53 and AMG43 models...which not only aren't 63's but are slow overall.
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      12-14-2020, 10:22 PM   #21
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I saw people on a FB Group saying

“...I can’t justify the premium in getting the M5 over M550”

Another dude

“..I’ll just tune an M550”
People who say that, can’t be convinced. Not even worth the time trying.

M550 is a nice car but it’s no M5 and people aren’t cross shopping the 2 vehicles.
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      12-15-2020, 12:22 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fullthrottlebg View Post
I get where you're coming from, but I don't 100% agree. Because these new mini M cars are pretty potent so you could't really call the M340 slow or the 530 hp M550. I think they are giving customers more choice and a more daily and budget friendly way to enter the M world.

Nobody said anything about Audi S models for years, which have been pretty much the same. Don't know why BMW is getting that much hate for doing the same.
Don’t get me wrong, I never said the M550 was lacking in power. The 550 and 850 like I said are great fun cars to drive. I think both the M340 and M550 at 382hp and 523hp respectively have more than enough power for a daily driver. I’ve been driving an F10 550i for the past 8 years and I find it to be more than a “great” daily driver. Now finally taking the plunge on an M5. I hope BMW will never take away the 550i as I think it’s a great offering to the 5 series lineup. My only gripe is don’t call it an M550i. Just stick with the 550i nomenclature like in the past. The M in the front just creates confusion since the M550 or M340 isn’t offered to compete against the M5 or M3.
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