Is there a 550 coming out?
- Thread starter bimmer540
- Start date
Scott, wouldn't you rather opt for a winter car w/ the new 5er w/ the 4.8 engine? rather than having two nice summer cars? but it does sound good tho, c6 and a kickin 5er next to it.
and Emile, i have some doubts on them using the direct port of the 4.8 liter from the x5. unless they were product testing the 4.8 on the x5 for mass production. the cost of the 4.8 engine is at least a few grand more than the 4.4. wouldn't make too much sense in terms of the cost, esp since the new v-8 will replace the relatively new 4.4 liter that's in both the 7 and the 5 (unless they'll mass produce it in its place w/out incurring too much cost.) but this is purely my speculation w/ no evidence, so who knows.
weird how the 750 sounds good, but the 550 sounds crappy to me...
and Emile, i have some doubts on them using the direct port of the 4.8 liter from the x5. unless they were product testing the 4.8 on the x5 for mass production. the cost of the 4.8 engine is at least a few grand more than the 4.4. wouldn't make too much sense in terms of the cost, esp since the new v-8 will replace the relatively new 4.4 liter that's in both the 7 and the 5 (unless they'll mass produce it in its place w/out incurring too much cost.) but this is purely my speculation w/ no evidence, so who knows.
weird how the 750 sounds good, but the 550 sounds crappy to me...
Well, I've been no. 1 on my dealer's M5 list for some time, so I'll throw in some comments. First of all, the 4.7 M5 time is manufacturer spec, and it's 0-62. Actual 0-60 times will probably be in the 4.3-4.5 range once the car magazines start testing here in the US. Second, a few tenths difference at sub 5 second times is a lot more than a few tenths in cars running 6 or 7 second 0-60 times.
Third, because it's relatively heavy, the M5's 0-60 time is deceptive. Look at the 0-200 khp times tested of 13.6 seconds, or even better, look at the 100 - 200 kph times of around 9 seconds. These numbers will beat most supercars, the Porsche Turbo, Lamborghini Gallardo, and Dodge Viper to name a few. That is just unbelievable performance - way, way out of the 550's league.
The above comments just relate to straight-line performance of the M5. The performance on the 'ring, and overall handling are also in a completely different league than the 550. There's plenty of room for the M5 in my book, and at an $85K price, the M5 is one of the best performance bargains you can get.
Third, because it's relatively heavy, the M5's 0-60 time is deceptive. Look at the 0-200 khp times tested of 13.6 seconds, or even better, look at the 100 - 200 kph times of around 9 seconds. These numbers will beat most supercars, the Porsche Turbo, Lamborghini Gallardo, and Dodge Viper to name a few. That is just unbelievable performance - way, way out of the 550's league.
The above comments just relate to straight-line performance of the M5. The performance on the 'ring, and overall handling are also in a completely different league than the 550. There's plenty of room for the M5 in my book, and at an $85K price, the M5 is one of the best performance bargains you can get.
First of all, the 545i does 0-60 in 5.7 seconds or 5.8 seconds, depending on your transmission choice. The new 550i will probably be in the low-5-second range.
If the magazines test the 545i to do 0-60 in the low 5-second range, then we are looking at very high 4's/low 5's for the 550i. And we can also expect a 4-second 0-60 time for the M5 from the magazines, as well.
Of course, it's not ultimately just about 0-60. These high-horsepower cars really start to "flex their muscles" AFTER 60mph, where wind resistance and the upper gears really start to come into play.
The 550i will be a bit closer to the M5's performance than the 545i, but so will its price. The 550i and M5 will still have a large performance and price gap such that the 550 does not become the M5's own competition.
If the magazines test the 545i to do 0-60 in the low 5-second range, then we are looking at very high 4's/low 5's for the 550i. And we can also expect a 4-second 0-60 time for the M5 from the magazines, as well.
Of course, it's not ultimately just about 0-60. These high-horsepower cars really start to "flex their muscles" AFTER 60mph, where wind resistance and the upper gears really start to come into play.
The 550i will be a bit closer to the M5's performance than the 545i, but so will its price. The 550i and M5 will still have a large performance and price gap such that the 550 does not become the M5's own competition.
I agree. How can you compare a 500+hp car to a 360hp car. The M5 will be a complete terror with that awesome high reving V-10. I am just hopeful that it can put the E55 to bed.
With that being said the 550 is a strong option for the person that does not need quite M5 level performance in a sedan, but still wants a fast incredibley capable tourer.
With that being said the 550 is a strong option for the person that does not need quite M5 level performance in a sedan, but still wants a fast incredibley capable tourer.
I think the M5 will out-do the E55 in all categories: acceleration, handling, and braking. It is a newer car with a more powerful engine and better suspension, but I'm just not sure about the brakes. It is hard to match the braking power of the E55 when MB equips it with 8-piston calipers up front, whereas the M5 only has 1 or 2 pistons per caliper all around. I know that the upcoming M6 is going to have twin-piston calipers all around, but I'm not sure if BMW did this for the M5 (I have a feeling they did).
Althought I agree no sedan in it's class can clearly 'best the 545's performance numbers', some are getting awfully close. I just test drove the Infiniti M45, and BMW definitely has something to worry about. The acelleration is right there with the 545. I could not tell a difference after driving my 545 and the M45 back to back. Cornering, braking, steering feel, ride all were very, very good - again right there with the 545. I also did not push the car to the limit - it's active stability system kept kicking in. The bottom line is that if I couldn't see a real difference in performance between the two cars, a lot of other people will feel the same way. BMW definitely needs the 360 hp to justify the $15K price difference, and to regain a significant performance edge.
Wolverine,
What did you make of the interior of the M45; is it as good as it looks? No offense, but I'm not really a big fan of the 5er interior--I don't like the ergonomics, and from what I've noticed, the quality of plastics isn't as great as it used to be, and the gaps between some of the dash pieces was a little bigger than I liked. The M45 interior looks really sharp, however, and the pieces look quite elegant. What are your thoughts???
What did you make of the interior of the M45; is it as good as it looks? No offense, but I'm not really a big fan of the 5er interior--I don't like the ergonomics, and from what I've noticed, the quality of plastics isn't as great as it used to be, and the gaps between some of the dash pieces was a little bigger than I liked. The M45 interior looks really sharp, however, and the pieces look quite elegant. What are your thoughts???
Wallie05 said:
Wolverine,
What did you make of the interior of the M45; is it as good as it looks? No offense, but I'm not really a big fan of the 5er interior--I don't like the ergonomics, and from what I've noticed, the quality of plastics isn't as great as it used to be, and the gaps between some of the dash pieces was a little bigger than I liked. The M45 interior looks really sharp, however, and the pieces look quite elegant. What are your thoughts???
What did you make of the interior of the M45; is it as good as it looks? No offense, but I'm not really a big fan of the 5er interior--I don't like the ergonomics, and from what I've noticed, the quality of plastics isn't as great as it used to be, and the gaps between some of the dash pieces was a little bigger than I liked. The M45 interior looks really sharp, however, and the pieces look quite elegant. What are your thoughts???
![[:D]](/images/smilies/biggrin.png "Big Grin [:D]")
Wallie05 said:
Wolverine,
What did you make of the interior of the M45; is it as good as it looks? No offense, but I'm not really a big fan of the 5er interior--I don't like the ergonomics, and from what I've noticed, the quality of plastics isn't as great as it used to be, and the gaps between some of the dash pieces was a little bigger than I liked. The M45 interior looks really sharp, however, and the pieces look quite elegant. What are your thoughts???
What did you make of the interior of the M45; is it as good as it looks? No offense, but I'm not really a big fan of the 5er interior--I don't like the ergonomics, and from what I've noticed, the quality of plastics isn't as great as it used to be, and the gaps between some of the dash pieces was a little bigger than I liked. The M45 interior looks really sharp, however, and the pieces look quite elegant. What are your thoughts???
I still like the E60 interior better, but that's just personal taste. As far as quality, materials and finish they are quite comparable.
I'm sure the M45 is a nice car. If it can really hang with the upcoming 550 I will be very impressed. I just saw some numbers on the M35(0-60 in 6.3) That model may cut into the 530 a little. I am a firm believer that most trouble free BMW owners stick with BMW's due to the driving experience.
I lease vehicles for my business and in the past when I have looked at other makes like infinit, I am always blown away as to how much better the BMW leases are. Especially if you compare the price to the lease. A $34,000 G35 will lease worse than a $40,000+ 3-Series. They do this by primarily keeping the money factors low and the residuals high. These 2 numbers are hugely important when leasing. Don't be mislead by fixed APR's(money factor) on any car. The dealer plays with these and can make a ton of money on these incremental increases on APR. Use the internet to find the actual APR of the car from the MFG or leasing company.
I lease vehicles for my business and in the past when I have looked at other makes like infinit, I am always blown away as to how much better the BMW leases are. Especially if you compare the price to the lease. A $34,000 G35 will lease worse than a $40,000+ 3-Series. They do this by primarily keeping the money factors low and the residuals high. These 2 numbers are hugely important when leasing. Don't be mislead by fixed APR's(money factor) on any car. The dealer plays with these and can make a ton of money on these incremental increases on APR. Use the internet to find the actual APR of the car from the MFG or leasing company.
About 9 10 months ago, I was driving on A3 heading from Frankfurt to Wurzburg and I was travelling about 130 mph and was desimated by a totally black M5 test vehicle ( i am assuming that is what it was). Must not have been a limiter (155mph) on this particular test vehicle.....he passed me like I wasn't even moving. It is crazy when you can feel the wind of a vehicle passing you, when you yourself are travelling at 130+mph. There is no doubt that the M5 WILL own all![[thumb]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_thumb.gif "Thumbs Up [thumb]")