Sell the E60 M5 for a 550?

[radelow]

Hey all. I have been toying with the idea of selling the M5 and replacing with a new 550. Don't get me wrong, I love the M but it is getting near to the warranty expiring and although I haven't had anything TOO SERIOUS (Vanos replaced) I really don't want to deal with the big maintenance costs and downtime and the risk of something really bad happening. Plus to be honest the constant filling up every 2-3 days really bugs (I am getting around 12-13 mpg).

Have any of you made the trade? Were you glad? Any regrets? I am not in the market for the new M5...my budget is max $75k. I am thinking the 550 with the M-sport package. I know I will be sacrificing some performance but it seems day to day the low end torque of the 550 makes up for it...plus I might just do the Dinan upgrade while I am at it (500hp and 575 ft. lbs).

[meteck]

Sounds like a plan to me! :redspot

[rdef]

Don't expect much better mileage in the 550. I'm not getting it anyway.

[radelow]

Went with the wife this weekend and drove both the 535 and the 550. I must say we both really enjoyed the 535. Power was excellent. Motor made all the right noises. Car drove well. Really an excellent vehicle.

That was until we drove the 550. Wow. Power delivery is very smooth and the car is significantly faster in day to day driving versus my M5 (above 5k rpm is a whole other story).

The F10 is definitely a heavier car and the steering is no where near as telescopic as the M5 but all in all it is a better day to day car. Still not sure I can part with the M5 but if I do chances are 75% 550i versus 25% 535i. Now I just need to convince the wife to let me get that used Boxster S for the weekends!!!!

[ALEX 540i]

I'd go for the 550 with dinan stage 2 software.

[42Pilot]

It's tough to beat the 450 ft lbs of torque at 1700 rpm. If you press the sport button, it locks the torque converter earlier and increases the shift points (rpm) and not many cars will keep up with you. I built a 525 hp, 500 ft lb of torque, 2600 lb turbo Porsche that could not hang with this car in a straight line because it's torque didn't peak until 5150 rpm. By the time the Porsche caught up, the 550 was already down the street but just only after passing about a buck 30. In the twisties, completely different story.

Yes, the 550 is heavy and there is lots of body roll, but hey - it's a high performance luxury car. If you decide on the Dinan, you have to consider the stage 2 because it alters shift points further to take advantage of the higher boost (and fueling). Then you get a +4000 lb platform that goes 0 - 60 in nearly 4 seconds and is still capable of +22 mpg and a superb ride.

[Sandollars]

Don't expect much better mileage in the 550. I'm not getting it anyway.

I am averaging 22 mpg on my 2011 550.. 50k miles

[radelow]

I am averaging 22 mpg on my 2011 550.. 50k miles

That seems to be more in line with what I have been hearing...even if I average 18-20 I'd be a happy camper. We have pretty much set our sights on the 550i. Wife loves driving it which is a good thing....