What do I get next? What replaces an m550?

macdaddy_o · Yesterday, 06:45 PM

At the end of 2021, I found myself in need of new car after passing my old one onto my son as he entered graduate school. I couldn’t get an allocation for an M550, and not wanting to wait more than 3 months, I got a 540 instead and thought… I’ll definitely get that M550 next time…..

Well, the M550 is no more…. Moment of silence…

I now need to decide what to get next. I’m toying around with m340, m3, m440 gc, m5, m840 gc and m8 gc. The m5 and m8 gc are like 125/130 each, so I’d have to be super sold on them to cough up the difference.

I’m not sure if any of these will replace that itch that the m550 scratches, I’m vacillating back and forth between them trying to make a decision, and keep being indecisive. Nothing really stands out to me on these cars apart from each other.

I’m looking for any opinions or ideas for me to consider as I try to point in the right direction.

Appreciated

pbonsalb · Yesterday, 07:12 PM

I’d go for the M5 or M8 GC. I have an M5. If you aren’t happy with a 540i, you probably won’t be much happier with a 340i even if it is an M340i. An M3 is a good choice if you don’t mind giving up low end power and don’t need a mid size car. They are great for modding — the S58 has a fantastic top end but the nearly 50% greater displacement of the M5/8 has more off boost torque and spools the turbos faster. I had an E90 M3 for 10 years before the M5 and was willing to trade some nimbleness for comfort.

tturedraider · Yesterday, 07:53 PM

What about keeping the 540? There isn’t anything better than an inline six.

pbonsalb · Yesterday, 07:59 PM

My guess is the OP leased and the 3 year lease is up so he needs to lease another car. Might as well change to a car that inspires him this time since the 540i did not and he wishes he had gotten the M550i instead.

Mason Hatcher · Yesterday, 08:53 PM

M5, without a doubt.

Llarry · Today, 07:16 AM

If the non-hybrid V-8 appeals to you and you want a four-door there is presently only one answer: M850ix Gran Coupe. Same 523 hp 4.4 V-8 as the M550i. According to the U.S. EPA the G16 Gran Coupe has slightly more passenger and luggage volume than the G30. (I've no idea how valid these numbers are, though.) It's also a bit more expensive that the G30 M550ix was. There's the M5 of course, but at a still higher price point.

The current 8 series, including the M850ix, is in its last year of production, so I would avoid delaying too much if you go that route.

Car & Driver magazine was recently very impressed by the latest G60 540ix and the 550ex offers a bit more oomph in the same package, albeit with PHEV tech.

pbonsalb · Today, 07:35 AM

Buy a lightly used 2023 model. I would buy only the S63tu4 engine. Skip the N63 or the S63 with battery hybrid.

macdaddy_o · Today, 09:13 AM

Gah! The 8 series is in its last year of production??? Crap I didn’t know that. Not unexpected as I’ve heard it never had high sales numbers… I’ve had trouble in my head with that middle pillar in the back..

So I’m hearing skip the m340…

I don’t want the current model 540, it’s more luxury sedan/Mercedes than sporty now.

The problem with getting a used m550 is finding one. I refuse to get one without certain options, like the dynamic cruise control, and “acceptable” colors. The dealers in my area have told me that waiting for one with the desired options is not realistic, since there were no leases in 23 and only minimal sales (single digits) And similar small numbers from 2020 on. I won’t post the numbers they gave me in a public forum, even if it is unlikely it would be traced back to them… but I agree it is bleak.

Is the m5 actually comfortable? I thought the m550 was a more comfortable and less stiff ride than an m5. I haven’t ridden either in a while, so my memory of a year ago may be off, maybe it was because the m5 was a cs?

Yesterday, 06:45 PM	#1
macdaddy_o Private 24 Rep 76 Posts Drives: 2022 530ix 2001 330ci Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	What do I get next? What replaces an m550? At the end of 2021, I found myself in need of new car after passing my old one onto my son as he entered graduate school. I couldn’t get an allocation for an M550, and not wanting to wait more than 3 months, I got a 540 instead and thought… I’ll definitely get that M550 next time….. Well, the M550 is no more…. Moment of silence… I now need to decide what to get next. I’m toying around with m340, m3, m440 gc, m5, m840 gc and m8 gc. The m5 and m8 gc are like 125/130 each, so I’d have to be super sold on them to cough up the difference. I’m not sure if any of these will replace that itch that the m550 scratches, I’m vacillating back and forth between them trying to make a decision, and keep being indecisive. Nothing really stands out to me on these cars apart from each other. I’m looking for any opinions or ideas for me to consider as I try to point in the right direction. Appreciated
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Yesterday, 07:12 PM	#2
pbonsalb Lieutenant General 5604 Rep 11,058 Posts Drives: 18 F90 M5, 99 E36 M3 Turbo Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New England iTrader: (4)	I’d go for the M5 or M8 GC. I have an M5. If you aren’t happy with a 540i, you probably won’t be much happier with a 340i even if it is an M340i. An M3 is a good choice if you don’t mind giving up low end power and don’t need a mid size car. They are great for modding — the S58 has a fantastic top end but the nearly 50% greater displacement of the M5/8 has more off boost torque and spools the turbos faster. I had an E90 M3 for 10 years before the M5 and was willing to trade some nimbleness for comfort.
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Yesterday, 07:53 PM	#3
tturedraider Major General 5489 Rep 6,515 Posts Drives: 2018 340i M Sport Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chicago, Edgewater (via Texas & Tennessee) iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW 340i M Sport [8.78] 2020 BMW M340i xDrive [9.00] 2018 BMW 340i M Sport [7.38] 2006 BMW 330i Sport [5.83] 2004 BMW 330i ZHP [7.13] 2000 BMW 328i [6.17]	What about keeping the 540? There isn’t anything better than an inline six. __________________ www.bmwcca.org member #388003 - Use me as a referral & you could win a one day ///M Driving School!! ___________________________________________
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Yesterday, 07:59 PM	#4
pbonsalb Lieutenant General 5604 Rep 11,058 Posts Drives: 18 F90 M5, 99 E36 M3 Turbo Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New England iTrader: (4)	My guess is the OP leased and the 3 year lease is up so he needs to lease another car. Might as well change to a car that inspires him this time since the 540i did not and he wishes he had gotten the M550i instead.
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Yesterday, 08:53 PM	#5
Mason Hatcher Captain 1131 Rep 695 Posts Drives: BMW X3 Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: FW-TX iTrader: (0)	M5, without a doubt.
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Today, 07:16 AM	#6
Llarry ///M driver 20266 Rep 668 Posts Drives: '22 M3 6-spd FS & 2025 M850ix Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Oregon iTrader: (0) Garage List 2025 BMW M850i xDri ... [0.00] 2022 BMW M3 [9.33] 2021 Porsche Macan GTS [6.25]	If the non-hybrid V-8 appeals to you and you want a four-door there is presently only one answer: M850ix Gran Coupe. Same 523 hp 4.4 V-8 as the M550i. According to the U.S. EPA the G16 Gran Coupe has slightly more passenger and luggage volume than the G30. (I've no idea how valid these numbers are, though.) It's also a bit more expensive that the G30 M550ix was. There's the M5 of course, but at a still higher price point. The current 8 series, including the M850ix, is in its last year of production, so I would avoid delaying too much if you go that route. Car & Driver magazine was recently very impressed by the latest G60 540ix and the 550ex offers a bit more oomph in the same package, albeit with PHEV tech. __________________ '22 G80 M3 6-sp Portimão Blue/Tartufo (For sale) '25 M850ix GC (Ordered) Last edited by Llarry; Today at 07:23 AM..
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Today, 07:35 AM	#7
pbonsalb Lieutenant General 5604 Rep 11,058 Posts Drives: 18 F90 M5, 99 E36 M3 Turbo Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New England iTrader: (4)	Buy a lightly used 2023 model. I would buy only the S63tu4 engine. Skip the N63 or the S63 with battery hybrid.
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Today, 09:13 AM	#8
macdaddy_o Private 24 Rep 76 Posts Drives: 2022 530ix 2001 330ci Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	Gah! The 8 series is in its last year of production??? Crap I didn’t know that. Not unexpected as I’ve heard it never had high sales numbers… I’ve had trouble in my head with that middle pillar in the back.. So I’m hearing skip the m340… I don’t want the current model 540, it’s more luxury sedan/Mercedes than sporty now. The problem with getting a used m550 is finding one. I refuse to get one without certain options, like the dynamic cruise control, and “acceptable” colors. The dealers in my area have told me that waiting for one with the desired options is not realistic, since there were no leases in 23 and only minimal sales (single digits) And similar small numbers from 2020 on. I won’t post the numbers they gave me in a public forum, even if it is unlikely it would be traced back to them… but I agree it is bleak. Is the m5 actually comfortable? I thought the m550 was a more comfortable and less stiff ride than an m5. I haven’t ridden either in a while, so my memory of a year ago may be off, maybe it was because the m5 was a cs?
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