OUTDOING THE MIGHTY M5
When mid-life changes were announced for the seventh-generation BMW 5 Series, they had all the hallmarks of a routine review: different lights, reshaped bumpers, a larger grille. But then came bigger news: BMW was reintroducing the M550i xDrive “comfort flagship”, with 523bhp on tap from a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre petrol V8 but refinement built-in.
Previously, the presumption had been that the 616bhp BMW M5 Competition catered best for performance-loving customers. But the model has grown hardcore over the years, so it’s now quicker than many drivers need and has too much stiff suspension too stiff for the rough roads of Britain.
Not that this new M550i is any shrinking violet. It’s fast (0-100kph in 3.8sec) but also classy. Its starting price of £68,590 (2.8 million baht) is also around £30,000 lower than for the M5, although our test car (with many pricey option boxes ticked) came out at £89,445.
The M550i’s key f eature comes as standard: l ong-distance comfort and high-speed stability with impressive accuracy and grip for B-road driving. Even road-noise, a common BMW bugbear, is well controlled.
Driven gently, the engine emits little mechanical noise; only when you get going does its character become obvious. But the V8 throb increases pleasantly when you select Sport mode — which you can do with alacrity because although the ride gets stiffer and the steering heavier, it doesn’t change the demeanour of this long-legged, easydriving car.
The four-wheel-drive system is brilliant at keeping traction; we spent a hilarious 20 minutes trying to get it to break away and failing.
The interior contains few surprises. Our test car was black, of course, with all the usual BMW controls and decor and a large, panoramic touchscreen dominating things in the centre of the dashboard.
The seats are supportive and well-shaped for sporty driving, with a generous range of adjustment. Rear room is so-so for a 5m-long car but the boot is decent for holidays on which an M5’s hardcore nature would be problematic.
Whisper this, but for most kinds of everyday use, the “comfort flagship” is probably more desirable than the mighty icon itself.