BMW M550i xdrive
It may be closely related to the M5, but it offers a different experience
IFIND MYSELF LOPING ALONG IN THE M550i more than charging around and I reckon that’s partly because I’ve spent a chunk of time in the latest M5 Competition (see page 94). The two models are about £30k apart but share about 99 per cent of their DNA, including their V8s and kerb weights, pretty much. However, there’s a huge difference between how the two feel and, as a result, how you drive them. Well, how I drive them.
The big differences are that the M5 has some steering feel where the M550 has very little, and that the M5 rides more tautly but is also more responsive and so doesn’t feel as heavy, and as a result the M5 feels more agile. Altogether, this makes corners in the M5 more rewarding. And, of course, if you’re really up for it, you can make the M5 rear-drive only, an option denied you in the M550. I thought this was a bit of a gimmick but I reckon I’d use it regularly, to feel that sense of connection and influence and to get more from the car, particularly at modest speeds.
The M550 isn’t as good as the M5 at disguising its size and weight. There are options for tailoring the steering, ride and drivetrain response but you can’t get it to feel like it’s up on its toes. This is a shame because the M550’s less powerful (523bhp versus 616bhp) but equally torquey (553lb ft) biturbo V8 is terrifically muscular and has a cracking voice, a proper V8 rumble that you don’t get with the M5. It’s subtle most of the time but gives the M550 a delicious sense of menace that fits perfectly with its restrained but purposeful looks.
There’s another reason to lope. We’ve all had those times when you arrive at your destination but end up staying in the car to hear the end of a song or concert or radio feature. Well, the optional Bowers & Wilkins Diamond system makes everything worth listening to. Apparently they set out to make the best car system available and as well as featuring synthetic diamond tweeter domes, Kevlar and Rohacell are also used to make the speakers. As mentioned before, I’m in awe of the clarity and sense of being there, and have just discovered the ‘On Stage’ setting has a slider to increase the surround sound effect. It’s astonishing, the best I’ve ever experienced.
Meanwhile, the mystery of the ‘phantom’ operation of the seat heaters and heated steering wheel has been solved. It seemed that there was a pattern and it turns out there is: editor Gallagher took delivery of the M550 and before handing it over to me set those heating elements to automatically come on at under 8deg C. The brief spell of remarkably hot weather revealed that he also set a threshold for the driver’s seat cooling, too.
Date acquired January 2021 Total Mileage 4578 Mileage this month 412 Costs this month £0 mpg this month 22.7
‘The V8 rumble gives a delicious sense of menace that perfectly fits the M550’s looks’