01-24-2014, 01:34 AM | #24 |
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01-24-2014, 02:52 AM | #25 | |
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If you're not into tracking your car (high performance driving), I would recommend the 550. I'm sure that it'll be far more comfortable for daily use and will be more than adequate (with respect to handling/acceleration) for commuting. |
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01-24-2014, 07:23 AM | #26 |
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01-24-2014, 09:27 AM | #27 |
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I have a 2014 550i and i've had numerous 3 series in my lifetime to know how they drive.
550 pros and cons over the M3 Pros Bigger - Enough room for a family with even a baby. Yes a 3 series can manage a baby too (my brother in law does) but it is tight. Very tight inside and very limited trunk space once you throw in a stroller More luxurious with higher end materials - The current F10 platform has the best BMW interior ever made. BMW did not cheap out anywhere inside this car and it is very apparent once you jump in. Going from a loaded F30 interior into a loaded F10 feels like you just moved up several classes up. More comfortable - More space, softer riding suspension, more gadgets to make your time spent inside the car more enjoyable Power - Can't say if the LCI 550 will be faster in a straight line than the new upcoming M3/M4 but it sure is faster than the current V8 one. Verified by many members on the forum as well as myself. Cons Heavy heavy heavy - Car is just not nimble no matter what you do to it Size - Its a big car and drives like one MPG - The 550 guzzles gas if you drive like anything besides a grandma. I average 13mpg with mostly local driving. Steering is vague compared to the 3 series. They truly are two different cars for two completely different purposes. You wouldnt take a 550 around the autocross nor would it be ideal to haul a family of 4 with a baby/stroller/junk in a M3/M4 for long distances. If i was single M3/M4 no question but for my family we only have room for one vehicle so the 550 suits me better. Alan
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01-24-2014, 10:13 AM | #28 | |||
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I did a BMW track day in my M3 and did a ride along in a M5 and believe me. The ride along was great but believe me you could feel every pound of that car as it was driving around. Quote:
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I can say that the F30/f80 is nicer on the interior than the e90 and is a bit larger which I can tell. I do think the F30/80 is more inline with the F10 series compared to the E90. My e60 interior was pretty much the same as the 550 except the I prefer the much nicer leather in the e90 M3 so I am not really seeing a huge difference in the F30/80 to the F10.
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17 M3 ZCP -- 2017 Range Rover Sport SC --RIP-- 12 X5 50i Sport -- 11 M3 DCT -- 2011 X5 50i(Lemon) -- 2008 550 Msport -- 2007 x5 4.8 sport -- 2004 545 sport -- 2002 x5 4.4 sport -- 2001 540i Msport 2000 SL500 -- 1997 SL500 |
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01-25-2014, 02:13 PM | #29 | |
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OP, it's definitely not this bad.
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01-25-2014, 02:19 PM | #30 |
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01-25-2014, 02:21 PM | #31 |
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09-29-2014, 04:30 PM | #34 |
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I didn't have the x but I had the M-Sport 550i before my F80 M3 and they really couldn't be more different cars. The 550i was my stealth rocket. It accelerated quickly and was just DEAD quiet! Great comfort and definitely a big car. So if those two things are high on your list of wants then maybe it's the car for you. However, that's where the pros ended for me. The M3 is just light years more responsive, quicker, handles much better. It's just overall SO much more fun to drive. It makes me happy every time I get in it and I've had mine since launch day.
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09-29-2014, 11:14 PM | #35 |
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Not that this thread is still relevant but I owned an E92 and moved into a 550i -- and immediately installed a dinan S2 (501 hp / 585 tq). The car is a rocket and a blast to drive during freeway trips. Been on three trips 400 miles away and each time I'm amazed at the power I get from this car. And it has shocked the $&/# out of a few drivers looking to make me an example. It certainly would smoke my E92.
Having said that, they are two completely different cars and it depends on what you want and need. I needed a bigger sedan at the time and chose the more refine luxurious 550i. If this is you, go for it and add the tune. You will not be disappointed. The software upgrade satisfied my craving for more power to weight ratio. For me it was the perfect combination of luxury and power. However, I was really never able to get over the fact that I got rid of my E92. There's something special about the car -- and if you owned one you know what I'm talking about. I no longer need the big sedan so when my lease is up in 8 months I'm moving back into an AW M3 ASAP. Love the luxury of the 550 and the power tune but the M3 is a special creature. |
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09-30-2014, 02:12 PM | #36 | |
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hahaha...
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I have to say though that it was one comfy, quiet and FAST highway cruiser...but that is about all it is good for. Last edited by TheRealOrosie; 10-05-2014 at 10:29 PM.. |
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09-30-2014, 02:52 PM | #38 | |
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Yep, just like the S54, only different. But back to the OP, I would say there is no comparison. I did actually think very briefly about a 5, but just to big and heavy to be any use to me for what I wanted it for. Last edited by JeffM-Houston; 09-30-2014 at 10:40 PM.. |
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09-30-2014, 09:27 PM | #39 | |
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i had a 550xi as a loaner when my 335i was in the shop … i thought it was quick but wobbly and scary when driving the same roads (at like 6/10s) compared to the 335i sport pkg and e46 m3 i had at the time. if i never planned on tracking the M3, i probably would've gone to the larger, more comfortable 535i or 550 while still getting a fair amount of straight line grunt (especially after tunes). the 3 series is the 5 series of yesteryear .. it still offers plenty utility for me! but as usual, it boils down to what you are looking for in a car and i wouldn't say that one is overall "better" than the other .. but they certainly have their obvious strengths and weaknesses. wonder what the OP is up to these days and what he's driving... |
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09-30-2014, 10:52 PM | #40 |
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I just wanted to add that the new F80/82 is a huge car to me. I really feel like the M3 is about just right for a medium to large family sedan.
My first 3er was a 1978 E21 320/6 when I lived in the UK for a few years. That was a tiny car compared to the latest. And that 2 liter 6 cylinder with an old timey carburetor (and 120 hp) seemed sweet at the time. |
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11-02-2014, 12:28 AM | #41 | |
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Ironically, two weeks ago I picked up a 2015 550xi. I test drove a full gamut of fun cars, including, but not limited to C7, R8 4.2, RS7, S6, 550xi, M5, Quattroporte, Ghibli, M3/4, GTR, 991 S, Cayman S, Cayenne TurboS and concluded that, for me, 550xi is the right balance of performance, cache, luxury and dollars. It compares favorably to my 14 Cayenne GTS, yet at almost half the price and 460 miles later, I'm convinced that I've made the right call. |
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11-02-2014, 04:29 AM | #42 | ||
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11-02-2014, 06:30 AM | #43 |
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S55B30 and N55 are identical in bore and stroke, and according to Bimmerfile, there are no liners: 'instead of liners, the cylinder bores feature a twin-wire arc-sprayed coating'.
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11-06-2014, 05:36 PM | #44 | ||
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