[Captain Starbucks]

Hi all,

After a 4 year break from owning a BMW (2011 M3 w/6MT) and going down the EV trail, I'm considering stepping back into the world of not only ICE, but BMW as well.

Considering that I'm mid 50's, two kids 7 and 10, wife, and I commute 52 miles a day, it's easy to justify keeping my EV (2012 Model S) because it's truly easy to live with, but the range is starting to suffer and I need a new car one way or the other. Another boring but fast AF EV makes sense.

Reasons for the M550i is that it'll be one of the last V8's made. Regardless of how amazing the 540 and B58 is, I do like V8's (still own a 1968 Impala w/327 bought brand new by my folks, and my 2001 F250 diesel w/6MT). But the reality is, I just drone back and forth to work, run errands, etc. I'm definitely a car guy, but my weekends are spent fishing, hunting, camping, boating, kids stuff. No canyon carving, no car related stuff for the most part.

So, my comfort level of spending is $50k-ish. CPO a must. 2022 M550's are a bit over that amount, 540's a bit below. So if you had to choose, would you step the budget up a bit and go M550, or go 540i Xdrive w/DHP? I'm finding DHP is not super common. Or maybe just not listed.

I've watched all the videos, read all the chatter, I just feel like talking about it and if you're here, you probably do to.

Rob in Tacoma

[pbonsalb]

M550xi.

[BlkGS]

M550i. You only live once. You could have a heart attack overnight and not wake up tomorrow. It's not likely talking about a huge stretch of the budget to buy a new M5 here, so get the car you want.

Either way get DHP. On the X5, DHP is both not common and often not listed. You'll have to get the VIN and decode it, or pull a window sticker. Make sure you get DAPP as well, another rare but critical option that is often poorly documented on car listings.

[jphcbpa]

DHP in the m550 is different than the 540 dhp

[Captain Starbucks]

Originally Posted by jphcbpa

DHP in the m550 is different than the 540 dhp

Can you tell me the differences please?

[jphcbpa]

Originally Posted by Captain Starbucks

Can you tell me the differences please?

some good info here... post #8

https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=2147427

[Neusser]

Originally Posted by Captain Starbucks

Hi all,

After a 4 year break from owning a BMW (2011 M3 w/6MT) and going down the EV trail, I'm considering stepping back into the world of not only ICE, but BMW as well.

Considering that I'm mid 50's, two kids 7 and 10, wife, and I commute 52 miles a day, it's easy to justify keeping my EV (2012 Model S) because it's truly easy to live with, but the range is starting to suffer and I need a new car one way or the other. Another boring but fast AF EV makes sense.

Reasons for the M550i is that it'll be one of the last V8's made. Regardless of how amazing the 540 and B58 is, I do like V8's (still own a 1968 Impala w/327 bought brand new by my folks, and my 2001 F250 diesel w/6MT). But the reality is, I just drone back and forth to work, run errands, etc. I'm definitely a car guy, but my weekends are spent fishing, hunting, camping, boating, kids stuff. No canyon carving, no car related stuff for the most part.

So, my comfort level of spending is $50k-ish. CPO a must. 2022 M550's are a bit over that amount, 540's a bit below. So if you had to choose, would you step the budget up a bit and go M550, or go 540i Xdrive w/DHP? I'm finding DHP is not super common. Or maybe just not listed.

I've watched all the videos, read all the chatter, I just feel like talking about it and if you're here, you probably do to.

Rob in Tacoma

Depends on what you want. Both cars can be had with a similar level of luxury.

If you want a driver's car, the 540 is hands-down the better choice. Weight balance is much better, M-braking package performs better and the car is more nimble due to lighter weight (540 gets the same brake setup as the 550, if you get the blue brakes).

If you seek more power with the 540, a simple tune will get you up around 420 hp, and the B58 can go much further while maintaining reliability. There is, ofc, also the fact that an I6 is nearly perfectly harmonically balanced, so it is incredibly smooth.

The 550 is more of a point-and-squirt muscle car/cruiser. Engine reliabilty is not great, but somewhat improved vs. the absolute disaster it once was. It is heavy, plush, understeery, squishy, and laden with gobs of tech.

If I had to have one do-it-all car, I would definitley want it to be as balanced as possible.

[pbonsalb]

The OP really likes the V8 feel, and the 540i will never have it. But he also just commutes to work and back and does not really need great power or handling. I think he should test drive both. Maybe the V8 won’t really stir him and he can save money and be satisfied with the 540i, which is still a nice car. I have an F90 M5. My second choice would be an M550xi. My third choice would be a 540i. My 4th choice would be a 530i. 4 years later, I remain happy that I was in a position to not have to compromise.

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by Neusser

Depends on what you want. Both cars can be had with a similar level of luxury.

If you want a driver's car, the 540 is hands-down the better choice. Weight balance is much better, M-braking package performs better and the car is more nimble due to lighter weight (540 gets the same brake setup as the 550, if you get the blue brakes).

If you seek more power with the 540, a simple tune will get you up around 420 hp, and the B58 can go much further while maintaining reliability. There is, ofc, also the fact that an I6 is nearly perfectly harmonically balanced, so it is incredibly smooth.

The 550 is more of a point-and-squirt muscle car/cruiser. Engine reliabilty is not great, but somewhat improved vs. the absolute disaster it once was. It is heavy, plush, understeery, squishy, and laden with gobs of tech.

If I had to have one do-it-all car, I would definitley want it to be as balanced as possible.

This is the biggest pile of garbage I've read in a while.

The N63TU3 is as reliable or more than the B58. There is nothing more "drivers car" about the 540i, it's slightly lighter and can be RWD, the M550i is AWD only. That's it. It's still an angry level 5, with an auto transmission, a soft suspension, and a focus on being a luxury cruiser more than being a drivers car like an E39.

[pbonsalb]

Often those with the lesser car search for reasons why it is really better. You see this with M5 Comp vs M5 Base, M5 vs M550i, M550i vs 550i, 550i vs 540i, 540i vs 530i, etc. I think the 540i is a good car, but would never try to claim it is better, unless less expensive or more fuel efficient is the definition of better.

[snowbimmer]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

This is the biggest pile of garbage I've read in a while.

The N63TU3 is as reliable or more than the B58. There is nothing more "drivers car" about the 540i, it's slightly lighter and can be RWD, the M550i is AWD only. That's it. It's still an angry level 5, with an auto transmission, a soft suspension, and a focus on being a luxury cruiser more than being a drivers car like an E39.

^^^^^^This

I have 168,000 miles in BMW V-8s, starting with a 2014 550xi, a 2018 M550, 2 F90s and now in my 2nd M850 after 48,500 completely worry and hassle free miles in the 1st one. The 550 slurped up 2 quarts of oil - once. Never added oil to the others, never added coolant, never had any problems - ever - well, one recall, under warranty. I couldn't wait to get back into my M550 when I was given a 540 loaner a couple times. And, the M550 was a fabulous long distance road car, along with being a great DD. I had the DHP.

I liked the 540, don't get me wrong, but, those 2 extra cylinders........

My 2 cents.

[pbonsalb]

I know your point is about the claim the V8 is unreliable, but there is another good point in your post and that is that among those V8 variants, you did end up preferring one that was not at the top of the totem pole — the M850 over the M5. So sometimes, the highest performance car is not the best choice for a person, and it could be that someone would prefer a 540i to a 550i. Maybe it is the lighter feel, the cheaper cost, the better mpg, the more athletic nature in that the I6 needs to rev to make power and revs smoothly (while the V8 is more like a weightlifter with seemingly effortless power).

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

I know your point is about the claim the V8 is unreliable, but there is another good point in your post and that is that among those V8 variants, you did end up preferring one that was not at the top of the totem pole — the M850 over the M5. So sometimes, the highest performance car is not the best choice for a person, and it could be that someone would prefer a 540i to a 550i. Maybe it is the lighter feel, the cheaper cost, the better mpg, the more athletic nature in that the I6 needs to rev to make power and revs smoothly (while the V8 is more like a weightlifter with seemingly effortless power).

As an N63TU3 owner... The only reason to choose it over the full M is price. Or maybe the M seats are less comfortable. Or maybe the M suspension is too stiff. You don't lock the 540i over the M550i for any reason other than cost or mpg (still cost).

[DrVenture]

Has anyone who ever bought a M550, switched to a 540? Anyone here? Anyone who knows anyone who has? I agree that the 540 has its benefits, cost being one of them. I cannot imagine changing cars though.

[pbonsalb]

DrVenture poses a good question. Virtually everything I have read is about 540i owners moving to 550i or M550i or M5. There are probably a few who went the other way to reduce their car payment or save money on gas or aged out and decided they did not need the higher performance so why pay more for it. All financial decisions.

Years ago, the N63 was not as reliable as the S63 and that lower reliability did drive some owners away from the V8. But the current N63TU3 (2018-on) seems to be as reliable as the S63TU4.

If you don’t really need or won’t really use the extra performance, then the 540i is a good choice. I have made this kind of decision before — I bought a 2021 Cayenne 4 years ago and looked at the Base (3.0T), S (2.9TT), GTS (detuned 4.0TT) and Turbo (4.0TT), and ended up buying the S. It cost less, got better MPG, is easier and cheaper to maintain and repair, and has enough power to be entertaining. For my wife. The car was for her, she thought V8 was too loud and sounded like a truck and was perfectly happy with the Base, so si had to compromise with the S (I usually drive it when we go somewhere in that car and wanted at least some entertainment). I did put a JB4 piggyback on it to add about 15% power. If the car was for me, it would have been the V8 Turbo, but I do I think the S feels athletic — downshifts and revs to make power and does OK.

[DrVenture]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

... All financial decisions...

Years ago, the N63 was not as reliable as the S63 and that lower reliability did drive some owners away from the V8. But the current N63TU3 (2018-on) seems to be as reliable as the S63TU4.

...

That goes directly to my point.

The only real issue that the TU3 seems to have is coolant leaks, mainly from the coolant reservoir. My plan is to replace it proactively, checking that it isn't leaking onto the injectors. The job is not that hard and the part around $150. Do the plugs while I am in there.

Anyone who says the N63 isn't smooth, probably never drove one. I sure like the DHP. If I was looking to track a car, I'd not look at any 5-series.

[pbonsalb]

The S63TU4 also has coolant reservoir issues. There are possible aftermarket solutions, but probably only relocation ones could fit the N63TU3. I replaced my reservoir as preventative maintenance, insulated the underside as well as the underside of the upper aluminum shield (not the one immediately above the turbos and cats). Insulated cats would also help — Porsche wraps its hot V cats.

[DrVenture]

Yeah, I have researched this, even reaching out to some aftermarket M5 coolant reservoir makers. They couldn't say if the M5 reservoir would fit the M550. The attachment points and hose connections look the same, but the two shapes are clearly not the same.

Same deal as above with the catch pans. Pricy and no guarantee that they fit.

I did find this, but the price point seems so low as to give me doubts. https://www.ebay.com/itm/226193260160

What did you use for insulation? I'd like to create a catch pan to direct any leakage away from the injectors too. A DIY solution. I have considered using aluminum from something like this - [https://www.amazon.com/10-Pack-Large...553510198&th=1 The wife has lots of these around. and I have a roll of aluminum HVAC tape. Cheesy, I know, but might get the job done.

I slightly smell coolant, but no sign of where it is coming from, not without pulling the coolant tank up. Waiting on warmer weather.

[Neusser]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

The OP really likes the V8 feel, and the 540i will never have it. But he also just commutes to work and back and does not really need great power or handling. I think he should test drive both. Maybe the V8 won’t really stir him and he can save money and be satisfied with the 540i, which is still a nice car. I have an F90 M5. My second choice would be an M550xi. My third choice would be a 540i. My 4th choice would be a 530i. 4 years later, I remain happy that I was in a position to not have to compromise.

This is a fair post. I value dynamics, as point-and-squirt gets boring quickly, so I took the 540.

The 550 is a cruiser.

[pbonsalb]

You write that the 550 is less dynamic, whatever that means, and that it is only good for straight line acceleration, which does not interest you. I’d like to see a track test of both and my guess is the 550i would spank the 540i in a straight line and around the track. Both the 540i and the 550i are mid size luxury cruisers.

[pbonsalb]

Originally Posted by DrVenture

I did find this, but the price point seems so low as to give me doubts. https://www.ebay.com/itm/226193260160

What did you use for insulation?

That one is the 540i tank. There is a relocation kit to fit it on the M5, but it won’t fit with stock air boxes. It goes right in front of the driver’s strut tower on LHD models.

I used DEI heat reflective tape.

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

You write that the 550 is less dynamic, whatever that means, and that it is only good for straight line acceleration, which does not interest you. I’d like to see a track test of both and my guess is the 550i would spank the 540i in a straight line and around the track. Both the 540i and the 550i are mid size luxury cruisers.

Absolutely.

The X5 40i guys do this too.."I can feel the difference in turn on from the light 6 cylinder". No you can't. The 6 is no more dynamic, it's slower, cheaper, and better on gas. That's all. And listen, those are very sound reasons to choose it. But don't fool yourself into thinking that the 200 pound difference in weight is some revelation of handling, it's still a very large and heavy car.