BMW is popular for making some of the best engines on the market that deliver a great punch and performance. One of the most exciting BMW models to drive is the BMW M55i. It is powerful and performs exceptionally well. But is the BMW M550i a good car?
It is a good car to some and bad to others. It is great for individuals looking for spacious, luxurious, advanced, safe, and high-performance cars. On the contrary, it is a bad car for those who desire a more reliable, fuel-efficient, and affordable luxury sedan.
History of the BMW M550i
The BMW M550i is part of the seventh generation of the BMW 5-Series. This car has been in production from 2016 to date. The BMW 5-Series 7th-generation comes with two body styles; the sedan version, also known as the BMW G30, and the wagon version, also referred to as the BM G31.
Besides, the BMW M550i has two model options; the BMW M550ii and M550i xDrive. Both of these cars run on a 4.4-liter N63 V8 twin-turbo engine. This engine replaced the reliable and durable 3.0-liter B58 inline-6 turbo engine, which was featured in the BMW M540i.
Features of the BMW M550i
Appearance
The BMW M550i may not be as sleek as the BMW M5, but it also comes with a sporty and luxurious look. It is elegantly built and has Shadowline exterior trim. Other features that make it stand out are illuminated door-sill finishers, trapezoidal exhaust tips, power-folding & heated mirrors, and 19-inch wheels.
The interior is also cozy and extravagant with features such as an anthracite headliner, Dakota leather upholstery, floor mats, and aluminum trim. With these and many other features, the M550ii exudes opulence.
Performance
The BMW M550ii is a high-performance car. It comes with two models; the BMW M550i, which features a rear-wheel-drive system, and the M550i xDrive, which comes with an all-wheel-drive system. It is also fitted with a powerful 4.4-liter V-8 twin-turbo engine with 8-speed automatic transmission.
The powerful N63 engine delivers up to 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. It can also accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and comes with a top speed of 160 mph. This is outstanding as most sedans don’t provide such power and speed.
Besides having power and speed, the M550ii is also easy to handle and steer, making it a fun ride to drive.
Comfort and cargo space
Apart from offering exceptional performance, the BMW M550i also provides outstanding comfort and cargo space. Thanks to the large cabin with lots of high-tech and quality features such as leather seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, vehicle anti-theft system, keyless start, cruise control, head-up display system, iDrive system with onboard computer, and much more.
The M550i also offers a large cargo area as it comes with a total of 18.7 cubic feet of space, which is more than average for a luxury sedan. And with the ability to accommodate up to five people, this is a practical car that families will love.
Fuel efficiency
As stated earlier, the BMW M550i is not fuel-efficient, which is common across the BMW 5-Series lineup. It has an EPA rating of 17 mpg in the city, 25 mpg on the highway, and a combined 20 mpg.
Its competitors are more efficient as the Mercedes-Benz E 53 has a rating of 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway, while the Audi S6 has a rating of 18 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.
Price
As expected, the BMW M550i is not a cheap car. The latest 2022 BMW M550i xDrive comes with a base price of 76,800 MSRP. This is quite expensive when you compare it to most of its competitors, such as the Mercedes-Benz AMG E 53, which has a base price of $76,000, and the Audi S6 with a starting price of $75,600.
FAQ
Is the BMW M550i worth buying?
The BMW M550i is worth buying if you want a luxurious, high-performance, spacious, and highly advanced executive sedan. On the contrary, this car is not ideal for people who desire a fuel-efficient, reliable, and low-maintenance luxury sedan. It also comes with a high initial cost, which may deter many people.
What are the common problems with the BMW M550i?
The BMW M550i is a high-performance and luxurious sedan. It is also spacious with huge trunk space. However, it comes with various issues that interested users should know about. Some of the issues include excess oil consumption, fast battery drainage, timing chain failure, leaking valve stem seals, fuel injector failure, spark plugs failure, and much more.
What is the difference between the BMW M550i and M5?
The main difference between the BMW M550i and M5 is that the M550i is more comfortable and smoother than the M5. On the other hand, the M5 offers more power and handling, and it is great on the truck. Nonetheless, the M5 is also costlier than the M550i.
Does BMW M550i hold its value?
Like most BMW 5-Series, the BMW M550i loses its value quickly. It is estimated that the BMW M550i will depreciate by 57% after 5 years of ownership. So, it will have a resale value of about $25,300. This is lower than most of its competitors from Audi and Mercedes-Benz, as they have more than 60% resale value after 5 years.
How long does the BMW M550i last?
It depends on how well you maintain and take care of the car. Additionally, our driving habits will determine whether the car last longer or not. If it is well maintained, the BMW MM550i will last for more than 250,000 miles. Some BMW M550i owners have reported clocking over 300,000 miles.
Conclusion
The BMW M550i is one of the top BMW luxury sedans on the market. The M550ii offers opulence, exceptional performance, advanced technology, a spacious and quality cabin, a large cargo area, and top safety features.
Despite having lots of outstanding features, it also has several setbacks such as excessive oil consumption, poor efficiency, high maintenance cost, and low reliability. Nonetheless, it is still a nice car for those who are willing to spend to acquire and maintain it.
