What do I get next? What replaces an m550?

[macdaddy_o]

At the end of 2021, I found myself in need of new car after passing my old one onto my son as he entered graduate school. I couldn’t get an allocation for an M550, and not wanting to wait more than 3 months, I got a 540 instead and thought… I’ll definitely get that M550 next time…..

Well, the M550 is no more…. Moment of silence…

I now need to decide what to get next. I’m toying around with m340, m3, m440 gc, m5, m840 gc and m8 gc. The m5 and m8 gc are like 125/130 each, so I’d have to be super sold on them to cough up the difference.

I’m not sure if any of these will replace that itch that the m550 scratches, I’m vacillating back and forth between them trying to make a decision, and keep being indecisive. Nothing really stands out to me on these cars apart from each other.

I’m looking for any opinions or ideas for me to consider as I try to point in the right direction.

Appreciated

[pbonsalb]

I’d go for the M5 or M8 GC. I have an M5. If you aren’t happy with a 540i, you probably won’t be much happier with a 340i even if it is an M340i. An M3 is a good choice if you don’t mind giving up low end power and don’t need a mid size car. They are great for modding — the S58 has a fantastic top end but the nearly 50% greater displacement of the M5/8 has more off boost torque and spools the turbos faster. I had an E90 M3 for 10 years before the M5 and was willing to trade some nimbleness for comfort.

[tturedraider]

What about keeping the 540? There isn’t anything better than an inline six.

[pbonsalb]

My guess is the OP leased and the 3 year lease is up so he needs to lease another car. Might as well change to a car that inspires him this time since the 540i did not and he wishes he had gotten the M550i instead.

[Mason Hatcher]

M5, without a doubt.

[Llarry]

If the non-hybrid V-8 appeals to you and you want a four-door there is presently only one answer: M850ix Gran Coupe. Same 523 hp 4.4 V-8 as the M550i. According to the U.S. EPA the G16 Gran Coupe has slightly more passenger and luggage volume than the G30. (I've no idea how valid these numbers are, though.) It's also a bit more expensive that the G30 M550ix was. There's the M5 of course, but at a still higher price point.

The current 8 series, including the M850ix, is in its last year of production, so I would avoid delaying too much if you go that route.

Car & Driver magazine was recently very impressed by the latest G60 540ix and the 550ex offers a bit more oomph in the same package, albeit with PHEV tech.

[pbonsalb]

Buy a lightly used 2023 model. I would buy only the S63tu4 engine. Skip the N63 or the S63 with battery hybrid.

[macdaddy_o]

Gah! The 8 series is in its last year of production??? Crap I didn’t know that. Not unexpected as I’ve heard it never had high sales numbers… I’ve had trouble in my head with that middle pillar in the back..

So I’m hearing skip the m340…

I don’t want the current model 540, it’s more luxury sedan/Mercedes than sporty now.

The problem with getting a used m550 is finding one. I refuse to get one without certain options, like the dynamic cruise control, and “acceptable” colors. The dealers in my area have told me that waiting for one with the desired options is not realistic, since there were no leases in 23 and only minimal sales (single digits) And similar small numbers from 2020 on. I won’t post the numbers they gave me in a public forum, even if it is unlikely it would be traced back to them… but I agree it is bleak.

Is the m5 actually comfortable? I thought the m550 was a more comfortable and less stiff ride than an m5. I haven’t ridden either in a while, so my memory of a year ago may be off, maybe it was because the m5 was a cs?

[ctcarbonari]

I'd vote for the M5 all day, but that's just my personal preference.
A lot of people out there really like the M340. For me, the 3 series is just too small of a cabin for a daily driver.

Consider going out and driving a couple different models and that should help you weigh in the different factors that you're considering.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by macdaddy_o

The problem with getting a used m550 is finding one. I refuse to get one without certain options, like the dynamic cruise control, and “acceptable” colors. The dealers in my area have told me that waiting for one with the desired options is not realistic, since there were no leases in 23 and only minimal sales (single digits) And similar small numbers from 2020 on. I won’t post the numbers they gave me in a public forum, even if it is unlikely it would be traced back to them… but I agree it is bleak.

Aside from contacting your local dealers have you done a nationwide search on the BMW USA site for CPO's? Also checked the websites of companies like CarMax, Autotrader, etc.?

Also I have no idea why you are hesitant to post the sales numbers.

[DrVenture]

Originally Posted by macdaddy_o

Gah! The 8 series is in its last year of production??? Crap I didn’t know that. Not unexpected as I’ve heard it never had high sales numbers… I’ve had trouble in my head with that middle pillar in the back..

So I’m hearing skip the m340…

I don’t want the current model 540, it’s more luxury sedan/Mercedes than sporty now.

The problem with getting a used m550 is finding one. I refuse to get one without certain options, like the dynamic cruise control, and “acceptable” colors. The dealers in my area have told me that waiting for one with the desired options is not realistic, since there were no leases in 23 and only minimal sales (single digits) And similar small numbers from 2020 on. I won’t post the numbers they gave me in a public forum, even if it is unlikely it would be traced back to them… but I agree it is bleak.

Is the m5 actually comfortable? I thought the m550 was a more comfortable and less stiff ride than an m5. I haven’t ridden either in a while, so my memory of a year ago may be off, maybe it was because the m5 was a cs?

I never drove a M5, but based on everything that I read, I opted for a bit more comfort in the M550.

My search for a LCI M550 was exactly as you said, "certain options required and acceptable colors". I found a few low mileage examples, but they were either without DAP+ or had colors that I did not really want, particularly white interiors. My initial wish list was executive package, luxury seating, extended shadow line and DAP+ (for adaptive cruise), plus not black or white or a very light color. Plus still under warranty and miles below 30K.

This made for a short list of cars available. Particularly once I excluded all cars that had been in accidents, or were buybacks, or had weird repair histories on Carfax. I found the one that I finally bought, and it had 37k miles and all of the above, plus DHP and Mocha Nappa. I jumped on it fast. A bonus was practically new DSW06 tires and window tint.

Here ya go - https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...Type=spotlight

[BlkGS]

If you want an M550, get an M560. There are plenty of dealers around the country and you can find the right one with the right options, and have it shipped.

An M5 would be cool, but similar situation where you have to find one with good options, and like all BMWs a huge portion are leased by those who can't really afford them and so theyr come bare bones.

You might also want to consider an X5 M50i. It is larger and heavier than the M550i, but it still delivers the performance, and if you get one that has the DHP option it handles crazy well and is crazy comfortable too

Life is short, don't compromise.

[DrVenture]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

If you want an M550, get an M560. There are plenty of dealers around the country and you can find the right one with the right options, and have it shipped.

An M5 would be cool, but similar situation where you have to find one with good options, and like all BMWs a huge portion are leased by those who can't really afford them and so theyr come bare bones.

You might also want to consider an X5 M50i. It is larger and heavier than the M550i, but it still delivers the performance, and if you get one that has the DHP option it handles crazy well and is crazy comfortable too

Life is short, don't compromise.

Yeah, I was struck by how many people order a premium luxury performance vehicle with so few options.

[snowbimmer]

Having had an M550, two F90s and now an M850 that I've put 45,000 miles on.................gotta say M850.

It was supposed to end production next June, but there's a thread here https://g60.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=901686 showing production continuing to June 2026.

I feel its a more luxurious version of the M550 (which I loved). Great daily, great long cruiser. Without the badassery of a full M. Unless that's what you want. My LCI M5C was the best car I ever had, the M850 is my favorite.

Been trying to get a straight answer from my CA on end of production. No one ever seems to ever know anything.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by DrVenture

Yeah, I was struck by how many people order a premium luxury performance vehicle with so few options.

IMHO, many of these cars were ordered by the dealer for their own inventory and whoever did the build on the car was either trying to keep the sticker price as low as possible or was simply clueless.

[macdaddy_o]

I’ve been liking for similar features to dr venture. I went but without adaptive cruise, must have feature for the daily traffic I deal with.

I am looking nation wide… one is supposedly becoming available soon, as a trade in for a new model, or coming off a lease, and it will be CPO. It checks all the boxes, just need for it to come in…

If I can’t find an m550 over the next few months I will likely go for the m850… The 115k price tag for new makes me hesitate a bit, finding a used m850 seems to be harder than an m550… I’ve ended up special ordering every bmw I’ve ever owned, so I’ll likely follow tradition on that…. At least you guarantee you get exactly what you want! It’s a little easier since Covid to buy a used car on the other side of the country though…

[Alfisti]

Find the nicest E92 M3 you can find and enjoy a proper BMW before they got bloated and tech obsessed.

[pbonsalb]

I would not go from an M550i to an E92 M3. I had an E90 M3 for 10 years and went to an F90 M5. The E90/92 M3 is a fantastic car, but is old and slow and less comfortable and lower tech in comparison. Sounds good and has good road feel, though.

[Alfisti]

Less comfortable I agree but you can keep your tech. Intrusive and distracting.

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

I would not go from an M550i to an E92 M3. I had an E90 M3 for 10 years and went to an F90 M5. The E90/92 M3 is a fantastic car, but is old and slow and less comfortable and lower tech in comparison. Sounds good and has good road feel, though.

The E90 is also a lot smaller. And a lot less reliable. And honestly with how insane people are these days, it's not even cheaper.

[Llarry]

Originally Posted by macdaddy_o

If I can’t find an m550 over the next few months I will likely go for the m850… The 115k price tag for new makes me hesitate a bit, finding a used m850 seems to be harder than an m550… I’ve ended up special ordering every bmw I’ve ever owned, so I’ll likely follow tradition on that…. At least you guarantee you get exactly what you want! It’s a little easier since Covid to buy a used car on the other side of the country though…

I have ordered every BMW I've ever owned as well and have never bought a used one. While the price point for an M850i is a bit daunting, I think you can find decent discounts. In my own case, $2,000 discount by the dealer (I sense that I could've pushed for more), $4,000 cash back from BMW Financial Services and $1,500 loyalty cash back. All that eased the financial sting a bit.

Over the short term, I suspect resale value will be horrible. But over the long term, the G30 M550 and G1x M850 are the last non-hybrid V-8 BMWs and I could see them becoming desirable in the future.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by Llarry

I have ordered every BMW I've ever owned as well and have never bought a used one. While the price point for an M850i is a bit daunting, I think you can find decent discounts. In my own case, $2,000 discount by the dealer (I sense that I could've pushed for more), $4,000 cash back from BMW Financial Services and $1,500 loyalty cash back. All that eased the financial sting a bit.

Over the short term, I suspect resale value will be horrible. But over the long term, the G30 M550 and G1x M850 are the last non-hybrid V-8 BMWs and I could see them becoming desirable in the future.

I also have only purchased new cars but I am starting to rethink that approach. When you have a discussion on how badly a car can depreciate, the 8 series is notorious. At the the end of the day, you would not consider buying a really low mileage CPO?