E9x M3 vs F10 550i

[SHOWTIME]

It's def a tough choice. 500hp and tque is nice to have. For sure it will be faster; mid to high end especially. However, in terms of outdated looks, I'm still fascinated by the m3. There was one right next to a 550i sport at my local dealer. No comparison. M3 looked raw and special. 5 looked nice but just like another BMW. Like I said, it's def a tough choice. Good Luck!

[dave70]

Originally Posted by mdosu

The 550 is a HEAVY 4400lb car, it's by no ways anything close to an M3 in performance

recent Road and Track Mag has these numbers:
0-60: 5s
1/4: 13.4s
skidpad: 0.88g
Slalom: 66mph

M3 has it beat in every category, no contest. the 550 is no track car. But it is cheaper than an M, a fully loaded is about $68k in line with a E90 M3.
And we all know M5 has beaten the M3 in every category of performance as well except for skidpad and slalom.
If you want straight speed, buy a used M5, if you want a track day/ race inspired car, get the M3.

Not true, A fully loaded 550ix m sport goes for near 90k

[pbonsalb]

I thought the Road & Track article was interesting in that it compared the acceleration figures of the new F10 550 with twin turbo V8 against the old E60 550i with naturally aspirated V8. The two sets of figures were about the same at around 5 seconds flat to 60 and 13.2 seconds at 106 mph in the quarter. Probably the extra 400 lbs of pork in the new F10 and some fuel economy oriented gearing that are responsible. Certainly a Dinan or other tune that adds 100 hp and 100 lbs of torque will make the new car faster and maybe push it close to or into M3 territory.

[dave70]

Originally Posted by E=mc2

I'm sorry but E9X V8 is not going to be a "classic". It's a glorified 3 series car with custom parts is what it is. It's a fast car with amazing handling and engineering. But it's not a ferrari maranello or a lotus. It's still a serial production 3 series BMW. Not to mention it's body style is outdated (6 years? now with the current 3 series). I'd love to chat with you when the F3X is released and your "classic" M3 is barely sold for 40k, half of what you spend on it right now (with taxes/fees/etc a fully loaded E90 will cost around 75k). Sometimes you guys make me cry when you make it sound like this is the space shuttle and its just flying its last mission like the Discovery shuttle.

I am by no means suggesting OP to go for 550i, I have never driven a new 5 series, have no idea how heavy it is so cannot comment on it. I just wanted to share my opinion on this whole "NA V8" thing that everyone here is talking about. Reality is, most of you will be waiting in line when the F3X with new idrive, interior, 450hp/500lb engine is released. E46 was also the classic and E9X was just too heavy, guess what, all of you sold your E46 and went for the E9X

OP, don't come to an M3 forum an expect the enthusiast audience most of whom spent a fortune on their car to give you a fair suggestion. You won't find a single thread here where M3 vs. any car was compared and this wasn't the case. The right question isn't 550 vs M3, it is those features you care and how they compare against 550, so you should be asking M3 owners about their mileage, oil changes, exhaust notes, brake maintenance, etc and do the same in the 5 series forum. Your main aim should be facts gathering not getting carried away by biased opinions of everyone here (including me). Lastly, go and test drive both cars, 99% chance you will have made a decision by the end of the day.

E=MC2 - Remember this opinion on the M3. Man you have really changed your tune.

[richardbb85]

love the new 5 series

[klammer]

Originally Posted by GhostRideTheWhip

I wouldn't define the M3 as a sports car. I would call it a Sporty GT. Too heavy for a sports car.

I don't think the guy in the v10 R8 that could't keep up with my e90 at the track this weekend would agree

[IFX]

Originally Posted by klammer

I don't think the guy in the v10 R8 that could't keep up with my e90 at the track this weekend would agree

He couldn't drive..
dont' get excited.

[SINIST3R]

apples to oranges...

[Brucewonder]

sport car vs VIP - all depends on what you want.

[09E92M34ME]

...it goes on and on and on. be happy with what you have or whatever you choose

[leewoods18]

I am making the plunge--leaving my modded and beloved e92 m3 6mt for an F10 550i 6mt/m sport. Placed an order for a MY2012.

I have my mods for the f10 planned and am excited for it to arrive. My m3 has been spectacular and is immaculate---still look at it everyday and love it. It will be missed, but after 3 years, I am ready for my f10!!

[LarThaL]

Originally Posted by ///M-Turismo

I am just looking for a good looking sports/special car. If it was couple years back I would of got the M3 right away, but I couldn't at that time. Now I can finally get the car the fact that the car will be outdated very soon and the next M3 will be more powerful and eats less gas worries me. Let's face it, everyone wants the newest things.

Okay, if you want "special" then you want an M (assuming BMW). Secondly, the e9x M3 styling is far from outdated. A new 2011/12 M3 will still look nice for years to come. Thirdly, It will likely be 2014 until you can actually get the next gen M3 in the U.S. Or wait for the M5 in 2012 if it is within your price range.

[SIIK2NR]

If you are cross shopping an E9X M3 with an F10 550i, then you don't really want the
M3. Justifying your decision based on subjective "dated" appearance and then making comparisions to performance based on shear numbers between two different classes of cars doesn't have any value.

Sounds like you just want the newest "Bimmer"... so get the 5 series.

[BeamingE39]

M3 no doubt, the f10s steering is horrendous. BMW ruined the 5 series steadily after the magnificent e39, the e60 was too soft and loosefor my tastes but the f10 is just a clumsy pig. I have a feeling BMW is trying to steal the E class's target audience, rich women and old men.

[Moo]

Originally Posted by leewoods18

I am making the plunge--leaving my modded and beloved e92 m3 6mt for an F10 550i 6mt/m sport. Placed an order for a MY2012.

Have you considered a 2012 Jaguar XFR? It just got a face/interior-lift, and does not disappoint from both performance and luxury perspectives.

The XFR also has a supercharged 5.0-liter, but it cranks out 510 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque. In Edmunds performance testing, it hit 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. Fuel economy is actually the same as that of the XF Supercharged.

http://www.leftlanenews.com/jaguar-xf-r.html

[Ateam]

I can give you my .02. I came from an e60 545 V8. Was a beautiful car, plenty fast and handled absolutely awesome with the sport package/active roll stabilization. The e60 was 3900 pounds and felt nimble and relatively small for a 5 series. IMO it was the last 5 series you could honestly cross-shop with a 3 series/m3. It does not mean they were completely different types of drives but if you broke it down to the basics, the bottom line is both the e60 and m3 were nimble, fast and you felt like a true sports car. The 5 was nice since it had a nice luxurious feel and was also a great highway cruiser.

The new 5 is just an absolute boat and not even comparable to the current m3. The size difference is too great, the feeling is too drastically different and the power deliver is too drastic different. If you do not mind used a used e60 m5 would be probably my favorite car. Unfortunately when I bought the m3 the m5 had been out of production and I wanted a new car. I was also somewhat wanting a new body style given I had an e60 for years. I still think the e60 looks absolutely amazing in m5 guise.

In short they simply cannot be compared.

[mofbb]

550i faster than m3 ????

[SamS]

Originally Posted by mofbb

550i faster than m3 ????

Wow. Gotta wonder if the M3 was 6MT or DCT.

I see a 550i in Imperial Blue almost every day on my commute to work. Man, that is one gorgeous car. Until I see a F30 live in the flesh, a 550i is probably the best looking modern BMW to me, besides E92 M3.

[brava09]

A manual M3 is pretty difficult to launch, so the automatic 550i may jump the start.

However, I heard there are problems with the new F10 pulling to the right, and BMW doesn't seem able to solve them.....I recomend test drive F10 before any purchase.

[Ateam]

Originally Posted by mofbb

550i faster than m3 ????

wow it walked the m3! Believable given the huge torque and undrated hp

[MDyDinanM]

do you want to have fun? and have a nimble, sporty car? get an M3 or wait for the new F30 M3

do you want a decent cruiser, that is comfortable, can carry passengers w/ ease, etc? get a 5 series.

[leewoods18]

'Have you considered a 2012 Jaguar XFR? It just got a face/interior-lift, and does not disappoint from both performance and luxury perspectives.'

Facelift looks nice, but the MSRP is ~$20k higher. I ordered a 6MT and found that the the 550 is essentially the only sports sedan with a manual option aside from e90 m3 with my standards of lux and performance.

F10 550 and e9xm3 are 2 different cars for sure, but to each his own. Coilovers and stage 2 are my 1st mods, so I will post my comparison soon enough everyone.