So the lease on my 2018 AMG E43 ends in November - time to order something new!

I took my son on some test drives. Interesting that the dealerships around here are "social distancing" so we were allowed to take the cars out on our own. Just show your DL and insurance card and off we went. That made for some pretty exciting test drives...

We decided that we like the LCI 2021 BMW M550i. It's powered by a twin-turbocharged V-8 that makes 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds - it's a beast!

I ordered one on Wednesday. According to the BMW site the car is now "Scheduled For Production"

This message has been edited. Last edited by: EZ_B,

Very handsome car. I'm a bit more preferable to MB, so id be hard pressed to skip an E63, especially in Estate form.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
Very handsome car. I'm a bit more preferable to MB, so id be hard pressed to skip an E63, especially in Estate form.

Thanks.

I was going to go with another AMG, but I have been having problems with the E43's Infotainment system that Mercedes can't seem to fix.

The Live Traffic functionality is broken. MB says it's a known issue and they are working on a software fix. By the time they fix it I will probably be driving the BMW.

Oh, and the E63 configured like the M550i I ordered cost $30k more.

True, its a jump the the 63 over the 43.
Between me & my grandmother, we've had 10 Mercedes. She's had 7 S-Class & I've had a C, S & an 'E'. So, I'm a bit biased.

quote:

Originally posted by EZ_B:
. It's powered by a twin-turbocharged V-8 that makes 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds

that's sick

especially that torque spec

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Sweet ride! Enjoy!

I’ve had a few of both, BMW and Mercedes. Both are great cars. I miss my E63 a lot, but where I live now, the Tacoma is more fun.

Congratulations. That is quite a damn fine car. It certainly looks like a lot of fun to drive.

I had a couple of the early 2002's back in 1971 and a new one in 1976. My Mom had a 74 or so Bavaria. So my BMW experience short of the bikes, is all old school stuff.

MT doesn't even have a Dealer, so no local support.

Looks like a hell of RIDE though.

I predict a perpetual sh__ eating grin on your face whenever your driving.

Thanks gentlemen.

Interesting that AMG's E53 (which is the direct competitor to the M550i) still uses an inline 6 that makes about 100 HP less than the M550i.

I test drove the E53 and it is fast (and a nice car). But the M550i is CRAZY FAST and it is hard to beat that V8 exhaust note. BMW also upgraded their infotainment system for 2021 with cloud-based maps, etc. It looks like a significant upgrade.

I also test drove a 2020 M5 and that thing is insane. But probably a little impractical as a daily driver.

Ex M5 and 550 x-drive owner here, now running an X3 M40i. You will •love• the new ride; hope it arrives soon.

quote:

Originally posted by aileron:
Ex M5 and 550 x-drive owner here, now running an X3 M40i. You will •love• the new ride; hope it arrives soon.

Thanks! It's supposed to be delivered by mid-November.

I test drove an M340i as well because I was open to a smaller (easier to park) vehicle.

Coming from the really nicely finished AMG (MB) interior, I found that the controls, the hard plastics, and the general build quality of the 3-Series interior felt kind of cheap. But the 5 Series interior seemed of significantly higher quality.

How do you like the interior build quality in the X3?

The number of sub five (and four) second 0-60 cars out there now are nuts.

I see you could get about the same performance in a Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo Turbo for only twice as much.

quote:

Originally posted by sjtill:
I see you could get about the same performance in a Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo Turbo for only twice as much.

Excellent observation. The M550i is certainly not an inexpensive vehicle, but I think the value is there when you look at the competing alternatives in the same segment from MB, Porsche, Audi, etc.

quote:

Originally posted by EZ_B:

quote:

Originally posted by aileron:
Ex M5 and 550 x-drive owner here, now running an X3 M40i. You will •love• the new ride; hope it arrives soon.

Thanks! It's supposed to be delivered by mid-November.

How do you like the interior build quality in the X3?

Great build quality, but of the 20+ recent BMW's I've owned the seats are <the worst>. Fun car, goes like stink, and handles surprisingly well. It may get traded for an M850 coupe - a green one to go with the green RS6 Avant I have on order.

Congrats on the decision to factory-order. I got my first made-for-me vehicle in 2013 and am hooked on the method of getting what you want.

Yesterday I saw an impeccable two-decade-young 5-series BMW and wondered if I'd even own such a perfect car. Before electronics and CAFE standards transformed the industry.

Buy a Tesla

quote:

Originally posted by ThankGod4Sig:
Buy a Tesla

Those thing are a dime a dozen around here.

I want a vehicle that looks unique and sounds angry when I jump on the throttle!

quote:

Originally posted by Sig209:

quote:

Originally posted by EZ_B:
. It's powered by a twin-turbocharged V-8 that makes 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds

that's sick

especially that torque spec

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Yep that is those twin turbos...that thing has to be a rocket ship...