By Nauman Farooq
Back in 2018, I got to spend a week with the new BMW M5 – a car which proved to be far better than I ever expected it to be.
So, by the end of the week, I had proclaimed the M5 to be the greatest four-door family sedan on the planet, and you know what, nothing I have driven since has come even remotely close to dethroning it.
For the 2020 model year, BMW has upped the performance of their M550i model – which used to have 455 hp but now gallops to the tune of 523 hp. That means, it has narrowed the gap quite considerably between it and the M5 – which has 600 hp.
So, is the 2020 BMW M550i now equally as good, or perhaps even better than the M5?
Let’s find out!
Styling: BMW has not touched the looks of the M550i – or if they have, the changes are so minimum, that you can’t really tell.
So, it is still a handsome vehicle, but not one that would encourage teenagers to take out their smart phones and snap pictures of it to post on Instagram. Compared to the M550i, the M5 looks sharper and meaner.
However, if you just want a luxury car for your own use, and not to draw a crowd, you’ll probably prefer the look of the more sedate M550i. You can park it anywhere, and no one is going to give it a double take! I like that about the M550i – it’s a bit antisocial!
Interior: Step inside, and all is again very familiar to those who have been in any 5 Series BMW in the last few years. This is where perhaps the M5 is somewhat better, because the interior looks more special – the M550i is no different than a 530i. Not that there is anything wrong with that, because all 5 Series models are beautifully made, have all the tech and gadgets you’d want, and the seats are spectacular (you can even order yours with optional massaging seats).
Sitting in the driver’s seat, everything falls readily to your hand, and the iDrive controller makes life very easy – it even has gesture control for a few menu options regarding the stereo.
Space up front is fine, however, I don’t think there is enough legroom for the rear-seat passengers for a car this size – and that’s with me in the driver’s seat, and I’m not that tall – an extra 3 inches would be appreciated. In some Asian markets, BMW offers a long-wheelbase version of the 5 Series; I wish that option was offered in Canada, too.
Any complaints?
Yes, and a recurring one with some BMW’s recently. Due to its gesture control and voice recognition capability, the car thinks you are talking to it, even when you’re not. So, while having a conversation with your passenger, the car will prompt a command you didn’t ask for! I hope BMW techs can sort out this issue, in what is otherwise a brilliant car.
Powertrain: Under the hood is a familiar 4.4L V8 that features two, twin-scroll turbochargers. Max output is 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque – that is exactly the same motor you get in the gorgeous new M850i coupe and cabriolet – which is plenty!
Power is fed to all-wheels via a brilliant eight-speed automatic gearbox, which is both smooth and quick.
Performance & Driving Dynamics: Thanks to its revised mechanicals, the M550i is not just quick, it is supercar quick!
I recorded a 0 to 100 km/h sprint in just 3.53 seconds – which is just astonishing! Top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h, but just imagine what that would be if BMW took off the leash and let this car run free!
This is where you begin to scratch your head and ask… do you really need an M5?
Last year, when there was nearly a 150 hp difference between the M550i and the M5, one could make the case for the M5, because it was a lot faster – but the 2020 M550i has really caught up, and given the price difference, it doesn’t quite make sense to spend the extra on the M5.
Furthermore, the ride quality of the M550i is better – it is smoother and quieter. So, if you like a relaxing journey in your luxury car, the M550i might just be better!
A softer and smoother ride typically also means, a lot of roll in the corners, but not so here, this M550i is still very sharp through the bends. BMW are masters at making luxury cars that can also handle really well, and this is no different. So, while the M550i looks grown-up and civilized, it can still annoy proper sports cars on a twisty road – I love that about this car.
Fuel Economy: In my fuel economy test (where I drive a car 170 km on the highway + 130 km in the city), I averaged 10.8 L/100 km with the M550i – which is astonishing for a car as heavy and powerful as this!
You do have to feed it premium fuel, however, but it’s still just a small price to pay for the performance and economy you get.
Pricing: The 2020 BMW M550i is yours from $86,650. My very well loaded tester, which had the “Premium Excellence Package” plus metallic paint and piano black wood trim, had a sticker price of $101,050. Comparably equipped, the price difference between the M550i and the M5 is nearly $30,000 – you can be the judge regarding what makes more financial sense to you!
Verdict: This new M550i is one of the biggest surprises I’ve experienced in the automotive world, in a very long time. BMW makes a lot of great cars, so expectations are already high before you jump in, but this new and improved M550i far exceeded mine.
The M5 is still the performance sedan king, and its tech and driving dynamics are hard to match or beat. However, this new M550i comes so very close to the M5, that you’ll be scratching your head trying to justify buying the latter.
The M5 might be even faster, and can go around corners even more aggressively, but for your day to day running around, the softer demeanour of the M550i might just be better.
I still yearn to own an M5, but the M550i will leave a lot of money left in my bank, and money in the bank is always a good idea.