Reader Review of the Week: 2009 BMW 550
“Car Guy” from Oakland, Calif., has a lot of experience with fast luxury cars, but the 2009 BMW 550i is one of his personal favorites. He needs more than two seats, but wants to sacrifice as little of his fun as possible. Check out why the 550i leaves him satisfied, even if BMW’s cupholders fail to meet his standards. After you’re done, post a review of your own vehicle here.
“I have a need for a daily driver that can on occasion accommodate more than two people. I also have a need for speed. To put all of this in one car is a tough order. The 550i has exceeded my expectations. It has unbelievable handling on curvy roads and an engine that can do much more than I can.
“The acceleration is as exhilarating as my M3 and better than any Mercedes I have owned. The storage inside the car could be improved, as well as the perennially poor design of the cupholders, but these drawbacks are nothing compared to the driving experience. I owned a 650i previously and thought to ‘downsize.’ Interestingly, I think the 550i handles much more nimbly than its coupe counterpart. It is a serious driver’s car that can double as a family car when needed.”
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If CarGuy wasn't such a BMW fan (from what I've read) I definitely would have recommended the Pontiac G8 GXP and the Hyundai Genesis V8.
HappyMantis- considering CarGuy praised "handling on curvy roads" and acceleration "as exhilarating as (his) M3", I don't think your suggestions would make the cut. Maybe an Audi RS5/6.
Uh Vic-
considering CarGuy praised "handling on curvy roads" and acceleration "as exhilarating as (his) M3", I don't think your suggestions would make the cut.
In case you didn't see, the G8 GXP (at Nuremberg) was only 8 seconds off the pace of the BMW M5 with 93 more horsepower. Hmm. I paid 36K for my GXP. The M5 tested was 93K. 'Nuff said.
Your response doesn't make the cut.
Oh... and did I mention it has more room?
Jhopper-
Pontiax G8 GXP vs. 2009 BMW M5:
0-60 in 5.2 vs. 4.1 seconds
1/4 in 13.4 vs. 12.4 seconds
Slalom: 63.6 vs. 68.5mph
Skid Pad Leteral acceleration (g): 0.84 vs. 0.902g
I cannot find numbers that backup your claim about Nuremberg, but even your 8 second difference claim is a HUGE difference between 2 cars, even in totally different classes like these.
I understand you own a Pontiac G8 GXP and you'd like to feel good about your purchase, but your ridiculous comparison speaks for itself to those who actually look at these numbers regularly.
Your car is a great value, and it performs very well for its price point. But your comparison is kind of like saying a Honda S2000 is a great value vs. an Audi R8.
Vik,
Your numbers for the GXP are laughable.
How about Motor Trend?
0-60 4.5
1/4 13.0
Lat accel .90
I haven't seen any test drive where they have got less than 4.7 0-60.
Perhaps you are trying to justify your purchase of the far over-priced M5, considering the Cadillac CTS-V thoroughly smashes it in all categories including looks, 0-60, 1/4 mile, handling. lap times, etc for 20K less.
Of course a car that has 93 HP less, cost less than half of, and has far more room (larger car) than the M5 is not going to be able to outperform the M5.
Tell me what the additional $50K is giving the buyer besides the 1/2 sec quicker 0-60 and 1/4 mile times, and a bit better handling, also less room.
Tell ya what. I'll take the GXP and only $15K of the difference over the M5. With that money, I'll place the blower on the LS3 (essentially giving it as much or more power than the CTS-V), take the rest and upgrade the already great suspension and brakes.
Then we'll see your "numbers" come out. PS I'll just pocket the other 30-35K... MMKAAYYYY?
In case you don't trust my numbers, here's the Motor Trend link :)
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0902_2009_pontiac_g8_gxp_first_test/transmissions_specs.html
Vic,
Or better yet, why not compare the 550i at nearly 70K to the GXP. LOL, Bimmer gets spanked in every category imaginable (except the bamboo anthracite wood trim... wow that's expensive!)
http://www.edmunds.com/bmw/5series/2008/testdrive.html
I have to side with JHopper - I have read on multiple occasions that the G8 GXP is what the now M5 should have been. The GXP is the drivers car - the M5 is like driving inside an electronic bubble.
Dont get me wrong - the M5 is a nice car - but you are probably more interested in the gel in hair than driving experience the car provides.
Check out the jalopnik.com review...
http://jalopnik.com/5249584/pontiac-g8-gxp-last-drive-part-one