SportAuto tests the M550d and concludes M is just for marketing, 1:19.1 Hockenehim lap and 0-250 km/h acceleration

**Sticky** · 08-02-2012, 01:29 PM

By now you know that BMW released diesel M models. You should also know that we do not get these fantastic 381 horsepower and 546 pound-feet of torque models here in the USA. Definitely sad especially when we get fed a constant stream of Efficient Dynamic marketing BS from BMW. We wish this was not a consolation but the performance of the M550d is not as impressive as we hoped it would be.

Autobild hits 0-60 in 5.1 seconds versus the rated 4.7 and hits 200 kph (124 mph) in 19.1 seconds. The E39 M5 is capable of 0-200 kph in the 17-18 second range and the E92 M3 can do it in the 15 second range. So, the 550d starts to fall off past the 100 miler per hour or so as you can see in the video. However, it moves off the line very quickly and would be very tough from a stop. Just as most diesels are.

The car was also tested on the Hockenheim where it put down a 1:19.1 laptime. Not terrible but not impressive either. This puts it in the company of a Mini Cooper John Cooper Works and behind the ML63 AMG which managed a 1:18.9. Behind the previous generation ML63 AMG? How exactly is this an M sedan? It also is only half a second quicker than the previous generation E60 530d. Maybe all that weight and all wheel drive is holding it back a bit? And what happened to the famed BMW 50/50 weight distribution? This car has 53/47.

We like this car and wish it was offered although it is not exactly offering M performance. We do not see the need for the M badge when really the three generation old E39 M5 offers superior performance all around although at worse fuel economy. This car does not need an M badge thrown on it and SportAuto seems to agree titling their review, "M is for Marketing."

Data base

Brand:	BMW
Model:	XDrive M550d
Year:	03/2012
Base price:	80 800 €
Engine:	Line 6-cylinder exhaust gas turbocharger (3.0 bar)
Valves:	4 per cylinder, DOHC
Bore and stroke times:	84.0 x 90.0 mm
Displacement:	2993 cm ³
Compression ratio:	16.0:1
Performance:	381 hp (280 kW) at 4000 rev / min
Torque:	740 Nm at 2000 r / min
Pump capacity:	127 HP (94kW) / liter
Transmission:	All-wheel drive
Transmission:	8-speed, automatic
Gear Ratios:	I. 4.71 II 3.14 III. 2.11 IV 1.67 V. 1.29 VI. 1.00 VII 0.84
Final drive ratio:	2.81

Landing gear

Suspension (front / rear):	Independent suspension / independent suspension
Suspension (front / rear):	with coil springs, shock absorbers / coil springs, shock absorbers
Stabilizers (front / rear):	yes / yes
Brake diameter (front / rear):	374/345 mm
Tire Brand:	Michelin Primacy HP
Tires (front):	245/40 R 19
Tires (rear):	275/35 R 19
Wheel size (front):	8.5 J x 19
Wheel size (rear):	9 J x 19
Brake discs:	Steel

Body

Type:	Limousine
Doors / seats:	4/5

Dimensions

Length:	4910 mm
Width:	1860 mm
Height:	1454 mm
Wheelbase:	2968 mm
Track (front / rear):	1594 mm / 1599 mm

Weights

Curb weight (manufacturer):	1970 kg
Empty weight test car (full tank):	2036 kg
Weight distribution (front / rear):	53.2% / 46.8%
Power to weight ratio:	5.3 kg / hp

Acceleration

0-40 km / h:	1.6 s
0-60 km / h:	2.5 s
0-80 km / h:	3.6 s
0-100 km / h:	5.1 s
0-120 km / h:	6.8 s
0-140 km / h:	9.0 s
0-160 km / h:	11.8 s
0-180 km / h:	15.1 s
0-200 km / h:	19.1 s
0-100 km / h (manufacturer):	4.7 s
Maximum speed:	250 km / h

Elasticity

80-100 km / h (4./5./6./7 transition.):	1.5 s / 2.0 s / 2.5 s / 3.3 s
80-120 km / h (4./5./6./7 transition.):	3,3 s / 4,0 s / 5,1 s / 6,5 s
80-140 km / h (4./5./6./7 transition.):	5.9 s / 6.2 s / 7.8 s / 9.9 s
80-160 km / h (4./5./6./7 transition.):	8.9 sec / 10.7 sec / 13.5 sec
80-180 km / h (4./5./6./7 transition.):	12.9 s / 14.0 s / 17.4 s

Dynamics

18m slalom:

63.7 km / h

Braking distance

from 100 km / h (cold):	38.6 m / 10.0 m / s ²
from 100 km / h (warm):	37.0 m / 10.4 m / s ²
from 200 km / h (warm):	148.5 m / 10.4 m / s ²

Consumption

Fuel:	Diesel
Tank volume:	70 L
Maximum consumption:	17.0 L/100 km
Minimum consumption:	11.7 L/100 km
Consumption test:	12.8 L/100 km
ECE consumption (city):	7.1 L/100 km
ECE consumption (over land):	5.8 L/100 km
ECE consumption (total):	6.3 L/100 km
CO2 emissions:	165 g / km
Emissions rating:	€ 6