BMW M550i 2021 Review

The 2021 BMW M550i xDrive is available in two trim levels – the full-fruit variant simply called the M550i xDrive which is priced at $154,900 plus on-road costs, or the Pure model, which we are testing here, that costs $139,900 plus ORCs.

The $15K saving for the Pure is the result of a few key features being deleted from the specification sheet compared to the standard model, including its trick active anti-roll bar system, rear-wheel steering and high-tech laser headlights.

Otherwise, it comes with a generous list of equipment with the cabin trimmed in ivory white ‘Dakota’ leather and featuring fine wood highlights throughout the dash and door cards, while the LED ambient lighting adds to the plush and luxurious ambience.

On top of that, there’s a 12.3-inch widescreen display with BMW’s latest iDrive 7.0 operating system as well as smartphone mirroring, sat-nav, DAB+ digital radio and a 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.

There are ample storage spaces throughout the cabin with large bins in each door and a deep centre console, while rear seat passengers are treated like VIPs, with plenty of legroom and headroom, four-zone climate control that allows for all occupants to set individual temperatures, a fold-out arm rest with additional cup holders, two USB-C charging sockets and an additional 12V power outlet.

Our test vehicle was fitted with an optional $3000 panoramic sunroof and was finished in the premium Mediterranean Blue metallic paint that costs an additional $2000.

While we’ve established the M550i xDrive as a cut-price alternative to genuine luxury sedans from dedicated high-performance divisions, both Mercedes-Benz and Audi also have similar second-tier rivals in the $162,300 (plus ORCs) Mercedes-AMG E 53 and $149,900 (plus ORCs) Audi S6.

The 2021 BMW M550i xDrive offers a high level of safety thanks to a multi-dimensional approach to crash avoidance.

For starters, the standard all-wheel drive transmission provides a fundamental layer of security to properly contain the 390kW and 750Nm delivered by the engine, ensuring it remains surefooted and stable in slippery conditions. It goes a long way to aiding traction in dry conditions too!

Its power-down capabilities are noteworthy and I’ll always argue that the better handling the car, the safer it is in an emergency. I’d rather perform a ‘moose test’ at 80km/h in an M550i than a hybrid hatch on narrow ‘eco’ tyres, that’s for sure.

Beyond that, although the M550i Pure hasn’t been given a specific crash test rating from ANCAP, it does share the same fundamental platform and seven-airbag configuration as the four-cylinder 520d that was awarded a five-star score in 2017.

It also comes fitted with a long list of advanced driver aids, including autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and adaptive cruise control with speed sign recognition and stop/start functions in traffic.

There’s also lane keeping assistance, blind spot monitoring, cross traffic alerts and on-board impact sensors that unlock all the doors and triggers the hazard lights and interior illumination in the event of a crash.

Dual front airbags, driver’s knee, side chest and side head-protecting airbags are fitted too.

Under the bonnet of the 2021 BMW 550i xDrive Pure lays a stonking 4.4-litre V8 – a detuned version of the same engine as that in the M5.

That’s quite a large-capacity unit in its own right and would arguably be enough to push the 5 Series body to some serious speeds on its own, but the addition of two turbos elevates the peak outputs to an immense 390kW of power and a stump-pulling 750Nm of torque.

Not only is that a whopping amount of torque but it’s on offer from a low 1800rpm through to 4600rpm, making for a very tractable driving experience.

I definitely think there’s grounds for welding the tail-shaft directly to the flywheel – who needs a gearbox anyway? Okay, that may be taking it a little far, the eight speeds in the ZF automatic actually are there, and in combination with BMW’s variable xDrive all-wheel-drive system, catapults the M550i from to 0-100km/h in a crazy 3.8 seconds.

Remember the famed Ferrari F40 supercar, the one you idolised as kid? Well, that was slower – 3.9 seconds 0-100!

So the BMW M550i genuinely offers supercar performance in a four-door sedan that your Grandma can drive to shops – that’s just nuts!

BMW limits its top speed to 250km/h, which sadly most people won’t experience – unless you take it to the track, of course. But more on that later.

Official fuel consumption figures are 10.6L/100km combined, and the 68-litre tank runs on a minimum of 95 RON unleaded petrol.

A few years back I wrote a performance piece for carsales called the ‘M Party’, which was a comparison of all of BMW’s M products at the time, ranging from the M140i hatch through the sedans and coupes – including the M4 GTS – and up to the X6 M SUV.

What blew me away was how playful each example was and how they all felt unmistakably BMW. They all had similar balance and only the lap time changed as I progressed through the faster cars.

The M550i Pure is not an M5 but it sure handles like one – exhibiting that similar playful track handling that I remember.

There is one clear definition and addition since then, and that’s all-wheel drive.

By playful, I mean fun, or in racing terms – loose! BMW has still managed to keep the ‘fun’ but add AWD traction, making for one quick and well-balanced machine.

Trying to get a hefty 1810kg vehicle – albeit some 60kg lighter than the Mercedes-AMG E 53 and 100kg less than the Audi S6 – to turn on what could be said to be narrow 245mm front and 275mm rear tyres is always a physical challenge.

But not so, it seems, for the M550i. It shrinks around you on the track, aided by the M active rear differential, adaptive M suspension and large M brakes. I would love to sample what the ‘active roll stabilisation’ and ‘rear-wheel steering’ is like on the more expensive M550i xDrive as it’s hard to imagine too much room for improvement over the ‘Pure’.

Around the Norwell Motorplex, the BMW M550i xDrive set a time of 62.56sec – only fractionally slower than the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S (61.9) and the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S (59.87).

Impressive as it is on track, the M550i Pure’s prowess on the road is the highlight and the ride quality is purposeful, soaking up the bumps like the plush luxury cruiser the cockpit portrays.

I can’t believe I’m saying this… Big and powerful four-door sedans like the 2021 BMW M550i xDrive once ruled Australian roads but have sadly been washed away by the ever-growing wave of SUVs.

Maybe I’m a dinosaur but the Aussie public don’t know what they’re missing out on!

The mighty Ford Falcon GTHO laid claim to being the fastest four-door sedan in the world back in 1972, but it could only dream of the levels of refinement and outright performance of the new breed like the BMW M550i Pure.

I think it’s an awesome time in the automotive landscape. We’re at the peak of internal combustion engine technology and the power figures we’re seeing are just astonishing.

But that’s not the most impressive part – it’s the driveability, the useability and the efficiency of these powerplants that I think goes under-appreciated.

Think about this: most cars these days with even the slightest wave of the performance wand over them could lap Australia’s race circuits faster than Brocky’s Group C ‘Big Banger’ Commodore.

You’ve probably even done it yourself in a T-shirt and shorts, let alone with a roll cage and racing safety equipment!

The BMW M550i Pure is not supposed to be a track car but it certainly could lay claim to being one. Its performance is effortless, its ride quality just right and its interior is about as plush as gets.

The M5 may be a fraction more ‘hard-core’ and with it comes certain bragging rights.

But I tell you what, and the racer in me can’t believe I’m actually saying this, but save the $100K and look to the M550i Pure.

How much does the 2021 BMW M550i xDrive Pure cost?
Price: $139,900 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol
Output: 390kW/750Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 10.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 243g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2017)

Related: Big price hikes for facelifted BMW 5 Series
Related: BMW M550i coming to Oz
Related: BMW M Car Party Video
Related: BMW 530e v Mercedes-Benz E300 Comparison

Disclaimer: Luke Youlden is a Bathurst 1000 champion, 2021 Porsche Carrera Cup series competitor, Tekworkx Motorsport mentor and chief driving coach, deputy chief instructor for the Porsche Experience and also works for Pilota Sportiva, whose clients include Audi Driving Experience and Volkswagen Group Australia.