BMW M550d X Drive Road Test - /CHRIS HARRIS ON CARS
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ต.ค. 2024
- BMW M550d X Drive road test.
It has more torque than the space shuttle and BMW claims it will do over 40mpg. BMW also says it won't be selling the car in the UK or the US, the places that DRIVE is most commonly viewed. But when something has 3 turbos, you've got to go drive it at 155mph: no?
This car is not missing a single thing. One of best diesel cars ever produced.
The quality of these videos is just superb! It's the small things, like the slight glidecam-effect around 5:30. Just really top class, and Chris just takes it to the next level as well!
"2-4k RPM is really fun"
Yep. It's a diesel.
I can assure you that it feels good until 5400RPM :)
Great motoring journalist, gives a real and honest look at cool cars
One of these when chipped is reported to have over 700ft lbs of torque. Mind boggling. That for a £395 chip, and improved economy.
This is the first time I ever watched Chris Harris, 2012 or there about....I have been hooked ever since.
As soon as I saw Wank on your gps I started laughing Personally I like that sense of humor!
Interesting showing in the video the back ground of his work. His opinion about the car is honest and real. Great car for travelling!
I'd be interested to learn what Chris thinks of the F30 335d X-Drive, which has 313bhp and 465ft/lb of torque within a 3-series chassis (albeit heavier than a 2WD variant)... The handling is sharper than a 5-series and with the reduced weight, the perceived power would be very similar I would imagine.
I know these cars can be remapped to circa 380bhp due to their reworked intervals from the E92 engine but we're confining the conversation to stock versions for now 😀
+William Roberts Don't consider the 335d xDrive. You should rather consider the Alpina D3 which is more powerful, faster, sportier yet comfortable (Chris reviewed the petrol B3 but not the diesel D3, just assume they're identical, engine excepted)
There is no comparison between the 335d xdrive and the M550d, the latter is a beast and would destroy a 335d xdrive.
I notice Chris's voice turns to what sounds very mechanical on that power figure given at 4:04 in the video... I consider that a good thing because it shows me, a loyal viewer of the Drive channel on youtube, that the editors and producers are attentive and knowledgeable enough to prevent or catch and change incorrect information during post production! Bravo and keep it up folks. I love every show on this channel! And my man Chris always keeps it super real! So refreshing!!!
I wish we have m550d in usa...
my fav vid from you Chris ! all the good dialogue, but sticking it to 'the man' for that sense of ' I'm doing what I want' is the perfect icing on the cake. don't ever lose this !
(still want to see the vid from the place in France...)
250 on winter tires? Damn you got some balls Chris.
+n00b1n4t0r my nokian wr a3 are rated "V", which means for 240km/h, so it's actually not that big of a deal. You have to keep in mind that the Autobahn is a pretty flat and straight surface.
yeah but they are Nokian. that's real rally stuff mate.
Wow I didn't know that Sven San. Thanks for the info. The regular Winter Tires i ve seen are like rated max 160-180 km/h.
I like how the DRIVE shows are just about the cars and the relations that they bring with a car-fan. Love this show.
this guy would suit perfectly on top gear
What a comment
Absolutely HILARIOUS! Probably the most entertaining way you could have presented the M550d. Thanks!
Did he correct something at 4:05 ?
Chris Harris is awesome! Great presenter, he makes one of the best car reviews today.
wonderful car for the autobahn, must have it =D
Aw, I enjoy your videos and commentary. The drifts can be entertaining. Jay does one at the end of nearly every video. Party on Chris!
Probably one of the wurst test drive videos I have ever watched
Probably the "wurst" spelling I've seen.
Richard Hurr He was trying to post "sie haben es nicht gewusst" and ended up here.
Grtz
Did that pun go over your head ?
+Richard Hurr lololol
+K0K4NE wurst xD
I'm going to holiday in Garmisch Partenkirchen in August. I didn't know about Wank Mountain but thanks to Chris now I know! So awesome :)
We had the old 545d and that thing pulled our teeth out of my brain. The car was damn quick. But not worth buying since you normally buy a diesel for fuel economy, and that thing sucked more diesel than Kim Kardashian does!
Daniel San There never was a 545d.
There only was a 745d (E65). The new 3-litre tri-turbo Diesel engine has more power and consumes less gas.
On paper, the 750d (F01) consumes 2,6 litres / 100km less than the 745d (E65) and even "in the real world" it consumes about 1,5 litres less.
BFD15i Yeah I think I sort of hit the wrong button - it was a 535d 3.0 with 272hp I think.
J.F. stop being the death of all fun, let the guys do what they please to get views because Drive is character based and thats why it is soo much better then all the other automotive channels. That said I still love what you do on Driven. Your all doing an absolutely fantastic job. I love watching everyones videos as they come out every week and going back through the old ones when they just don't seem to come out fast enough. Keep it up!
Hi Chris, love your work (apart from this video) ...x
Kudos to them for having the attention to detail to catch and fix it.
04:02 lol nice editing
i think i can see a division here between the Brits & the Septics that watched this video! Pure genius Chris! We are lovin your work!!
Pulling up the Wank mountain :-) with a 550d ....
Oh love Chris Harris and live and let drive and Leo are my favorite guys but I do love the channel as whole. keep up the great work
5:51 He said CROSSCOUNTRY Car...look at the volvo cross coutry passing when he said that haha
It does have a lovely exhaust note!
at the end of the day you are trying to compair diesel 3.0l straight 6 with petrol 4.8ltr v8 ,is anyone really supprised the heavier diesel with 120hp less isnt as punchy as the m5,reckon your not fond of bmw's....8-)
*4,4litre v8
yep
-GA- Mancsfinest He likes BMWs. You could argue its a compliment he's comparing it with the M5, rather than the 550i, which is more realistic alternative.
Chris, you can buy the M550d XDrive as an estate car. There is a Touring for this model.
Hahahaha pulling power wank mountain
This car is awesome. I just bought a 2016 535D today. Americans (iam one) have no clue how awesome the torque is in these cars. The mileage per gallon is unbelievable. Tune them. 520 torque and 315 HP on inline 6 and 40 MPG. What what
Why would you choose diesel over petrol as a rich person? Genuine question.
I think something like this only makes sense as a daily, if your other car is an F Type or a 911 or something like that that's impractical but very fast. If I could only have one car and it had to be a luxury sedan, I would go for something that put more emphasis on performance (XFR, S6, CTSV, whatever) but if I had a fast car for the weekend I could see getting one of these or something similar.
Torque and usability.
thing is that actually more than 200 hp is pretty much useless on a daily basis as you will rarely use them. Especially with the massive torque of a diesel.
kilobitti I can only think of one situation on which all that torque would be handy, an that is towing a massive RV. I presume rich people would stay at hotels. I don't think the usability point makes any sense since any modern automatic car will be equally easy to drive. If anything, a petrol engine will be more pleasant for the smoothness and less noise.
And let's not talk about living in a cold country...
A bigger diesel engine has most of its power available at the low end, which is what we use mostly in everyday driving anyways. An automatic gearbox, even a modern one, doesn't make up for lack of torque. The only way to start with higher revs with an automatic gearbox is using launch control or reving against the brakes. That's hardly something I'd call usable in a daily driver.
Actually, most of the summer I've been driving a VW Golf 1.4 TSI, which is a perfect example of a modern petrol engine with a modern automatic gearbox. It's very usable, might even feel quick at times, but only if you really step on it.
That's why I like watching Chris Harris review. They are not boring, but entertaining. This one though, was kind of boring. He was just going fast. I wish JF understands that viewers like to see drifts along with the reviews.
Underpowered for a tri-turbo... re-map it and get around 420bhp and 620lbs Torque. M3 killer!
For a daily hell ya a 5 series is basically a rolls Royce and the comment above shows you that you can easily make these close to the speed of an m5 and daily comfort with good mpg and with that power you would beat an m3
trevor philips
Exactly, that's it! Long journey race, the diesel wins. At least I know that for a fact.
The torque converter cannot take more than 700nm torque, my e92 325d is running 660nm so 620lb's torque is ridiculous the box would chew itself to death
DB Project -- i've got some serious doubts your 325d delivers 660Nm of torque, unless heavily tuned.
+The David I think that was his point, plus it fits the scene since the OP was talking about engine remaps...
My car a 2003 Skoda Fabia RS gets around 420 nm and 200hp out of 1.9 liters of diesel engine glory...
So it´s quite easy to get more torque out of even small diesels!
Thumbs up so Chris Harris doesn't get fired. IMO, all his reviews are great.
Lol, Chris is a legend :-D
He's real name is Tony.
haha JF whats about the like bar under this video? we, the subscribes, like this vid and actually chris is for me at the same level as clarkson, hammond and may AND they are probably the best car reviewers that the world has ever seen!
Chris: did you just make a video and an excuse up to drive to Mount Wank? :D
Please except my apology for my rude comments. That is not what the comments are for. It is easy to say stuff when you just type it on a keyboard. .This video was way over my head because I'm not familiar with you gentlemen. It really is a good video. And you show that you really know your cars. You also must invest a lot of time in what you do to make it fun and different. I really mean this, and you gentlemen deserve my apology to be made in front of everyone. I put my foot in my mouth. Sorry
I would rather have a 550ix. What is the point in saving fuel if you are buying 80.000€ car.
I'm sorry, Audi did run diesel racing cars simply because it won't blew up like a petrol car would be
volante8657 No, Audi run Diesel racing cars s because it's all about endurance, like Le Mans. The longer you stay on the track the faster you will be. Diesel cars have about 30% advantage on fuel consumption compared to their petrol counterparts.
NickLiang
well, they run diesel in touring car as well, so saving fuel is not the sole point.
volante8657 Well it is one of the main reasons they use Diesel over petrol. They can stay on the track for longer whilst petrol cars will have to pit. And it definitely wasn't because 'it won't blow up' like a petrol engine........
The reason they stay longer is because(as they said), diesel engine runs cooler then petrol engines. And in touring cars, pit-in is not the tradition and there isn't a fuel stop at all.
Everything Chris does is so awesome. He's so passionate and interesting. I totally get what he's saying in this review.
I had a non turbo benzin engine in my previous cars...now i have a much powerful turbo diesel engine in my current car and i drove a numerous of diesel powered cars...and i can really say, i hate them, they are just horrible, annoying, lazy...just worth a crying :(...
He is probably the best motoring journalist out there.
Much as I really like and respect Chris, I did not even bother watching this video because of the huge problem with part of the title I faced. I'm not big on oxymorons or contradictions and M550d is a whopper, but it says much more about the company that this specific vehicle. The letter M on any bmw meant ONE thing....it was from their GO-FAST division. Now bmw [and mb] are happy to pollute that purity and explicit meaning by jamming the letter on anything they think might merely sell a few more vehicles, because bmw especially latched onto, with a vice-like grip, the very WORST thing exported from america.... that totally loathesome mantra "Greed is Good". Sick expression, sick company, compromised cars.
Friend has a 118d MSport.................
This video was like a breath of fresh air. There's nothing wrong with triying something new every once in a while. Just because this video isn't full of screeching tires and rubber smoke doesn't mean it wasn't entertaing
04:06 ???
Best episode so far....Taking a BMW to Wank Mountain was a prefect idea Chris....its not your fault that most people who own a BMW happen to own a BMW come from there.........
;)
Maybe it should be called the 550d Sport not M, doesn't look that it has anything in common with the M cars, other than the Wankers that are going to drive them. Sad really that I had come to this.
m235i?
trident3b well m sport cars/ cars like the m235i and m550d have performance parts from BMW M, but still kinda of a dumb reason to put M into the name. i agree with Adrian Hetmanski but it doesnt really matter to be honest
trident3b There's an idea. I would actually take the Alpina D5 Touring. Better looking than this off-brand M spec, more luxurious, similar power, but with one less turbo to worry about. That's my absolute dream daily driver.
Alec D. wish north america had more diesels, such a shame.
analanalyst I think they will eventually. The efficiency benefits are so far superior to gasoline-powered cars that the market will grow. It doesn't help that there's a big tax on diesel, making it as much if not more expensive than a gallon of premium. Plus diesels have gotten so clean over the years. It's not like the 1970's anymore, where diesel stations were few and far between, and a black cloud would just hover above them. Unfortunately, there's little political value in fuel efficiency. Only non-fossil fuel alternatives are politically valuable enough to be explored. That's why buying a hybrid or an EV lands you a juicy tax break, and why building them gets you a big fat subsidy. You even get your own special parking spot, right up there with the handicapped, when you visit a number of stores. The tax breaks and the subsidies aren't enough for EV owners though. They all need to have personalized license plates to remind themselves of how great they are. Anyway, I've gone on quite the rant here.
Chris, great insight & editing but left us wanting more of your driving dynamics trademark.
Maybe if you took it in the snow it would have balance your episode.
Is it the ultimate driving machine (or was the original one M535 better)?
i feel like you could make a whole series based around the concept of chris, alex, and matt trying to sneakily piss jf off....this shit is hysterical.... loving it, keep up the good work.
IMO the car is good only for every-day driving nothing else, just a fast fun car. no comparison to the M5 F10. since we are talking about Bimers i would love to see a review of the new M6 and 6 series grand coupe. keep up the good work Chris
another amazing chris harris road test! quality guy
JF lighten-up on Chris , GREAT review !
time to add this guy to Top Gear
I have always loved cars but only recently started getting interested in diesels and it's got me thinking, would a supercharger (not centrifugal but one that increases displacement) be better than a turbo on a diesel? Main reason I ask is because I've never seen a supercharged diesel but superchargers are better for low end torque which is what diesels thrive on.
For those wondering, 2200 bar is approx 32000 psi, allowing for rounding.
Fantastic video Chris.
Nice car, nice review! Very awesome that you were able to snag this from BMW!
Reason is the structure of AWD system in those cars, front wheel drive is in way for right hand steering, so they would have to make mirror image about that AWD system also. And right hand drive markets are just too small for doing half the car again.
On the top left of the windscreen there was a sign saying that maximum speed on winter rubber was 210kmh
after the top gear trio, Chris Harris is my favourite car reviewer.
I know what Chris is referring to. Diesels aren't as lively as petrols (hear me out). The peak torque is earlier down the rev range so you don't get that surge of power and electric response that you get from a petrol. Most of the power comes in 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th gear, its a shame they don't rev high enough or in a linear way.
"I'm full of contradictions and rubbish today" - channeling a bit of Mr Clarkson today, I'd say. Great vid as always, keep up the good work.
the top gear lads are the most entertaining of all car hacks but i like Chris, Harry, and the american Mat Farrah a lot.
Mr. Harris, nice vid sir. Nice vid.
Finally, it's online! Another great video from mr Harris!
Exelent camera work.
Shame BMW didn't follow Merc down the V8 route (E400 CDI / E420 CDI) and market a 540d (E39), 545d (E60) and 550d (F10 / G30) using the M67D40 3.9 V8 (E39) and M67D44 4.4 V8 (E60 / F10 / G30) from the E38 / E65 740d (3.9) and 745d (4.4). Would have been great!
He's talking about the max speed on the tires not about the legal speed limit. However it's not illegal to go over the max speed of the tires, it's just the manufacturer's guarantee that the tires will work without malfunction up to a certain speed...
chis can you get back to doing your "first impressions" bit? Always found it really informative, and also unique. keep it up.
What I most want to see for this car is the LONG term torcher test of over 200,000 miles. How well does it hold up? What breaks and needs to be fixed at what cost? That is where diesels shine over petral/gas engines and why I love them. I really want an MB E-class 4-MATIC clean diesel coupe. But they tell me I can't get one in the U.S.
This as an estate/wagon, the ultimate BMW in my books
It's relaxing ;) A very intresting review, would love to see more fotoage though, maybe some numbers, acceleration, consumtion etc. Still very nice review tho
Yeah, part of their "sub" ///M range (including the M135 too) sits between a normal model, and the full ///M Range (M6/M5/M3/1M etc.). A lot of people don't get the M550d because they think it's supposed to be an M5 diesel, but it's not!
Not your best Chirs. I think your element is with powerful rear wheel drive cars that you can show off to us. You're still a champ!
This guys better than anyone else on drive. Lead guy should allow more freedom. I do believe they cut in too many outtakes to the actual footage though. WIshed for more technical information on this monster we cant get in the US.
Most of the car companies makes a working tool, when it comes to make a diesel-powered car. They must be economic at the first place. But not BMW. They have put a 2.5 litre turbo diesel inside 3 series and added a sporty version- in the 90's!
I'm a diesel head and even though I didn't like BMW as such and as a whole, I do like now.
Make your own show and channel, Chris ! I believe you already have a personal channel called 'harrismonkey' on yt...There you can do all you want to and we all gonna love it !
BTW: As a german and-car reviewer myself I loved the autobahn-footage. Made me feel at home...
And with this said: CHECK OUT MY 1 SERIES F20 REVIEW !
Sry...Silly, but I had to put it out there. Greets from germany, TheGetawayer
I was there a few weeks ago, (Garmisch that is) this video does that place no justice.
I have driven the X6 with this engine in it and the most impressive part is when you upshift early.. that's when you feel like you are in a space shuttle taking off..
America NEEDS this car. Seriously
Is there really a Wank mountain?
When you going to drive the new nissan Chris?
Interesting comments around 9 minutes, petrol being 'sharper' than petrol. I have the same issue with a Jaguar XF diesel versus the petrol version, no matter what clever stuff we have seen with twin turbos etc petrol is still sharper and a diesel engine weighs 150kg more sitting over the wheels which do the steering...
Oh and by the way: Welcome to Munich! :)
I think that I take almost the same route when I get the chance to test drive a BMW or any car for that matter. Take a look at the "Deutsche Alpenstraße" next time you get a car around south of Munich. Love your style (specially when you are clinging on to a roll cage for dear life^^)!
JF budy dont have a cow. I think Chris H did a great job on his own... A++++ Mr Harris..Cheers
I think he is on par with the trio.!!
what was the meaning of the phone call at the beginning? did chris do something to make producers angry?
excellent review. just drove one for 2500km and felt the same way.
No you didnt
did so
The Autobahn Munich-Garmisch is so freaking awesome. You can drive at max speed pretty much all the time.
@TaylorB440 The diesel lines are actually bloody good, the best from Germany. The highest performance diesels you can get, so I think the diesels deserve an M range too. If ever you do have a bad perception of diesel cars, you need to change it, they're absolutely impressive these days, torque, quietness, economy, just amazing. I know you don't get to drive one much in Canada, but be patient, they'll be coming just like in Europe
Same it never made it to the UK, that engine would be nice in a 4-Series body too.
'you think you know...but you have no idea - this is the diary of chris harris'
JF did you ever stop to think you are becoming the Vince McMahon of the DRIVE/FLD world? :P
won't come to the UK because BMW won't release it with right hand drive and minus the x-drive (gearbox gets in the way of the steering apparently)
The Autobahn A95 that you drove down to Garmisch was my daily commute. Since it ends well before Garmisch and going nowhere from there, there is always few traffic. I used to do topspeed runs on my superbike. Loved it. Now have to drive shitty crowded A96 to work. Sniff. Cheers!