Trading the 340XDrive for...M550 or S6??

White340XDriveInCt · 01-17-2021, 10:28 AM

So this 340X Drive is my 9th BMW I have owned. Previously I’ve had several M3’s, 330’s, 335 and a Z4. I’ve been very loyal to the brand, obviously, but that’s waning a bit.

I want a bigger car, and I want more power. I am seriously leaning towards the M550, which I’ve driven and really enjoyed, but I have to say BMW has disappointed me in last few years with some quality and dealer issues. Also, the steering on these cars isn’t what it once was IMO. I have read many great things about the 2018+ S6 and have heard the steering feel is much better vs. 550, but does anyone own one that has some solid, real world data? Likes/dislikes? What about the M550, same question?

I hope to make this move end of month but I’m solidly torn at the moment

Elvisfan · 01-17-2021, 11:11 AM

May I suggest going to a Audi or Mercedes forum to see what those owners have to say about their cars.

White340XDriveInCt · 01-17-2021, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elvisfan

May I suggest going to a Audi or Mercedes forum to see what those owners have to say about their cars.

Well Mercedes isn’t in the mix, and I have for the Audi, though I’ve found it more “Audi is the best!!” vs. any real objective discussion. At least so far.

BEM-S4 · 01-17-2021, 11:21 AM

The S6 is a perfectly capable car, it holds the overall Cannonball record that's a very good vote of confidence. Larger GT cars some of the Audi-ish tendencies don't matter so much, it's not a track toy so propensity to understeer isn't really a problem for example.

That said my vote would be neither, get an Audi but you picked the wrong one. RS6 Avant would be my choice between anything either BMW or Audi sells in the U.S. (we don't get the M3 touring I'd get that instead).

Elvisfan · 01-17-2021, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by White340XDriveInCt

Well Mercedes isn’t in the mix, and I have for the Audi, though I’ve found it more “Audi is the best!!” vs. any real objective discussion. At least so far.

So what’s an M550?
Ever mind. My mistake.

weehe126 · 01-17-2021, 11:44 AM

I tested a 340 and 550 back to back and was really disappointed in the "larger" 550. Liked the ride/power, more features, but there was maybe 1" more leg room in the rear and the trunk was smaller. I was only considering the 550 to have more room. So that took it off the list and the 340 won.

aardate · 01-17-2021, 12:50 PM

The m550 is a much more refined comfort oriented car, of course has more room. If you are willing to sacrifice a little bit of sportiness and drive feel then the m550 is a great car.

For me it was too isolated of a driving experience with the 5 series that’s why so went with the 340i.

Alvin Mpower · 01-17-2021, 08:11 PM

E63s Estate or the new RS6 Avant IMO are better than S6 or M550i.

Sigtran · 01-18-2021, 02:48 AM

From 340xDrive if you really want more space and to really feel more power, then M5 or even M5 Competition is a way to go. But they are very pricey.

Audi RS6 is not much cheaper either...

Comparing to F30 340xDrive, new M550i is offering just a bit more performance (on straight line only), a bit more space and a quite more luxury.

IMO, 340xDrive is absolutely best buy and sweet spot in terms of space, power and price compromise. Going level up costs much much more! Maybe even G20 340xDrive and some decent tuning package is worth considering.

stein_325i · 01-18-2021, 10:42 AM

OP which generation S6 are you referring to? The 2018 is the older (C7) V8 based S6, and the 2019+ models are the 2.9 V6 based S6 (C8), but I noticed you said 2018+ so are you looking primarily at new or used?

I personally find the entire G30 set of 5ers to be boring to drive and very uninspiring, but if you are looking for luxury they do well in that department. Also I personally don't trust BMW V8's but thats just me.

cfm56d7b · 01-18-2021, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by White340XDriveInCt

So this 340X Drive is my 9th BMW I have owned. Previously I’ve had several M3’s, 330’s, 335 and a Z4. I’ve been very loyal to the brand, obviously, but that’s waning a bit.

I want a bigger car, and I want more power. I am seriously leaning towards the M550, which I’ve driven and really enjoyed, but I have to say BMW has disappointed me in last few years with some quality and dealer issues. Also, the steering on these cars isn’t what it once was IMO. I have read many great things about the 2018+ S6 and have heard the steering feel is much better vs. 550, but does anyone own one that has some solid, real world data? Likes/dislikes? What about the M550, same question?

I hope to make this move end of month but I’m solidly torn at the moment

Are you exploring a lease or a purchase? Budget?

davidr3 · 01-18-2021, 04:02 PM

Test drive an s6, see how it makes you feel

jmack · 01-19-2021, 08:54 AM

M550i will be the better driver's car but I still don't trust any iteration of the N63 engine. The C7 S6 can tune up to insane numbers if you are into that, but the new V6 seems pretty lack luster.

Billfitz · 01-19-2021, 10:21 AM

Drive everything that you're interested in, buy what you like best. No one else can tell you what that is.

Boostedphil698 · 01-19-2021, 11:14 AM

The N63 in the M550 is great but reliability isn't there.

01-17-2021, 10:28 AM	#1
White340XDriveInCt Second Lieutenant 590 Rep 230 Posts Drives: 2023 Tanz M3 Comp Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	Trading the 340XDrive for...M550 or S6?? So this 340X Drive is my 9th BMW I have owned. Previously I’ve had several M3’s, 330’s, 335 and a Z4. I’ve been very loyal to the brand, obviously, but that’s waning a bit. I want a bigger car, and I want more power. I am seriously leaning towards the M550, which I’ve driven and really enjoyed, but I have to say BMW has disappointed me in last few years with some quality and dealer issues. Also, the steering on these cars isn’t what it once was IMO. I have read many great things about the 2018+ S6 and have heard the steering feel is much better vs. 550, but does anyone own one that has some solid, real world data? Likes/dislikes? What about the M550, same question? I hope to make this move end of month but I’m solidly torn at the moment
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01-17-2021, 11:11 AM	#2
Elvisfan Major 516 Rep 1,452 Posts Drives: 2018 430ix convertible MGM Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Illinois iTrader: (0)	May I suggest going to a Audi or Mercedes forum to see what those owners have to say about their cars.
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01-17-2021, 11:21 AM	#4
BEM-S4 Major General 4516 Rep 8,942 Posts Drives: Dinan M235, Dinan Sport Wagon Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (5)	The S6 is a perfectly capable car, it holds the overall Cannonball record that's a very good vote of confidence. Larger GT cars some of the Audi-ish tendencies don't matter so much, it's not a track toy so propensity to understeer isn't really a problem for example. That said my vote would be neither, get an Audi but you picked the wrong one. RS6 Avant would be my choice between anything either BMW or Audi sells in the U.S. (we don't get the M3 touring I'd get that instead). __________________ 2022 Macan S 2016 F31 328i xDrive Sport Wagon 2006 E46 330ci ZHP Convertible
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01-17-2021, 11:44 AM	#6
weehe126 Brigadier General 1161 Rep 3,189 Posts Drives: 2017 340i Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: San Antonio iTrader: (2)	I tested a 340 and 550 back to back and was really disappointed in the "larger" 550. Liked the ride/power, more features, but there was maybe 1" more leg room in the rear and the trunk was smaller. I was only considering the 550 to have more room. So that took it off the list and the 340 won.
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01-17-2021, 12:50 PM	#7
aardate First Lieutenant 194 Rep 343 Posts Drives: X4MC Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0)	The m550 is a much more refined comfort oriented car, of course has more room. If you are willing to sacrifice a little bit of sportiness and drive feel then the m550 is a great car. For me it was too isolated of a driving experience with the 5 series that’s why so went with the 340i.
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01-17-2021, 08:11 PM	#8
Alvin Mpower Lieutenant 390 Rep 454 Posts Drives: 2016 M4 ZCP Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: RI iTrader: (0)	E63s Estate or the new RS6 Avant IMO are better than S6 or M550i.
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01-18-2021, 02:48 AM	#9
Sigtran Private 15 Rep 59 Posts Drives: F30 320d xDrive M-Sport Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Serbia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW 320d xDriv ... [0.00]	From 340xDrive if you really want more space and to really feel more power, then M5 or even M5 Competition is a way to go. But they are very pricey. Audi RS6 is not much cheaper either... Comparing to F30 340xDrive, new M550i is offering just a bit more performance (on straight line only), a bit more space and a quite more luxury. IMO, 340xDrive is absolutely best buy and sweet spot in terms of space, power and price compromise. Going level up costs much much more! Maybe even G20 340xDrive and some decent tuning package is worth considering.
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01-18-2021, 10:42 AM	#10
stein_325i Ring Leader of G8X Haters 25083 Rep 8,762 Posts Drives: A Car Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: All-Around iTrader: (0)	OP which generation S6 are you referring to? The 2018 is the older (C7) V8 based S6, and the 2019+ models are the 2.9 V6 based S6 (C8), but I noticed you said 2018+ so are you looking primarily at new or used? I personally find the entire G30 set of 5ers to be boring to drive and very uninspiring, but if you are looking for luxury they do well in that department. Also I personally don't trust BMW V8's but thats just me. __________________ Current Garage: 2022 Mercedes-Benz S 580 / 2023 Genesis GV70 2.5T / 2007 Mercedes-Benz E 350 / 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata Retired: '95 E36 325i 5MT / '04 E46 330i 6MT / '05 E83 X3 3.0i / '11 E90 335xi / '17 G30 540i / '19 F87 M2C 6MT / '19 MB CLS 53 / '20 MB GLC 300
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01-18-2021, 04:02 PM	#12
davidr3 Captain 448 Rep 909 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: May 2019 Location: Riverside iTrader: (1)	Test drive an s6, see how it makes you feel
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01-19-2021, 08:54 AM	#13
jmack First Lieutenant 549 Rep 384 Posts Drives: OG M2, E70 X5M Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: TN iTrader: (0)	M550i will be the better driver's car but I still don't trust any iteration of the N63 engine. The C7 S6 can tune up to insane numbers if you are into that, but the new V6 seems pretty lack luster.
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01-19-2021, 10:21 AM	#14
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8239 Rep 16,075 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	Drive everything that you're interested in, buy what you like best. No one else can tell you what that is.
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01-19-2021, 11:14 AM	#15
Boostedphil698 Major 436 Rep 1,118 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW 435i Xdrive MSport Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Greater Philadelphia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW 435XI [0.00] 2009 Honda Civic [0.00]	The N63 in the M550 is great but reliability isn't there. __________________ 2015 435i Xdrive (Klaus) Stanced 8th Gen Honda Civic (The daily)
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