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Read the WELCOME ALL BMWFANATICS post.
My 12 Week Ownership Review (As Promised - LONG READ)
- Thread starter Bugger
- Start date
PsyCLown
Well-known member
I have noticed that the 8 series seem to be better spec'd compared to the 5.
Taking a very quick look at what is available on Cars.co.za currently, used prices for an M550 vs M850 is fairly similar and optional extras alone make the 8 series seem like the better deal when it comes to value for money. I personally love a well optioned car.
While I do love my 5er, I wouldn't hesitate to jump into an 8 series.
shabsta
Active member
I’m going to need to read this again tomorrow morning on the bog but I must say you have me interested.
I had shortlisted the m850i at the beginning of the year but the depreciation worried me, how ever I feel that if you put that aside and buy it as a keeper then that’s the least of your worries.
I may need to relook / rethink this as the missus and myself adored the vehicle…
But, I would need to wait until I’ve added more garage space.
Thanks for the excellent write up
I had shortlisted the m850i at the beginning of the year but the depreciation worried me, how ever I feel that if you put that aside and buy it as a keeper then that’s the least of your worries.
I may need to relook / rethink this as the missus and myself adored the vehicle…
But, I would need to wait until I’ve added more garage space.
Thanks for the excellent write up
v1p3r
Well-known member
He has a thread, check posts under his profile
Bugger
///Member
Look there was absolutely nothing wrong with the 550. It was a great quality car, but I do think BMW missed a slight beat in the stock specification and could've added more "luxury", which they did but the add-ons were quite expensive (as with any BMW), and what you got out of the box on the 8 was significantly better. I would assume that it was because the 8 was positioned as a flagship, but surely something like the 550 would be considered a non-M flagship? One thing I found in the 850 while I was detailing it (my bad for not reading the spec sheet correctly) was that it had Individual Merino leather. What difference that makes over the standard Merino leather I have no idea. Ok well a quick Google search says the following regarding the leather:
"Standard Merino leather is a premium, breathable, and lightly pigmented hide that is standard or optional on many upper-tier BMWs. BMW Individual Merino leather features a finer grain, a thicker and softer feel, and utilizes a gentle, hours-long drum pigmentation process that permeates the hide rather than just coloring the surface"
But one thing I definitely found was that the build quality of the 8 over the 5 was quite marked. I won't diss the 550, it is a great car, it was just a car I didn't love. If anyone is considering one, I'd highly recommend it. For something just a bit more exclusive, the 8 takes it. And the exhaust note is completely different, even in not scare the wife mode.
I think you may have enough nice cars in your garage now
. I get what you're saying about depreciation, it's catastrophic, seems to be the way with most cars now. The 8 wasn't the best seller BMW ever produced, much like the E31, and E31s are asking good money now. So maybe in 30 years time I'll break even. As a driving experience, I can highly recommend it. I haven't driven the coupe, unfortunately as most of us on here can attest (bar Benji), kids and having load space is a premium, and the coupe has non-existant rear leg room. Look, it's not an M, so quite obviously the suspension, drivetrain, chassis etc. are not setup like an M, but for every day usability and excitement and usable power (realistically using 550+ horsepower on a daily basis in SA especially is not something you need or can get away with, fun though!) so 530HP on a daily commute or a freeway run is absolutely spot on. And the GC silhouette is quite something to behold.It is an epic shape, I catch myself constantly looking at it. I considered the 40d, although the 40i has the B58 it's in a detuned state at only 250Kw, but the spec levels again are really good. And if you do look for one, the Bowers and Wilkins is a must, it is just simply marvellous.
This was the Autotrader pic I saved. My favourite are the rims. Although I am considering getting a set of F82 M4 CS style 763M rims so I can preserve the ones on the car. They're quite similar. I ran a simulation through Gemini to see what the potential outcome would look like, and it's not too different from the stock 728M rims. And I quite like them in the lighter colour as it breaks the black.
shabsta
Active member
kak photos, awesome carLook there was absolutely nothing wrong with the 550. It was a great quality car, but I do think BMW missed a slight beat in the stock specification and could've added more "luxury", which they did but the add-ons were quite expensive (as with any BMW), and what you got out of the box on the 8 was significantly better. I would assume that it was because the 8 was positioned as a flagship, but surely something like the 550 would be considered a non-M flagship? One thing I found in the 850 while I was detailing it (my bad for not reading the spec sheet correctly) was that it had Individual Merino leather. What difference that makes over the standard Merino leather I have no idea. Ok well a quick Google search says the following regarding the leather:
"Standard Merino leather is a premium, breathable, and lightly pigmented hide that is standard or optional on many upper-tier BMWs. BMW Individual Merino leather features a finer grain, a thicker and softer feel, and utilizes a gentle, hours-long drum pigmentation process that permeates the hide rather than just coloring the surface"
But one thing I definitely found was that the build quality of the 8 over the 5 was quite marked. I won't diss the 550, it is a great car, it was just a car I didn't love. If anyone is considering one, I'd highly recommend it. For something just a bit more exclusive, the 8 takes it. And the exhaust note is completely different, even in not scare the wife mode.
I think you may have enough nice cars in your garage now
It is an epic shape, I catch myself constantly looking at it. I considered the 40d, although the 40i has the B58 it's in a detuned state at only 250Kw, but the spec levels again are really good. And if you do look for one, the Bowers and Wilkins is a must, it is just simply marvellous.
View attachment 35298
This was the Autotrader pic I saved. My favourite are the rims. Although I am considering getting a set of F82 M4 CS style 763M rims so I can preserve the ones on the car. They're quite similar. I ran a simulation through Gemini to see what the potential outcome would look like, and it's not too different from the stock 728M rims. And I quite like them in the lighter colour as it breaks the black.
View attachment 35299
View attachment 35300
Bugger
///Member
it was on the fly! I do need to do a decent photo shoot though admittedly. She's getting her first was since the detail this weekend so will present me with a great opportunity to get some decent shots.kak photos, awesome car
shabsta
Active member
mounting a camera to a fly is a new one, congrats!!!!
shabsta
Active member
dont come with your logical speak here!!!I think you may have enough nice cars in your garage now
You're supposed to be on my side and support having another M850i owner on the forum
modocrat
Well-known member
No need for more garage space, the G81 can replace the G01. Problem solved
shabsta
Active member
Divorce will cost me far more than building another garage...........No need for more garage space, the G81 can replace the G01. Problem solved
Bugger
///Member
🤣 I'm the most illogical of everyone when it comes to cars. One thing I would say, if you do decide to look seriously, is look at pre-LCI. I find the LCI to be a bit too ostentatious and they've tried far too hard to make it look like an M8. If you want an M8, buy an M8!
