Performance Review: BMW 5 Series 550i - [2013]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW 5 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW 5 Series 550i is the 8 speed / Semi-Auto version and was first brought out in 2013. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2014 Tesla Model S P100D Ludicrous Performance and the 2014 Koenigsegg One 1 5.1 V8 Twin Turbo.This particular BMW 5 Series has a 4395cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The 5 Series shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 5 Series's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1905 kgs (4199 lbs) this makes the BMW 5 Series 550i in the same weight category as the 2021 BMW 5 Series M5 CS 4.4 V8 Turbo F90 or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW 5 Series shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp)

In terms of power the 4395cc 32V V8 engine produces 444 bhp (331 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp).

The Turbo V8 throws out 479 lb-ft (649.4 Nm) @ 2000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (470 lb-ft) or the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 5.5 V8 C8 (460 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the BMW 5 Series you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1995 Chevrolet Corvette C4 ZR1 (258.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the BMW 5 Series.

The BMW 5 Series has a Power to weight ratio of 233.0 bhp per ton and 251.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2013 5 Series competing with the 1995 Chevrolet Corvette C4 ZR1 (258.0 bhp per ton) or the 1992 Ferrari 456 GT 5.5 V12 (257.9 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the BMW 5 Series generating around 251.4 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2012 Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster GT (276.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2017 Honda NSX 3.5 V6 Turbo Petrol Electric Hybrid (275.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.9 secs, this made the BMW 5 Series 550i as fast as the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.70 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Wagon (5.70 secs) the 2016 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi 2.0 Turbo Clubsport (5.70 secs) the or the 2014 Seat Leon Cupra 265 DSG (5.70 secs). This BMW 5 Series 550i is also faster than the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (5.80 secs) the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (5.80 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 DSG (5.80 secs) the and the 2017 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 280 (5.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 5 Series and the 1999 Audi A6 S6 4.2 Quattro

When talking about the performance of the BMW 5 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.5 secs @ 101.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1999 Audi A6 S6 4.2 Quattro (13.44 secs), the 2008 Mercedes SLK Class 350 Auto (13.45 secs), and the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 280 (13.45 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2013 version of the BMW 5 Series 550i has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2013 5 Series equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2013 BMW 5 Series 550i then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2013 5 Series Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison