Performance Review: BMW 5 Series M550d xDrive F10 - [2013]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW 5 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW 5 Series M550d xDrive F10 is the 8 speed / 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 2993cc Turbo Diesel powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Diesel St6's includes the

The 5 Series shares its Diesel St6 engine configuration with the likes of the and the 2017 BMW 5 Series 540d xDrive G30. 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 1955 kgs (4310 lbs) this makes the BMW 5 Series M550d xDrive F10 in the same weight category as the 2022 BMW 3 Series M3 Competition Touring 3.0 xDrive or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW 5 Series shares the same bhp with the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp)

In terms of power the 2993cc 24V St6 engine produces 375 bhp (279 kW) @ 4000 rpm similar to the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp) or the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (360 bhp).

The Turbo St6 throws out 546 lb-ft (740.2 Nm) @ 2000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (568 lb-ft) or the 2023 Lamborghini Revuelto 6.5 V12 Petrol Hybrid (535 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 1969 AMC AMX 6.4L V8 7030 (216.6 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 191.8 bhp per ton and 279.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2013 5 Series competing with the 1969 AMC AMX 6.4L V8 7030 (216.6 bhp per ton) or the 2001 Mercedes C Class 32 AMG (216.5 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 279.2 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 2013 Jaguar XK R-S GT 5.0 V8 (304.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 2013 Jaguar F Type 5.0 V8 R Coupe (304.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.6 secs, this made the BMW 5 Series M550d xDrive F10 as fast as the 2022 BMW i7 xDrive60 (4.50 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive 3.0 Turbo F23 (4.50 secs) the 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge 6.6 V12 Twin turbo (4.50 secs) the or the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive Cabrio 3.0 Turbo F23 (4.50 secs). This BMW 5 Series M550d xDrive F10 is also faster than the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.60 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.60 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i 3.0 Cabrio Turbo F23 (4.60 secs) the and the 2020 Audi A3 S3 Saloon (4.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 5 Series and the 1999 Subaru Impreza RB5 - Classic

When talking about the performance of the BMW 5 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.28 secs @ 95.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1999 Subaru Impreza RB5 - Classic (14.22 secs), the 2020 KIA Stinger GT 3.3 V6 Turbo (14.22 secs), and the 2020 KIA Stinger GT2 3.3 V6 Turbo (14.22 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2013 version of the BMW 5 Series M550d xDrive F10 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 M550d xDrive F10 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