The BMW 550i Gran Turismo Overview

BMW is a company practiced at building class-defining vehicles. Whether it's the original M3, the Z1 roadster, or the most recent example, the X6 Sports Activity Coupe, BMW has managed to produce a long line of performers notable not just for their sheer competence, but for their category-shattering innovation.

So it is this year, as BMW introduces the 550i Gran Turismo, the first sedan to merge the utility and driving position of an X5 with the comfort and room of a 7 Series and the performance and handling of a 5 Series. The Gran Turismo represents a unique vehicle, representing a class of one. At the same time, its broad range of capabilities invites comparisons with multiple vehicles across a wide spectrum of classes.

The Mercedes-Benz E550 Overview

The 9th generation Mercedes E-Class sedan and coupe, with a completely restyled interior and exterior, revised suspension and a host of new safety features. Powertrains are carryover, with the E550 featuring the same 382-hp 5.5-liter V-8 and 7-speed automatic as last year. Also like last year, the E-Class offers a choice of either Sport or Luxury models, with specific chassis tuning, different ride heights, alternative 17- or 18-inch wheels, and minor exterior changes between the two models. Despite the all-new design, the E-Class also boasts a lower base price.

Standard equipment on both E550 models includes 14-way power seats, AirMatic suspension, revised COMAND system with 7-inch color display, and console controller, Bluetooth, in-dash 6-CD changer, and new Direct Select column-mounted shifter. New safety systems include a driver's knee airbag and new pelvic airbags for front occupants, and Attention Assist, which puts a warning on the instrument panel when it senses the driver may be fatigued or inattentive. Rear side airbags are also optional.

What BMW offers…

• BMW's twin-turbo V-8 produces 400 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque and offers a wider powerband (1750 -5400 rpm) than Mercedes-Benz's normally aspirated V-8.
• The Gran Turismo is also much quicker, 0-60 mph 5.4 seconds.
• BMW's 8-speed automatic provides additional ratios to improve both performance and efficiency.
• BMW includes larger brakes, ventilated front and rear: 14.7-inch front with 14.6-inch rear, for sure, drama-free stopping. The Gran Turismo also uses BMW's composite aluminum/cast iron brake rotors, which are much lighter than conventional.
• The Gran Turismo includes standard Driving Dynamic Control, which provides alternative settings for steering, throttle and transmission shift response.
• Standard equipment on the Gran Turismo includes a Panoramic moonroof and retractable headlight washers.
• BMW's iDrive includes standard Programmable Memory keys, and the optional navigation adds an 80GB hard disc with 12 GB music memory, 10.2-inch display, Real Time Traffic Info, CD-ripping capability, MyInfo and BMW Search.
• BMW's Night Vision includes Pedestrian Detection as an additional safety measure.
• The Driver Assistance Package includes Lane Departure and Blind Spot Warning plus High Beam Assistant.
• The Gran Turismo Camera Package includes rearview and Side View Cameras, which provide an accurate, wide-angle view of approaching traffic on busy cross streets.
• BMW's Full Color Head-up Display places a customized, virtual instrument panel directly in the driver's line of sight.
• BMW's 4 year/50,000-mile warranty includes Full Maintenance and Roadside Assistance
• BMW includes a 12 year/unlimited miles corrosion warranty

 

What Mercedes-Benz doesn’t…

• Mercedes' 5.5-liter V-8 makes maximum power much higher in a much narrower range: 382 hp @ 6000 rpm, 391 lb-ft. of torque @ 2800-4800 rpm.
• The E550 includes Mercedes' standard 7-speed automatic, which offers fewer ratios and a narrower gear range overall. Mercedes E550: 0-60 mph in 5.2 seconds
• The E550 has a marginally larger trunk (15.9 vs. 15.5), but even with its optional fold-down rear seats it can offer nearly the same cargo capacity as the 550i.
• Brakes on the E550 are 13.5-inch ventilated front rotors and 12.6-inch solid rear, which will likely provide less fade resistance. The E550's brake rotors are also traditional cast-iron, which increases unsprung weight.
• Mercedes optional AirMatic offers Auto, Comfort and Sport suspension modes, but it includes no alternate settings for transmission, steering or throttle response.
• The E550 includes leather interior as standard, but no optional alternatives.
• The Panoramic roof is a $1,070 option on the E550, and Parktronic is another $950.
• The E550's new COMAND system includes a 7-inch display and console controller, but no Programmable Memory Keys nor Direct Access buttons.
• M-B's optional navigation includes RTTI plus Search and Send, but has the same 7-inch display, only a 40GB hard drive with 4GB music storage.
• Mercedes doesn't offer a Head-up Display on any of its vehicles.
• Mercedes offers an optional rearview camera on the E550, but has nothing like Side View Camera.
• M-B's warranty includes 4 year/50,000 miles Roadside Assistance, but no maintenance
• Mercedes corrosion warranty is 10 year/unlimited miles

 

'Truly, the interior of the 5-series GT is quite beautiful. BMW's recent efforts to make its

interiors both aesthetically pleasing and ergonomically sensible pay off in the form of elegant color combos,

premium materials (including two glossy and one matte wood finish),and high-resolution,

black-panel screens for the gauge cluster and iDrive display.' Car and Driver

Shelly BMW proudly serves Orange County - including Anaheim, Atwood, Brea, Buena Park, Cypress, Diamond Bar, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Hawaiian Gardens, La Mirada, La Palma, La Habra, Lakewood, Midway, Placentia, Pomona, Rowland Heights, Stanton, Whittier, Westminster and Yorba Linda.