2013 BMW 5 Series M550d xDrive F10 Review and Performance Comparison

BMW 5 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

The 2013 BMW 5 Series M550d xDrive F10 is a powered by a Diesel Straight 6. This variant of the BMW 5 Series M550d xDrive F10 is the 8 speed / Auto version and was first brought out around 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 driven by the BMW Rear Wheel Drive system.

Alternative Diesel Straight 6's include the 2017 BMW 5 Series 540d xDrive G30

The 5 Series shares its Diesel Straight 6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2017 BMW 5 Series 540d xDrive G30 and the 2020 BMW X4 M40d 3.0 Turbo.If you're looking for other similar performing cars which share the 5 Series's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1985 Alfa-Romeo Spider Veloce or the earlier 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1955 kgs (4310 lbs) places the BMW 5 Series M550d xDrive F10 in a similar weight category as the 2024 Mercedes GT GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+ and the excellent 2023 Aston-Martin DBS 770 Ultimate Volante 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo, give or take 50kg.

The BMW 5 Series shares the same bhp with the 2024 Maybach S 580 e EQ Hybrid Technology (362 bhp)

In terms of pure power the 2993cc 24 valve, Straight 6 engine produces around 375 bhp (279 kW) @ 4000 rpm which is comparable to the 2024 Maybach S 580 e EQ Hybrid Technology (362 bhp) and also the 2024 Toyota Supra GR Lightweight EVO (382 bhp).

The Turbo Straight 6 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 2025 Maserati MCPURA 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo (538 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If you look at both power or torque of the 2013 BMW 5 Series in comparison with its weight you get a much more accurate idea of its 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. Bhp per ton figures of the 2013 5 Series M550d xDrive F10 means you're competing with the 1969 AMC AMX 6.4L V8 7030 (216.6 bhp per ton) and the equally quick 2022 Mercedes CLS Class CLS 53 4MATIC+ (216.6 bhp per ton).

Torque to Weight:

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance is Torque!. However, torque isn't the whole story, you also need to compare weight as well for more real world comparisons such as torque per ton.

The BMW 5 Series M550d xDrive F10 generates around 279.2 lb-ft per ton. So if you're looking at what cars perform similarly either on the drag strip or at the traffic lights using torque to weight as a benchmark, then look no further than the 2013 Jaguar F Type 5.0 V8 R Coupe (304.2 lb-ft per ton) or the similarly performing 2013 Jaguar XK R-S GT 5.0 V8 (304.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

The BMW 5 Series M550d xDrive F10 can accelerate 0–60mph in 4.50 secs or 0–100km/h (0–62mph) in 4.6 secs. Acceleration rivals to the BMW 5 Series M550d xDrive F10 include the 2024 Audi A3 S3 Sedan (4.50 secs) or the equally as fast to 60mph 2024 Mercedes G Class G 580 EQ (4.50 secs).

The Straight 6 engine of the BMW 5 Series M550d xDrive F10 ensures that, ‘on paper’ at least, accelerates slightly faster than the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.60 secs) and the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the BMW 5 Series M550d xDrive F10 and the Maserati Quattroporte AM337 2.0i V6 Bi Turbo

On a longer format for acceleration comparisons the 2013 BMW 5 Series can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.22 secs with a trap speed around 95.8 mph. Similar performances down the quarter mile drag strip can be found with the the Maserati Quattroporte AM337 2.0i V6 Bi Turbo (14.23 seconds @ 95.7 mph) and a close race between the Alfa-Romeo Giulia Q4 2.0L Turbo (14.23 seconds @ 95.7 mph) too.

Top Speed:

Some modern performance cars are often artificially restricted particularly when it comes to max speed. 155 mph top speed restrictions are often used as part of the German 'Gentleman's Agreement' for example, so be cautious when using maximum speed figures. 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 Vauxhall-Opel Vectra 3.2 V6 GSi (154 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what has a similar top end performance to the 2013 BMW 5 Series M550d xDrive F10 then there's the slightly slower the Vauxhall-Opel Vectra 3.2 V6 GSi (154 mph) or how about the impressive Ford Focus Wagon ST (154 mph).

— AutoSnout

Figures & Specs Summary:

Related Links:

• 2013 5 Series Rivals List.
• 2013 5 Series: Full Review and Comparisons.
• A Brief History of BMW
• Compare the 2013 BMW 5 Series