[ruxp]

AWD for the 550i and the fact that BMW is using the exact same engine for both made me not even consider the 550i. On top of that, I want a manual & we don't even know yet if the M5 will be available with anything but boring ass DCT.

I anticipate a 550i xDrive with the options I want costing me around 65k. A similarly optioned M5 is nearly 100k (edit: and that's a 2010 - F10s will probably be another 10k or so more. On top of that, insurance for the M5 will be considerably more. So yeah, it's a LOT cheaper.

Save the performance on the track etc etc arguments, at this point the M5 is more a frivolous rich man's status-plaything a la the X6M than a purpose-built track car. I would bet that less than 10% of F10 M5 owners will track their cars. If you're really concerned about track day, go buy an M3.. or for that matter, a Z06. Not a tricked out luxury sedan.