2012 BMW 550i xDrive
The 2012 BMW 550i xDrive is a sedan. It has a 4.4-litre turbocharged eight-cylinder engine producing 400 hp (298 kW), with an 8-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. 0–60 mph takes 5.2 seconds and top speed is 155 mph (249 km/h).
ABOUT THE 2012 BMW 550I XDRIVE
The 2012 BMW 550i xDrive is the all-wheel-drive V8 saloon of the sixth-generation 5 Series (F10). Its 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged N63 V8 makes 400 hp and 450 lb-ft, with an eight-speed automatic and xDrive all-wheel drive.
Where it sits in 2012
The F10 arrived for the 2011 model year, and 2012 was its second season. The big change elsewhere in the range that year was the 528i switching to a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, leaving the 535i and this V8 550i as the six- and eight-cylinder options. The 550i was the most powerful 5 Series saloon until the new M5 arrived for 2013.
What it is like
The F10 leans more towards comfort and refinement than the E60 it replaced. The 550i xDrive pairs strong, effortless acceleration with all-weather security, and the cabin is spacious and well made. Options included Integral Active Steering (on rear-wheel-drive cars), adaptive dampers, night vision and a head-up display.
Buying one today
The N63 V8 has a poor reliability record. Widely reported issues include high oil consumption, valve stem seals, timing chains, fuel injectors and coolant and vacuum lines degraded by heat from the turbos. BMW released an N63 customer care package of updates; check whether it has been done. Transfer case faults are also reported on xDrive cars.
Rivals
The 550i xDrive competed with the Mercedes-Benz E550 4Matic, Audi A6 3.0T quattro, Jaguar XF Supercharged and Infiniti M56x.
Written by CarDetails.org. Last reviewed October 31, 2026.
SPECS
| Make | BMW | Model | 550i xDrive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | 2012 | Version / Trim | BMW 2012 550i xDrive |
| Body Style | Sedan | Doors | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | Ext. Colour | Alpine White, Jet Black, Black Sapphire Metallic, Space Gray Metallic, Titanium Silver Metallic, Glacier Silver Metallic, Mineral White Metallic, Mineral Gray Metallic, Imperial Blue Metallic, Carbon Black Metallic, Melbourne Red Metallic |
| Steering | LHD / RHD | Manufactured In | Germany |
| Drive | All-Wheel Drive (AWD) | Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Engine | 4.4L 8-cyl Turbo | Engine Size | 4,400 cc |
| Power | 400 hp / 298 kW | Torque | 610 Nm / 450 lb-ft |
| 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) | 5.2 sec | Top Speed | 155 mph (249 km/h) |
| Fuel Economy | 15 mpg city / 20 mpg hwy | ||
| Wheelbase | 2,968 mm | Kerb Weight | 1,870 kg (4,123 lb) |
HOW IT COMPARES WITH OTHER 2012 SEDANS
Compared with other 2012 sedans in our database, its 400 hp is 45% more than the average 2012 sedan (276 hp), and it reaches 60 mph 1.8 seconds quicker than average, and it is 15% heavier than the typical sedan.
| 2012 BMW 550i xDrive | Average 2012 sedans | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power | 400 hp | 276 hp (119 cars) | +45% |
| Torque | 610 Nm | 355 Nm (119 cars) | +72% |
| 0–60 mph | 5.2 s | 7.0 s (121 cars) | -25% |
| Top speed | 155 mph | 137 mph (121 cars) | +13% |
| Kerb weight | 1,870 kg | 1,623 kg (138 cars) | +15% |
| Engine size | 4,400 cc | 3,193 cc (135 cars) | +38% |
Averages are calculated from all cars of the same model year and body type in the CarDetails.org database that have the figure listed. For 0–60 mph, a negative difference means quicker.
CLOSEST RIVALS
Other 2012 sedans with similar power to the 2012 BMW 550i xDrive.
| Car | Power | 0–60 mph | Kerb weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 BMW 550i xDrive | 400 hp | 5.2 s | 1,870 kg |
| 2012 Maserati Quattroporte | 400 hp | — | 1,930 kg |
| 2012 Jaguar XF | 385 hp | 5.7 s | 1,720 kg |
| 2012 Tesla Model S | 416 hp | 2.7 s | 2,069 kg |
| 2012 Lexus IS F | 416 hp | — | 1,530 kg |