If you enjoyed this video, then subscribe to our channel so you don't miss any of our group tests in the future!

Alpina hasn't been making M-alternatives for over 55 years! The M Division took their ideas from Alpina, they were founded 7 years later! Alpina was founded in 1965, BMW's M Division in 1972. ;) Alpina also used to race on behalf of BMW until their M Division was founded, so there's more history there than you'd think.

If I had to choose, would go for the Alpina without a doubt.

Great video as usual. But let me tell you that I owned several fast petrol BMW cars and the driving experience has been exactly as you said in the video. But now I own a couple of M cars (E92 M3 and F82 M4) because the sense of an occasion that you feel with an M car cannot be replicated on M Performance or other fast non M products. It’s the little bit more on engine, rawness, performance that makes you feeling to be in something more special and that’s great also on a normal driving day. For me it justifies the price difference.

I bought the M550i. We don’t get the B5 in the US, and even if we did, I’m not thrilled with the front end styling. A base model bumper with a tacked on air dam looks inferior to the M-Sport bumper. I can make up the power and more with a tune.

Been really enjoying your videos this year Dan. Top quality content.

Since I can’t afford any of these, I’m gonna stick to my 530D F10 for the next couple of years.

I'm 20 but since I was 10 I preferred luxury instead of being sport. That's why I'll go with Alpina

Dan thanks for the honest review between the two cars, is the different and good content that make all the difference between a motorjournalist and influencers. Those Alpinas just fly in straight line that top speed are better than an M5. Keep that awesome work, spot on.

LCI Alpina B5 (Touring) for me Alpina Blue Side Decal Delete But to be honest, I’d prob still go for the B3 Touring if I was ever in the position to buy.

Coolest pair of cars tested in a while. But the Alpina pips the 550i. My lottery car is a B3 Touring, no decals, Alpina blue or green, 20" multispokes, no tinted glass, pan roof. One of those up against the upcoming M3 touring would be quite a pair up.

Alpina without even thinking about it. I want another one.

Great review. Finally BMW are properly engineering their M-lite products. One thing though, 'very heavy cars', well yeah but really BMW is actually doing very well in keeping weight in check compared to older (M5) models and the competition, but it's like we can't distinguish between real 1900kg and 2200kg kerb (RS6 looking at you), while on half weight cars, 150kg difference is considered massive ...

Yeah nice Dan, staying classy as always.

Alpina b5 touring alpina green 😍😍😍😍👍👍👍👍

The FL M550i really looks the part, going against the grain here but of the 2 that would be my choice... until the FL B5 is out I think

Fantastic Review Alpina everytime though everything I'd ever want or need in a car.

If you can afford the premium get an Alpina B5 Top-drawer comparison review

Yes!!!!! The Angry Rumble, puts a smile to your face. 😊 I love my 2020 M550i.

I think the pre-LCI Alpina has more character than the post which-LCI which looks like a bigger 3 series.

2 years later the M5 is arguably the best value out of the lot as a used proposition...

Really great review .... focus is on the cars & really describing it in a way normal people can relate to instead of using cliches which I generally don't understand.... really felt like a breath of fresh air.

Whatever one you go for both are mighty impressive - I got a M530d xdrive which I think is good - these two are next level! High praise overall on both machines and a top notch review Dan! Puts you in the driver's seat!

Alpina no doubt🙂

This is exactly the review I was looking for, by one of my favourite reviewers to boot - thank you for it. I have an F06 650i, which I really love but which just isn't sorted over any kind of bumpy stuff, so I'm wondering what should succeed it.

And you can get the Alpina as an estate, which is it's biggest selling point. I like the old style dials as well, so shame they will be lost too. At least they will still be blue I guess.

Great review! I'd pick the Alpina purely as it's an Alpina over the BMW as it has the "WTF" is the that comment.

For people who don’t understand Alpina imagine having an F16 fighter jet and having an airbus A380 Alpina is the Concord muscle loads of power with comfort

Just bought a B3 biturbo.

Can’t wait to buy the 2020 M550i, it’s the best of both worlds in the sense that it’s still essentially the “pre-lci” body but with the lci motor from the M850i. Not a fan of the more aggressive looking front fascia of the 2021 lci update

Alpina suspension is unreal, I have the d3 biturbo, great cars

Both cars are stunning . I would go with the m 550i for the luxury aspect and the alpina for a more sporty drive .

Enjoyed, thank you. Big fan of the soft M, especially the low down grunt of the V8, spending most of my miles on the motorway or tootling around town. Of course, a “proper” M is that much more precise if you have the roads to use it and if you do, maybe a screaming 6 M2/3/5 but these two here are proper Q cars.

I’m in love with this BMW M550i 😍

Alpina, for the BMW driver who has road manners and knows how to use indicators! Both are glorious but Alpinas are irresistible.

Two year old Alpina or a new M550i xDrive? I’ll take the bespoke 600 horsepower Alpina B5 Biturbo please. You get more power, improved handling and exclusivity.

When he said 55 years at the start, I thought he was going to say 55 thousand pounds

On Autotrader almost all ads of Alpina B5 bi-turbo goes over £100k 😆 so definitely better get a proper M5

Actually in EU this 550i is the best luxury sport sedan for its price. It cost fully loaded with ewen every m performance part about 130000€ similar car from merc which is much slower has just a 6 cyl. The e 53 amg cost about 135000 fully loaded and the s6 here in europe its not ewen a competitor whit that heawy and power down diesel. This 550i is the king of normal road auper saloons.

Thank you very much for your clear pronunciation and crisp way of talking. So all of us not native speakers have the chance to understand everything.

Funny that the M550i is the slowest V8 5 series you can buy.

I prefer the fact that Alpina are much more rare than “regular” BMWs. The B6 had a total worldwide production number of just 1100! Compare that to the “limited” edition Porsches, and you’ll find out that there are less Alpinas on the worlds roads than those limited collectors’ Porsches...

imho biggest selling point for Alpina always have been option to get Touring/Wagon

Very articulate and competent review. Well done.

I'm not in to paying extra premiums for something that doesn't look the part; like I actually have to explain to people why the car is special. The price tag should cover that with styling cues. M550i winner here

One of the classiest vehicles in the world, aimed at 50yr old businessmen.... being driven by a mid30's guy wearing a Sports Direct jumper - way to subvert our expectations 😂

Thats a lovely looking thing, just lose the alpina decals down the side.

I’d go for whichever is a softer, more comfortable ride.

At the original sticker price the Alpina is a little expensive, but still desirable. But at GBP63k? Sounds like a delicious deal right there...

Would you have a brand new M550i or a year old M5 Comp though?

Enjoy the 5-Series Beemer while you can, because judging by the design direction BMW seems to be taking with the new 4-Series and that IX thing: the next one is going to look hideous!

Was waiting for this review Dan, thinking what next after my f80m3 comp, b5 looks good thanks

You legends... love this review, also you have chosen brilliant comparisons 👍🏼

I wouldn't say that an Alpina is an affordable arternative of an M5. An Alpina B5 costs just as much as an M5. As of today, an Alpina B5 has a list price of 117.700€, the M5 on the other hand starts at 117.800€... You can get an M550i for 89k already, however it is nothing like the other 2 cars. So I really don't get the comparison of the M550i with the Alpina. The Alpina should be put against the M5 actually. Similar power, same starting price, different purpose.

Epic review (as usual from you) 📈

Some more detail / images on the interior changes on the FL would've been good, & the differences in the B5 engine vs M5 .

it looks like most people dont really need a M car... 550 m is good enough for me... but the Alpine has that style... the Alpine is like some one u fancy, but with a nice dress.

Great job Dan

I would always choose the Alpina. Drives more luxuriously and is more exclusive.

Hörstella exclusiva Otomobil… auf das habe ich gewartet! :-)

Why would you rob a post office?

Alpina all day everyday

That M550i looks brilliant

The most ironic part about the Alpina's ride is how it's running very low profile tires at the same time.

You say the Alpina's decals (which always remind me of _Who Wants to be a Millionaire?'s_ question graphics) "give the game away," but what about the massive capital letters sticking out of the front spoiler?! That's just cheesy. I'd ask them not to fit that...

Alpina all the way

These newer 5 series are really more similar to a traditional 7 series than a 5 series in terms of weight, size, comfort

You can get that for 1200.00 Bucks w/o going into the engine or turbo replacement

I select m550i

Underrated channel bros

I can't tell the difference besides their names. Any customize may broaden my perspective on this car.

First the alpina b5 in the current generation cost almost the same as an m5 comp. Second you buy an alpina for be more exclusive have more comfort and ewen better quality for everyday driving, almost as fast. The 550i makes also sense cause its fast comfortable and about 30% cheaper than the m5 comp.

That Alpina would br great for me as an estate

This car is beautiful ❤

Alpina is just more special

M550i's built august 2019 an on have LSD as standard, something to consider if you're in the market.

Oh my God. Please grant it to me and every good people 🙏

Why talk about price when an Alpina is more than a M5? I like the comparison with the M550i but with limited runs, a two year old Alpina B5 with a bunch of miles is around the same price, but one someone is looking for is in between a new M5 and M550i. Good video though.

Why didn't u get the Alpina B5 also LCI version?

I’m confused on why Alpina chose the base model front bumper

To compare the old Alpina with 608HP instead oft the new one with 621HP with the 2021 BMW M5 is useless. The 2021 BMW M5 got the new Suspension of the M8. The new Alpina has a new Suspension also.

Never thought I’d hear someone say “basic 4.4L engine”.

M550i will be worth £25k in 3 years time

M550i all day baby……💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽

Bmwis car you can trust #1

0:47 nowadays the engine is assembled at a BMW factory i think, and co-designed with BMW.

Alpina finally make tasteful not tacky cheap looking wheels. However their bodykits still leave a lot to be desired. The pinnacle of styling in the 70s and 80s I’m sure but today I want a cohesive design

There must be something wrong with me; I think the 550i is even cooler than the Alpina. And what's even worse; I normally hate black on black cars but would configure the 550i in carbon-black with black interiour (including wood on the dash of course).

I hope manufacturers can refocus their attention on comfort/handling balance. We have enough power these days but most cars ride like shit. Here we have two examples of heavy cars with big wheels that ride beautifully. It CAN be done!

Two year old F90 M5's are the same money if not cheaper.

... and unlimited 200 mph is also good to know and have ;-)

Honestly, the new M5 is more subtle than the Alpina if you'd ask me..

Why the BMW has the facelift and the Alpina not?

M5 pulls the birds though

What’s with the wonky number plate on the Alpina?!

Definitely would take m550i over alpina!

What does the cluster go to. 160Mph or 200

Doesn't Alpina come with RWS as standard?

I chose an LCI M760li.

I’m sure the M5 and the Alpina same price, just seen the Alpina for sale at £95k.