BMW M550d xDrive Gets 508HP Upgrade For Less Than $2k

Diesels have received more than their fair share of flak recently, but you can’t deny the allure of an executive model with a diesel engine that has more power than yesterday’s supercars.

The 2018 M550d xDrive has a quad-turbo 3.0-liter straight six engine, which BMW says it’s the most powerful six-cylinder oil burner out there.

It puts out 400 PS (395 hp / 295 kW) and 760 Nm (560 lb-ft) of torque, which are transferred to both axles through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Sprinting from rest to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) takes only 4.4 seconds and top speed is capped at 250 km/h (155 mph).

So, with this kind of performance, it’s not like the M550d xDrive needs more power. Nonetheless, McChip-DKR is offering not one, but two chip tuning upgrades. Level 1 costs €1,399 ($1,608) in Germany and lifts the output to 470 PS (463 hp / 346 kW) and 850 Nm (627 lb-ft) of torque. Top speed has also gone up, to 290 km/h (180 mph).

Level 2, on the other hand, is even more impressive, as it allows the straight-six lump to produce 515 PS (508 hp / 379 kW) and 865 Nm (638 lb-ft) of torque. This version costs €1,678 ($1,928) and comes with a 295 km/h (183 mph) V-max.

For an extra cost, the tuner can install a KW coilover suspension and new wheels. The latter measure 9×20-inch at the front and 10.5×20-inch at the rear, and come with 255/35 and 285/30 ContiSportContact tires, respectively.