Which One Would You Purchase If You Had $500K?

Right here’s my thesis, upfront: if I had $500,000 to spend on a contemporary BMW indulgence, I’d purchase the Speedtop — not as a result of the Skytop isn’t beautiful, however as a result of the Speedtop is the extra “BMW” BMW. It’s the one which turns nostalgia into one thing you may really use, the one which carries the model’s bizarre, fantastic Touring DNA into the current, and the one which appears like an announcement about what BMW nonetheless understands: the candy spot between emotion and performance.

And sure — earlier than anybody says it — it is a ridiculous downside to have. Half 1,000,000 {dollars} for what is basically a hand-finished, ultra-limited, M8-based love letter? It’s peak trendy automotive tradition. However that’s additionally why this debate is value having. As a result of if BMW goes to construct rolling sculpture for the one-percent of the one-percent, it ought to nonetheless imply one thing for the id of the model the remainder of us reside with.

So: Skytop or Speedtop — which one would you purchase for those who had $500K? I’ve acquired my reply. However I’ll additionally make the case for the opposite aspect, as a result of it deserves it.

The Skytop Dilemma: The Romantic Object

I can already hear the counterargument — as a result of it’s sturdy. The Skytop is the extra romantic object. It’s open-top, extra jewel-like, and drenched in a signature shade you gained’t discover on any present BMW lot. BMW even positions it as a tribute to iconic roadsters just like the 507 and the Z8which tells you precisely what emotion they’re promoting: heritage, glamour, and that barely irrational feeling you get when a automotive seems to be too good to be actual.

BMW is leaning onerous into that aura: the Skytop is capped at 50 models, full cease.  And it isn’t simply fairly — it’s backed by correct muscle, reportedly utilizing the 617-hp twin-turbo V8 from the M8 Competitors, the sort of powertrain that makes a giant GT really feel prefer it has a personal afterburner.

In case your definition of “$500K BMW” is the last word lakefront fantasy, the Skytop is mainly a gaming cheat code. It’s designed to be photographed at golden hour and pushed such as you’re starring in your personal quick movie. The highest is a part of the theatre; the entire level is publicity — to the sky, to the sound, to the event.

However right here’s the place I begin to withstand the Skytop — and the place the Speedtop begins to win me over.

Why The Speedtop

At $500K, you’re not shopping for transportation. You’re shopping for an announcement.

This isn’t a rational buy. Interval. And while you body it that method, the Speedtop has the sharper argument: it’s the one which doesn’t simply seem like a dream — it behaves like one you may really reside with. It has a taking pictures brake silhouette, a luggage-focused rear and fairly sensible.  It’s restricted to 70 models, which nonetheless places it deep into unicorn territory, but additionally suggests BMW understands the demand for a barely extra usable sort of unique. And just like the Skytop, the Speedtop can also be anchored by a V8.

“Dream” vs “Dream You’d Truly Use”

Once I have a look at Speedtop vs Skytop, I don’t simply see two beautiful toys. I see two totally different variations of BMW’s soul:

• Skytop is BMW as romantic design home: the 507/Z8 lineage, pure indulgence, the automotive as artwork object.
• Speedtop is BMW as fanatic model: barely quirky, bizarre in one of the simplest ways, but useful— the Taking pictures Brake spirit became a collector’s piece.

So for those who reside in a relentless sunny space, then the Skytop could be the obvious selection. It’s an attractive and refined because the Speedtop, it’s much more restricted – by 20 models – and it’s the one which opened the doorways for BMW highly-limited editions. Ultimately, you may’t go improper with both selection, but when cash no object, it could be the Speedtop for me. Whereas BMW has loads of open-tops, the Taking pictures Brakes are much more uncommon and in an period of SUVs and stretched out limousines this one will definitely stands out.

Which One Would You Purchase?

However what about you — Skytop or Speedtop? Would you are taking the open-top romance and that one-of-one vibe, or the shooting-brake swagger and the promise of a weekend you really use?