[Bayern1]

Ordered a 550i yesterday with M sport package and performance tires. Never drove one before and can't wait to get my hands on the wheel.

[lovec1990]

let me get you straight you ordered car you never drove?

[Bayern1]

Yes I did. Did the same with the 335is.

[lovec1990]

ok your 335is is E series right? did you even been in F10 as passenger or sit in it?

look i just cant understand how can somebody buy a car hes not test driven.

[Bayern1]

I' ve sat in the car and researched it extensively on the internet. To me it looks great and has the perfect blend of luxury and performance. I am little older and don't need a race car anymore. I used to race cars in Europe when I was young, Formula ford single seaters.

[lovec1990]

ok if you know what kind of car you bought im fine.One thing are you sure 550i is right engine, because if you dont race anymore 535i would be better one too buy?

[Bayern1]

I still like to put the hammer down once in awhile to put a grin on my face.

[lovec1990]

ok

[Noggie]

I did almost the same, and have no regrets.
I had a test drive in a -13 F10 520i (180hp) 8 months ago, and bought my -12 F11 M550xd unseen and undriven last week.
It's not like its a 10 year old beater with 100K on the clock, If you are used to BMW's you pretty much know what you get.

You'll be just fine, it's a great car for sure.

[ezmaass]

Bayern - you'll love it.

I came from an e90 335 (N54), and the 550 is a real kick in the pants. If you ordered either the passive sport suspension or DHP, you'll find it plenty sporty in the corners - although, it's still a bigger car, and you'll feel that over the 335 obviously.

I enjoy the 550 loads more than I ever did the 335, though. While the 335 was fun, the e90/e92 was never high on luxury or comfort IMHO. The F10 will tick those boxes for you in a major way.

I ordered my 2001 325i without ever driving it. Looking back, it was definitely a gamble... but I figured the worst case scenario would be that I live with it for a bit and sell it. I think you'll love the F10, though.

[Bayern1]

Thanks ezmaas,
While I also enjoyed the 335is, very quick, especially in sport mode, but it is a harsh ride on those
Streets around New York. The 550 will be plenty fast and a much more luxurious ride. Can't wait.

[radiofrequency]

I understand your thought process, I took my e92 M3 out of winter storage about two weeks ago, and love the feel of the M. However also purchased a 535iD xDrive about 6 weeks ago, and really appreciate the smooth ride + the 414 ft/lbs of torque is a kick when carving through the canyons where I live. The real bonus is that you arrive at your destination feeling relaxed, my 2009 335i was a great car, but I find the F10 more luxurious and more comfortable for those 20+ minute drives on the highway. I decided on the Diesel based on MPG and the monster torque, but you simply can't go wrong with a BMW V8 IMHO.

[bake]

Bought my F10 CPO without driving an F10 either. Matter of fact the first time I actually laid eyes on my car in person was when it arrived on a flat bed at my house. I am from Long Island, NY and bought my car from a dealership in San Francisco just based off of photos, documentation and conversations with the salesman. No regrets at all. Good luck with your car man. Please post pics once it arrives.

[RSBro]

I drove a 550i, but not my car specifically, before I bought it. Got it shipped over from GA. Never regretted one second of the purchase.
Was considering a modded 335i and doing some upgrades to it, but as others have said, once you're inside the car and just driving at 75-80 which is where most people spend their time, no way was it worth going for the 3 Series. The F10's are just amazing, and the V8 on this car is simply unreal. In Sport+, you'll swear that car is already chipped out/tuned. The 0-60 time is legit too! Just head and shoulders above anything else out there in the big V8 sedan range.

[Joseph@x-ph.com]

Congrats !

[jrhav]

Congrats Bayern1 - I made a similar move from a '11 335isC MT to a '14 550i M-sport a little over 2 weeks ago. The interior of the F10 blows the E9x away - much nicer, roomier, and more refined. I am still <1k miles and haven't really pushed the car as yet, but it is plenty fast. Obviously, it does not corner the way the 'is' did, and the transition from a MT to an automatic has been a huge change, but I am very happy with the car thus far.

I threw in a few 'mods' to make the 550 a bit sportier --- e.g. creating my own 550is if you will. Window tints, painted side-reflectors, painted rear M5 spoiler, plus a set of 343M 'summer' wheels off an M5 (haven't installed yet) have had a subtle, but significant impact on the 'sporty' look of the car. I ordered the car with all-season 351M tires/wheels that I will use for my winter setup.

Also - I strongly recommend coding the car ASAP as it makes - IMO - small, but significant, differences in the driver experience. If you have a radar detector, you'll want to get it hardwired.... I got mine done this weekend which was ~2 days too late as I already got my first ticket (accidentally left my RD at home)... fortunately, the cop was 'cool' and didn't give me any points --- said it was the, "nicest car he pulled over all day".

Good luck with the new ride!

[Bayern1]

Jrhav
Thanks for your response. Now I really look forward to the 550.

[zer0cool]

I almost did that 2 months ago... I also had never driven the 550i before but did a lot of research, read forums, reviews, looked at number etc. Then a new 2014 550i Msport with exactly the colors and options that I wanted happend to appear at a dealership I had dealt with before. We discussed online and on the phone, talked numbers, etc. I gathered everything for my current car, pretty sure I was going to trade it in, and drove 4 hours one way to the dealership, really excited about returning with a Carbon Black, Ivory White nappa leather, 550i Msport.

I got to the dealership and we immediately took the car out for a drive. The drive lasted maybe 20 to 30 mins, on many twisty hilly roads, some stop lights, and a few miles of high way. I came away with no feeling of exhiliration (my car gives me no feeling of exhiliration, and what's why I want to change)... I also asked to drive a 335i Msport right afterwards and from the frist turn realized that it was a better car for my personal taste (in terms of driving and handling)... However I didn't want to give up the luxury and creature comfort I already have in my current car (I had hoped 550i would give me both luxury and exhiliration)...

Anyways, I ended up driving back home, took another 4 hours, exhausted and disappointed...

I hope you like the car when you get it.

[ezmaass]

zer0cool - having lived with the 3-series (including a 335) for more than a decade prior to my 550, I can tell you the difference isn't as striking as you may think in regular daily driving.

The 335 handled well. It was very willing to be tossed around, mainly because it was much smaller and lighter. I think people get behind the wheel of the 5-series and immediately sense the larger size and weight, and they're unwilling to toss it. It DOES toss... that's just the thing.

I take the twisty roads returning to my house SO hard in the 550xi some times that there's just an overwhelming smell of burning rubber when I step out in the driveway. I have the car in sport mode, holding gears in the 4k - 5k range, manually shifting, pushing corners HARD, and the car takes it. It's bigger, yes... and it's heavier, yes... but you need to have the confidence that it'll do what you ask... and it does. I've pushed it scary hard around some bends and haven't broken the tires lose. I HAVE before with the 335... maybe that's partially because my 335 was RWD and the 550 is xDrive.

When you're pushing it hard, suspension nice and stiff in sport mode (I have DHP), manually shifting, massive torque coming off the engine... I'm not sure how you don't find it exhilarating. Again, you'll feel the size and weight more than a 3-series... but if you power through it, and don't ease up, you'll realize that it's more mental than anything else. Like I've said in numerous other posts, I've yet to find something on the road that I could do in the 3 that the 5 WON'T do... just can't find that scenario. And I think many people just back-off the throttle the moment they sense, "whoa, this is a bigger, heavier car than the 3."

All of that said, physics is physics... and lighter cars will handle better at the limits, and perceptive drivers will feel those differences as they approach the limits. But you really shouldn't be HITTING any of those limits in reality on the road. And while you'll feel them approaching more quickly, perhaps, that's the trade-off for the bigger size and luxury that IS the 5-series. For me, I couldn't ever go back to the 3 series after the 5. This car just has so much to offer in terms of luxury that gets utilized way more, and has way more impact on my daily enjoyment, than the few moments a week where I'm really pushing the car for some perks and think, "gee, the 3 series would feel a bit lighter around this corner."

Anyway - as you said, to each his own and it's a very personal thing. I'd just encourage you to take another out for a spin and really push it if you felt any reservation about doing that with your last test drive. It may be hard when you have a CA in the car with you, so maybe a friend or coworker will be so kind to let you have at it in their car.

[afadoo]

Good move , I owned a 335i for a few years and traded it in for a 550i without ever getting in or driving one. Mind you I did research and read reviews about the pros and cons associated with it. I made the deal over the net and picked it up from a BMW dealer. Has been a pure joy to drive and don't miss my 335i at all, good luck!!

[jrhav]

Bayern - Here is my finished 550is (liberties taken) with my newly mounted 343M wheels (notice also the rear M5 spoiler & painted side reflectors as noted earlier). I am no longer 'missing' my 335is (except the MT). This is what you have to look forward to... enjoy!

PS - forgot to mention that I also ordered my 550 without ever driving one... obviously I researched the car online a bunch, but I had never driven the F10 until I drove this one off the lot...

[sitcom323]

Same as a lot of you guys. I was getting out of an MB E63 AMG and wanted to come back to BMW. I toyed with the thought of taking over a lease on an 2013 E90 M3 but kept feeling like I was ready for a bit more luxury along with performance. Quick sidebar -- the AMG had all the luxury of a European taxi. The leather felt like cheap stiff vinyl, the features were non-existent as in no USB port to charge my phone, the stereo only allowed for 9 presets, the nav would've been a joke in a Korean car, let alone a $105k car, etc etc. The exhaust sound was life-changing and yes it was fast as shit, but messy-heavy-loose fast ('69 Camaro esque). And here in LA, that was a rare day of punching it at a light and that's about it. Anyhoooooo, my BMW guy basically said they were giving away 5's and I pulled the trigger without seeing the color in person (Dark Graphite Grey) and without driving.

Wow do I love this car. 3 weeks now, I've already tinted the windows, swapped out the front side and rear reflectors (do it!!) and thinking ill plastidip the wheels, trunk numbers and side non-vent/non-turn-signal thing.

You are gonna love this ride.