[Sophisticated Redneck]

Originally Posted by walmark

I love it, it is a must for slow highway crawl. It makes a difference between arriving home relaxed vs stressed when driving in bumper to bumper traffic. I know it's wrong, but sometimes I'll sit there rolling slowly and playing with iDrive without even paying attention. Once you try it, you're hooked for life ��
Before this I had Audi for 2 years also with ACC. Audi system was a little more "nervous", braking late and accelerating too aggressively when a space opened up. I hear this is common among other VAG cars as well. BMW is a little more sedated, which I like - brakes gradually and accelerates slowly, kinda how I normally drive in high congestion. Not sure if it depends on the drive mode though (i.e. Sport vs. Comfort) as I didn't have a chance to experiment with that yet.

I Will second that on the ACC as my X5 has it. Mines a bit older as a 2012, its a must have but only thing I found that is a bit scary (and they may have fixed this on the newer models) is if someone cuts you off and the same time someone gets on your ass. The ACC will brake check the dude behind you HARD and make you look like a dick lol

[OnlyGerman]

Try something else. The m278 from Mercedes is way more reliable.

[bigscore]

Originally Posted by walmark

While I don't disagree with the overall evaluation of the technical challenges and potential for failure due to heat, the actual failure rate is not nearly as high as the forums would lead the reader to believe. Remember that the N63 and following variants have been installed in various 550, 650, 750, X5, and X6 models since as early as 2010. And while some of them did experience catastrophic failures, a large number still drives around unaffected. It would be great to get some solid numbers but I'm pretty sure BMW keeps those on the tight leash.

It reminds me of all the horror stories of N54 back when I had my 335. HPFP, rattling wastegates, and exploding intakes if you add just a little more boost. Drove mine for 5 years and the only engine issue was the water pump (had other electrical gremlins though).

Yes, the warranty is very important, but I think that's the case with ALL BMW cars, not just N63/TU. But that would not keep me away from one. And the more "fun" the engine is, the more failure prone it tends to be as well. So make friends with the dealer, buy a good Rt66/Maxcare coverage, and enjoy the car that you want (if that's the one you really want).

The "horror stories" are so bad that BMW had to settle the problem(s) in court with replacement motors (sounds pretty bad to me) and.....there's a waiting list for a replacement motor which comes with a $5000-$7000 install cost to the owner.

[walmark]

Originally Posted by bigscore

The "horror stories" are so bad that BMW had to settle the problem(s) in court with replacement motors (sounds pretty bad to me) and.....there's a waiting list for replacement which come with a $5000-$7000 cost to the owner.

Yes, but is that on ALL N63 equipped cars?? .

[perrymaxima]

Originally Posted by matt21484

Mind sharing how much the MaxCare warranty was? I've got a few saved at different CarMax's around the country. I've never bought a car from them, but know their reputation; were you able to negotiate in any sense or was it "I want that one" type experience?

I have both a 535i GT 2014, 335i 2013 and a 2011 550i xdrive. Knocking on wood the N58 engine has been reliable. I have the N63 in the 550i so far I have had to replace the coolant hose. Since it’s rubber the RT 66 will not cover that. I recommend getting the RT 66 cost was 2995 for 5 years/100K warranty for the 5 series. The warranty has zero deductible unlike the CPO bimmer warranty and it is transferable!

[matt21484]

Originally Posted by bigscore

The "horror stories" are so bad that BMW had to settle the problem(s) in court with replacement motors (sounds pretty bad to me) and.....there's a waiting list for a replacement motor which comes with a $5000-$7000 install cost to the owner.

This is only for the N63 cars, not N63TU, hence why I’m only looking at 2014+ models.

[matt21484]

Originally Posted by perrymaxima

I have both a 535i GT 2014, 335i 2013 and a 2011 550i xdrive. Knocking on wood the N58 engine has been reliable. I have the N63 in the 550i so far I have had to replace the coolant hose. Since it’s rubber the RT 66 will not cover that. I recommend getting the RT 66 cost was 2995 for 5 years/100K warranty for the 5 series. The warranty has zero deductible unlike the CPO bimmer warranty and it is transferable!

Thanks, that cost is considerably cheaper than the MaxCare warranty quoted earlier.

[550iFreak]

I love my 550i. When they work....they REALLY work.

Owned her for almost three years. Started at 76k miles.

2011, 6 speed manual. Muffler delete, catless downpipes, 90 degree Celsius thermostat which saves this engine on the long run. JB4 and 1 step colder ngk plugs. Also did upgraded red top coilpacks and the ccp was done in 2016 with upgraded fuel system, injectors(index 12) and new turbos.

Did the valve seals, ccv, gaskets etc at 100k miles.

I just turned 120k miles, oil consumption is none at the moment.

If you know what you are doing, get the 550i. The power is addictive.

If you like a sure deal reliability and gas mileage. 535i is for you.

The sound will never....ever....ever get old on an unsilenced 550i. Even sounds better than the M5s.

[bigscore]

Originally Posted by walmark

Yes, but is that on ALL N63 equipped cars?? .

Any car that has the N63 motor.

And......

The "fix" doesn't guarantee that there won't be other problems down the road.

[AmooManiak]

Originally Posted by matt21484

This is only for the N63 cars, not N63TU, hence why I’m only looking at 2014+ models.

While the N63TU does appear to be a safer choice and (on paper) makes more power, the N63TU in my 650i had more problems than my old N63 in my 550i. The N63TU was drinking oil where it needed a quart every month while the N63 appeared to be bullet proof.

Ironically, I went from N63 to N63TU because of some concerns raised in some of these threads, and I actually went a step back as far as reliability.

[JAM]

I'm not gonna help you much with your decision but I was in the same situation few months back debating back and forth if I should buy a particular 2016 550 X drive M Sport.
I bought it because I knew I would be always kicking myself for not getting it.
Also, my previous car was a N54 powered 135i, the infamous bad motor that I had no problems for 40k miles so don't put too much weight into the negative posts.

[matt21484]

Welp, I bought it, dat V8....

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by JAM

...
Also, my previous car was a N54 powered 135i, the infamous bad motor that I had no problems for 40k miles so don't put too much weight into the negative posts.

Still is a "bad" engine. Walnut-blasting is a must every 40K miles or so. Other than that, it still is BMW's pretty bulletproof I6.

[walmark]

Originally Posted by matt21484

Welp, I bought it, dat V8....

Congratulations! You'll have loads of fun with it. The never ending torque is addictive

[philipm785]

Congrats - the car looks beautiful and I'm sure you will enjoy driving it. I've had mine a little over a year now and absolutely love it.

Enjoy!

[JAM]

Grats, you will love it as I do mine. I recommend adding a Dinan Stage 1 tune. it's a DIY project which will put an even bigger smile on your face.
Enjoy it and good luck.

[ferizzo]

Congrats. Enjoy it and take care of her. Don't think about the issues others have had...if they happen, address at that point.

I picked up a 2016 550 8 months ago and have put 15k miles so far and have enjoyed it. I got a CPO so covered for another year and a half but plan on picking up an aftermarket warranty after. I would recommend doing an oil change more frequently than 15k...some folks recommend 5k (I have gotten one every 5-7k so far and usually need to add 1 quart after 5k or right before an oil change)

There are a ton of options out there if you were inclined to mod. Here is some high level info I put together in researching:

Tune Type Price whp gain wtq gain
DME Tuning Stage 1 1,499.00 98.56 101.20
DME Tuning Stage 2 1,699.00 133.76 140.80
RK Tune 800.00 50.00 60.00
Sergey Tune Stage 1 1,100.00 91.00 162.00
Burger Tuning BMS Stg 1 499.00 50.00 45.00
Burger Tuning JB4 599.00 90.00 135.00
Dinan Tune Stage 1 1,900.00 64.24 58.96
Dinan Tune Stage 2 1,950.00 85.36 74.80
Dinan Tune Stage 3 2,000.00 102.96 91.52
Bootmod3 Stage 1 895.00 100.00
Autowerke 1,000.00 110.00 180.00

Originally Posted by matt21484

Welp, I bought it, dat V8....

[windowmaker]

Hope you enjoy it. I got mine at 47k with a 30kmi/3yr warranty for 3k and it needed a new engine at 63k due to a spun rod bearing. Keep in mind mine is stock on the engine side aside from a sprint booster module that just makes the gas pedal more responsive.

If you want it to last just avoid modding the engine despite what all these power junkies on the forum try to jam down your throat The mods I've done just consist of driver feel things that you may figure out as you go if you decide to go that way.

In case you're interested a new engine (short block, no turbos) was just under 10k paid by the warranty aside from some gaskets & while you're in there things that weren't covered, so including deductible cost me ~$400 at the dealer.

[windowmaker]

Originally Posted by 550iFreak

I love my 550i. When they work....they REALLY work.

Owned her for almost three years. Started at 76k miles.

2011, 6 speed manual. Muffler delete, catless downpipes, 90 degree Celsius thermostat which saves this engine on the long run. JB4 and 1 step colder ngk plugs. Also did upgraded red top coilpacks and the ccp was done in 2016 with upgraded fuel system, injectors(index 12) and new turbos.

Did the valve seals, ccv, gaskets etc at 100k miles.

I just turned 120k miles, oil consumption is none at the moment.

If you know what you are doing, get the 550i. The power is addictive.

If you like a sure deal reliability and gas mileage. 535i is for you.

The sound will never....ever....ever get old on an unsilenced 550i. Even sounds better than the M5s.

Manual comrade. If you ever find the shifter is notchy you could get a weighted shifter knob. Just got it as a Black Friday gift for myself from Raceseng

[e38740imd]

whats ACC?

[Sophisticated Redneck]

Originally Posted by e38740imd

whats ACC?

Adaptive cruise control.

[e38740imd]

Originally Posted by Sophisticated Redneck

Adaptive cruise control.

Thanks!

How Does that different from regular cruise control. or is it the cruise control