[Anzafin]

Hello!

New forum user from Finland .

I'm thinking of trading my E60 M5 2005 for a F10 550i xdrive 2011. Well, of course I've read nearly every thread and article about the N63 problems and the CCP etc. So, I'm on the fence.
My current car is E60 M5, and I know it would be a whole different driving experience with the F10 550i xdrive, but that's all another story as well. Right now I'm wondering the possible technical issues with the N63.

I can do my own basic diagnosing with the INPA, DIS and ISTA. I can also hold the wrench and stuff, and can do some repairs, so it doesn't mean it is always a trip to a dealer when something happens (with the M5 or the possible 550i). However, these issues don't sound as they would be always solved by changing some updated part. It sounds like the manufacturer can't offer the ultimate solution for some things.
I really would like to buy this car, but all the writing around the web I'm afraid to get it. It's kind of funny, because the M5 has a bunch of serious issues of its own, and I've survived with it. So far at least...

Funny enough, the CCP is not carried out in EU. But...
This particular car that I'm looking at has the injectors and the ventilation lines changed as well as the fuel system low pressure sensor. I talked to a previous owner and he said the car had some hesitation after cold starts last winter. According to him, the problems went away after this BMW's goodwill action. The tension test for the timing chains has also been done now after I asked the dealer to do it. They were ok aka passed the test. The car has 43.500 miles / 70.000kms in it.
The car doesn't have any warranties left. The warranty things in EU are pretty different compared to the US market anyway. And I never have had any kind of warranty in my M5 either!

I can't go with the N63TU, because they are very rare here in Finland. Actually I haven't seen any on the market of used cars.

Your response and opinions are welcomed here to help me with my decision making. As for a clarification, I really haven't decided anything yet, and I am not obsessed with the idea about owning the 550i .

Thank you in advance!

- Antti -

[493263]

You gotta wait at least another year before you begin seeing N63TU on the used car market. Leases are 3 years and many people will upgrade to the new G30 next year. So maybe wait a year if you can?

My 550 is my daily driver. It has been unreliable until they fixed a lot of those problems.

[Anzafin]

Thanks for your thought.
I think there is not many N63TUs around in Finland. You can't order a new 550i anymore here for example.

- Antti -

[Anzafin]

One, maybe stupid question here.

So, let us take a car, that eats oil because of bad valve seals.
Are the valve seals bad from the factory already, or is this a developing problem along the time?

I'm asking because this individual 550i I'm looking at doesn't burn oil now, but will possibly do that in the future?

- Antti -

[493263]

Every car will have bad seals eventually. The 550 will probably have it sooner than many other cars. But when you buy cars in this segment, that's one of those things you have to deal with.