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2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 BMW 5-Series (F10) Forums General 5-Series Sedan and Wagon (F10 / F11) Forum My 2012 BMW 550i M-Sport 6 speed manual
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      12-06-2011, 09:30 PM   #1
aclockwrk
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My 2012 BMW 550i M-Sport 6 speed manual

After much consideration cross shopping quite a few cars (Audi S4, A6, A7, Mercedes CLS, E550) I decided the obvious choice was the F10 550i.

One of the main deciding factors was the availability of a manual transmission. Every year it seems the availability of a manual is less and less. Glad to see BMW still offering it on the 5 Series!

It took right about 9 weeks from the time of order to delivery. Not bad.

Finally took delivery of the 2012 BMW 550i M-Sport on 11/30
It's DGII with Black leather

I optioned it with the following:

Active Roll Stabilization (ARS)
Integral Active Steering
Heated front seats
Anthracite Wood Trim
BMW Apps
M Sport Package
Dynamic Damper Control
Premium Sound Package
Split folder rear seat

So far after about 120 miles absolutely no complaints.

I did notice that the center console cup holder is missing, but the dealer is working on getting me one.

I do have a question to folks that have the Integral Active Steering. In the trunk, the floor compartment all I see is batteries and wires when I lift it. There is no storage. I guess the additional hardware is needed for the rear steering. I expected it to have storage like the other 5 series I had seen.

As I put more miles I'll report back with an update.

I can't attach pictures for some reason. I'll try again later.
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      12-06-2011, 10:47 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aclockwrk View Post
I do have a question to folks that have the Integral Active Steering. In the trunk, the floor compartment all I see is batteries and wires when I lift it. There is no storage. I guess the additional hardware is needed for the rear steering. I expected it to have storage like the other 5 series I had seen.
Yes, it's full of batteries - the big one and the little one . . but I store a quart of oil and a couple of tools in there. What cup holder did the dealer order for you? There is one behind the iDrive knob, was yours missing?
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      12-07-2011, 12:03 AM   #3
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What are your impressions of the six speed manual on this car...I'm a huge fan of manual but I opted for the 550i M Sport with the sport paddles (since I already have an E39 M5 manual so its a nice balance).

I would love to spend a few days with a manual transmission version of this car to see how it behaves...

What kind of positive/negative experiences with it so far? Part of my curiosity is that it must feel quite a bit different since its a six speed manual vs eight speed auto...so I suspect each gear with the manual might have a little more pull and be longer.

Post pics of it when you get a chance...

PS - Get the ACS springs you will love them.
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      12-07-2011, 11:27 AM   #4
aclockwrk
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The Six speed manual is great overall. The stick is a little springy. I have gotten used to Honda and Acura shifters which are a little more direct. The clutch on the other hand is great! very light and smooth. The one I had in my '03 Acura CL Type S was like an on off switch.

Since I'm still under 200 miles I have been taking it easy. Slow take offs with no more that 4K between gear changes. Once I hit 1200 miles I will definitely open her up. I do notice one thing though [the Torque] which is plentiful.

No real complaints. Still trying to get Office to work with my work Blackberry 9810. My personal phone is an Android so I hope BMW finally releases the BMW Connected app for it.

Still can't post pictures, getting this error.

"Your submission could not be processed because a security token was missing or mismatched.

If this occurred unexpectedly, please inform the administrator and describe the action you performed before you received this error."
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      12-09-2011, 08:44 AM   #5
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I have a 550i 6-speed. I had a very hard time driving it smoothly at first. I think the culprit is the CDV (clutch delay valve) which my prior car (E90 M3) didn't have. After about 5,000 miles, I'm much better at it now. IIRC, my 540i/6 and 335i had CDVs; my two M cars didn't.

After driving the high-strung M3, I'm LOVING the low-end torque of the 550i. It's a few ticks slower than the M3 to 60 mph/100 kph, but the acceleration at highway speeds is stunning. When I want to move into the passing lane (let's say, accelerating from 45 or 50 behind someone who doesn't know how to merge) up to ... oh ... the legal speed limit , the acceleration is stunning. In these situations, I go from sixth to third and floor it. The torque and the adrenalin are incredible.

I remember reading a review some time ago -- I *think* it was for the E39 M5 -- that described the car as being an "alchemy chamber for converting dead dinosaurs into adrenaline". This car clearly qualifies for that description!
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Others: VW, MBz, Peugeot, Toyota, Olds
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      12-09-2011, 10:58 AM   #6
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Here are some pics.
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      12-10-2011, 01:29 PM   #7
aclockwrk
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Here are the long promised pictures.

One more cool thing to mention. I have a Valentine One and I was able to set it up using the power port by the front passenger footwell and then running the telephone type cable that comes with the radar inside the A-pillar and tucked in inside the headliner. I mounted it using the suction cups right by the rear view mirror on the drivers side. I'm glad the 5 Series has this Power port so there is no need to splice into the wires for power.
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      09-07-2012, 12:00 AM   #8
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How did you get the cable to run inside the A-pillar? Do you have photos?
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      09-07-2012, 12:55 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MBrown1003 View Post
I have a 550i 6-speed. I had a very hard time driving it smoothly at first. I think the culprit is the CDV (clutch delay valve) which my prior car (E90 M3) didn't have. After about 5,000 miles, I'm much better at it now. IIRC, my 540i/6 and 335i had CDVs; my two M cars didn't.

After driving the high-strung M3, I'm LOVING the low-end torque of the 550i. It's a few ticks slower than the M3 to 60 mph/100 kph, but the acceleration at highway speeds is stunning. When I want to move into the passing lane (let's say, accelerating from 45 or 50 behind someone who doesn't know how to merge) up to ... oh ... the legal speed limit , the acceleration is stunning. In these situations, I go from sixth to third and floor it. The torque and the adrenalin are incredible.

I remember reading a review some time ago -- I *think* it was for the E39 M5 -- that described the car as being an "alchemy chamber for converting dead dinosaurs into adrenaline". This car clearly qualifies for that description!
I have a 135i and after 10k on it , the only thing i hate about it is the transmission with those stupid jerks. They say its CDV related but I hate , hate BMW for putting it in.
I love manuals and i think i am going to shop elsewhere if the F10 has the same problem. It just ruins the experience of smooth shifting.
BTW how does the steering feel?
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      09-07-2012, 05:40 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by juanpgomez2 View Post
How did you get the cable to run inside the A-pillar? Do you have photos?
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...944&highlight=

Post #20 has a couple of pictures. I just noticed BlackBerryCubed asked for more pictures (#34) and I missed it.
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      09-07-2012, 08:39 PM   #11
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That is one bad ass ride
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      09-07-2012, 11:03 PM   #12
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That is one bad ass ride
THIS
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      09-29-2012, 11:45 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by luvthestck View Post
I have a 135i and after 10k on it , the only thing i hate about it is the transmission with those stupid jerks. They say its CDV related but I hate , hate BMW for putting it in.
I love manuals and i think i am going to shop elsewhere if the F10 has the same problem. It just ruins the experience of smooth shifting.
BTW how does the steering feel?
13 months and about 17,000 miles in, I'm finding that the car is easier/smoother to drive in Sport+ (even compared to Sport).

Interesting question about the steering. I had no issue with the steering when I drove the car in Germany (European Delivery). My trip included a lot of time on the autobahn with the cruise set in triple digits (MPH) and two laps of the Nurburgring.

When the car got to the US, I was on vacation, about three hours from home. When it had been prepped, I drove my E90 M3 the three hours to the dealer, dropped it off, and hopped into the 550i for the return trip. Now THAT'S a good vacation day!

For the next month, I had both cars. I could definitely feel the difference between them, but only because I was switching back and forth. Now, just driving the F10 (and occassionally a Lexus LS430), I find the steering is precise and - like EVERYTHING in an F10 -- exceptionally smooth. Would I like some more feedback? Yes. Would I give up everything else in the car (notably, the manual transmission) and drive something else? No.
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Others: VW, MBz, Peugeot, Toyota, Olds
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