[ABluth]

My brother just crashed my 2011 535i I fell in love with the f10 5 series for my price range... time to get another I'm thinking! I really like the 550i right now, just wondering what year. Do you notice the power difference in the post 2014 models? what year 550i would you recommend?

[ChiNorm]

What is your appetite for risk? Many of us would not buy a 550i at any price. The 2014 and later are supposed to be better, but still problematic.

Good luck.

[philipm785]

The 2014 and later models are much less risky now since there is a new settlement (Isley) that means BMW will attempt repair and potentially replace the engine should it succumb to excess oil consumption issues. Replacement cost is subsidized but increases with mileage so you'd want one with < 70k or so for max benefit.

That said, the 550i is a fantastic car, especially with M-Sport, and you definitely will notice the power. The 535i will likely be more reliable and still has plenty of power, so you'd need to weigh that in your decision.