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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 Need your thoughts, looking to get a 550i
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      12-20-2017, 11:15 PM   #1
hoodie
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Need your thoughts, looking to get a 550i

Hello,

Sold my 328i and was looking to get a used 550i. Looking to get peoples thoughts on how it is to own a 550 and how much upkeep there is?

Looking to get a used 550, roughly from 2013-2016.
Approximately 30-50k miles

Thanks.
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      12-21-2017, 06:35 AM   #2
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I am on my 3rd and final 550. I have enjoyed the raw straight line power. The thrust of the turbos on top of a v-8 have been exhilarating. I do recommend and X car is in winter climates! The grip of an X is a must on wet pavement the summer tires on the RWD suck in slick conditions. I have had both.

Be prepared for fuel consumption. If buying a v-8 this is something that you can never bitch about if swallows fuel quickly. Prepare to accept that.

After these years of having the 550 I have concluded that it has been worth it has also been somewhat of a waste as driving above 90 can get you a revoked license and a felony in most states. I still do it but its so rare. Hence, the v-8 never really gets exercised and the 535 is plenty. Allot of people modify their BMW's to get that exhaust growl that really is non existent on the v-8's and I don't see the value in wasting that money. If I want a loud exhaust go buy a vette.

Good luck with your decision, but this last 550 I got I could have done just fine with the 535. If you get an msport with a larger wheel and lower profile get the insurance. I hit a pothole on Monday in Chicago destroyed the side wall of the tire and Insurance picked up a hefty bill.
Peace
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      12-21-2017, 12:57 PM   #3
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But mine! Motor has less than a thousand miles turbos radiator rotors pads and 45k in receipts ...
still under warranty and maintenance package and valet as well.
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      12-22-2017, 12:32 AM   #4
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Look for 2014 and up, as the N63TU ought to have fewer problems. That said, I still purchased an aftermarket warranty. Handling won't be anything like your 3 series. If you're getting older like me and just want a comfortable cruiser with sufficient raw power, you'll be happy. Maintenance isn't that different from other BMWs, but a blown motor with no warranty...well, that would hurt.
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      12-22-2017, 11:46 AM   #5
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I have a 2013. Bought with 17000 miles a year ago Now I'm at 34xxx. Make sure it has had the CCP done. Check for any open campaigns (recalls). I'm problem free, but I don't launch it hard ever. I'm older too, so that's less important to me. I just want a comfortable ride that can get out of its own way when called upon. If I could do it again, I would go for a 2014+ LCI if possible.
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      12-27-2017, 02:26 PM   #6
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You just can't beat the pull from the 550i. I've used it as a daily driver for the past 6 months. I was in the same situation you were before buying and went back and forth about 500 times between the 535 and 550. Ultimately, my dealer found the perfect 550i in terms of options, color, price and mileage and i was sold before I even got to the dealer for a test drive.

I would say for a few grand more, the extra power is well worth it. I second all the other opinions about staying away from Pre-TU engines. I've heard nightmare stories. So far on my 2014, i've had a fuel pump and O2 sensor replaced but both were covered under the CPO warranty.

Good Luck on your search
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      12-27-2017, 03:49 PM   #7
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I have a 2011 550i here. All cars give problems one time or another...thankfully nothing as of yet (knock on wood). Have a route 66 warranty on it for peace of mind
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      12-28-2017, 08:42 PM   #8
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I have 2013 35k miles with extended warranty no issues
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      12-29-2017, 12:54 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DAYINAZ View Post
After these years of having the 550 I have concluded that it has been worth it has also been somewhat of a waste as driving above 90 can get you a revoked license and a felony in most states. I still do it but its so rare. Hence, the v-8 never really gets exercised and the 535 is plenty.

Good luck with your decision, but this last 550 I got I could have done just fine with the 535.
Peace
I had the same decision when it came to getting my 535 (there was a similar 550i that I could have gotten). I personally went with the 535 mainly because of the reliability. And like DAYINAZ said, its only a few places you can really harness the full power of the 550. I'd recommend test driving them both but you decide.
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      12-29-2017, 08:18 AM   #10
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I bought my 2015 550i xdrive M sport 4 months ago and i love it. Granted i have only driven it 500 miles as it's not my daily driver but nonetheless it's been perfect.

I had the dinan signature 2 package installed by the dealer and then bought the extended warranty through bmw just to be safe.

So far...so good.
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      12-29-2017, 12:01 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ickdeep View Post
I had the same decision when it came to getting my 535 (there was a similar 550i that I could have gotten). I personally went with the 535 mainly because of the reliability. And like DAYINAZ said, its only a few places you can really harness the full power of the 550. I'd recommend test driving them both but you decide.
Ditto... I gave up a half second to 60 for the reliability of BMW's legendary straight-6. BMW have been making and perfecting this engine for many, many years. I toyed with the idea of a power-adder but have since discarded the idea. Our highest octane is 91 and longevity is more important to me than a few ticks to 60. I don't drag race my car (ANYONE can go fast straight) and prefer handling. Many of you here dis the F10 as a boat but it handles well enough for me. I find I'm chickening out before any tire squeal so I'm probably leaving at least some ability on the table.
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      01-02-2018, 10:10 AM   #12
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I got mine 2014, 550i (N63TU engine) when it was 18K miles, now is 39Kxxx haven't had any issue yet. What I heard the N63TU engine gets less problem than the previous version. Very fast pick up but the ride kindda soft and body rolling. I end up changed out all springs and work perfect for me.

Last edited by vk535i; 01-02-2018 at 10:40 AM..
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      01-04-2018, 09:09 AM   #13
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Got my CPO 2014 this past April with 25K and already put 9K on it. Solid so far with the exception of oil consumption. Consumes 2qts every 3.5K on average. Dealer tops it off for free, so no complaints besides the headache of driving it here.

Gas consumption should be an obvious thing. You're buying a 4.4 V8 after all. My wife's GLC300 averages 25MPG, whereas mine is barely scratching 15MPG on the similar commute.

As for overall impressions, I picked my 2014 550i xDrive over a 2014 Audi S6. It was a difficult choice to make that had me stressed out for weeks. The S6 is definitely the more fun to drive of the two, much quicker to respond (full torque at 1.4K and keeps going to 5.2K), stiffer and more responsive on curves, just feels altogether lighter (it's not really though), and has a kick-ass stock sports exhaust. On the other hand, the 550i xDrive has more HP and torque (even though doesn't kick in full until ~2.8K and starts dying down at 4.8K), car in general much [much] better looking, interior is folds better than the S6, and it's a much better value (for me a savings of $10K).

No regrets whatsoever.
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      01-04-2018, 09:17 AM   #14
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What springs did you go with?

Quote:
Originally Posted by vk535i View Post
I got mine 2014, 550i (N63TU engine) when it was 18K miles, now is 39Kxxx haven't had any issue yet. What I heard the N63TU engine gets less problem than the previous version. Very fast pick up but the ride kindda soft and body rolling. I end up changed out all springs and work perfect for me.
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      01-04-2018, 11:10 AM   #15
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I got my 2011 550i with 35k miles.. so far no issues.. I love it..
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      01-04-2018, 09:57 PM   #16
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I have a 2011 550i w/ 50k miles on it now. Bought it a few years ago at 32k miles and the only problems I have ever had was a trunk spring going out (I don't daily my car).

I don't think I will ever go back to a Inline 6 BMW unless it's an //M... these Turbo V8's are incredible!

Next year I will be looking at a CPO G30 M550i
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      05-07-2018, 12:53 PM   #17
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Awesome. Was hoping to see if anyone on here had more than 50k. The one I'm looking at is around that mileage. If basic maintenance hoping it's not too expensive to maintain regarding repair issues.
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      05-07-2018, 01:47 PM   #18
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Update:

My 550 just hit 50K miles. Still no major problems. I took the car into the dealer at 49,900 and they found an oil leak on the upper pan gasket and a cracked rear differential bushing (I have heard this is fairly common with our cars). Lucky for me those items were covered under the 4yr/50K warranty and I was told they would have also been covered under the CPO warranty if it had been after 50K miles. The CPO in my opinion is a must for these cars......

Good Hunting....
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      05-07-2018, 05:08 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMW550AD View Post
Update:

My 550 just hit 50K miles. Still no major problems. I took the car into the dealer at 49,900 and they found an oil leak on the upper pan gasket and a cracked rear differential bushing (I have heard this is fairly common with our cars). Lucky for me those items were covered under the 4yr/50K warranty and I was told they would have also been covered under the CPO warranty if it had been after 50K miles. The CPO in my opinion is a must for these cars......

Good Hunting....
That's good to know! Hopefully I can find one that's CPO.
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