550i Sport Touring - advice

[Hereward]

I am going to look at one of these this weekend.

I've never actually seen one in the flesh so just wondered if anyone had any advice/opinions on the ownership prospect?

Also, is the exhaust note any good? I used to own an E39 M5, which only sounded "good" when starting from cold - once warmed up it was too refined. I'm hoping the 550i is a bit more V8-rumbly...

[Pentoman]

I heard a 645Ci from the outside which sounded amazing, however I borrowed a 735 (with the 3.6 V8) which had no sound at all. So probably depends on the configuration they've gone for in the 5 series rather than the actual basic motor. I predict it will be a bit quiet and a bit weak but nice enough and far from industrial.

[madou]

Hereward said:

I am going to look at one of these this weekend.

I've never actually seen one in the flesh so just wondered if anyone had any advice/opinions on the ownership prospect?

Also, is the exhaust note any good? I used to own an E39 M5, which only sounded "good" when starting from cold - once warmed up it was too refined. I'm hoping the 550i is a bit more V8-rumbly...

Yum never a big seller, but I really like them, muted rumble which grows on throttle opening, prepare for more depreciation though

[pgilc1]

Hereward said:

I am going to look at one of these this weekend.

I've never actually seen one in the flesh so just wondered if anyone had any advice/opinions on the ownership prospect?

Also, is the exhaust note any good? I used to own an E39 M5, which only sounded "good" when starting from cold - once warmed up it was too refined. I'm hoping the 550i is a bit more V8-rumbly...

They are no m5, they tend to be significantly more expensive than a 535d / 530d, and are likely to depreciate like snow dropping off a ditch.

But other than that, a great car if you're not doing the miles and can suffer the huge depreciation risk

[madou]

pgilc1 said:

They are no m5, they tend to be significantly more expensive than a 535d / 530d, and are likely to depreciate like snow dropping off a ditch.

But other than that, a great car if you're not doing the miles and can suffer the huge depreciation risk

Roll on 2010, when I can buy a 50k mile minter for GBP 12K. Residual value flame war may follow

[gizlaroc]

I reckon you're right, I do think you will get a 550i for £12k in 2 years time, may have a few miles on it, but they are bullet proof.

I would definitely consider one.

[SJobson]

Which are you going to see - the one at Joe Macari or the one at Soper in Lincoln?

[Hereward]

SJobson said:

Which are you going to see - the one at Joe Macari or the one at Soper in Lincoln?

I'm going to see the Joe Macari car, not too far from home:
http://www.joemacari.com/cars/bmw_m550_0908/cardes...

Looks like it's got some decent toys and has done easy motorway miles.

I gave up worrying about depreciation when I bought my VW Touareg V8!

[clonmult]

I've witnessed a 550i Sport .... and the engine note under "normal" driving is very muted, almost too refined.

But open it up, it sounds absolutely fantastic.

[Hereward]

Went to view the car this morning.

Didn't buy it. Not as quick as I had expected. As other people have correctly stated, it's not a Junior M5. I expected to love it but it was too refined and quiet for my tastes. It felt more like 300bhp rather than 367bhp.

Bodywork wasn't in the best condition either.

Oh well, I'll wait for M5 Tourings to fall into my price range...

[SJobson]

I'm glad you posted your impressions - I was tempted to change my E39 540i Touring for a 550i but I did wonder how much of a step up it would be, other than being newer. For ~£20k outlay over the value of my car it doesn't sound worth it

[Hereward]

Please don't let my impressions put you off - I'm no motoring journalist!

I'm still really disappointed - I really expected to love this car. I think I'll wait for another Touring to crop up and try again.

[SJobson]

I've no doubt I'll like it, it's just that I suspect I won't see £20,000-worth of improvement from my E39. And that doesn't sound like the right 550i either...

[thegreatdogwood]

Anyone know where there is a 550I sport touring 2006 or 2007 for sale please. Looking at that or E500 Sport estate and both seem quite hard to find

[Ed5995]

Just been offered an October 2005 550 Msport saloon in carbon black, with just under 17000 miles. Asking £19250. Is that fair? What fuel economy should I expect. Seems to be an endangered species as even BMW dealers didn't seem interested in taking it in part-ex.

[thegreatdogwood]

Ed5995 said:

Just been offered an October 2005 550 Msport saloon in carbon black, with just under 17000 miles. Asking £19250. Is that fair? What fuel economy should I expect. Seems to be an endangered species as even BMW dealers didn't seem interested in taking it in part-ex.

Depends on rest of spec as you can rack up options pretty quickly. Expect mid 20's on a run and 18-20 around town. GREAT engine, and in very short supply but then only a limited number of buyers as niche product that few will value so factor in further falls. Let me know if you get offered a touring..............

[Ed5995]

[quote=thegreatdogwood Depends on rest of spec as you can rack up options pretty quickly. Expect mid 20's on a run and 18-20 around town. quote]

Black Dakota leather, M Double Spoke 172 19" Mixed Wheels, Airbags, rear Sunblind,Head-up Display, Hi-Fi system Professional Logic 7, Visibility package, Media Package, Aluminium Cube interior trim,Leather upholstery, Anthracite headlining....all very enticing but 18-20mpg...OUCH!!

[thegreatdogwood]

Ed5995 said:

thegreatdogwood Depends on rest of spec as you can rack up options pretty quickly. Expect mid 20's on a run and 18-20 around town. quote said:

Black Dakota leather, M Double Spoke 172 19" Mixed Wheels, Airbags, rear Sunblind,Head-up Display, Hi-Fi system Professional Logic 7, Visibility package, Media Package, Aluminium Cube interior trim,Leather upholstery, Anthracite headlining....all very enticing but 18-20mpg...OUCH!!

Lovely spec and reasonable price. To be honest, you need to worry more about depreciation than fuel as 88p per litre is no longer a big issue but resale is when M5's keep collapsing in value as very few see the merits of the 550i. I would be all over that car if it was an estate...........

[SJobson]

thegreatdogwood said:

Anyone know where there is a 550I sport touring 2006 or 2007 for sale please. Looking at that or E500 Sport estate and both seem quite hard to find

Soper in Lincoln had a 55 plate 550i Touring (Nov 2005 registered) with 28k miles. It was for sale for ages at £28,990, then a couple of weeks ago was reduced to £20,590. I was keen to have a look at it for that price, but it disappeared from their website about a week ago so I guess it has sold.

Was quite expecting the new owner to appear on here, actually - you've got to be keen on cars to buy a 550i over a 535d.

[pgilc1]

Ed5995 said:

all very enticing but 18-20mpg...OUCH!!

What were you expecting of a car with that size of an engine?

My 535d only averages 25mpg round town.

If you *think* fuel consumption might be an issue for you, then once the gloss of a new car has worn off, it will be, and you will struggle to find a victim for it come resale time.