BMW 550i M Sport Touring
Discussion
Thought I'd introduce my 57 plate BMW 550i M Sport Touring, it's a 4.8 V8. What makes it extra rare is it's a manual. BMW told me only 8 were sold in the UK in 2007. It replaces my M3 track car and an E39 540i. Although I did have a 2005 530d for a month before I bought the 550i, but just didn't get on with it. I only averaged 30mpg, 38mpg on the motorway and 22 round town, just now worth the compromise of a diesel and the laggy gearbox.
I was looking at M5 tourings, but the running costs scared me and I wanted to keep some money spare for running a track\weekend car in the future. I was browsing the BMW approved car list and came across this manual 550i touring, with Logic 7, heated seats, NAV, the perfect spec (except for the bamboo dash).
Anyway, I love it. Brilliant car and handles very well once up to speed on the country roads, very stable. Has all the toys and munches up the miles. It's also very quick. Had a friend out yesterday who recently sold his E39 M5 and he believed this was as close to the pace of his M5. The only problem is it's very tall geared, 2nd gear is 70mph and 3rd goes to about 110mph. With shorter gearing it would make for a very fast car.
It was bought from a BMW dealer so came with a 1 year warranty. I've since bought the 19" rims and will keep the 18's for my winter tyres. I know this car is going to depreciate quite badly, but what the hell, it's worth it. My only negative comment is it's very quiet, far too quiet. My V8 E39 540i sounded much nicer.
I was looking at M5 tourings, but the running costs scared me and I wanted to keep some money spare for running a track\weekend car in the future. I was browsing the BMW approved car list and came across this manual 550i touring, with Logic 7, heated seats, NAV, the perfect spec (except for the bamboo dash).
Anyway, I love it. Brilliant car and handles very well once up to speed on the country roads, very stable. Has all the toys and munches up the miles. It's also very quick. Had a friend out yesterday who recently sold his E39 M5 and he believed this was as close to the pace of his M5. The only problem is it's very tall geared, 2nd gear is 70mph and 3rd goes to about 110mph. With shorter gearing it would make for a very fast car.
It was bought from a BMW dealer so came with a 1 year warranty. I've since bought the 19" rims and will keep the 18's for my winter tyres. I know this car is going to depreciate quite badly, but what the hell, it's worth it. My only negative comment is it's very quiet, far too quiet. My V8 E39 540i sounded much nicer.
The privacy glass and 172's really make that colour. Very nice.
As yours is a LCI you may have a few problems ironed out but Id have a look here first.
http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/index.php/topic/49784-i-dr...p__513348__fromsearch1#entry513348
Lose the run flats (im guessing you have with the Spiders) and it will transform the handling.
As yours is a LCI you may have a few problems ironed out but Id have a look here first.
http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/index.php/topic/49784-i-dr...p__513348__fromsearch1#entry513348
Lose the run flats (im guessing you have with the Spiders) and it will transform the handling.
Neil.D said:
The privacy glass and 172's really make that colour. Very nice.
As yours is a LCI you may have a few problems ironed out but Id have a look here first.
http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/index.php/topic/49784-i-dr...p__513348__fromsearch1#entry513348
Lose the run flats (im guessing you have with the Spiders) and it will transform the handling.
Thanks Neil. As yours is a LCI you may have a few problems ironed out but Id have a look here first.
http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/index.php/topic/49784-i-dr...p__513348__fromsearch1#entry513348
Lose the run flats (im guessing you have with the Spiders) and it will transform the handling.
Thankfully (in some ways) I don't have the panoramic sunroof. Either way I have a BMW warranty and will be keeping it that way when it expires next year.
Yeah lost the runflats by going to the 172 rims. I've got Falken tyres and they are very impressive, reasonable too at £150 for 19" tyres.
MGZRod said:
I'm sure I saw this advertised in yesterdays P&J?
Couldn't be, I'm definitely not selling it!! 
(Unless someone gives me a fuel card for a M5 touring!) My friend told me one was in the P&J, has been for a while now, but it's quite a bit cheaper as it's a facelift, higher miles and a saloon I believe. It's also an automatic I think, which wasn't an option for me. I enjoyed the auto in the 540i, but now the M3 is gone and this is my only car it has to be a manual
Just 
367 of the creamiest hooves ever to be gently dipped into essence of mildly prickled nape; although a little surprised at your comments re the noise as imle of this particular incarnation, remember the soundtrack (as it was) seemed perfect for the design.
There's every need for the E63 rear 3/4 profile...
367 of the creamiest hooves ever to be gently dipped into essence of mildly prickled nape; although a little surprised at your comments re the noise as imle of this particular incarnation, remember the soundtrack (as it was) seemed perfect for the design.
There's every need for the E63 rear 3/4 profile...
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