BMW 550i M Sport

[junglie]

I have been looking for the right uber barge for some time and a few months ago there were 2 x Spanish variants from a pair of different dealers.

James Paul was selling one (perhaps a darker colour) and a chap in London a silver one.

Apparently there are 8 left in the UK so perhaps one of the same cars?

This does look lovely though with all the gear ( perhaps not heated seats though).

Does anybody know this particular car?

http://www.jamespaul.co.uk/bmw-550i-m-sport-tourin...

[hadenough!]

This is the same car that was for sale in London a couple of months ago. There were various bodywork issues (you'll notice the lower side grills are still missing), the boot was soaked through from a blocked pano roof drain and the interior (particularly the rear) was well worn.

On the plus side it has a recent ins 2 from Sytners (I viewed the car as they were about to hand it back to the last dealer and they seemingly missed the boot leak).

Oh, and there were a couple of elements hanging off the radiator (coupled with the poorly fitting front bumper nod the missing grills make your own mind up hat ,might have happened).

I walked.

[junglie]

I remember someone had viewed it and walked. I spoke with the London chap and he said there was a suspension issue and something else which rang alarm bells.

I wonder how it came to be in the hands of James Paul as if was advertised in London for 6 months surely?

[hadenough!]

junglie said:

I remember someone had viewed it and walked. I spoke with the London chap and he said there was a suspension issue and something else which rang alarm bells.

I wonder how it came to be in the hands of James Paul as if was advertised in London for 6 months surely?

The suspension control module issue is usually linked to the water ingress. Sytners had apparently replaced it. However the hadn't spotted the swimming pool in the boot...the module is located in the boot...

[junglie]

You couldn't make it up!

Perhaps I will have to pass also. Shame as trying to find a manual car with a proper size engine is very difficult!

[hadenough!]

It could be worth a look, for all I know the issues may have been sorted. Just make sure you go over it carefully and check all of the electrical gubbins in the wheel well...

[Boobonman]

These have a cracking engine, but unfortunately never feel that quick due to astronomically long gearing in my experience...

[junglie]

Will be my motorway car predominantly so the long gearing, in top anyway, may be a benefit.

Current car, diesel auto, has same torque figure but 'only' 220 hp so hopefully the BMW would feel similar?

[Boobonman]

I'd imagine it would be signifiantly quicker than your Merc in the real world, but day to day wouldn't feel it. Much nicer place to sit, and definately a better soundtrack.

[junglie]

The Merc is a great real world car, particularly with new Contis fitted, and I don't know if it is worth the additional to p/x.

[falkster]

I'd really like one of those!! I don't think I could justify one of those over a 535d sport. Most of the punch with a better return on mpg.

[philmots]

falkster said:

I'd really like one of those!! I don't think I could justify one of those over a 535d sport. Most of the punch with a better return on mpg.

I've just picked up a 335d Christian. The mpg's aren't too great tbh!

[falkster]

philmots said:

I've just picked up a 335d Christian. The mpg's aren't too great tbh!

The 550 is meant to do 25 and 535/335 should do 35 average, what are you getting?

[anyideas]

I've got an auto 550i touring. Owned it for 4 months now and love it. Combined mpg is currently 23' that's after a remap too.

[philmots]

falkster said:

The 550 is meant to do 25 and 535/335 should do 35 average, what are you getting?

Averaging about 30.. Shortish journeys though. Fairly heavy foot.

I'm pretty confident I could average 35 with a bit of care but then you may as well have a 320d if you're not bothered for the speed.

On the other hand at 70mph it'll do low 40's.

[edo]

there is a lovely individual saloon on autotrader. I assume it must be a tourer?

[JDFR]

philmots said:

Averaging about 30.. Shortish journeys though. Fairly heavy foot.

I'm pretty confident I could average 35 with a bit of care but then you may as well have a 320d if you're not bothered for the speed.

On the other hand at 70mph it'll do low 40's.

30 is about right for a 335d. As you say, if you were worried about economy you'd get a 320d.

As for the 550, as another poster said the gearing really does let it down but the engine is still cracking.

[junglie]

Still tempted to have a look based on the rareity of the car and the fact that anything over 2 litres and 4 cylinders will soon be a distant dream for us all!

[JDFR]

junglie said:

Still tempted to have a look based on the rareity of the car and the fact that anything over 2 litres and 4 cylinders will soon be a distant dream for us all!

Whilst not in the same league, the 330i and 530i are both lovely and give you more than 2 litres and 4 cylinders.

And the petrol engine will be with us for a long time yet!

[junglie]

The E60 and E90 but the x28i is now a 4 banger and I think I am correct by saying the first 6 is the x35i?

I have owned many a 6 cylinder and they are fantastic pieces of engineering and an E60/1 would be great but I suppose you would always be hankering after that big V8.