I've read almost every post I can find on getting a new 550i, you guys have been great. Here is what I am thinking of ordering, your suggestions related to other options are appreciated:

2007 550i Monaco Blue 6spd manual

Beige Nasca leather/Poplar

Sport Package w/ comfort seats

Cold Package

HD Radio

Rear Sunshade

M Areo Kit

I'd really like to upgrade to the 166 wheels; anyone know if when I order this car from dealer that I can replace standard wheels with upgraded 166?

Thanks. WMB.

 

Hi there,

Can't help you with everything, but I'll give my humble opinion on a couple.

I was excited about Monaco Blue as it was a new color for MY06. However, in the flesh its dark and IMHO show little blue tint or richness. Dissappointed and decidely non-sporty. I think Jet Black would be better. The beige is best looking interior but only matches the very dark colors. Auburn is a considertion. That said, overall the car looks much better in the lighter colors, as you can see the contours better. C Bangle said as much.

Sports package is a must. A must. And now you get the comfort seats for only $500 more for MY07.

Cold weather package is key for cold climates. I'm in Chicago and this is a good option. The heated steering wheel is cool. Not a deal breaker though.

M Aero kit. Well, I think the 5 looks better stock than with the Aero kit. Many here will disagree. I just don't like the obvious rocker flares on the sides of the car. Basically, why pretend to be an M5. That said, the rear treatment looks nice and the lower front fascia looks cool. 19s would be a requirement going this route and the big 5 spokers would be the call.

Also, Logic 7 is a must.

Just my four cents.


CVT Benhogan

 

Thanks for the feedback.

I certainly am partial to the deep blue but silver grey is very nice as well. I have a Black on Black 2002 530i now and swore off Black; too boring for my tastes right now.

I've heard logic 7 is nice, just not sure I need that much of sound system. Think wasted on me!

I'd only do Aero package to differentiate the car; have not seen another like this in No. VA. I may also tint windows.

Thanks for your opinion, much appreciated.

 

I like the Monaco Blue, I think the black interior hides the detail and is way too hot in the summer. The only interior color i really like is the gray. And the silver gray exterior is about the same color as the gray interior. Thats how I end up with Monaco Blue/Gray interior. The two colors go great.

Lots of Gray M60's too. So tough to choose, wish they had more exterior colors.

 

First of all, you cannot substitute the 166 wheels, or any other wheels for that matter. At least not in the US unless you buy them and pay for them separately.

I like the Monoco Blue but would avoid it due to the way it shows paint imperfections. Three years with a black M3 cured me of dark colors. But I think it looks fantastic, and if you are willing to do the work .....

I would get Navigation and Sirius. I'm not well informed about HD radio. I also am not that big of a fan (yet) of the Aero kit. Get the Nav. now and you could add the body kit later.

 

Darkside - interesting note on the Dark Blue and paint inperfections. My Black 530 has lots of those; mostly chips though. Great point.

 

Great choices for your car. Color is so subjective so go with what you like.

Check my signature, I would get eveything again except for Active Steering, which is still a nice comfort and convenience item, though. In fact, this is a poor comparison, but I drove our company tacoma the other day and almost ran off the road with all the effor it took to turn around. That made me miss the active steering, but I do think you give up some of the classic BMW steering feel with it.

I recommend HUD, but it is probably much more useful if you get the Nav. This is the coolest feature of my car when using navigation. I think BMW has a really good navigation system, the split screen is nice.

The comfort seats as you have chosen are great.

I wish I had gotten sirius. What was I thinking by not getting it.

I wish I had gotten the cold weather package for the thick steering wheel, even though it is rarely cold here. What I really wish I had was the M-sport steering wheel. I may order one to replace my standard wheel. BMW may offer the M-sport wheel for 2007 with the sport package. You may want to check into that and make sure the cold weather package does not delete the M-sport wheel, unless you really want the CW package for the heated seats and headlight washer.

I love my M-kit. Its sets the car apart and gets a lot of looks. I mean A LOT of looks.

Logic 7 sounds great. I am not a true audiophile like some here, but the Logic 7 sounds so much better than the premium system that was in my 540. It sounded like the music was muffled in a cardboard box or something. My wife with her Bose system in her Denali used to dog out my stereo every time she road with me. Not now, as the Logic 7 blows away her Bose system. Unless you rarely listen to music, I think you will likely be disappointed with the standard system.

Enjoy your car - or shall I say, the wait for your car.

 

I have had more compliments on the color of my car than any other car I have ever owned. It is almost black on a cloudy day and a deep blue on a sunny day - it changes! LOVE THIS COLOR.

The black interior is nice as well as it is not stark - almost a dark gray. The BMW light gray interior is beautiful, but I have kids!

LOVE my Active Steering. Drive both back to back and decide which one is right for you.

HATE my Sirius - the sound quality is worse than FM - Get the HD Radio.

GET the standard wheels and purchase the others - your dealer will probably not give you any credit on your existing wheels - so why give them to them?

 

Doug, doesn't the black enterior get too hot for you? its tough on me know, black on black 530. I suppose the shades will help but that front seat on a hot summer day is brutal. Maybe grey seats would be better?

 

I live in Florida, and have Ti Gray car with Black interior.

Summer heat is not a problem with black interior.... UNLESS you don't tint the windows.

But.... in Florida, everybody has tinted windows.