Hey guys, I have had my 1998 GS300 for about 5 years now and love it but it's time for that car to go into someone elses hands now. I have been looking at an 2006 550i or a 2007 550i and was wondering if there was anything I should be looking out for?

The car I am looking at right now is a 2006 550i with a little over 50K miles on it and it looks very well kept but out of warranty.

What I am wondering is what is your experience with the 550i and how reliable is it? Has your car been in for any repairs (not counting normal maintenance)?

My GS300 has about 185K miles on it (had it from 140K - current) and the only thing that died on me was my alternator which cost $200 to fix. Can I expect similar reliability from a 550i?

going to a Bimmer from a Lexus is NOT about reliability. Prepare to SPEND SPEND SPEND - a 5er is an expensive affair too. But ask anyone on this forum, and they'll tell you they'd gladly spend double what they have so far and still be happy with their car. make sense? :wink:

:welcome: home NooB!

My wife has had a lexus for 7 years and her maintenance experience has been the same as yours. I am on my second 5 series (both CPO purchases) for a stretch of 8.5 years and can say they are not as affordable to maintain (in my experience) as a lexus. As my last 5 got older it was not unusual to have to do at least one costly repair or service a year. That much said, the car was incredible and even when it was a 10 year old car with 120k miles plus it drove incredibly well. I now have a 2007 550 with low miles and a CPO warrantee. I figure I should have smooth sailing for a few years but realize that down the line I may face some hefty repair bills....

Go CPO. E60s are terrific driver's cars but their reliability is generally not as great as Lexus automobiles. Of course, within 5 minutes of getting behind the wheel of every Lexus I have ever driven (I understand that the IFS is an awesome driver's car but I've never driven it) I have wanted to fall asleep or shoot myself.

Were I in your shoes and I wanted a used E60, I'd go CPO. But it bulletproof reliability is your prime need in buying a car and if that trumps the fun-to-drive factor, I'd go with Lexus (or Infinti, which has excellent reliability and is considerably more fun to drive than Lexus -- I've had 2 Infinitis). But nothing Lexus or Infiniti makes (including the Infiniti M45 Sport) is as fun to drive as a BMW 550.

plus you'll get a complimentary subscription to this great forum :thumbsup:

Scott, that is the best line EVER!!!!! And I completely agree, I have had Acuras and Infinitis but there is just something about the BMW - not the badge, the feel, the smell, the performance. I have a 6 cyl and it still makes me smile every time I drive it!!!! If you're considering the 550 that is much better still. Plenty of power and equally aggressive performance. Definitely get CPO though, you want your initial time with your car to be as trouble free as possible.

The short answer is "No". An oil change would cost half of that alternator repair. BMW is not cheap to maintain, especially if you buy one with high mileage and out of warranty. Be prepared for something big, not always but just in case. Lexus makes great cars but BMW makes the ultimate driving machines.

like everyone else said, it will cost you more then lexus to maintain. These cars need attention.

My advice: get extended warranty on 550 for piece of mind

With all of the useful, not so useful, and flaming EVNYous threads...

Yes, and a BIG bonus would be if you decide to add copious amount of chrome to your car so that we can all have a good laugh.