2006 550i Sport vs 2008 550i Sport
08-11-2008 | 09:42 PM
#1
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From: Seattle, WA
I'm looking to purchase a used 06 550i Sport. I test drove an 08 550i Sport today and really liked it.
Any sense of how different the car would feel from a driving perspective? I know the cosmetic differences and am ok with them. However from a driving perspective, is the Sport Package much different in 06 vs 2008? How does the Sport Automatic Transmission compare with the Automatic in 2006 model year? Is it the same in automatic mode, and main benefit is in manual shifts? Also I do know the steering wheel is quite a bit different, will that affect the overall drive feel of the car? Is the suspension any different?
I'm guessing there is some difference, but is it anything I will notice?
Any sense of how different the car would feel from a driving perspective? I know the cosmetic differences and am ok with them. However from a driving perspective, is the Sport Package much different in 06 vs 2008? How does the Sport Automatic Transmission compare with the Automatic in 2006 model year? Is it the same in automatic mode, and main benefit is in manual shifts? Also I do know the steering wheel is quite a bit different, will that affect the overall drive feel of the car? Is the suspension any different?
I'm guessing there is some difference, but is it anything I will notice?
08-12-2008 | 12:38 AM
#2
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From: Italy, Milano
My Ride: 545i SMG with Limited Slip Differential
Model Year: 2005
Originally Posted by omszz' post='644572' date='Aug 12 2008, 06:42 AM
I'm guessing there is some difference, but is it anything I will notice?
Only the SAT, imho.
08-12-2008 | 01:34 AM
#3
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From: Western Washington
My Ride: 2008 Space Gray 550i, Light Poplar Wood, Anthracite Head Liner, Sport Package, Sport Automatic Transmission, Cold Weather Package, Front Ventilated Comfort Seats in Black Nasca Leather, NAV, HUD, Active Steering, Comfort Access, Night Vision, Lane Deviation Warning, Active Cruise Control, Heated Rear Seats, Folding Rear Seats, Power Shade w/ Rear Side-Shades, Rear Air Bags, Logic 7, HD Radio, Sirius Satellite Radio, iPod/USB Adapter. Car in BMW Body Shop, estimated completion 01/24/07.
My understanding is the SAT's differences compared to the steptronic would be most noticeable in Sport Automatic mode, less in manual. Remember that other components are adjusted via the Sport setting including steering and suspension.
Cal
Cal
08-12-2008 | 05:28 AM
#4
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My Ride: E90 330i + E60 550i
didnt feel much diff than me. Then again im not bombing down 30mpg roads all day long. The 08 would win out if you really valued the aesthetic changes. The mtech kit can be bought for the ext.
08-12-2008 | 05:50 AM
#5
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From: Charlotte, NC, USA
My Ride: 2008 BMW 550i Sport
Carbon Black Metallic/Cream Beige
Manny tranny and other stuff
Recently gone, but never forgotten:
2005 Ford Mustang GT (hence the name)
Torch Red/Crimson
Manny tranny and every option available for that year
2002 Chrysler 300M Special
Brilliant Black/Light Taupe/Dark Slate
Autostick and goo-gobs of neat features that I will sorely miss
Did they have Active Roll Stabilization in '06? Doesn't the '08 have bigger brakes? The '06 came with 18"s, the '08 comes with 19"s. There's a definite difference in driving feel from the larger wheels/tires alone.
08-12-2008 | 05:51 AM
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From: Queens/Long Island NY
My Ride: 2006 550i Black Saphire/Black Dakota Leather- Loaded- M5 Appearance Package, Sport Package, Pro logic 7 Premium Sound, Navigation, Cold Weather Package, Comfort Package, Heads-up Display, park Distance Control, Bluetooth, Active Steering, Electric Rear Sunshade, Rear Folding Seats, Front/Rear Heated Seats, Xenon lights, Satelite Radio- Extended Maintenance, CPO (Considering Tire/Wheel Insurance)
I have the 2006 550i...Its about the same. To your point, Asthetic differences msotly. The suspension has 1 difference to it, per a member on these boards. Save yourself the $ and depreciation. Get 2006 CPI w/extended maintainence. You wont regret it. A must have is the M Appearance package. Slap 1 on... Good luck!
08-12-2008 | 08:34 AM
#7
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My Ride: 2006 550i SMG
08 come standard with comfort seats which IMO are 10X better than the 06 sport seats (luckily comfort seats were optional for model year 06). If you drive the 2, for even comparison, make sure they either both have or don't have steering assist. That option makes a big diff how the car feels in parking lots (wish I had it!).
08-12-2008 | 12:22 PM
#8
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My Ride: 2007 BMW 550, Sport, Navi, PS, CWP, Sirius
Originally Posted by Heloha' post='644773' date='Aug 12 2008, 11:34 AM
08 come standard with comfort seats which IMO are 10X better than the 06 sport seats (luckily comfort seats were optional for model year 06). If you drive the 2, for even comparison, make sure they either both have or don't have steering assist. That option makes a big diff how the car feels in parking lots (wish I had it!).
Disagree on AS. Parking lot performance was never a major factor for me.
08-12-2008 | 01:49 PM
#9
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From: Seattle, WA
Thanks for all the responses, looks the differences aren't major enough for me to be concerned. Saving $30k over new makes a lot of sense.
I'm also starting to look at 2007, any big differences there? Looks like Steering Wheel and Comfort Seats are std with Sports Package both of which I'll appreciate. Transmission / Suspension looks to be the same as 2006. Is Active Steering something you can easily identify, or do you need original price sheet to find out.
I'm also starting to look at 2007, any big differences there? Looks like Steering Wheel and Comfort Seats are std with Sports Package both of which I'll appreciate. Transmission / Suspension looks to be the same as 2006. Is Active Steering something you can easily identify, or do you need original price sheet to find out.
08-12-2008 | 02:04 PM
#10
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My Ride: 2008 Silverstone II E60 M5 2012 E70 AW X5 50i Sport w/ LCI Aero Kit and Rocker Panels
Originally Posted by gregg2gs' post='644685' date='Aug 12 2008, 08:51 AM
I have the 2006 550i...Its about the same. To your point, Asthetic differences msotly. The suspension has 1 difference to it, per a member on these boards. Save yourself the $ and depreciation. Get 2006 CPI w/extended maintainence. You wont regret it. A must have is the M Appearance package. Slap 1 on... Good luck!
