2008 550i SP
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 392
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From: Connecticut, USA
My Ride: 07' 550i sport; Sapphire Black/Auburn; sport package; steptronic; navigation with R.T.T.I.; heads up; cold weather package; Logic-7; BMW MOST ipod kit; Motorola V3 snap-in adapter; rear heated seats and rear shades; anthracite headliner; sirrius sat. radio; M-aero kit; OEM style 166 Wheels with 245/35-19 front and 285/30-19 rear Michelin PS2s.
Thanks for the review - not enough of them on the board
I drove the LCI 550 sport today at the Ultimate Drive and I was impressed. The transmission shiftpoints, ease of kickdown and general smoothness are slightly improved over my 07' with upgraded software. The power is the same. The interior changes don't excite me much. I like the older doors and the new shifter has an unimpressive tactile feel. The ride was the biggest thing. My car has 19s with non-runflats, so the only difference is the recalibrated suspension. The new car is still extremely comfortable while being mildly stiffer. The high speed directional stability is improved over my car which moves around on the highway. My wife said "you need this new suspension". The 08' 550 sport, like my 01' 740i sport, is the most evolved iteration of the model. Every element is highly tuned and meshes well together. Its a better package than the 07'. The exhaust is perfect. Sounds good at start up and under acceleration. Not as loud or gutsy as the 650, but its of the same vein just to a lesser degree. I have the Dinan exhaust which is louder than the LCI sport exhaust, but it also has a tendency to drone between 1500 and 2100 rpms when the accelerator is not pressed (a low vibration like burble noise that IMHO is not pleasant when you are just driving in a relaxed manner). Sad to say, I wished I had waited for the 08' LCI. I read about a refresh before ordering my car in September 06, but they said no increase in power and only minor asthetic changes. The suspension/exhaust/wheels upgrade makes all the difference - and would have saved me thousands. I can only imagine how impressive the sport auto is going to be in the 550.
DRP
I drove the LCI 550 sport today at the Ultimate Drive and I was impressed. The transmission shiftpoints, ease of kickdown and general smoothness are slightly improved over my 07' with upgraded software. The power is the same. The interior changes don't excite me much. I like the older doors and the new shifter has an unimpressive tactile feel. The ride was the biggest thing. My car has 19s with non-runflats, so the only difference is the recalibrated suspension. The new car is still extremely comfortable while being mildly stiffer. The high speed directional stability is improved over my car which moves around on the highway. My wife said "you need this new suspension". The 08' 550 sport, like my 01' 740i sport, is the most evolved iteration of the model. Every element is highly tuned and meshes well together. Its a better package than the 07'. The exhaust is perfect. Sounds good at start up and under acceleration. Not as loud or gutsy as the 650, but its of the same vein just to a lesser degree. I have the Dinan exhaust which is louder than the LCI sport exhaust, but it also has a tendency to drone between 1500 and 2100 rpms when the accelerator is not pressed (a low vibration like burble noise that IMHO is not pleasant when you are just driving in a relaxed manner). Sad to say, I wished I had waited for the 08' LCI. I read about a refresh before ordering my car in September 06, but they said no increase in power and only minor asthetic changes. The suspension/exhaust/wheels upgrade makes all the difference - and would have saved me thousands. I can only imagine how impressive the sport auto is going to be in the 550.
DRP
Contributors
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,459
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC , Canada
My Ride: 2011, X6 Hybrid . Alpine White , every option. 20" Conti' NON runflats,OEM trunk spoiler , LUX V3 AE's , HP Thunder Fogs , custom front bumper reflector delete........
Originally Posted by 550isport' post='435454' date='Jun 13 2007, 04:48 PM
Thanks for the review - not enough of them on the board
I drove the LCI 550 sport today at the Ultimate Drive and I was impressed. The transmission shiftpoints, ease of kickdown and general smoothness are slightly improved over my 07' with upgraded software. The power is the same. The interior changes don't excite me much. I like the older doors and the new shifter has an unimpressive tactile feel. The ride was the biggest thing. My car has 19s with non-runflats, so the only difference is the recalibrated suspension. The new car is still extremely comfortable while being mildly stiffer. The high speed directional stability is improved over my car which moves around on the highway. My wife said "you need this new suspension". The 08' 550 sport, like my 01' 740i sport, is the most evolved iteration of the model. Every element is highly tuned and meshes well together. Its a better package than the 07'. The exhaust is perfect. Sounds good at start up and under acceleration. Not as loud or gutsy as the 650, but its of the same vein just to a lesser degree. I have the Dinan exhaust which is louder than the LCI sport exhaust, but it also has a tendency to drone between 1500 and 2100 rpms when the accelerator is not pressed (a low vibration like burble noise that IMHO is not pleasant when you are just driving in a relaxed manner). Sad to say, I wished I had waited for the 08' LCI. I read about a refresh before ordering my car in September 06, but they said no increase in power and only minor asthetic changes. The suspension/exhaust/wheels upgrade makes all the difference - and would have saved me thousands. I can only imagine how impressive the sport auto is going to be in the 550.
DRP
I drove the LCI 550 sport today at the Ultimate Drive and I was impressed. The transmission shiftpoints, ease of kickdown and general smoothness are slightly improved over my 07' with upgraded software. The power is the same. The interior changes don't excite me much. I like the older doors and the new shifter has an unimpressive tactile feel. The ride was the biggest thing. My car has 19s with non-runflats, so the only difference is the recalibrated suspension. The new car is still extremely comfortable while being mildly stiffer. The high speed directional stability is improved over my car which moves around on the highway. My wife said "you need this new suspension". The 08' 550 sport, like my 01' 740i sport, is the most evolved iteration of the model. Every element is highly tuned and meshes well together. Its a better package than the 07'. The exhaust is perfect. Sounds good at start up and under acceleration. Not as loud or gutsy as the 650, but its of the same vein just to a lesser degree. I have the Dinan exhaust which is louder than the LCI sport exhaust, but it also has a tendency to drone between 1500 and 2100 rpms when the accelerator is not pressed (a low vibration like burble noise that IMHO is not pleasant when you are just driving in a relaxed manner). Sad to say, I wished I had waited for the 08' LCI. I read about a refresh before ordering my car in September 06, but they said no increase in power and only minor asthetic changes. The suspension/exhaust/wheels upgrade makes all the difference - and would have saved me thousands. I can only imagine how impressive the sport auto is going to be in the 550.
DRP
Cheers
Thread Starter
Contributors
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles. CA
My Ride: 2004 545i 6 spd Sports Package | NAV | PDC | Logic 7 | BT retrofit | SW V13.3
Originally Posted by westcoast550' post='435512' date='Jun 13 2007, 05:54 PM
Comparing an07 550 Sport vs an 08 550 MSport is a bit like apples and oranges, the 07 MSport vs 08 MSport no diff in handling or power, same suspension ,wheels ,tires .electronic tranny is new as is the exhaust ( I love the sound as well ) I have an 07 and my wife has an 08 . The only things I like better about the 08 is the exhaust note and the front headlights , the thing I like least is the orange reflector on the front fenders. Both are great cars.
Cheers
Cheers
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,459
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC , Canada
My Ride: 2011, X6 Hybrid . Alpine White , every option. 20" Conti' NON runflats,OEM trunk spoiler , LUX V3 AE's , HP Thunder Fogs , custom front bumper reflector delete........
Originally Posted by Hormazd' post='435543' date='Jun 13 2007, 09:06 PM
What do you mean 07Msport. I was not aware that there was a suspension change in 07 550.
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 788
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, Canada
My Ride: 2011 F10 535i, Graphite on Oyster, ///Msport, Executive Package, XDrive
Originally Posted by westcoast550' post='435546' date='Jun 13 2007, 08:19 PM
In Canada we have the Sport and MSport Option +$ 7500 this is what the all the 08s are coming as now. The cars are the same, but as you noted the ride is firmer more stable at higher speeds etc. Was this option not available in the US last year as well ?
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