2008 550i Sport Automatic Initial Impression
08-29-2007, 09:43 PM
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My Ride: Close to ordering 2008 550i Sport Packg w/ sport auto tran.
Previous owner of 2000 328i and 2003 E39 M5
Ive had the car for 2 days now and I'm literally speechless. The fit and finish is second to none. The interior is amazing. Its comfortable, spacious, and ergonomically intuitive. The build quality is just superb.
Here's my itemized impression.
1. Seats - Just stupidly comfortable. The are beautiful to look at and there are so many settings that it will take another few days to get the perfect setting for me.
2. Steering Wheel - BMW just gets it. The steering wheel is fat, firm, yet soft. The titanium three spoke design is very nice.
3. Idrive - an absolute marvel of engineering. Im still learning it but its easy and fun. All the complaints about iDrive are rendered by people with no patience and appreciation for technology. Its quite intuitive once you play with it for a bit.
4. Navigation - just awesome and easy to use.
5. Comfort access - I dont know how the world made it this far without CA. the ease of which you can operate the car is brought to the next level. I will never get anther BMW without it. I'll use it at parties...
6. Sport Auto Transmission - Only one word can describe this transmission -- SUPERB! The shifts are lightning quick and the throttle blipping is awesome. Whether you use the stick or the paddles, its not like driving an auto transmission when in sport mode. Its better than the SMG cars I have driven my a long shot. I hope this is the wave of the future to some degree. The car will not stay in 2nd gear when coming to a stop. Big Deal!! You can just tap it back if you want. The car drives like a 6 speed.
7. Driving impression - Regular D mode is smooth as buttuh!! Im still well under the break-in period at 237 miles but even below 4400 RPM, the car feels like a race inspired F1 vehicle. Hit the stick over to the left and tap the sport button = ENTIRELY NEW CAR! The gears change faster and the throttle is much more responsive. The feel is typical of BMW tradition...TIGHT, SOLID, and HANDLES LIKE ITS GLUED TO THE ROAD. It has a heavy feel, which I like, but the heavyness is counteracted by its nimble nature and spirit. At RPM ranges of 2500 to 4000 this car puts you back in your seat. Its disgusting how hard this car pulls from 30 to 60. POWER POWER TORQUE POWER!!
The carbon Metalllic paint looks beautiful and definately looks like a deep navy blue in direct light or sunlight. The color is just really nice to look at. Anthracite headliner makes the car more exotic looking and feels likes it matches much better than the grey headliner. Everyone should get this if you are getting Carbon Metallic.
Just had the windows tinted tonight. Went with 3M 20%. They are illegal but no one should bother me. The car looks great and Ill have pics soon.
I make every excuse to go out and drive the car. It puts a smile on my face and its so fast its scary sometimes. Oh yeah, the bluetooth is fantastic and together with the voice activation..you almost dont even need to do anything at all!
Best car Ive even owned by far. Even more than the 2003 E39 M5. Its just as fast with newer technology. I cant imagine a more refined, more satisfying car in the world for my needs.
Pics and 1200 miles soon!
Here's my itemized impression.
1. Seats - Just stupidly comfortable. The are beautiful to look at and there are so many settings that it will take another few days to get the perfect setting for me.
2. Steering Wheel - BMW just gets it. The steering wheel is fat, firm, yet soft. The titanium three spoke design is very nice.
3. Idrive - an absolute marvel of engineering. Im still learning it but its easy and fun. All the complaints about iDrive are rendered by people with no patience and appreciation for technology. Its quite intuitive once you play with it for a bit.
4. Navigation - just awesome and easy to use.
5. Comfort access - I dont know how the world made it this far without CA. the ease of which you can operate the car is brought to the next level. I will never get anther BMW without it. I'll use it at parties...
6. Sport Auto Transmission - Only one word can describe this transmission -- SUPERB! The shifts are lightning quick and the throttle blipping is awesome. Whether you use the stick or the paddles, its not like driving an auto transmission when in sport mode. Its better than the SMG cars I have driven my a long shot. I hope this is the wave of the future to some degree. The car will not stay in 2nd gear when coming to a stop. Big Deal!! You can just tap it back if you want. The car drives like a 6 speed.
7. Driving impression - Regular D mode is smooth as buttuh!! Im still well under the break-in period at 237 miles but even below 4400 RPM, the car feels like a race inspired F1 vehicle. Hit the stick over to the left and tap the sport button = ENTIRELY NEW CAR! The gears change faster and the throttle is much more responsive. The feel is typical of BMW tradition...TIGHT, SOLID, and HANDLES LIKE ITS GLUED TO THE ROAD. It has a heavy feel, which I like, but the heavyness is counteracted by its nimble nature and spirit. At RPM ranges of 2500 to 4000 this car puts you back in your seat. Its disgusting how hard this car pulls from 30 to 60. POWER POWER TORQUE POWER!!
The carbon Metalllic paint looks beautiful and definately looks like a deep navy blue in direct light or sunlight. The color is just really nice to look at. Anthracite headliner makes the car more exotic looking and feels likes it matches much better than the grey headliner. Everyone should get this if you are getting Carbon Metallic.
Just had the windows tinted tonight. Went with 3M 20%. They are illegal but no one should bother me. The car looks great and Ill have pics soon.
I make every excuse to go out and drive the car. It puts a smile on my face and its so fast its scary sometimes. Oh yeah, the bluetooth is fantastic and together with the voice activation..you almost dont even need to do anything at all!
Best car Ive even owned by far. Even more than the 2003 E39 M5. Its just as fast with newer technology. I cant imagine a more refined, more satisfying car in the world for my needs.
Pics and 1200 miles soon!
08-30-2007, 06:14 AM
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My Ride: 2008 550i ZSP with Style 167 wheels
Originally Posted by SSBaronM5' post='464080' date='Aug 30 2007, 12:43 AM
Best car Ive even owned by far.
I just finished a 700 mile road trip, and will post a review when I have some time to write it. Short review is that I share your enthuisiasm for the car.
Congrats, and enjoy.
Lou
08-30-2007, 06:17 AM
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My Ride: 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S Convertible. Midnight Blue, 6 Speed.Retired - 2007 997 Carrera S, Midnight Blue, Grey leather, premium audioRetired - 2007 550i, Monaco Blue over Beige, Navigation, Logic 7, Cold Weather Pack, Comfort Access, Sport Package
Model Year: 2008
Originally Posted by SSBaronM5' post='464080' date='Aug 29 2007, 10:43 PM
3. Idrive - an absolute marvel of engineering. Im still learning it but its easy and fun. All the complaints about iDrive are rendered by people with no patience and appreciation for technology. Its quite intuitive once you play with it for a bit.
08-30-2007, 07:32 AM
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Originally Posted by swajames' post='464188' date='Aug 30 2007, 10:17 AM
Great post, and great car. Congratulations! I take exception to just one of your comments and it's my old hobby horse again, iDrive. I've posted a lot about it lately so don't want to go over old ground but I'd argue that many of us who haven't drunk the Kool Aid do have patience and absolutely do appreciate technology (I am a technology partner in a large consulting firm) - and that's why we know iDrive could and should be better. Glad you like it, but I think you're off in your assessment of those of us who expect more and know that it should be better than it is.
I love technology. I love gadgets. I love iDrive. It could be much, much better.
08-30-2007, 07:42 AM
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My Ride: Close to ordering 2008 550i Sport Packg w/ sport auto tran.
Previous owner of 2000 328i and 2003 E39 M5
Originally Posted by swajames' post='464188' date='Aug 30 2007, 10:17 AM
Great post, and great car. Congratulations! I take exception to just one of your comments and it's my old hobby horse again, iDrive. I've posted a lot about it lately so don't want to go over old ground but I'd argue that many of us who haven't drunk the Kool Aid do have patience and absolutely do appreciate technology (I am a technology partner in a large consulting firm) - and that's why we know iDrive could and should be better. Glad you like it, but I think you're off in your assessment of those of us who expect more and know that it should be better than it is.
I did not mean to offend anyone. I can definately see your voice when, at times, I feel that iDrive can be improved. It has gotten so many bad reviews, that in my opinion, are not warranted. That is all I intended to say.
Have you taken full advantage of voice command? There are over 3000 commands!!!
08-30-2007, 08:20 AM
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My Ride: Close to ordering 2008 550i Sport Packg w/ sport auto tran.
Previous owner of 2000 328i and 2003 E39 M5
Here are pics from my iPhone...
By the way, the iPod/USB adapter.....Does it charge the iPhone battery? It doesnt appear to. Am I missing something??
By the way, the iPod/USB adapter.....Does it charge the iPhone battery? It doesnt appear to. Am I missing something??
08-30-2007, 10:49 AM
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My Ride: '11 X5 xDrive35i Sport Activity M Sport Carbon Black Cinnamon Brown Dark Bamboo Anthracite Headliner M Sports Pkg Convenience Pkg Active Steering Comfort Access Heated Front Seats Navigation Premium Hi-Fi
Yes Yes Yes! Congrats! Nice choice in the Carbon Black i might add 
I agree with your write up entirely. Some of the features i didnt have the chance to have on my 04 545i are the things im enjoying the most right now - HUD, Comfort Access, Bluetooth...oh, and the extra horses, SAT (Sport Auto Trans), and 19s/172s...actually, the list could go on and on...
Congrats! Nice choice in the Carbon Black i might add I agree with your write up entirely. Some of the features i didnt have the chance to have on my 04 545i are the things im enjoying the most right now - HUD, Comfort Access, Bluetooth...oh, and the extra horses, SAT (Sport Auto Trans), and 19s/172s...actually, the list could go on and on...