jochet

I put a hold on an 09 550i today, dealer has in stock, car is carbon black metalic with natural brown seats, sports, pkg, nav,logic 7, sat radio, comfort access, active steering, sports trans w/paddles, power shades, i-pod adpter.

It's a very nice car, but I have some questions, first, how well does the carbon black paint hold up?
How much has active steering improved, has it on my 04, 545 and did not love it.
How good are the Conti run flats, I have really liked the bridgestones on my current 550.

The car drove great and looks fantastic, love to hear from you guys.

JDoug550

I cannot attest to the active steering option, but your concern about the quality of the Conti's is a moot point. They are not run flats. The carbon black paint has been a love/hate relationship for me. It is easily marred, but absolutely stunning when properly cleaned.

Bob Slydel

Hey,

I have a '08 550i with Carbon Black/Nat Brown.

As the previous poster mentioned, it should not have runflats. They were discontinued starting in '08.

I do not have active steering, so I can't help you there.

As far as the color... This is my first black car. It looks outstanding when it is clean, but it can be a lot of work to keep it that way. I had about a 2 hour session today getting rid of water spots from a recent rain. In my opinion, it is really more blue than black. If there is any light out at all, it looks metallic blue to me. When it is dark or cloudy, it looks black. It is a really cool color. That being said, I will not be getting a black car next time around. Too hard to keep clean. I hear that jet black is even worse.

At first I was skeptical of the Natural brown interior. I wanted to get black interior but the car I found had the brown. It has grown on me and now I absolutely love it. The contrast is great with the black accents in the car. The leather has not been hard to keep clean at all. I was worried that it would get dirty really quick, but so far that has not been the case.

Anyways, hope that helps.

midwest bmw

Double check the rubber -- I'll bet you don't have runflats (least I hope you don't)

I've owned a # of black cars and all I can say is that if you are an anal, detail freak stay away..

Stay away unless your planning on putting in the necessary time to really keep it up. Gorgeous when clean and a B*tch to keep it that way..

I now drive Platinum Grey

GP550iSport

I was debating between carbon black and space grey for sometime. My previous ride was an 04 545 as well and it was black sapphire metallic. When it was clean it was great!!! Couldn't keep up with the washing so switched to a lighter color (it drove me bonkers, my wife wanted to file for a divorce). Even when the car is filthy, it still looks some what clean. Keep in mind CB at least for the MY08 was exclusive to the 550 with the ZSP, not sure if that applies to the rest of the MY09 5's since they are being optioned with the M Tech kit from the factory.

As for the AS, I got them on both cars and have been enjoying the technology. From what I have read on the board here, if memory serves me correctly, I think it is an improved version than the original in the MY04. The other members will chime in and correct me if am wrong on this.

I have the contisport2 non runflats, could not stand the RFTs. I would also verify with the dealer regarding the rubber.

So many difficult choices that we have to deal....=) How will we ever cope....I need to call my therapist.

Good luck.

radzM

make sure you buy and install a sprint booster and rpi scoops, it makes it a lot more fun to drive!

550i now

active steering is improved from earlier e60's on mine it feels much more in touch. maybe tires? conti NON run flats drive and feel much better than dunlop run flats.

biggest difference between your '04 and new '09 is sport trans. you will love it

jochet

I appreciate all of the replies, yes your correct, the car does not have R/F, you guys may think I'm crazy, but I liked the r/f for the convenience of not getting stuck, they saved my bacon more than once, anyway I'll cope with the Conti Sports untill they need replacing then I'll go for a tire that will wear better, I drive a lot.

I'm currently driving a space gray and love the looks, but cannot get the same color again, need a change, since I live in Florida, I do not have to deal with snow/salt in the winters, I have the car cleaned once a week, I don't have the time to deal with cleaning a car anymore.

Now I'm excited, could have it by tomorrow

pennetta

The active steering feels the same between my 2004 and 2008. Other than the suspension and tires have been better tuned for less harshness, if you didn't like AS before you won't like it any better now.

doug_999

It sounds like you drove the car - so what did you think of the Active Steering? I had heard it was much improved from early builds (but that I believe was via software updates not actual hardware changes). I LOVED the Active Steering on my 550 and would order it again (the M5s variable steering ratio is a close second - and obviously would work better on the track -if I went there).

I would say you are only missing out on two options
1. HD Radio - to be honest, not that big of a deal because it doesn't work that good
2. Fold down rear seats - I don't use these much but when I do...

But if the deal is right, the color combo sure is sweet. Post the pics when you get it ...