550 Two Year Review
10-17-2007, 05:39 AM
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I?ve owned my 550i for two years now and I think I enjoy it more now than ever - it still puts smile on my face every day. 
Yesterday, for example, I drove to Indianapolis and back (205 miles / 3.5 hours each way). If you know the Chicago area and overall driving conditions in the Midwest, you know that you will face every road condition imaginable - from the worst pot-holed road to the smoothest, flattest, straightest highway; from stuck-in-traffic plodding along at 10 MPH, to wide-open plains cruising at 100+ MPH . The 550 handled every condition with ease - never faltered, never rattled, never surprised. Oh, and I averaged 26.7 miles per gallon for the whole trip. What a machine.
I love the effortless power and grace; the still-setting-the-standard style of the exterior; the clean, sharp-looking interior; the perfect driving position; the precise steering; the rock-solid brakes; the uncanny chassis; and most of all ... the engine. Overall, the 550 is a stunning blend of a luxury sedan and a driver's car.
Did I mention the power plant? That thing is so smooth and silky and powerful - and I think it sounds better and delivers more power now than ever (at nearly 20,000 miles).
Reliability so far has been outstanding. Other than 3 oil changes, I've had the steering sensor replaced (without ever having any issues), and the rear brake pads were replaced a few thousand miles ago. And since getting the software updated to Progman 25, all of the initial quirks are gone.
I only have one major problem with my 550 - it's such a superb performer that I can't justify getting an M5, yet.
Yesterday, for example, I drove to Indianapolis and back (205 miles / 3.5 hours each way). If you know the Chicago area and overall driving conditions in the Midwest, you know that you will face every road condition imaginable - from the worst pot-holed road to the smoothest, flattest, straightest highway; from stuck-in-traffic plodding along at 10 MPH, to wide-open plains cruising at 100+ MPH . The 550 handled every condition with ease - never faltered, never rattled, never surprised. Oh, and I averaged 26.7 miles per gallon for the whole trip. What a machine.
I love the effortless power and grace; the still-setting-the-standard style of the exterior; the clean, sharp-looking interior; the perfect driving position; the precise steering; the rock-solid brakes; the uncanny chassis; and most of all ... the engine. Overall, the 550 is a stunning blend of a luxury sedan and a driver's car.
Did I mention the power plant? That thing is so smooth and silky and powerful - and I think it sounds better and delivers more power now than ever (at nearly 20,000 miles).
Reliability so far has been outstanding. Other than 3 oil changes, I've had the steering sensor replaced (without ever having any issues), and the rear brake pads were replaced a few thousand miles ago. And since getting the software updated to Progman 25, all of the initial quirks are gone.
I only have one major problem with my 550 - it's such a superb performer that I can't justify getting an M5, yet.
10-17-2007, 05:42 AM
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Originally Posted by tachyon' post='482654' date='Oct 17 2007, 09:39 AM
I?ve owned my 550i for two years now and I think I enjoy it more now than ever - it still puts smile on my face every day.
Yesterday, for example, I drove to Indianapolis and back (205 miles / 3.5 hours each way). If you know the Chicago area and overall driving conditions in the Midwest, you know that you will face every road condition imaginable - from the worst pot-holed road to the smoothest, flattest, straightest highway; from stuck-in-traffic plodding along at 10 MPH, to wide-open plains cruising at 100+ MPH . The 550 handled every condition with ease - never faltered, never rattled, never surprised. Oh, and I averaged 26.7 miles per gallon for the whole trip. What a machine.
I love the effortless power and grace; the still-setting-the-standard style of the exterior; the clean, sharp-looking interior; the perfect driving position; the precise steering; the rock-solid brakes; the uncanny chassis; and most of all ... the engine. Overall, the 550 is a stunning blend of a luxury sedan and a driver's car.
Did I mention the power plant? That thing is so smooth and silky and powerful - and I think it sounds better and delivers more power now than ever (at nearly 20,000 miles).
Reliability so far has been outstanding. Other than 3 oil changes, I've had the steering sensor replaced (without ever having any issues), and the rear brake pads were replaced a few thousand miles ago. And since getting the software updated to Progman 25, all of the initial quirks are gone.
I only have one major problem with my 550 - it's such a superb performer that I can't justify getting an M5, yet.
Yesterday, for example, I drove to Indianapolis and back (205 miles / 3.5 hours each way). If you know the Chicago area and overall driving conditions in the Midwest, you know that you will face every road condition imaginable - from the worst pot-holed road to the smoothest, flattest, straightest highway; from stuck-in-traffic plodding along at 10 MPH, to wide-open plains cruising at 100+ MPH . The 550 handled every condition with ease - never faltered, never rattled, never surprised. Oh, and I averaged 26.7 miles per gallon for the whole trip. What a machine.
I love the effortless power and grace; the still-setting-the-standard style of the exterior; the clean, sharp-looking interior; the perfect driving position; the precise steering; the rock-solid brakes; the uncanny chassis; and most of all ... the engine. Overall, the 550 is a stunning blend of a luxury sedan and a driver's car.
Did I mention the power plant? That thing is so smooth and silky and powerful - and I think it sounds better and delivers more power now than ever (at nearly 20,000 miles).
Reliability so far has been outstanding. Other than 3 oil changes, I've had the steering sensor replaced (without ever having any issues), and the rear brake pads were replaced a few thousand miles ago. And since getting the software updated to Progman 25, all of the initial quirks are gone.
I only have one major problem with my 550 - it's such a superb performer that I can't justify getting an M5, yet.
10-17-2007, 06:45 AM
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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........
Another happy member of the V8 Club !!! I love the way these cars so effortlessly ramp the speed up !!
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10-17-2007, 06:52 AM
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My Ride: '04 Jet Black
Once upon a time it had chrome wheels... 'til i joined this forum :)
Ditto! And mine is two years older and only a 530! Don't need no damn V8 to feel the same way
Originally Posted by tachyon' post='482654' date='Oct 17 2007, 06:39 AM
I?ve owned my 550i for two years now and I think I enjoy it more now than ever - it still puts smile on my face every day.
Yesterday, for example, I drove to Indianapolis and back (205 miles / 3.5 hours each way). If you know the Chicago area and overall driving conditions in the Midwest, you know that you will face every road condition imaginable - from the worst pot-holed road to the smoothest, flattest, straightest highway; from stuck-in-traffic plodding along at 10 MPH, to wide-open plains cruising at 100+ MPH . The 550 handled every condition with ease - never faltered, never rattled, never surprised. Oh, and I averaged 26.7 miles per gallon for the whole trip. What a machine.
I love the effortless power and grace; the still-setting-the-standard style of the exterior; the clean, sharp-looking interior; the perfect driving position; the precise steering; the rock-solid brakes; the uncanny chassis; and most of all ... the engine. Overall, the 550 is a stunning blend of a luxury sedan and a driver's car.
Did I mention the power plant? That thing is so smooth and silky and powerful - and I think it sounds better and delivers more power now than ever (at nearly 20,000 miles).
Reliability so far has been outstanding. Other than 3 oil changes, I've had the steering sensor replaced (without ever having any issues), and the rear brake pads were replaced a few thousand miles ago. And since getting the software updated to Progman 25, all of the initial quirks are gone.
I only have one major problem with my 550 - it's such a superb performer that I can't justify getting an M5, yet.
Yesterday, for example, I drove to Indianapolis and back (205 miles / 3.5 hours each way). If you know the Chicago area and overall driving conditions in the Midwest, you know that you will face every road condition imaginable - from the worst pot-holed road to the smoothest, flattest, straightest highway; from stuck-in-traffic plodding along at 10 MPH, to wide-open plains cruising at 100+ MPH . The 550 handled every condition with ease - never faltered, never rattled, never surprised. Oh, and I averaged 26.7 miles per gallon for the whole trip. What a machine.
I love the effortless power and grace; the still-setting-the-standard style of the exterior; the clean, sharp-looking interior; the perfect driving position; the precise steering; the rock-solid brakes; the uncanny chassis; and most of all ... the engine. Overall, the 550 is a stunning blend of a luxury sedan and a driver's car.
Did I mention the power plant? That thing is so smooth and silky and powerful - and I think it sounds better and delivers more power now than ever (at nearly 20,000 miles).
Reliability so far has been outstanding. Other than 3 oil changes, I've had the steering sensor replaced (without ever having any issues), and the rear brake pads were replaced a few thousand miles ago. And since getting the software updated to Progman 25, all of the initial quirks are gone.
I only have one major problem with my 550 - it's such a superb performer that I can't justify getting an M5, yet.
10-17-2007, 07:12 AM
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Originally Posted by Veight' post='482676' date='Oct 17 2007, 09:59 AM
I curb rashed one of my wheels already. How are yours?
$129 repaired and repainted at Wheels America ... good as new.
10-17-2007, 08:41 AM
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My Ride: 2008 Sapphire Black on Black M5 - loaded sans soft close doors
Originally Posted by tachyon' post='482654' date='Oct 17 2007, 08:39 AM
I only have one major problem with my 550 - it's such a superb performer that I can't justify getting an M5, yet.
Drove two M5s this summer - really wanted it for the M5 "coolness" - however, I simply love my active steering and the instantaneous torque available with this motor. The 550 just suites my drive/driving style better!
Damn car....
PS - I did love the cooled seats on the M5 however.
10-17-2007, 08:55 AM
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My Ride: 2010 M5 alpine white, black full leather, etc.
I still have only 4500 miles or so on mine. It will be a year old in December. This vehicle possesses a combination of silky smooth power and incredible handling characteristics. I, as the rest of you, just love it!
Cheers
Cheers