About to buy a 550i- Need help!
02-11-2010, 09:59 AM
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OK so I was looking at a 545i and found out that it was in the shop WAYYYYY too much for my taste so I moved on. I found an 06 550i with 44K miles in incredible condition but I noticed while test driving it that the automatic shifts were a bit off. They were a little harsh and I was in 3rd gear by 17 miles an hour. Is this normal? The car is still under warranty so I'm fine with getting it fixed. I need to know what to do asap...thanks!!!
02-11-2010, 10:49 AM
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My Ride: 2008 BMW 550i M Sport
Being in the shop more often does not allways mean that it is bad. It might have also been owned by an owner that knew more about the car than average Joe and was taking it to the dealer to prevent breakdowns. Trust me BMW owner will take it to the dealer faster than a woman driving Cavalier (no offense)that will fix it only if it wont start in the morning 
02-11-2010, 10:59 AM
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There were other issues as well....The car had been auctioned several times and a lot of the dealer visits were repetitive for the same things breaking over and over again. It also had a dealer buyback/lemon title on it at 10K miles. No good...This 550 still has warranty and also has nothing but normal maint on the service record. It's in near perfect condition! After searching, I think it needs the transmission reset....
02-11-2010, 11:00 AM
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test drive it again and perform a 25 second transmission reset before driving it...
https://5series.net/forums/topic/400...moother-shift/
https://5series.net/forums/topic/400...moother-shift/
02-11-2010, 11:01 AM
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My Ride: 545iSMGSilver GrayAuburn Dakota LeatherLogic 7 Premium SoundSports Package
Being in the shop more often does not allways mean that it is bad. It might have also been owned by an owner that knew more about the car than average Joe and was taking it to the dealer to prevent breakdowns. Trust me BMW owner will take it to the dealer faster than a woman driving Cavalier (no offense)that will fix it only if it wont start in the morning
You really have to know the owner tho, was the car really a problem or was the owner anal... what did the car go in for?
02-11-2010, 11:07 AM
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My Ride: 545iSMGSilver GrayAuburn Dakota LeatherLogic 7 Premium SoundSports Package
As for shift points... 3rd at 17mph doesnt sound abnormal... if you're off the gas the car does shift into the highest gear possible for that speed... In traffic I chug my car along in 3rd at 12mph... thats the slowest it can go just above idle... so as long as it'll downshift once you get back on the gas then doesnt sound like anything is wrong. the previos owner must have drove it like a granny to set such low shift points.
02-11-2010, 11:08 AM
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My Ride: 545iSMGSilver GrayAuburn Dakota LeatherLogic 7 Premium SoundSports Package
test drive it again and perform a 25 second transmission reset before driving it...
https://5series.net/forums/topic/400...moother-shift/
https://5series.net/forums/topic/400...moother-shift/
Hahaha i was just going to say too lol.
02-11-2010, 11:13 AM
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My Ride: 2008 BMW 550i M Sport
I would personaly stayed away from Lemon. We as forum members know of some issues, however You will have a big problem reselling it in the future. Just my two...
02-11-2010, 01:05 PM
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The 550i has a great service history...Nothing besides normal maint after 44K miles. It was the 454 I walked away from that had all the problems and the lemon title. I don't think the dealer knows about the 25s tranny thing so I'm going to use that as a possible fix expense to talk him down on the selling price :-P